WELCOME SATCHMO’S JAZZ AND CULTURE FESTIVAL

Working with a team of skilled personnel including the coordinator, Folake Oyetunji, the curator of the Satchmo’s Jazz and Culture Festival, Lagos (SJL), Mr. Dolapo Ajayi has announced an exciting programme of events holding between commence from Wednesday, April 27 and Sunday, May 1.

Ajayi, who is a renowned lawyer and jazz aficionado, enthused that he has created a platform which has become more than a jazz music festival by creating an exciting tapestry of entertaining events including festive threads of jazz (and nu-jazz) music, as well as jazz-inspired visual and literary artistes.
The SJL 2016 promises a thrilling time with a line-up featuring top domestic and international artistes like Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Carlo Rossi & the Organic Jam, Femi Leye and Phebean.

The opening night features a collaboration tagged, Jazz Rendezvous with the popular entertainment platform, Industry Nite at Lagos Oriental Hotel. There will be live music at the poolside of the Blowfish Hotel at Victoria Island, the next day. The show returns to Lagos Oriental Hotel on April 29 for more live and electrifying Jazz, dance and cultural performances.

Saturday, April 30 will be extremely busy with simultaneous day and night events. There will be a jazz party at the Park in Banana Island and Banana Island Patisserie, at the same time that Prest Cruise will with the Satchmo’s Jazz organisers for a Yacht cruise. At night, there will be a closeout performance at the Vellvet Lounge. The same venue is designated for an after party.
Other activities include jazz inspired films, food, drinks, fun and an incredible experience at participating venues.

DENRELE, EBUKA IN LIP SYNC BATTLE FACE-OFF
In its first edition in Nigeria, flamboyant music TV personality Denrele and Ebony Life TV presenter, Ebuka Obi-Echendu are set for a face-off in the premiere episode of the hotly anticipated reality contest Lip Sync Battle Africa premiering on Saturday, April 30 on MTV Base.
The dynamic duo will clash in an on-screen confrontation in front of millions of TV viewers across Africa. After lip syncing (or miming) to two songs of their choice, one of them will lift the Lip Sync Battle trophy and earn the biggest bragging rights on the planet as the inaugural Lip Sync Battle champion.
The eagerly-awaited African version of the global TV hit, Lip Sync Battle Africa is hosted by South African actress and TV presenter Pearl Thusi alongside Nigerian superstar and ‘Koko Master’ D’Banj.

QUARTER FINALISTS EMERGE IN LAGOS GOD’S CHILDREN GREAT TALENT
Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos recently played hosts to the sixth edition of Africa’s leading gospel talent hunt programme – God’s Children Great Talent (GCGT).
GCGT is a social development project of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Apapa Family which has distinguished itself this year by extending to other cities in Nigeria. The gospel talent hunt is focused on discovering, grooming and producing young talents and stars in various fields of artistic expressions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America.

This year, Season 6 opened its doors beyond the Apapa family to children and young people aged between five and 20 years with auditions recently held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Over 2,000 contestants registered online free for a chance to participate in the competition.

In each of these cities, leading gospel performing and non-performing artistes judged performances in order to pass them to the next level. Dayo Benjamin-Laniyun, Wale Rubber, Enitan Adaba, Zuriel Oduwole, and many others guided the competition to its next stage. Freke, the dynamic gospel artiste and Ayo Thompson Cool TV presenter both anchored the auditions

Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Head of Apapa Family, explained that the vision of the initiative is to engage children/teens in a positive way, using their talents to glorify God in his words; “God’s Children’s Great Talent was born out of a desire to identify and nurture the diverse talents available in children. “We are delighted a multinational brand such as Cadbury Bournvita and other brands such as Digital Jewels, The Riverbank School, and many other media partners supported the project over the years.”

This year’s competition will be produced and televised in Nigeria and the UK with viewers being able to follow the journey of the contestants from audition to the grand finale at the Eko Hotel and Suites on May 30, where the winner will walk away with N5million. Other prizes include a production contract, talent development packages and other attractive prizes.

THE HISS ON MAY DAY
The Hiss, a hilarious comedy set in Lagos, featuring the encounter between an Okada man and his passenger as they travel through the streets will play to audiences on the May Day weekend at two venues.

The Ayo Bankole Centre on Yesufu Sanusi Street off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere will host it on April 30, while the performance will be taken to the Lagos Country Club, GRA Ikeja on May 1 and 2. This satirical play lampoons the state of affairs in our society with each episode concluded with a hiss.

The play is a multimedia show incorporating video, stage, music and expansive humour. However, the story ends with an unusual twist. The production is a collaboration between Lagos Country Club, Live Theatre on Sunday and the Ayo Bankole Centre for Arts and Cultural Expression

TOWARDS A STRONG GAMING INDUSTRY
President of the Nigerian Gaming Association, Mr. Yahaya Maikori has opined that the perception that regulatory framework in the Nigerian lottery and gaming environment is weak or non-existent is subjective.
Maikori made the observation at the World Regulatory Briefing (WRB) in Lagos. He warned that there was no perfect framework anywhere in the world, adding that the sufficiency of the framework of any jurisdiction can only be judged by its policy direction.
According to Maikori, there is no policy consideration in Nigeria. The gaming industry is simply perceived as source of revenue. He said, “Our legal framework is a work-in-progress. Technology has outpaced regulation and regulators are only trying to play catch-up. But regardless of the perception our framework has so far been able to sustain the aspirations of genuine operators.”

The Lagos meeting was the first of its kind in Africa for the WRB, a platform created to track legislative developments in emerging markets and to plug operators into the market opportunities. However, it was the second gaming event in Nigeria within one year.

INTRODUCING AFRICA IN 10 MINUTES
Today, news travels fast across regions in a split of seconds. There is so much to learn within a limited time. For this reason, a leading business and financial news resource company, Footprint to Africa, is set to launch two new services, namely Africa in 10 Minutes and The Marketsquare Africa.

Africa in 10 Minutes is essentially an online television that features top business stories in Africa to keep the audience informed about the latest developments in the continent in terms of investment and related businesses. This information on this news platform can be accessed through mobile devices as well as laptops that are internet-enabled.

At a recent press briefing held in Victoria Island Lagos, the Footprint to Africa team stressed the importance of relevant information on-the-go. It was observed that the poor process of disseminating financial information had contributed to lack of basic market data. In addition, the non-availability of concise business reports can clog the wheel of foreign direct investment.
Meanwhile, The Marketsquare Africa is a virtual town hall for individuals and organisations who are interested in start-ups. It has been designed to foster business relationships through joint ventures and partnerships to reduce dependency on loans.

The Managing Director, Footprint to Africa, Osita Oparaugo said the Marketsquare is an online community where ideas can be transformed into businesses inspite of the lingering challenges in various parts of Africa.
Right now, collation and verification of companies and businesses in Africa is in full swing and the details will be published on the online platform which is expected to be viewed by millions of people around the globe beginning from July 1.

The Project Developer, Chiamaka Uwadoka also remarked that the media and investors services rendered by Footprint to Africa are intertwined in the team’s strategic goals.
Footprint to Africa is a private limited liability company with operational bases in Nigeria, Mozambique, London and New York and over 34 correspondents. The special launch of the two services will take place at the Oriental Hotel on April 30.

TASTE THE FEELING SEASON’S HERE
With a launch party that has set a new benchmark for the audaciously innovative world of event activation, Coca-Cola introduced a method to engage old consumers and win new admirers.

The world renowned beverage has come up with a new campaign that invites everyone to relive the experience of savouring the taste. The drive is tagged, ‘Taste the Feeling’. The party was attended by the crème de la crème of social influencers from the media, music and movie worlds as well as Coca-Cola consumers, customers and employees.
The campaign was unveiled in Nigeria at a well-attended stylish party on Coke Island, a brand new ‘floating island’ that emerged suddenly on the Lagos Lagoon purposely for the event.

Coca-Cola’s new ‘Taste the Feeling’ campaign explores storytelling and everyday moments to connect with consumers and celebrate the simple pleasure and experience that makes every moment of drinking Coca-Cola, any Coca-Cola, special.
Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon explained that ‘Taste the Feeling’ campaign will bring to life the idea that drinking a Coca-Cola – whether classic or Coke Zero – is a simple pleasure that makes everyday moments more special.

Speaking on the campaign, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Clem Ugorji explained that the ‘Taste the Feeling’ campaign is an offshoot of Coca-Cola’s new ‘One Brand Strategy’ which marks a significant shift in its marketing approach and for the first time unites all Coke Trademark brands in one global creative campaign. The campaign will be live from April to August on traditional and digital media channels and will include opportunities for consumers to sing their own version of the anthem and win prizes

CHOSEN STEPPERS WIN
For those who attended the talent hunt competition, ‘Christians Got Talent’s powered by Flaming Sword Ministry, there was a common agreement that talents indeed abound in Christendom. The event which held in the auditorium of the Flaming Sword Ministries was attended by talented youngsters who showcased their talent in music, comedy and dance.
The highpoint of the event was when a dance group, Chosen Steppers, emerged as the winner of competition. Chosen Steppers comprises teenagers who are gifted dancers. They gave a theatrical performance of a song titled ‘Break Every Chain.’ An extremely talented singer, Emex, attained the second position, while a teenage comedian, Super D, took the third position.

The initiator of the event, a female doctor, Jackson, said the event was borne out of the fact that Christians need a platform to showcase their talent.
According to her, “Christians should hold on to their qualities and talents and also be proud of who they are. These young people don’t even have the self esteem to appear on television. Christians Got Talent is a platform to help groom these young talents.”

One of the judges at the event, popular music act, John Agoha practically stole the show with his performance and inspirational message to the contestants. He revealed to them what they should expect in the entertainment industry, and how to prepare for the best in their career. Other judges in attendance were Funmi Jehoshaphet, CEO of Gbengsman Music, Gbenga Adebajo and Gospel Reggae artiste, Hillary Ogbuaju aka El-Levite.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX PARTNERS FILMONE
Twentieth Century Fox has entered into an agreement to distribute its film slate in a major distribution deal with Nigeria and West Africa’s fastest growing theatrical film distribution company, FilmOne Distribution, under which FilmOne will distribute all Fox titles directly to cinemas in Nigeria and Ghana. This is the first deal of its kind in West Africa for Twentieth Century Fox.

As part of the agreement, FilmOne Distribution will release in 2016 such titles as ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’, ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’, as well as ‘The Birth of a Nation’ from the Studio’s Fox Searchlight Pictures division and Dreamworks Animation’s ‘Trolls’.

Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Filmhouse Cinemas and FilmOne Distribution Kene Mkparu, said the move is a bold statement from Twentieth Century Fox.
Chief Operations Officer and EVP of FilmOne Distribution, Moses Babatope, added, ‘We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with such a dynamic and successful Hollywood Studio”.

Fox’s Executive Vice President International Distribution (EMEA), Paul Higginson, also remarked, ‘We are delighted to be working with Kene, Moses and the entire FilmOne team on expanding our reach in Africa particularly in the increasingly important market of Nigeria.”
FilmOne will commence this deal with the release of ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ in West Africa on July 1.