Battle of the Comedians holds Oct 31

The stage is almost set for the comedy challenge between top and trending comedians from Africa and Europe, such as Akpororo, Crazy Cloun, African Ape, Kevin J and Francis Odega Aka gerarahear. Organised by Sojaboi, the event which holds on October 31, 2015 will thrill all and sundry that will grace it. According to its organizers, there will also be live music performances from Top Afro-beats acts from Nigeria to entertain the audience. The event will be hosted by the energetic and handsome MC Sojaboi and co-hosted by the beautiful comedian Oyinbo Princess, popular for her ability to speak pidgin fluently despite being white British.

QCOGA class of 1979 announces the commissioning of “Rebecca’s Room”

On Saturday 17th October 2015, there will be a grand commissioning of “Rebecca’s Room“, a resource centre for the visually impaired.

The Queens College Old Girls Association, QCOGA class of 1979 stated that the commissioning of centre is first of its kind in any secondary school in Nigeria.

This was revealed in a statement sent to the Newswatch Times by the Publicity Committee
QCOGA class of 79, Sola Alamutu.

The statement hinted that the two pioneer visually impaired Old Girls, Mojisola Akintaro, Director Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Development, Abuja, and Deborah Balogun Principal Government Junior Secondary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, will grace the occasion as special guests, to give a mentoring talk.
 The commissioning ceremony, according to Alamutu, which will hold from 12 noon to 2.00 PM at Theresa Chukwuma Hall, Queens College, Onike, Yaba, Lagos, will also feature an awards ceremony.

AFRIMA 2015 set to host Africa in Lagos

Charlotte

The International Committee of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the African Union Commission, AUC, on Monday October 5, unveiled Lagos, Nigeria, as the Host City for the 2015 AFRIMA, putting to rest high expectations among AFRIMA stakeholders about the Nigerian city to capture hosting rights. Announcing the host city, the Director of Communication and Sponsorship, AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotsetsi said: “Following the recent and inspection of facilities and infrastructure of four states in Nigeria namely: Akwa Ibom State, Cross Rivers State, Lagos State and Rivers State by the African Union Commission, AUC and AFRIMA production team, Lagos has been chosen to host the continental awards ceremony this year”.
Ms. Tsotetsi further said: “It is worth mentioning that Nigeria won the rights to host AFRIMA for three years – 2014 to 2016 – as announced at a world media conference by the International Committee of AFRIMA on October 6, 2013. Nigeria vied for the hosting rights alongside 13 other African countries eventually winning the competitive bid. As a result of this, the 2014 edition held in Lagos, while AFRIMA 2015 holds at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, November 15.

How Lagos stood still for Felabration 2015

Lagos, the centre of excellence, came alive because of the annual Felabration which kicked off on 

Monday, October 12, 2015.

 The annual event holding at the New Afrika Shrine, commenced with a set of scintillating performers who took the stage and thrilled audience with their performers. This year’s celebration paraded both Nigerian and international musicians including: Fela’s sons – Femi and Seun. Others are Isidore (Fela’s friend who changed Fela’s mindset and converted him to a pan-African that used his music to create change), a host of A list Nigerian musicians, Third World: An international reggae group and the Newen Afrobeat Band from Chile.

With ‘Open House’, 17th October Rain 2015 begins Oct 24

BY ADA DIKE

As preparations for the celebration of 17th edition of October Rain is set, the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State chapter have implored the public to attend and enjoy variety of events including aesthetic artworks that will be on display.

The annual juried exhibition which opens on October 24, 2015 at the Nike Art Centre, #2 Elegushi Road, Ikate Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, according to the leadership of SNA, Lagos State chapter, promises to be a wonderful voyage into the minds and eyes of creative genius.

With the theme, “Open House”, Newswatch Times gathered that the exhibition shall feature a pot pourri of artists based in Lagos, the nerve centre of artistic practice in Nigeria.

Chairman, SNA (Lagos), lecturer and painter, Mr. Dotun Alabi Alabi, at a press briefing in Lagos recently, hinted that: “Works on show shall be in different media and a testimony to the versatility of the Nigerian artists. This year’s exhibition will in its usual tradition showcase works by fellows of the society like: Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya, Late Pa Ojeikere, Kolade Oshinowo, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi. Dr. Kunle Filani, Mr. Abiodun Olaku, Mr. Abraham Uyovbisere and a host of others including the new members just participating for the first time like Joan Adah, Olubusola Adenekan and Oluseyi Oyenukan.”

Things we do in SNA are mostly financed by the members -Dotun Alabi

Alabi

The current Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State Chapter and lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, Mr. Dotun Alabi, has been at the forefront to promote art not only in Lagos but also in Nigeria. In this chat with ADA DIKE, he shares the SNA Lagos’ expectation from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

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How is the SNA, Lagos faring?

Just like the nation is forging ahead under a new leadership of change, the society also is forging with an exhibition themed: “Open House”.  ‘Open House’ is the first celebration of the stratification of the SNA along the line of its membership. It begins from October 24, 2015.

 What has been the society’s challenges so far?

Ndi Ebe Abam indigenes are suffering over collapsed Igwu bridge

 Over a year after the collapse of Igwu Bridge last year in Ndi Ebe Abam, Arochukwu, Abia Stae, her indigenes have been going through untold hardship and harrowing experience to survive on a daily basis.

This is due to their inability to convey their farm produce such as yam, rice, garri, palm oil, plantain, banana, maize, pineapples, vegetables and so on, to markets in neighbouring towns like Ozu Abam, Bende and Umuahia.

  According to Princess Ada Dalyn Dike, a journalist and an indigene of the town, "some of Ndi Ebe Abam's indigenes who normally park their vehicles beside the Igwu River are having it rough as unknown persons always vandalise their vehicles before dawn. My town was a ghost one when I visited there recently. And I wept."
To make the matter worse, most traders from Abia and Imo States that used to go to Ndi Ebe Abam Eke market have stopped going there due to the fact that no vehicle enters the community.

AN OPEN LETTER TO CHIEF EDWIN CLARK:

Sir,
I want to sincerely congratulate you for your decision to retire from partisan politics, your retirement  wouldn't have come at a better time than now when Nigerians are clamoring for CHANGE, your retirement is an indication that there is hope for the younger generation in the PDP family.
Your retirement unlike that of Dr. Bamanga Tukur have raised some concern in the media, a section of the media reported you saying "..... Goodluck Jonathan lacked the political will to fight corruption...." If this is true, then you are not being fair to Goodluck Jonathan.
Goodluck Jonathan gave free latitude to the anti graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to assiduously prosecute the war against corruption without interference from any quarters. He however gave caveat; such prosecution of the war against corruption must respect the rule of law and recognize the fundamental human rights of individuals.

Call for Entries: 10th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting

 The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) invites entries from Nigerian reporters for the 10th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting from the 4th of October 2015.

According to organizers, the award programme, true to its tradition, will honour works that involve reporting on public and or corporate corruption, human rights abuses or on the failure of regulatory agencies.

“This year, the award plans to reward outstanding reporters from print, radio, television, online, photography and editorial cartoon categories. The submitted stories must have first been published or broadcast in a Nigerian media between October 4, 2014 and October 23, 2015.

 “In addition to the entry coding system which makes the details of media house and by-line of entrants anonymous to judges introduced in 2012, the WSCIJ now converts entries to electronic format before sending to judges. The electronic entries system is helping to ease scoring for judges and enable the inclusion of persons from across Nigeria and abroad to participate in the judging process. 

Upcoming Events: Art exhibition/sale for charity

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) is planning to stage a full fledged charity-focused Art Exhibition/Art Sales to raise funds towards CECP’s campaign to acquire Cancer Prevention/Treatment Mobile Clinics.

The exhibition is planned to hold at The National Museum Centre, Lagos from Friday, November 20th to 27th. The time will be communicated as the programme approaches.

This exhibition is expected to be headlined by at least two of Nigeria’s foremost visual wizards, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya and Kolade Oshinowo

Guinness celebrates #madeofblack heroes in Lagos and Enugu with thrilling parties

In the last couple of weeks, all across Nigeria, Guinness has been celebrating the unsung heroes; people who are doing ordinary things in extra ordinary ways; the dancers, the singers, the drivers, the barmen, the mechanics, the teachers. All those united by their shared black attitude, the people’s made of black heroes.

Following several weeks of nomination and voting for the best stories in their cities, it was time for Lagos and Enugu to turn up and celebrate their winning heroes at the #madeofblack heroes’ party held at Toscana Niteclub in Enugu and Xover l

It was an evening of fun and positive energy with family, friends and Guinness lovers celebrating the real people, those who believed in their dreams and dared to follow it. The party was all about the real heroes and they were awarded and treated like stars.

6TH CORA Publishers’ Forum holds from November 12

The 6th CORA Publishers’ Forum will kick off from Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Goethe Institut, City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island, from 10.00pm – 4.00pm.

The Co-Director of the Publishers Forum Project Director, CORA, Ayo Arigbabu, disclosed this in a press statement sent to Newswatch Times recently.

Organized by CORA Art and Cultural Foundation in partnership with Cassava Republic Press and Goethe Institut, Lagos, the forum, according to Arigbabu is a pre-event of the 17th Lagos Book & Art Festival, which holds from the 13th – 15th November 2015 at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island.

The theme for this year’s forum is: Publishing and Selling Genre Fiction in the Digital Age.  “This theme emerged from our keen observation and experience of how the publishing space in Nigeria (or at least that part of it that is not concentrated on school texts) continues to place great emphasis on literary fiction (which quite understandably has brought the nation and its writers considerable international acclaim) while genre fiction hardly receives as much attention.

Wainaina, Irabor, other speakers to participate at The Red Summit

Irabor

Information reaching us has it that Kenyan author, journalist and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, Binyavanga Wainaina is leading other pan-African speakers to participate at the inaugural edition of The RED Summit holding in Lagos at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Other speakers at the summit are the Executive Producer of Coke Studio Africa, David Sanders; Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Corporation, Louis Otieno; award winning television host, Anita Erskine; former Managing Director of MNET Africa, Biola Alabi; Chief Executive Officer of leading lifestyle blog- BellaNaija, Uche Pedro; Chief Executive Officer, Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor; General Manager of Beat FM, Deji Awokoya; former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Communication and Public Affairs Manager of Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade;
Corporate Communication Director of Africa Practice, Rimini Makama; award winning journalist, Tolu Ogunlesi; Senior Correspondent at New African Magazine, James Schneider; and many more.

Strong Girl Remix: Male And Female Artists Tell World Leaders At The UN To Focus On Women’s Empowerment And Justice

- Phenomenal line up of top African female and male stars on new remix of Strong Girl anthem calling for world leaders to  focus on empowering girls and women in eve of new Global Goals.
     - New version of song released featuring vocals of: Arielle T, Blessing, Gabriela, Judith Sephuma, Selmor Mtukudzi, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Waje and Yemi Alade, who are joined by D’Banj, Diamond, Banky W and U2’s Bono. Actress Omotola stars in amazing video 

On the eve of new Global Goals that will set the development agenda for a generation, the cream of Africa’s musical stars are proud to announce the release of a brand new remix of Strong Girl, the contagious anthem for women’s empowerment that first got the world dancing in May this year.  

Dangote's story: Opportunity sometimes comes like Problem

Author Unknown
Aliko Dangote was born into a wealthy home in Kano. He got his first degree in Cairo, Egypt. He had always loved trading , and reports say he hawked sweets even as a primary school child , even though his family was wealthy. Dangote is really a very humble person even by the confessions of people who have interacted with him.
But Dangote is not the only hard-working Nigerian. He is not the only humble person around . He is probably not the most business savvy in Africa. But he is certainly the richest Black man in the world . His companies employ over 11 , 000 people directly – not to mention , distributors, contractors and other vendors who depend on his businesses to thrive . Dangote is a blessing to humanity.
There is no family in Nigeria today that does not have a Dangote product in their home. If it is not sugar, then it is salt or the house you are living in was built with a Dangote Cement . Everyone has something to do with his business , so like Job he earns a little off everyone and that is the way to get wealthy.
Dangote is the 23 rd richest person in the world and is said to be the second most powerful African alive . The question is how did Dangote attain such a height ? Yes, you can’ t take away his hard work and business acumen, but that is only the starting point. The answer will not be found in the Forbes Magazine or on Wikipedia. The answer is in the verse of scripture quoted above : If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land .
Sometime in the early 90 s Dangote had an encounter that set his foot on the path of destiny. Archbishop Benson Idahosa had some guests who needed to travel back urgently from Benin to Lagos to catch up their flight to the US . Unfortunately by the time the Archbishop took his guests to the airport they were told that the last flight for the day was overbooked and not a single seat was available. As a matter of fact , the passengers have boarded and were about to take off. Idahosa asked for the plane to be delayed a few minutes and walked to the tarmac where he was allowed to address the passengers. He pleaded with them about the desperate situation of his guests and asked that two persons should donate their seats for his guests to get to Lagos.

RICH DESTINY: UJO ATULA GI X LALIMPO

​ THIS IS A VERY EXCLUSIVE HIGHLIFE BANGER FROM THE STABLES OF RICH DESTINY RECORDS. RICH DESTINY DROPS THESE TWO HIGHLIFE TRACKS TITLE 'UJO ATULA GI' AND 'LALIMPO'.

THESE TRACKS ARE HYPER HIGHLIFE JAMS THAT WILL DEFINITELY TURN ON THE HIGHLIFE SIDE OF YOU.
DOWNLOAD , LISTEN AND ENJOY.
GENRE: HIGHLIFE
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
TRACK LISTS DOWNLOAD LINKS BELOW:
TRACK 1 [UJO ATULA GI]: http://www.datafilehost.com/d/d2e20a14
TRACK 2 [LALIMPO]: http://www.datafilehost.com/d/bf6c9f4d

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The Labels Fashion Show This weekend in London!

THE LABELS FASHION SHOW 10TH OCTOBER 2015 @ ROSL, LONDON.   VENUE: ROSL, OVER-SEA HOUSE PARK PLACE, ST JAMES’S STREET, GREEN PARK. SW1A 1LR TIME: 6PM – 10PM

12TH ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2015 AWARD NOMINEES

ABUJA OCT 4th 2015. — The Abuja International Film Festival today announces the list of  nominees for the 12th  edition of the Festival, which comes up from October 27th to 30th, 2015.

The nominees were selected after a painstaking 2 weeks of screening of over 700 films from 39 countries, the screeners made up of industry stakeholders including filmmakers and film critics expressed appreciation with the improved quality of films especially from Nigeria. Films were received in all genres – features, shorts, documentary, animation and experimental films.
According to  Gbenga Andipe, spokesman for the college of screeners, Winners will be announced at the festival”s glamorous award ceremony scheduled for the Silverbird Cinema Abuja on the 30th of October.
Below is the list comprehensive list of nominees –
NOMINEES FOR 12TH ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
.BEST DOCUMENTARY
1. THE UKRAINIAN – UKRAIN
2. COMMON MAN  - NIGERIA
3. DREADLOCKS – USA
4. FESTIVAL OF MARRIAGE – INDIA
5. HAPPINESS PROMISED LAND – FRANCE

ADVICE FROM AN OLD MAN..

1. Have a firm handshake.
2. Look people in the eye.
3. Sing in the shower.
4. Own a great stereo system.
5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
10. Whistle.
11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.
15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
16. When playing games with children, let them win.
17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
18. Be romantic.

Judgement Day according to Larry ' The Natural ' Ekundayo

If you haven't heard by now our man Larry 'The Natural' Ekundayo is fighting Joseph Lamptey for the African Boxing Union Welterweight Championship at The Troxy in London ( all details on banner above!) 

It's not to be missed, so in order to be a part of the action please visit www.larrythenatural.com and click the BUY Tickets button, this will take you through to the purchase page. 

If you will be purchasing 5 or more tickets then please feel free to give me a call on 07973 814466 and I will give you an exclusive “Fan Club” discounted rate of 25% (For all orders before the 19^th of October). 

Thanks for continuing to support Larry and being a part of his journey to the top!

See you on Judgement Day!

Ben 

OLAMIDE, DJ JIMMY JATT, SOUND SULTAN, OLU MAINTAIN, STYL PLUS, ARAMIDE, OTHERS TO PERFORM AT THE GREATEST OF ALL TIMES CONCERT

OSD Entertainment has revealed Olamide, Olu Maintain, Shaydee, Styl Plus, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Sound Sultan, Aramide, Tony Tetuila and others as the headliners for the debut edition of its Greatest of All Times (GOAT) concert. The concert is set to hold on November 14th 2015 at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Center. Aimed at celebrating musicians who have made the most impact in Nigeria’s urbane music culture from the 90s, the GOAT concert will feature nostalgic and dazzling performances from old and new school artistes. With a fusion of old and new music experiences, the GOAT concert promises to be the mother of all concerts. The concert will feature classic hits that ruled the airwaves from the 90s to date.

Theme: The Nigerian Tourism Industry-Catalyst For Economic Diversification

Date: 25th - 27th November 2015 Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos-Nigeria

SPEAKERS

Welcome to Nhtic 2015 The Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (NHTIC) is the annual event of international level aimed at promoting the Hotel and Tourism business and related Real-Estate projects in Nigeria and the West African region, which has become the next investment frontier in the world.

Who to Attend

Hot Spots for Ritual Killings:

The Nigerian police has advised all to avoid the following places as they have been identified as hot spots for Ritual Killings:

1. Ota, Ogun State

2. Lambe, Ogun State

3. Ikorodu,Lagos State

4. Mowe, Ogun State

5. The Bridge linking Abiola Garden with Otedola Estate, Lagos.

6. Isheri Olowo-Ira under Bridge, Lagos

7. Toyota Bus Stop on Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Lagos (Clifford Oji's former location)

Getting More Girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

BY RABIA SALIHU SA’ID (Ph.D.)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

(Active Citizens’ Facilitator 2014-2015. British Council, Nigeria)

The Science, Technology, engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields are today attracting increased attention because of the role of the STEM field in our world today. The technological advancement that has seen our world turned in to a global village, where we can communicate, travel, interact at various levels within short time lapses, cannot be sustained without training and advancement in the STEM fields.

DEMYSTIFYING THE MYTH: SHINING A CLEAR PATH FOR ENTRY OF GIRLS INTO THE LEGAL PROFESSION

By Dr Balkisu Saidu

Faculty of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Introduction

The zeitgeist[1] of our time is accommodative of a world where women contribute as much, if not more than, their male counterparts, in all spheres of endeavour including in the legal profession. Prior to 1935, when Stella Jane Thomas was enrolled at the Bar, the legal profession in Nigeria was the exclusivity of the males. Today, women are found in all areas of the legal profession: advocacy, adjudication, academia, etc.

Why level of art appreciation by Nigerians is low

Osunfisan

- Osunfisan

A veteran creative artist, Oluyomi Taiwo Osunfisan, in this interview speaks on why the level of art appreciation in Nigeria is low. He also speaks on why he uses computer to do most of his works.

‘Road to Yesterday’ sets to hit cinemas from November 27

 The highly-anticipated feature film ‘Road to Yesterday’ will be released in all Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 27, 2015.

This was disclosed in statement sent to Newswatch Times by producers of the film, T.E.N (The Entertainment Network).

Directed by Ishaya Bako, ‘Road to Yesterday’ stars the award-winning actress, Genevieve Nnaji and introduces Nigerian-British actor, Oris Erhuerho. Majid Michel, Chioma ‘Chigurl’ Omeruah and veteran Ebele Okaro lead the supporting cast.

2015 MUSON Festival ready to thrill guests with dance workshop, classical concert, visual arts exhibition et al

By ADA DIKE

Information reaching us has it that all is set for the celebration of 2015 Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Festival.

It is on this note that the management of MUSON hereby invites the general public to join them to celebrate the Festival which showcases all the arts’ excellent and aesthetic creativity.

Fun in Enugu, as Orijin storms Coal City

It was an electrifying atmosphere in Enugu, when Orijin, the iconic drink from the stables of Guinness Nigeria, hosted the city to an exquisite party at the prestigious de dome indoor centre, Enugu.

 Spiced with lots of music and entertainment, famous disc jockey, DJ Neptune got guests grooving, while rave of the moment  Patoranking ensured the esteemed guests got nothing less than a spectacular  performance with his superb rendition of ‘alubarika’ to girlie o ‘remix’ and the latest club song ‘my woman’.

The Enugu party is in line with the five city tour slated by the brand to herald its Orijin’s Orijinal Nite parties across the cities.