How Makurdi Received Star Music Trek…Abuja is Next

Thousands of music lovers recently gathered at the IBB Square in the city of Makurdi, capital of Benue State for the debut of Star Music The Trek 2016.
The concert hosted by Gbenga Adeyinka started on an exceptionally high note with an array of budding music talents who dazzled audience with their performances.

A pre-gig event, which held the previous night to herald Star Music The Trek in Makurdi, featured a surprise appearance from 2Baba as he excited the appetite of fans ahead of the main concert on Saturday night.
During the main concert, fans in Makurdi witnessed amazing performances from their favorite artistes; Burnaboy, Ice Prince, Cynthia Morgan and Wande Coal.

Wande Coal took his stage craft a notch higher at the Makurdi concert as he gave his fans a thrilling night by performing classic hit singles like ‘Bumper to Bumper’, ‘Se na like this’, ‘Super woman’, ‘Booty call’, ‘My woman – My everything’ and a host of other songs.
Ice prince gave a dexterous performance while singing to timeless singles such as Oleku, Aboki, Excellency and That could be us.

The concert also saw an amazing dance routine from Cynthia Morgan, who performed her new single Bubble bup and scintillated the cheering crowd with songs like ‘I’m Taken’, ‘Lead Me On’, ‘Popori’ and the crowd-pleasing song ‘German Juice’, which left the audience yearning for more.

Burnaboy had his A-game on, as he connected with the crowd throughout his 40 minutes set on stage. He serenaded the crowd to amazing songs like Don Gorgon, Yawa Dey, Won da mo, Oluwa Burna and a couple of other songs from his stable.

With the combination of skillful backup singers, music icon and headline act, 2Baba kept the party on a high mode through to the early hours of Sunday morning.
Star Music Trek – the Makurdi concert, which was a homecoming gig for 2Baba was fully packed with tens of thousands of teeming fans, keen to set eyes on their hometown hero. 2Baba closed the concert with a one-hour live performance through which he dished out some philosophies about life.

The Deejays weren’t left out on the night. DJ ‘BIG N’ and DJ Neptune brought incredible life to the city of Makurdi, turning up the mix and gracefully giving upcoming acts a shot at fame during their moments on stage.
Having set the tone for an amazing concert experience in Makurdi, the next city to rock is already warming up. On Saturday, October 8, the Star Music trek train heads to Abuja for the second concert in the lineup of its five-city tour.

GLOBAL APPLAUSE FOR ‘76
Movie lovers from around the world recently gathered at the Isabel Bader Centre in Toronto to witness the premier of ‘76, the soon-to-be-released Nigerian military thriller.
The event which was witnessed by key players in Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood and stakeholders in the movie industry, was graced by a large colourful crowd. ‎Some of the celebrities present at the premiere include Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah and Chidi Mokeme; who were key cast in the movie. Other Nigerian celebrities present at the premiere were Desmond Eliot, Fred Amata and Kunle Afolayan.

The movie which had a well-stocked-up red-carpet was displayed on the screen and caught the attention of all. After the screening, there was standing ovation and an echoing round of applause with many viewers soaked in tears.
The screening was immediately followed by a question and answer session, where viewers expressed their opinions and sough to know more from the director and cast.
‘76 was screened three times ‎at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival and had a sold out hall on all the dates. The film has also been selected to show at the BFI Film Festival in London.

WHAT’S JOS CHILLIN’?

By Seriki Adinoyi

Mees Palace Entertainment in collaboration with Buckwyld Media Network is set to partner the Plateau State government to grow the tourism and entertainment industry through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
This initiative, according to Mr. Emmanuel Adukwu, CEO of Mees Palace Entertainment, will return tourists and investors to Jos and the Plateau in a bid to recover from over 10 years of hostilities, which had shattered the peace of the state and driven away tourists.

Christened Jos Chillin’, the initiative was launched in Government House, Rayfield Jos, by the state governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, in company of representatives of the private sector partners, Mees Palace Entertainment and Buckwyld Media Network.

Tyoden, who was obviously elated, congratulated his guests for not just sitting back and dreaming about it. “Government has a lot of intention regarding unveiling potentials in Plateau, but for finance; that is why we are ready to partner you on this. We will do all to ensure that your intentions become a reality.”
A national launch of the project championed by 2Baba using a blend of entertainment to drive the revival of ‘Peace and Tourism’ to the depressed city is in the works according to Adukwu, team leader of Mees Palace, and Mr. Efe Onovogbe of Buckwyld Media Network.

GLOBAL RIGHTS UNVEILS CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS
In line with its mission to promote and protect human rights irrespective of their race, social status or gender, Global Rights, a non-governmental organisation recently teamed up with top entertainers to campaign against sexual violence.
The advocacy was spurred from startling figures from Sexual Violence facts which stated that one in four girls and one in ten boys will have experienced sexual violence before they turn 18 and only about 5 per cent of these victims will receive any help.

Corroborating this statistics, a representative of The Mirabel Centre for rape victims Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai revealed that rape survivors cut across all age and sex. “We’ve had a four months old baby sexually molested. There have been cases of boys too molested by a relative. But more often than not, we have more female victims.”
The Country Director of the organisation, Abiodun Bayeiwu lamented about the inaction of the government and the society at large in ending this menace.

“Sexual violence is a form of violence that we rarely talked about in our society. There has been an erroneous narrative that sexual violence only happens to women. That’s not true. It is a vicious cycle that has gone on unaddressed in our society. It is something that we have to grapple with because someone you know has been or in danger of becoming sexually molested. It breaks people, it destroys lives.
In order to change this narrative, the NGO recently unveiled some Nigerian entertainers as their ambassadors in their fight against sexual violence in the country. They include AMVCA winner Tope Tedela, filmmakers Ego Boyo and Bose Oshin, Aramide, David B and actor/musician Charles Granville.

“These celebrities have agreed to lend their voices to raise awareness in a bid to fight the crime of sexual violence in our society. These persons have over time, been actively involved in advocacy campaigns against all forms of violence, they have a thorough understanding of the kind of influence the entertainment industry has on the Nigerian populace and they have decided to take the time out of their busy schedules to join Global Rights in curbing the menace that is, Sexual Violence,” said Bayeiwu
The ambassadors pledged to use their various works to campaign against sexual violence.

“I feel naive when I hear people talk about rape because of my family background. We were taught as boys to respect women so it baffles me when a man will forcefully abuse a woman sexually. For me, it’s all about letting men know that a no is a no. If a woman decline your advances, respect her wishes and move on,” said Tope Tedela.
Other campaigns adopted by the organisation include a documentary series ‘My Story’, on the radio where survivors share their story.

SUPREMACY CONCERT RULES ON OCTOBER 1
After several weeks of buzz on different platforms, the much talked about concert of the year the ‘Supremacy Concert’ will finally berth at the iconic Eko Atlantic in Victoria Island, Lagos amidst pomp and pageantry.
The concert which has been on the front burner these past weeks has been tipped to the best show concert goers have experienced in recent times judging by the rave reviews the event has been getting especially on different social media platforms.

Organised by Main Group, the Supremacy Concert is a world-class audio-visual experience which would feature Nigeria’s top five performing artistes. Billed to perform is the King of World Beats King Sunny Ade (KSA), multi-talented Songstress Asa, African Queen Honcho 2Baba, the Kokomaster Dbanj and Star Boy Records Boss Wizkid. It will be first time these artistes would be performing on the same stage.

Also expected to be at the Supremacy Concert is the Legend and pioneer Nigerian DJ Jimmy Adewale Amu popularly called Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt and the amiable Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola popularly known as DJ Cuppy, daughter of billionaire businessman Mr. Femi Otedola on the wheel of steel.
The Made in Nigeria Festival is being organised by the MaIN Group, a collaboration of private sector organisations. Board of Advisors of the initiative include: Prince Adesegun Oniru, Mr. Aliko Dangote, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli, Mr. Ronald Chagoury, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

AQUAFINA ELITE MODEL LOOK UNVEILS 2016 FINALISTS
Twenty contestants will go on the runway for the grand finale of the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria 2016 crown in Lagos on October 1.
The annual event is a gateway to the glamorous world of international modeling and fashion for the winners in both male and female categories, as they will represent Nigeria alongside 80 other countries and stand a chance of winning $150,000 at Elite Model Look International world finals. In addition there is a chance to win a modeling contract with elite model management worldwide and two years modeling contract with Beth Model Management Africa.

Commenting on the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria 2016 final event, Mr. Norden Thurston, Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc (SBC) makers of Aquafina premium table water from the makers of Pepsi said: “We cherish our partnership with Elite Model Agency Nigeria in providing the platform for young Nigerians to aspire to the peak of global modeling and fashion through the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria contest.”

MARRIOTT LANDS IN NIGERIA WITH RENAISSANCE
History will be made in Lagos as the first Mariott Hotel in sub-Sahara Africa opens its doors to customers.
Strategically located on Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Marriott, the global luxury brand in hotel management, will make its debut with the grand opening of Renaissance Lagos Ikeja Hotel.
All over the world, Mariott Hotel is reputed as an embodiment of luxury, high taste, class and safety. From the gate to the reception and to the exquisite rooms, Mariott oozes class and panache.

Apart from the 155 tastefully furnished rooms of varying classes on nine floors, the Lagos-based Mariott also boasts of a boutique, all-day dining restaurant, specialty steakhouse and outdoor terrace, spa, pool deck and events place among others. In a rare feat, it equally parades eight conference rooms of different capacities ranging from 10 to 500 comfortable seats.

According to Ahmed Tajudeen, Director of Projects, Avalon International, owners of the hotel, the glamour of the assortment of marble-like finishing on the floors and walls, combined with a unique carport at the entrance, will make lodging irresistible for guests.
“The suspended glass floor and glass bridge at the reception area is to create a unique class for a hotel that is first of its kind in Africa. With an underground car park, security within the premises is reinforced, starting with electronically controlled bollards at the gate, at the car park entrance and body scanners at the entrance to the reception area,” he explained.
The date for the grand opening ceremony of the hotel would soon be announced.

EDGAR, ADIBUA DRAMATISE 14TH CENTURY LAGOS
Encouraged by the warm reception for his satire on Nigeria which carried the name of his popular column -Loud Whispers- in THISDAY Newspapers, My Joseph Edgar, Investment Banker turned entertainment entrepreneur is conniving again with the usual suspects who made his debut foray into theatre a success.

Popular OAP and Entertainment Entrepreneur, Olisa Adibua will offer all the support he muster as co-executive producer, while William Benson who gave interpreted and gave live to the production is set to play the same role again as director.

Programmed to captivate the discerning Lagos audience on Valentine Day, February 14 2017, the play will look at the struggle for supremacy between the Kosoko and Akitoye families amidst the confusion of the slave trade. Kosoko is the ruthless slave trader who dethroned his uncle Akitoye who was sophisticated and did not want anything to do with the slave trade.

Upon his dethrone meant he fled to the UK to seek the support of the British to regain his throne from his nephew who by this time has entrenched himself on the throne with the active support of his son who was very aggressive and extremely powerful warrior.
In one of his exploits, the prince had captured a bunch of slaves including the very beautiful and exotic songbird who unbeknownst to him was a Bini princess who had unknowingly wandered too far from the palace and had been captured and sold to slave dealers. He falls in love with her after hearing her wonderful voice and begins a secret tryst with the slave girl.

However, as tensions rise, the Bini kingdom has suddenly heard the sad news of their princess being in captivity by Kosoko who by this time is a vassal king who pays homage to the Bini palace.
The war drums begin to beat, the Binis are marching towards Lagos to reclaim their princess, the British are marching with Akitoye towards Lagos to reclaim his throne, Kosoko ever so deviant his preparing his troops led by his ever-ready but unknowing to him weakened by love warrior son.
The stage is set, the battle of the three armies is about to begin and just as the sound of war is about to be heard, love takes over.

PLAN THIS ON ENTERTAINMENT PAGE.
A Musical Feast for Spirit Life Conference
Micah Stampley, Sammie Okposo, Eno Michael, Nathanel Bassey will be bringing the house down with soulful ministrations at House on the Rock today.

The musical celebration brings to end the annual Spirit Life Conference which kicked off on Wednesday.
Themed ‘Glory to Glory’, the event had great ministers of God like Abel Damina,
Jamal Bryant, Tudor Bismark, Jasmin Sculark and the host Paul Adefarasin.
The annual event is part of the church’s mission to impact, empower and spiritually refresh thousands of souls through anointed men of God and music ministers across the country.

GANDOKI’S NEXT BIG JOKE
Old-timer stand-up comedian Gandoki is geared to break an impressive record as the longest stand-up comedian performance. The announcement was made recently at a press briefing.
The comedian targets to perform for 48 hours stretch in an attempt to beat the 40-hours and 8 minutes performance by American comedian, David Scott in 2013.

Speaking to journalists, he said that his interest in participating in the event was to promote the nation to international frontiers.
“I’m doing this just to showcase Nigerians to the world. And also I’m doing it for my Niger Delta brothers, we still have talents, we are not violent people. I want all Nigerians to support me.”

He further told the press that he ensured that he adhered to all the rules and regulations set by the Guinness Book of Record. “It’s not easy. Pause is not allowed. That means I can’t use the toilet if I’m pressed. You are allowed to talk for four hours and rest for 20 minutes. If you miss any minute, your performance will be cancelled.”