Beniot Assou-Ekotto takes a dive from the sky...

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was filmed skydiving, Photo: Instagram

QPR defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto decided to enjoy the best of the international break when most of his colleagues were sweating it out for their national team.

The defender who is on loan from Tottenham FC, posted a picture of himself skydiving in Miami.

Assou-Ekotto has been known for his flamboyant lifestyle and love for sports cars. The defender once said that he really doesn’t enjoy football and he is just playing the game because of the money.

Paul Tergat joins the International Olympic Board...

Paul Tergat. Photo: Standard Digital News

On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, Kenyan athletics legend, Paul Kibii Tergat was elevated in status with an opportunity of tabling down the affairs of the International Olympics games.

The Nairobi-born long distance runner will join the president-elect, Thomas Bach, and the likes of Larry Probst, Alexander Zhukov and other members in organizing the Modern Olympics games and Youth games held in summer and winter every four years.

Together, they will organize the  2014 Soshi Olympics Winter games in Russia and the  2016 Summer Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 44-year-old is renowned for holding a world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007 with a time of 2:04:55.

He is also regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners in the world.

Robin Van Persie Meets Paddy Crerand | Part 2

‘I enjoy listening to Psquare’, Robin Van Persie says...

Robin Van Persie. Photo: MUFC

Who knew Robin Van Persie was a Psquare fan? In an interview with former Scottish footballer Paddy Crerand, the top striker who balls for Manchester United revealed that some of the popular names on his music playlist includes Michael Jackson, Usher and the Nigerian Pop twins Psquare.

Van Persie isn’t the only fan of Nigerian music, who remembers when Red Devil defender Rio Ferdinand confessed his love for D’banj‘s ‘Oliver twist’?

John Legend and wife go nude in new video shoot...

John Legend and fiancee Chrissy Teigen on the set of his new video shoot ‘All of Me’. Photo: Twitter/Nabil

John Legend will soon be releasing his new video which features he and his partner Chrissy Teigen naked.

The R&B-Soul singer tweeted a shot from ‘All of me’ from photo director by Nabil on Thursday, September 12 with the caption ‘Love your curve and all your edges’.

The monochrome shot shows the 34-year-old singer and his 27-year-old wife bearing their chests snuggled up in the bed.

Sauti Sol collaborate with Tanzanian act Hussein Machozi...

Sauti Sol

The Kenyan award-winning band, Sauti Sol has recorded a new song with Tanzanian ‘Nafasi’ singer Hussein Machozi.

This was confirmed on their Twitter account on Sunday, September 15, 2013 ‘Hussein Machozi on Churchill. Yes- it’s true we have done a song together. Hope you will all love it when it’s out’

The band consisting of four young men- Polycarp Otieno, Delvin Savara Mudigi, Willis Austin Chimano and Bien Aime Baraza started out in 2006 as acapella singers.

Sauti Sol is regarded as one of the most successful bands in Kenya with their debut album ‘Mwanzo’ released in 2008.

In 2012, they released the self-titled ‘Sauti Sol’, a collaborative effort with South African rapper, Spoek Mathambo.

Khloe Kardashian tested for STDs?

Khloe Kardashian. Photo: Getty Images

Khloe Kardashian reportedly got tested for sexually transmitted diseases after she heard her husband Lamar Odom didn’t use contraception when he was allegedly cheating on her.

The reality TV star is said to have been tested earlier this year after claims Lamar Odom had been unfaithful during their marriage without using protection. An insider told RadarOnline.com: ‘Lamar refused to admit to how many women it was, but Khloe knew it was at least five different women in the past year.

‘Khloe knew she had to go to the doctor, and was tested for a full range of sexually transmitted diseases. She is healthy, thankfully, but never thought this would happen to her. ’It’s bad enough that Lamar betrayed their marriage vows, but to place her health in jeopardy is just disgusting.’

It is said the basketball star – who was reportedly spied on by a private investigator hired by his wife – admitted he ‘didn’t use protection’ when he allegedly cheated. The source added: ‘[Khloe] was physically sick to her stomach when Lamar admitted that not only had he cheated on her, but didn’t use protection 100 percent of the time.’

US bars Nigeria from Visa lottery...

Nigeria and 18 other countries will not be participating in the 2015 US Visa Lottery. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Nigeria has been barred from participating in the America Diversity Visa lottery programme also known ‘US Visa Lottery’.

In a statement released on Sunday, September 15, 2013, the United States Department of State disclosed that citizens from Nigeria and 18 other countries will not be eligible for DV-2015.

The reason for the debarment is because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five years.

Other countries barred from the Visa lottery include United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, and Bangladesh.

Others include India, Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador and Haiti.

Nigeria appears to be the only African country released along with the non-eligible list.

Phone calls to the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US State Department were not answered as at the time of turning in this report.

E-mails sent to the official e-mail addresses have also not been replied.

KID TO WATCH: Shaydee...

Shaydee

Born Shadrach Adeboye, Shaydee is a gifted singer and song writer. From singing in his school and church choir, Shaydee has evolved into a promising recording artiste with a beautiful career ahead of him.

Meeting with producer Spellz, he began to write songs, do backup vocals and hooks for other artistes and producing as well. He produced his first song, which was titled ‘How Do I Breathe’ shortly after that.

Shaydee got signed to Banky W‘s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2012 and was immediately featured on the Empire Mates ‘State of Mind’ album on songs such as ‘Sun Mo Mi’, ‘See My Mama’ and ‘Only You’, just to mention a few. He has performed alongside label mates Wizkid, Banky W, Skales and Niyola on stages in Nigeria, Kenya and Dubai. He has also recently featured on Banky W’s ‘R&BW’ album.

An Electrical Engineering graduate of the University of Ilorin, Shaydee is currently promoting his debut single ‘O Poju’ and working on a couple of other songs and collaborations.

OPINION: Tiwa Savage, Beauty, and The Beast...

Tiwa Savage has to be the Robyn Fenty of our clime, because anyhow you look at it, she is both talented and commercially worthwhile

One Saturday in August, in Illupeju, Lagos, my team and I hung out in a cozy little place called BarEnclave. We (some Lady, Uche Briggs, Edward Isreal-Ayide of Chocolate City and I) bantered over drinks and grilled Turkey. We talked Politics and Music. Somehow, the latter topic took the better of our time. On the drive home, I started to capture the core of our gist; to create a bit of what I thought of our Music. It is against this backdrop that we would discover that a Savage-Beast combination is a winning one anytime.

Don Jazzy has had one of the best production careers of the last decade. He has been on a rapid ascendancy. I can’t think of any other who embodies Nigerian Music, wading through its murky waters of unpredictability and yet-to-be-structured state, with more body of works than Jazzy. His resume boasts of an enviable D’banj-Wande-SID-Mohits AllStar collection, amongst other things. Now there’s a new Mavin imprint (which already has a D’Prince Album out on the shelves), and pundits are agog with speculation, comparisons and counter-claims. The world is watching.

Mavin’s First Lady, Tiwa SAVAGE, got everyone buzzing when she ushered the listeners into her world of artistry on the release of her long awaited ‘Once Upon A Time’. Mixed reviews greeted the Album, even as it incorporates AfroPop, Reggae and R&B components. Many persons believe the project isn’t exactly a great one. This is a Lady whose breeze into the scene has met quite a bit of overzealous anticipation and frenzy. When the Single ‘Kele Kele Love’ dropped, I thought to myself: Here’s a Singer who’s going to get herself to the top and give these others a run for their money; a hot, fierce chase for their trophy. How and when, I wouldn’t know. With the Kele Kele Love’ single, the sultry singer put her feet in untested waters. I saw her enter the scene and stand tall and I knew she would break grounds. And a couple years, a few TV appearances and endorsement deals after, look where we are. Not many Singers have killed it lately, quite as she has. It’s laudable because ours is predominantly a male-controlled Music industry. And though the glass-ceiling phenomenon permeates work places into our Music Business, it’s hard to put an unmistakeable talent in the mould of a Waje, a Chidinma or an Omawumi on a leash. Talent knows NO gender. You can’t hold back the exquisite brilliance. Their singing is food for the Spirit. Our Music is pure bliss. A Waje can melten any soul. A Chidinma or an Omawumi can easily tear to shreds any stage in the Land. The BEAUTY of our Music is historic in all of Africa and beyond; delighting the senses, stimulating intellectual and emotional admiration. I can’t explain enough. No one can.

Savage and her Mavin team did broaden the scope again, connecting with a chunk of the fans and critics. But Jazzy is above all; a wizard, a beast and a master of the art. Don Jazzy is phenomenal. We can posit thus because he understands the Market enough to know the yawning cleavage between the educated, cosmopolitan Nigerian audience and the ordinary, seemingly random faction; hence identifying the need to tailor-make Music that cuts across. Musical sounds that have adapted a SID –former Rapper- into one of the most sought after AfroPop/ PartyAnthem voices in recent times. A Musical path that has a Tiwa Savage cruising on top gear, doing ‘Ileke’ and ‘Eminado’; pieces more befitting of just any other Singer (obviously not in her mould or in her league with those much western music exposure). This is what I mean by Jazzy being a BEAST. A tall, placid, expressionless beast armed with an ear for Music and a keen business sense.

There are obvious weaknesses in the LP and there are rooms for subsequent improvements. Wilfred Okiche of YNaija laments that ‘at 21 Songs, there are just too many fillers, too much autotune and too much Don Jazzy. One has to dig deep to find the real substance.’ I share the Writer’s view on this to an extent. The tracks are a ton and don’t quite touch on some areas, the result of which is diluting the job so much and killing a bit of shine. But I don’t want to come off downgrading ‘Once Upon A Time’, regardless. So if we are putting forth a debate as to why the Album isn’t (or might not be) getting 5 Stars, it must be acknowledged that it might have nothing to do with her prowess. It is safe to say her abilities are not in question, one bit. In this vein, the Project’s shortcomings though of mainly external factors, could be excused. Given the arduousness of entering a scene with a bang, hanging on for a bit –and immersing herself with collaborations, tours and all what not- and persisting through a major Label restructuring (MoHits-Mavin), to record a body of works. Somehow, it’s not so easy maintaining an astronomical high, through these circumstances. These are the angles that shape my thinking and pretty much inform my conclusions.

Tiwa -through my lenses- has to be the Robyn Fenty of our clime, because anyhow you look at it, she is both talented and commercially worthwhile. A song bird that she is, she connects with that angle of you that you love to relish, her voice reminds you of the beautiful strings that play in your best dreams. The ‘Rihannasque’ similarity comes out again when you see her on stage. She is toned, trim, vibrant and stage-present. I’m talking standing ovations, round-of-applause type performances; amongst which was the notable Mavins All-Star Concert of 2012. And if you understand what I’m saying, you’d understand why the beverage brand famed for major star names had to put her on board. It is because she does more than just sing. Thus, it’s really hard for anyone to just cross legs and enjoy Nkwobi or Afang Soup without realizing that Savage is a matter of relevance, as far as Music is concerned in the Land.

‘Written All Over Your Face’ is explicit. ‘Get Low’ is brilliant. They are some of the songs that should pleasure a certain demographic that has the youths, the grown and sexy involved. She does quite some remarkable R&B on the latter piece. ‘Ileke’ is a smash any day. ‘Eminado’ is one of my favourites on the Album. The song has Tiwa Savage rendering her most catchy, fine-tuned and radio-ready effort since ‘Kele Kele Love’. The Reggae-powered ‘Wanted’ is a jam till forever. It connects with a whole new rhythm. Although it owes plenty of its lustre to Damian Marley’s ‘Welcome to Jamrock’, her vocal presence on it is note-worthy. It probably is the most positively reviewed piece on the Album. My good man, Osagie Alonge of The NETNg wrote: ‘’Wanted’ is by far the Best Song on The Album. I like the fact that it came in at track 2; starting off with high spirits. Tiwa’s towering confidence through her vocals and lyrics plus Warren ‘OAK’ Felder’s hard hitting drums is a perfect blend. Rihanna would be jealous.’

Savage is cruising on that greatness path already, I would know. It is interesting how she’s transformed her sound, creating a brilliant one off ‘Once Upon A Time’. Overtime, as she gained momentum, her sexappeal-songbird persona fleshed out to form both an amiable as well as a marketable combination of calm, collected greatness. And although she isn’t quite there yet, she can better this. I expect her to.

Okiche concludes that, ‘It appears Tiwa is just pandering, surrendering to market dictates while throwing a bit of her true self in between. One can easily count 5 Songs that should have been left out altogether. …And so we’ll keep the better tracks even as we await the moment when Tiwa delivers the pure R&B Album that she so glaringly has inside of her.’ I’d let you say what you make of Wilfred Okiche’s sentiments but I’m sure if all else fails, Tiwa has a formidable fan base and considering the LP was made under the aegis of Jazzy’s Mavin, it should pan out commercially positive, to some extent. Listen, Jazzy is a mammoth figure with a strong cult followership. He won’t fold his arms and sip Loya while his First Lady skids. I should think so.

Chris Ihidero Unedited: In Praise of the amazing Yellow Chilli...

‘There is no sincerer love than the love for food‘ – George Bernard Shaw

I love food. I love good food. I really love good food.

I hardly ever consider what good food costs when I am eating out. I am willing to pay whatever it costs if the food and the experience is worthy.  I am not a great fan of fancy dinning, where the presentation is more important than the food and flavours on the plate.

Which is why I absolutely love Yellow Chilli.

I started eating at Yellow Chilli while working as a lifestyle magazine editor in Victoria Island in 2007. My first meal was the legendary Jollof Rice Fiesta. I remember the pleasant surprise of stumbling upon chunk after chunk of chicken in the jollof rice, which made sense to retain the Owambe party flavour at the same time as rising above it and sitting comfortably at a restaurant table. It is a careful balance, I tell you, one that the restaurants in places like Eko Hotel will do well to discover.

A friend once summed up the reason Nigeria has not achieved its potentials this way: Anything that requires a process and consistency is lost to the Nigerian psyche. If that be the case, Yellow Chilli isn’t Nigerian at all. I have eaten their legendary Jollof Rice Fiesta so many times over the past seven years and consistent does not even begin to describe the portion, flavours, succulence and overall greatness of that meal. Same for the Pounded Yam and Seafood Okro Soup. Heaven! The chef that created that meal deserves a GCON; he has been more useful to Nigerians than Aliko Dangote, our ‘Assistant President’.

You are better off eating at YC than almost anywhere else in Victoria Island, at least at the places that sell the same food YC sells. For one, YC is unpretentious about the food, the ambience or anything else really. So they have no need to have astronomical prices that border on the ridiculous, as is the case with many restaurants on the Island. As famed as the Jollof Rice Fiesta and Pounded Yam and Seafood Okro soup are, they are still under N4, 000. Unless your date was the offspring of an elephant or a whale in an earlier life, you can get away with meal for two and drinks at YC. No God-fearing babe will ask for dessert after wolfing down a portion of Yellow Chilli’s Pounded Yam and Seafood Okro. None.

I was a bit apprehensive when Yellow Chilli opened the Ikeja branch last year. I wondered if the quality could be sustained at another branch. I have been pleasantly surprised at how the consistency has remained firmly in place, not only in taste and flavours, but also in portions. See people, consistent portions are important! I want to be assured that I will get the same portion of my favourite meal every time I order it. And YC understands that some of us have huge appetites. Calorie counting isn’t a habit that will lead anyone to heaven, at least not to food heaven, which happens to be the only heaven I am willing to consider going.

I can’t say much about the quality of service at Yellow Chilli because I often don’t notice it. Right from when I arrive, I exist in a dream state where I remain, fantasizing on the meal I am about to have such that, as long as the food arrives before me at the agreed time, I don’t care about what else is happening.  The waiters are fairly courteous without being annoying and the general ambience of the restaurants, especially the Ikeja branch, is great.  The restrooms are clean too, although I won’t advise you to take my word for it as I could still have been in food heaven while peeing.

Oh by the way, they have a spin-off of the great Jollof Rice Fiesta now; the Fried Rice Fiesta. I had it about two years ago and it was smashing. You should try it. I still think the classic Jollof Rice version is still a better dish though. This might have something to do with that Owambe party flavour. And my friend Lola introduced me to the Dodo and Vegetable Soup sometime ago and that was cool too. Those are actually all the meals I have had at YC. Interesting that I have had only about four meals over seven years and I love this restaurant so…

So this is saying thank you to the guys at Yellow Chilli for a job well done. I actually think what you have been able to achieve is a pretty big deal, for nothing retains its quality over a long period around here.

Not even Governor Fashola.

Alicia Keys relives Halle Berry’s ‘James Bond moment’ in this orange bikini...

Alicia Kets reliving her Hally Berry moment. Photo: Instagram

Isn’t Swizz Beatz a lucky man?!

He knows this too and loves to remind us all the time, flaunting pictures of his drop-dead-gorgeous wife Alica Keys.

In this picture taken on the beach somewhere, the R&B/Pop singer looks just like Halle Berry when she played ‘Bond Girl‘ in 2002′s ‘Die Another Day‘. Swizz posted this photo on his Instagram with the caption ‘Yeah baby’ and about 16 heart shapes.

Check out Halle Berry’s 2002 look:

Halle Berry. Getty Images

Kim K’s mum, Kris Jenner looks really hot in bikini...

Cool blue: Kris Jenner shared this photo on Instagram

57-year-old Kris Jenner has got heads turning with this new photo she shared on her Instagram – showing off her upper body covered by a blue bikini.

‘Last day of summer gonna miss you’, Kris captioned the shot.

Kris has six children from two different marriages – Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Rob, Kendall and Kylie.

D’banj and Matt Max collaborate on ‘Raise your glasses’ video...

D’banj with Vector, Seyi Shay on the set of ‘Raise your glasses’ video shoot. Photo: Instagram

On Wednesday, September 11, 2013, organizers of Hennessy Artistry 2013 hooked up with budding video director Matt Max for the video shoot of ‘Raise your glasses‘, the official theme song for this year.

As you know already, the song was performed by this year’s headliner D’banj. A large part of the video was shot at the Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island and for the first time featured as cameos a number of the year’s supporting acts including Seyi Shay, Vector and Sean Tizzle.

Last year’s theme song was shot by Clarence Peters.

Princess Pat bows out of Glo X-factor as Eshun, DJ Switch, and Vicky make top 3...

Mohie Patience Uyoyo Oghene. a.k.a Princess Pat

In an emotion laden show last Friday, September 13, Mohie Patience Uyoyo Oghene (aka Princess Pat) ended her race to becoming the winner of the first ever Nigerian Glo X-Factor.

The eviction show saw astounding performances from the contestants, as well as a surprise performance from Ghanaian singer, Asem.

The 47-year old Princess Pat, who had managed to scale through the entire contest without facing eviction threats, found herself on the bottom of the list along with Vicky, and had to depend on show judge Reggie Rockstone’s deciding vote for her survival in the show.

Reggie opted to save Vicky, explaining that ‘Both of you deserve to wear the crown. I’ll give my sister, the young girl (Vicky), a shot. I didn’t just come up with that, Princess Pat, God needs you out there. Give the young girl a shot!’

After her eviction announcement, Princess Pat came back to give one last  performance, after which she left the audience with the parting words,  ’Whenever you feel lonely and feel like giving up, remember Princess Pat and keep working.’

With Princess Pat out of the competition, it now leaves Eshun, Vicky and DJ Switch going head to head for the star prize.

NETPod: Illbliss and Chidinma duet on ‘Powerful’...

Just when we were thinking Illbliss had gone into sleep mode again, he drops this heavy afrobeat-themed joint ‘Powerful‘.

Simon Cowell: ‘I wish I was gay ‘...

Simon Cowell wishes he was gay because he would have saved a fortune over the years if he preferred to date men instead of women. Photo:Banshowbiz

The 53-year-old music mogul – who is expecting his first child with Lauren Silverman following a passionate affair – is known for having a string of girls on his arm, but he admits his womanising ways risked him going bankrupt and life would be easier if he just dated men instead.

The ‘X Factor‘ boss has previously struck up a romance with TV presenter Terri Seymour, pop singer Sinitta and make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, but instead of ending on sour terms, the star showers his ex-lovers with pricey gifts and regularly takes them on lavish holidays. Speaking in an interview hosted by Terri, when asked if he had ever feared bankruptcy, he said: ‘Yes, particularly when I’ve had girlfriends like you lot!

‘I said to someone the other day that I wish I had been born gay. I would have saved a fortune.’ However, despite Simon’s eye for the ladies, he has recently hinted he might be ready to settle down and is considering tying the knot with his current girlfriend Lauren, who is believed to be around three months pregnant, at some point in the future.

He said previously: ‘I’m not ruling anything out in the future. If you asked me a year ago, at my age am I going to have a baby, I probably would have said ‘no’ so you’ve just got to take each day as it comes now. ’Whatever feels right you should do.’

Stella Damasus debuts controversial web series [VIDEO]...

Stella Damasus has recently started a web show she titles ‘Stella Damasus Diaries‘.

The 35-year-old who has never been shy to express her opinions, says she hopes to use the platform to address different matters that have to do with relationships, religion, sex amongst other things.

Last week, she released the first installment titled ‘The Introduction‘ where she explained the concept of the show. She also took time to address the now controversial photo of her and a young actress many mistook for her daughter.

We guess we’ll be seeing Damasus quite often in the last quarter of 2013 as she also plays a character in hubby Daniel Ademinokan‘s drama based web series ‘Mix Match‘.

PHOTOS: Penelope Cruz pops off her top...

It’s been just a few months since Penelope Cruz welcomed her second child but she’s ready to take her clothes off for some summer time hangout at the beach.

The 39-year-old along with her hubby Javier Bardem, 44 and their two children took a trip to the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

Penelope didn’t have an issue taking off the top part of her two-piece bikini (maybe to get tanned everywhere).

Check out more photos below…

Happy family: Penelope Cruz with husband Javier Bardem and son Leo

Penelope Cruz and a friend having a chat

Meet Kenya’s sexiest female body builder, Jane Mukami...

Jane Mukami also known as ‘fitkenyangirl’ is probably Kenya’s sexiest female body builder. Photo: Facebook

She’s truly hot and sexy, with many mistaking her for a model.

Even with masculine legs and arms, the Atlanta-based trainer, Jane Mukami also known as ‘fitkenyangirl’ is probably Kenya’s sexiest female body builder.

Born in Nairobi, Jane moved to Atlanta, Georgia in November 2000 for her college education and graduated with a degree in Computer Information Systems from Kennesaw State University.

In 2009, she participated in a body building competition where she came second. She also took part in a half marathon and came first.

Jane was trained by Rashid ‘Roc’ Shabazz of Roc International Federation of Bodybuilding(IFBB) and has since remained a sought-after figure and role model to many in Kenya.

Check out some of her sexy pictures below…

Davido sells out O2 Arena, gets a lap dance on stage [PHOTOS]...

Davido perfoming live at the o2 Arena London. Photos: Sync Photos

Davido was the top performer at the o2 Indigo Arena last night (August 15), a show reports say was sold out. The Nigerian Pop singer performed live on stage thrilling fans with his hit songs with supporting performances from Lola Rae, Mo Eazy, Eddie Kadi and Moleogo.

‘Sold out the 02!! So emotional!!! Remember web I 1st performed here 2 years ago! No one knew who I was!! Dreams come true! OBO!‘, Davido tweeted moments after the show ended.

Meanwhile, the singer got a lap dance from an ‘eager-to-please’ fan who didn’t mind jumping on stage to ‘serve’ the Pop singer. More photos below…

   

Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo, top Abuja International Film Festival nominations...

Desmond Elliot and Uche Jombo.Filed photo

Nollywood heavyweights Desmond Elliot and Uche Jombo are topping the list of nominees for this year’s Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).

In the list released recently by the organisers of the 10^th Abuja film festival, Elliot gets a total of four nominations, trailed by friend and partner Uche Jombo with two nods.

Others on the list are producer Chico Ejiro, as well as Ghanaian movie sensations Majid Mitchel and Jackie Appiah.

Jury members for this year’s event include US based African cinema enthusiast, Connor Ryan, Former Arts Editor Guardian and Next, Molara Wood, veteran Ghanaian actress, Akofa Edjaeni Asiedu, Film/TV Producer, Emeka Ossai, curator of Short Images UK, Patrice Lamonn, and festival Director of Inshort Film Festival, Victor Okhai.

Below is the full list of nominees for the film festival awards:

BEST FEATURE FILM – NIGERIA

AIYEKOTO – ADEBAYO TIJANI

NEXT PRESIDENT – DESMOND ELLIOT

TORN – MOSES INWANG

WHEN DREAMS FALL APART – CHICO EJIRO

SAVE THE CHILDREN – MAGNUS EDET

BROTHERS KEEPER – IKECHUKWU ONYEKA

LIES MEN TELL – UCHE JUMBO

BEST FEATURE FILM – FOREIGN

 STORM WARRIORS – CHINA

AGNUS DEI – KOSOVO

LINE OF SIGHT – JORDAN

ANDALUSIA MY LOVE – MOROCCO

SUNNYSIDE – BULGARIA

SUJET – CANADA

BEST SHORT FILM – NIGERIA

SCANDALOUS MERCY – PETER THOMPSON

PARADOX – DESMOND ELLIOT

OGONDAH – WILLIS IKEDUM

SURVIVAL – SEUN OLOKETUYI

 

BEST SHORT FILM – FOREIGN

MALICE AND PENCILS – UNITED KINGDOM/NIGERIA

FRANCOIS FIRST DAY – FRANCE

THE DOCK OF DESTINY – MOROCCO

GROWING UP – ABU DHABI

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM

THE PHOENICIANS – MALTA

THE COURT – GERMANY

ROLLING DOLLAR; THE LEGEND UNPLUGGED – NIGERIA

THE TRUTH BE TOLD – NIGERIA

DAUGHTERS OF THE NIGER DELTA – NIGERIA

BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM

JAND HUSTLE – EHIZOJIE OJESEBHOLO

DREAD – AGBO KELLY

PATROIT – AGBO KELLY

I-GAMES – ALEXANDRA KURE’AVE HUL

BEST ANIMATION FILM

ROMANCE OF WOOD LIU HIU – CHINA

PROTECT US – NIGERIA

REALITY 2.0 – GERMANY

OUTSTANDING MALE ACT

BLOSSOM CHUKWUJEKWU – FINDING MERCY

DESMOND ELLIOT – LIES MEN TELL

PRINCE OSSEI – OFF THE HOOK

MAJID MITCHEL – BROTHERS KEEPER

CHESTER OSAGIE- MISSION TO MAMURO

ODUNLADE ADEKOLA – MUFU OLOSA OKO

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACT

CHARITY OFEM – SAVE THE CHILDREN

BANKE AMOLE -ADAMS – MISSION TO MAMURO

NADIA ODEH – LINE OF SIGHT

UCHE JUMBO – LIES MEN TELL

JACKIE APPIAH – OFF THE HOOK

OMONI OBOLI – BLUE FLAMES

OUTSANDING FILM IN DIRECTING

AIYEKOOTO – ADEBAYO TIJANI

PENCILS & MALICE – OROK DUKE JNR

BROTHERS KEEPER – IKECHUKWU ONYEKA

NEXT PRESIDENT – DESMOND ELLIOT

LINE OF SIGHTES – ASIL MANSUL

STORM WARRIORS – PENG FA & PENG SHUN

GOLDEN JURY FILM

BROTHERS KEEPER – NIGERIA

NEXT PRESIDENT – NIGERIA

MALICE AND PENCILS – UNITED KINGDOM/NIGERIA

STORM WARRIORS – CHINA

THE PHOENICIANS – MALTA

Exclusive Interview with Ini Edo - by Golden Icons

Ini Edo says her marriage inspired colleagues...

Ema Emerson and Ini Edo. Photo: Golden Icons

Now that’s something we never imagined.

During her interview with Ema Emerson of Golden Icons, Ini Edo says she ‘set the pace’ for her colleagues when she tied the knot with her hubby Philip Ehiagwina in 2008.

‘I set the pace, I set the trend‘, Ini Edo said thanking God for directing her life.

The actress also addressed the never-ending controversy over her marriage and why rumours of a breakup keep coming up. ‘It’s sad, to a large extent it’s not pleasant but anybody that knows me knows I take every negative energy and turn in into something positive.

And as for having kids, the Nollywood actress says she’ll love to have a ‘large family’.

NET EXCLUSIVE: MTN splashes N500m on endorsement deals...

MTN Nigeria may have spent up to a whooping N500m in the last 16 months on brand endorsement deals and related campaigns, according to investigations by Nigerian Entertainment Today.

MTN Nigeria is the biggest spender in the market, but this is the first time they’re spending heavily on brand endorsements – an area hitherto monopolised by competitor Globacom.

In a pleasantly- surprising switch in policy, the telecoms giant is handing out ambassadorial roles to some of the biggest pop artistes in the country, organizing competitions and shooting award deserving TVCs.

What’s responsible? A strong determination to survive the Mobile Number Portability war, which pundits say is, for most of the players in Nigeria’s lucrative telecoms sector, a ‘do or die’ affair.

MTN has the largest subscriber base in a market that is apparently very juicy. But the coming of MNP presented competitors like Glo and Etisalat an opportunity to close the gap.

MTN threw out their first endorsement deal in April 2012 when they hired the services of then 19-year-old Pop singer Davido as the ambassador for ‘MTN Pulse‘, a new marketing campaign for Nigerian youths called ‘MTN Fun Link‘. The deal was reportedly worth N30m.

It took 13 months for the next set of endorsement deals to come, this time to three past winners of Project Fame, a show solely sponsored by the telecoms company. Singers Iyanya (N40m), Mike ‘iMyke’ Ayansodo (N10m), Chidinma (N20m) and another vibrant contestant Praiz (N20m).

The deal came shortly after MTN had poached actor Hafeez ‘Saka’ Oyetoro who made a famous move from another telecom company Etisalat, in a sensational deal reportedly worth N25m.

MTN then went on an endorsement spree – signing on some of the biggest contemporary Nigerian artistes – Wizkid (N45m), Tiwa Savage (N30m), KCEE (N25m) and later on Don Jazzy along with younger brother D’Prince.

‘It was a good feeling getting endorsed by one of the biggest telecommunication company in Africa when my carrier as an artist was just picking up. I didn’t even have an album back then‘, Pop singer Davido who extended his endorsement deal this year tells NET.

It looked like a full swoop from MTN but Nigerian tech buffs will tell you that the move from the ‘Yello!’ team is reminiscent of a recent move by another telecoms company – Globacom.

‘You see, GLO made a full swoop, signing close to 10 relevant contemporary acts in just one week and played it up‘, Sola Fanawopo of Financial Technology Magazine tells NET.

‘Just imagine if GLO had offered Iyanya or Chidinma or Praiz irresistible, mouth-watering deals? It would be ‘Saka saga’ all over again‘.

MTN however stepped it up – delving into other multi-million Naira projects, the most publicized of which is the recent ‘MTN Songstar Competition‘, offering subscribers a chance to win a brand new Porsche Cayman worth about N10.4m and a recording deal with Don Jazzy (worth about N10m also).

The competition allows users to download an app ‘MTN Songstar’ which enables subscribers convert their mobile phones into a digital karaoke machine. The cost of building an app (this includes brainstorming and strategy development, prototype design, programming and development, quality assurance and testing and finally, marketing and promoting) N4.5m. The app, MTN says will be delivered on six different platforms. Doing the math, this totals into N270m.

With this huge investment, experts are wondering if there’s guaranteed ROI in a market as unstable as Nigeria.

‘In as much as this helps the lives of Nigerian artistes and their respective labels, these companies will surely be getting their money back, maybe on the long run’, President, Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN), Sijuade Adedokun tells NET.

The General Manager, Consumer Marketing at MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi seems to have a more direct answer to that question. ‘No brand is a charity and if you think it’s a charity then you have to think again. When a brand engages in anything, they try to see what value is coming to them either in direct sales benefit or visibility and attractiveness of association‘, Oyeyemi said in a paper presented at the inaugural edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference held April, 2013.

NET EXCLUSIVE: Cool FM, Beat FM to float TV stations...

Chris Ubosi, CEO of Megalectrics and Amin Moussalli, CEO Globe Broadcasting and Communications Limited

Urban radio stations, Cool FM and Beat FM are spreading their tentacles into television as they float TV stations in the coming months.

According to NET investigations, Globe Broadcasting and Communications Limited who are owners and operators of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info FM 99.3 are almost ready to kick off a television station, World Entertainment Television (WE-TV).

A staff of the organization who spoke to NET correspondent in confidence said that the management is still being discreet with most of the information as a few operations are yet to be put in place.

The source stated, ‘Plans to launch WE-TV have been on since last year. As a matter of fact, the first set of recruitment for the staffing of the station was had a few months ago. Depending on what the management decides, test transmission should begin before the end of the year.’

NET also gathered that some of the shows on radio will have TV versions when WE-TV begins transmission and will be hosted by the same hosts on radio. The management also hopes to create and own its own content too.

‘We are working on creating our own contents for the channel so that we don’t have to depend entirely on content providers’, an official told us over the weekend.

Run by Lebanese-born Amin Moussalli, Cool FM has since 1998 been one of the choice radio stations in Lagos.

Meanwhile, as part of its expansion, Megalectrics Limited, operators of popular urban radio stations, Classic FM, Beat FM and Naija FM are also gearing up to float their own television channel.

Although the management did not want to reveal much, an insider tells us that the details of the project are still under wraps, but what is certain is the interest of the organization to launch into television programming in the coming months.

‘For now, the plans are still a bit sketchy. We are all aware of the plan and the preparations that are being made but we are still unclear when the station will kick off’, an insider told NET.

Owned by Chris Ubosi, Beat FM started off in 2008 and now rivals long timers, Cool FM and Rhythm FM to become the leading urbane music station in Lagos and environs.

Since the establishment of the first television station in Nigeria, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in October 1959 in Ibadan and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) 1973, it was only until the 90s that a new wave of television stations began to emerge.

The launch of Galaxy Television in May 1994 registered the emergence of privately owned television stations which presently has increased greatly in number with most of them located in the commercial city of Lagos.

The most recent terrestrial television station, ONTV, owned by Tajudeen Adepetu’s Consolidated Media Associates (CMA), was launched in August 2011.

Lately, many media investors have become more interested in TV, with many favouring pay TV platforms.  Mo’ Abudu’s EbonyLife TV and Ayo Animashaun’s Hip TV are the most recent entrepreneurs towing the line.

With more than 30 terrestrial and satellite television stations, Lagos now has the highest number of television stations in a city in Africa.

For now, it is unclear if the new channels are going to go on terrestrial or satellite, but if and when these TV stations set rolling, they will join the leagues of organisations like Daar Communications (Raypower/AIT), Silverbird (Rhythm FM/STV), Murhi International (Star FM/MITV)and Continental Broadcasting Service (Radio Continental/TVC) who operate both radio and television stations in Lagos.