EBONYLIFE TV CEO MO ABUDU HOSTS BOLA ADESOLA, OMOBOLA JOHNSON, SOLA DAVID-BORHA, BETTY IRABOR, LANRE DA-SILVA AJAYI AND OTHER FEMALE BUSINESS LEADERS

EbonyLife TV in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation hosted female investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives and icons to the Invest Africa Meet and Greet on February 1, 2014 at the Wheat Baker Hotel Ikoyi, Lagos.

The gathering was a platform for discussion on investment opportunities that abound in the African continent and practical steps towards the growth and development of businesses in Africa.

Mo Abudu, chief executive officer of EbonyLife TV was the host. ““So we all already know that this is a continent that is blessed, and it's even more blessed to have the quality of female business and political leaders who have leaned in to drive growth and development. This meeting emphasies the imperative of investment, of expansion, of a systemic approach to expanding wealth and opportunities for the continent."

Guest present at the event include Onari Duke ( Former First Lady, Cross River ), Sola David-Borha, (GMD StanbicIBTC), Tony O. Elumelu (Chairman, Heirs Holding), Bola Adesola ( MD Standard Chartered Bank), Omobola Johnson (Honourable Minister of Communications Technology), Tonye Cole (ED, Sahara Group), publisher Betty Irabor, Elohor Aisien, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi, Omotola Jalade–Ekeinde, Robert Hersov, Ryszard Varisella, amongst others.

See photos.

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For those about to enter the job market: The Future Awards hosts fourth national enterprise conference

For those about to enter the job market: The Future Awards hosts fourth national enterprise conference

 … Also launches 2013 season of The Future Awards & tfess.com jobs app

Thousands of young Nigerians gathered on Saturday, January 26, 2012, to participate in the fourth edition of The Future National Enterprise Conference (formerly ‘The Do SomethingPre-Awards Conference). The event held at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Yaba.

An inspiring mix of celebrities, high-profile young professionals, and career veterans were present to interact with the attentive audience, as they shared their knowledge, experiences and gave advice on entering and surviving the workforce.

Targeted primarily at high school, undergraduate, and graduate students; current National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members; as well as young adults currently in the job market, the programme was titled, ‘Our Generation Needs to Get to Work’. It was a forum for young people who are about to enter the job market to interact with professionals from a wide variety of industries — IT, journalism, medicine, entertainment, and more. The diversity of mentors spanned several key growth sectors in Nigeria; from the chief executive of television production company Inspire Africa, Mo Abudu, to an executive director with Nestlé, Iquo Ukoh.

Some speakers at the event were: Kola Oyeniyin from Venia Hub; Otto Orondaam of SLUM2School Project; actresses Stephanie Linus and Rita Domnic; cinematic director Kunle Afolayan; Ugochukwu Nwosu of Microsoft; Ola Orekunrin of Flying Doctors; Jason Njoku of Iroko TV, photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Akintunde Oyebode who is Head of SME banking at Stanbic IBTC, Idiare Itimomo of Etisalat, TV journalist Adaure Achumba, writer and PR professional Toni Kan, advertising wiz Steve Babaeko, and designer Bridget Awosika. Also speaking was investigative journalist Idris Akinbajo, who was The Future Awards Young Person of the Year 2012.

The event was anchored by magazine editor and fashion designer Mai Atafo, alongside radio presenter Cynthia Kamalu.

It was a lively and highly interactive event, with participants on both sides of the stage and introduced the new format of the event.

 The speakers had plenty of insights to offer to the students, and many of them passed on key life-lessons they had obtained as they struggled to attain their dreams.

“At 25 I was talking business when my mates were speaking English,” Kola Oyeneyin told the audience.

“If you want to be anything tomorrow, work for someone for a year,” said Toni Kan.

Mo Abudu emphasised determination: “If you want to succeed, a lot of passion and obsession is involved and each time someone says no to you, someone else is about to say yes.”

“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished here,” said Chude Jideonwo, executive director for The Future Project. “This, is what The Future Project is all about; helping to shape the future of this country by creating platforms that assist the youth in the building of capacity, the opening up of opportunities and the driving of enterprise. For Nigeria to be transformed, our youth need to get to work.”

The event also featured the launch of The Future Enterprise Support Scheme (TFESS) website, www.tfess.com, a jobs and opportunities app/online community designed and predicated on assisting young Africans as they enter the workforce; providing information, skills enhancement, a community platform on the internet. With video tutorials, inspiring content, job-skill acquisition assistance and more, the website anchors The Future Project’s mission to build enterprise.

The Future Awards, flagship programme of The Future Project launched Season 8 at the event – with town halls meetings now to be held across the country leading to the grand televised event in August.

 The event was presented by The Future Project in conjunction with BlackBerry, Etisalat and the Start-Up Hub. Media support came from Silverbird, Channels TV, Cool FM, TV Continental, 360Nobs.com, BellaNaija.com, NigeriaNewsDesk and the Linda Ikeji Blog. The official media partner was Y!/YNaija.com.

More information is available on www.thefuturenigeria.com. TFESS can be accessed on www.tfess.com and via Twitter and Facebook on @TFESSAfrica.

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WHO WILL YOU WEAR TO THE Y! MAGAZINE BLACK BALL THIS SUNDAY?

 RITA DOMINIC IN MOOFA; MI ABAGA IN OUCH, NSE IKPE ETIM IN HOUSE OF NWOCHA; AND MAI, IN, WELL, MAI! WHO WILL YOU WEAR TO THE Y! MAGAZINE BLACK BALL THIS SUNDAY?

Its 3 days to Y! Magazine’s Annual Black Ball – and we can’t wait!

The ball is a celebration of another eventful year for young trendsetters across the country. “As we have said,  “Y! Magazine has kept its promise as a cultural connoisseur – presenting the best and the finest of Nigerian entertainment, lifestyle and issues in order to provoke thought, inspire action and stimulate growth,” its managing editor, Adebola Williams emphasises. “What this event does is celebrate another year for young trendsetters – great wine, fine dining, the best company delivered with the sophistication of the Y! brand.” 

Y! and its sister brands are also celebrating another successful year leading the way for youth culture media – across content, communication and development, and thanking friends, partners, supporters and associates. These premium brands include YNaija.com, Rubbin’ Minds (on Channels Television), The Future Awards, The Future Project and marketing communications firm Red Media.

As the ball of the year, it seems everyone is on the hunt for the evening’s perfect outfit. Everyone is on the hunt for the perfect outfit for the evening, and actress Nse Ikpe Etim’s label of choice is House of Nwocha. “The brand definitely understands that a woman wants to feel sexy and classy at the same time, and they pull it off every time,” Nse Ikpe Etim says of her House of Nwocha choice.

For Rita Dominic gravitated to Moofa, a label synonymous with the refined silhouette of a bygone era. She said of her the label, “They are amazing and can truly amazing when it comes to classic silhouettes that flatter a woman's body. I can't wait to show off on the black carpet!"

Designer Ohimai Atafo,of MAI, expects a night of perfection. "It’s a masked ball, and for the elegant a time to push the envelope,” he said. “Stylish ball gowns, and sharp formal suits/tuxedos  will fill the red carpet.

Ohimai Atafo joins publisher and trendsetter, Noble Igwe to select the King and Queen of the Black Ball from the black carpet. “Expect to see some of Nigeria’s best-loved designers!” Williams says. “Bridget Awosika, Toju Foyeh, April by Kunbi, Jewel by Lisa, Kinabuti, Zizi Cardow, Marayah O, Purple, Akpos Okudo, Tiannah’s Styling, Wana Sambo and more. This should be fun!

Hosted by MI and the 3LiveChicks, the strictly-by-invitation event holds on 16 December, 2012


Venue
Crystal Ballroom
Landmark Event Centre,
Oniru, Victoria Island,
Lagos

Hours
Arrivals and photos: 5:45 PM
Cocktails: 6:00 PM
Ball Begins: 6:30 PM
Ball Ends: 9:00 PM

Strict Dress Code: Sophisticated and elegant
Ladies: Dresses
Gentlemen- Bow ties/Suits
Colours: Black

The brand new, re-modelled Y! Magazine will be presented to the public – with a first-of-its kind cover identity as well as content re-energised for its audience, and every invited guest will receive an autographed first edition of the relaunched magazine. Also to be unveiled with the magazine is the Annual Y! Best Dressed List – which will profile the 20 young celebrities who define Nigeria's style zeitgeist by embodying what it meant to be stylish in 2012.

“We are also grateful to BlackBerry, continuing its tradition of driving connectivity and networking, for presenting this first edition,” Williams added. Premium BlackBerry phones will be given to winners and that is just the tip of the Christmas gifts iceberg!

The event is presented by Y! Magazine, in partnership with BlackBerry and support from Cool FM. Media partners include BellaNaija.com and 360Nobs.com.

For more information please visit www.ynaija.com/blackball.

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AFRICAN MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS - RED CARPET INTERVIEW, THE GLAMOR AND THE THRILLS

We recently shared a list of the nominees and winners of the 8th AMAA, here's a video interviewing several dignitaries like Majid Michel, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, and more.

Enjoy.

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Photos From The 8th African Movies Academy Awards, AMAA

Rita Dominic

Lagos, Nigeria; Monday, April 23^rd, 2012: Leading Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the creative industry in Africa as it joined organizers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) to honour, reward and celebrate accomplished African movie stars at a lavish awards ceremony held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, yesterday (April 22^nd, 2012).

 The event, which attracted international and African celebrities as well as notable personalities from other professions turned out to be a joyous carnival of some sort as several movie actors, actresses, producers and writers literally broke down in tears of happiness as they received accolades for their industriousness, creativity, passion and initiative in the movie industry.

 The Chairman of Airtel Networks Limited, Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), gave a rousing speech in which he congratulated all the award recipients, and restated Airtel’s passionate for creating credible platforms for celebrating and rewarding talented Africans.

Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Nigeria and the winner of the Best Actress in the leading Role award, Rita Dominic and friends.

“At Airtel, we are excited to be supporting an Industry that has brought laughter, joy, peace, excitement and happiness to many homes across the African continent including Nigeria. We all know that Africans love movies, and they particularly cherish movies that are made for Africa and by Africans. No wonder the Movie industry has grown so big in the continent. Airtel recognizes the beauty of the Africa Movie Industry and that is why we have thrown our full weight behind the 2012 AMAA. Today, we congratulate and felicitate with all the winners,” he said.

 Otudeko also stated that Just as AMAA has over the years brought smile to the faces of the key players in the movie and cinema industry and their fans, Airtel will continue to empower people across Nigeria and indeed the African continent to communicate and sustain their business and familial ties through borderless mobile telecoms services and other innovative, relevant and affordable offerings.

“In Africa, Airtel intends to be the number one telecommunications operator just as it intends to be the most loved brand in the daily lives of Africans. As a company that is passionate about building reputable platforms for the celebration of talented Africans and Nigerians, we will continue to support initiatives that will bring excitement and happiness to the door steps of all our stakeholders,” Otudeko added.

The A-Class event featured performances from top African artistes including Nigeria’s Afro-soul crooner, Asa, and multiple award winner, Tuface Idibia.

Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), Chairman of Airtel Nigeria and the winner of the Best Actress in the leading Role award, Rita Dominic

Other top Airtel executives, who attended the event, included the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop; Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director; Inusa Bello, Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria; Kehinde Lawanson, Board Member, Airtel Nigeria and Executive Director, First Bank and Adebayo Osinowo, Regional Operations Director (Lagos), Airtel Nigeria, among several others.

Works and personalities that were honoured include: Best Short Film category, Braids on a Bald Head; Best Documentary category: African Election - Germany/Nigeria; Best Diaspora Feature: Toussaint Loventure – France and Best Diaspora Documentary:  The Education of Auma Obama - Nigeria/Germany.

Best Short Film in Diaspora: White Sugar in a Black Pot; Best Animation: The Legend of Ngog Hills – Kenya; Best Film by An African Living Abroad: Mystery of Birds - US/Nigeria; Best Achievement in Production Design: Kunle Afolayan's Phone Swap; Achievement in Costume Design:  Adesuwa; Achievement in Makeup: Shattered – Kenya and Best Achievement in Soundtrack: Alero's Symphony (soundtrack done by ex-Plantashun Boiz star, Faze)

Prize for Achievement in Visual Effects: Adesuwa; Best Achievement in Sound: State of Violence - South Africa; Achievement in Cinematography:  Othello Burning - South Africa; Achievement in Editing: How to Steal 2 Million; Best Child Actor: Tshepang Mohlomi (South Africa); Achievement In Screenplay:  Ties That Bind – Ghana and Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Terry Phetto – How To Steal 2 Million.

Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, (centre), flanked by the winner of the Best Actress in the leading Role award, Rita Dominic (left) actress, Kate Henshaw, and friends

Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Fano Mokoena – Man on Ground; Best Film: How to Steal 2 Million (South Africa); Best Nigerian Film: Adesuwa; Best Promising Actor:  Ivie Okujaye; Best Film In An African Language: State of Violence; Best Actress In A Leading Role: Rita Dominic – Shattered; Best Actor In A Leading Role: Majid Micheal – Somewhere In Africa; Best Director: Charlie Vundla For How to Steal 2 Million and Special jury Award: Akin Omotosho

 Here are the rest of the pictures:

(Click on images to make them bigger)

Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR) flanked by the winner of the Best Actress in the leading Role award, Rita Dominic (left) and actress, Kate Henshaw,

Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Oba Otudeko,  Rita Dominic (left) and actress, Kate Henshaw

  (R-L) Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Nigeria, the winner of the Best Actress in the leading Role award, Rita Dominic, Dokun Oye, Zonal Busiiness Manager, Lagos Region, Airtel Nigeria, and Bayo Adewusi

  Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), Chairman of Airtel Nigeria and Rajan Swaroop, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Oba Otudeko (CFR), Chairman of Airtel Nigeria

Asa

Lancelot Imasuen

Tuface

Majid Michael

Rockmond Dunbar

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Ghana’s Finest Ama K. Abebrese Storms Nigeria For AMAA

One of Ghana’s best hands as it concerns movies, Ama K. Abebrese is set to storm Nigeria for the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2012 in style. The award which aims to recognize and honor African movie practitioners who have distinguished themselves in their respective movie industries will hold in Nigeria.

The actress has been nominated for the Best Actress in a leading role alongside movie heavyweights like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Uche Jombo, Yvonne Okoro, Rita Dominic, Millicent Makheido and Kudzai Sevenzo-Nyarai. Ama has been widely tipped to land this category as her recent works vividly speak for her perhaps, one of the reasons why she features only in high budget movies.

Ama K.  was in Nigeria last year among the Ghanaian contingent that went for AMAA; she won the award for the best actress in a leading role. Will she win it again this year? Time will tell.

She began her career at YCTV (Youth Culture Television) a charity training facility in West London as a youth where the highlights of her time there was when she interviewed Hollywood veteran, Harrison Ford and ‘Star Wars’ director George Lucas. As if that was not enough, the alumnus of St. Mary’s University College, Surrey moved on to co-host the youth entertainment programme ‘Pass da Mic’, a show in collaboration with BBC2, where guests interviewed  included the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, rocker Mick Jagger, and football legend Kevin Keegan, whom she interviewed.

The screen idol according to her management team will be very active and more visible in Nollywood as she has seen the industry as a very viable and big platform for professionals to hit it big, an ambition the darling of Ghollywood is not taking with a pinch of salt.

This year’s AMAA is been powered by telecoms giant, Airtel and will feature musical performances from Tuface Idibia, Asa and Senegalese singer, Vivian with one of Hollywood’s finest actors, Jimmy Jean-Louis as the event’s host on the night. Morris Chestnut of The Brothers fame will lead other Hollywood acts to the event.

Speaking on this year’s AMAA, Ama K. Abebrese speaks of her expectations at the awards ‘’I expect it to be a very classy event with a lot of style and finesse, coming to Nigeria for awards like this is always special and I really look forward to enjoying myself, I hope to take the award home’’.

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RITA DOMINIC SIGNS WITH DREAM HOUSE TO SHOOT FEATURE FILM IN KENYA

Nairobi based Dream House Productions has engaged the services of Nollywood actress Rita Dominic to star in its debut film production. The working title of the film is "Shattered”.

Produced by Carol Nguta and directed by Greg Lukalia, the film which is already in pre-production is scheduled to begin principal photography on August 1, 2011. Dream House Production is a diversified entertainment company known for producing elaborate musicals, live orchestra, and stage plays in Kenya. The company is now embarking on film production and is maintaining their vision to develop and showcase the enormous untapped and unfulfilled talent in the Kenya creative industry.

Rita Dominic will head to Kenya in a few days to begin rehearsing with major Kenya actors. She plays the role of a woman who tries to overcome the long term effects of years of neglect and child abuse in a middleclass home. “We have been following the Nigerian movie industry for some time and Rita stands out as a very outstanding gifted individual who takes her craft seriously and passionately, fully embracing the roles she plays” stated Carol Nguta, Founder of Dream House Productions. “This is in line with our vision at Dream House and we are working hard to make this project successful”.

This will be Rita’s first time filming in Kenya. She was in Kenya in April to attend the 2011 AMAA nominations party. Rita is excited about signing on to this project in Kenya and states “I love Kenya so this is an opportunity to go back to my home away from home. This is the first of many projects and I could not have chosen a better company. Carol is passionate about the arts. She is a perfectionist so I have no fears at all about the quality of the production”.

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THE HEADIES ANNOUNCE HOSTS

Organizers of the Headies today revealed that talented actress Rita Dominic and contemporary producer and rapper eLDee will host the sixth edition of the hugely- anticipated event.

Executive Producer Ayo Animashaun made it public this week that the award’s committee has brought the duo on board. Eldee and Rita Dominic will be hosting this year’s awards and we are
proud to be working with such exceptional talents’ he said in a statement issued early this week. He also announced that this year’s awards will hold in September instead of its usual date in May due to the election process which was pivotal to the entire well being and sustenance of the Nigerian society.

The awards which started in 2006, has fast become one of the top events occupying the music industry’s calendar. The awards ceremony is known for its innovative and trailblazing concepts which have single-handedly revolutionized the approach and manner award shows are
organized and structured in the country. And this year’s edition comes with a whole lot of surprises Animashaun says ‘We are making adequate preparations that this year’s awards be
bigger and better than the previous years’ he says adding ‘ you don’t want to imagine what we’re cooking this year’.

‘He continues ‘If there is any gospel the award has preached over the years, it is the power of Possibilities’. Meanwhile, Rita Dominic and eLDee have kicked off a series of meetings
with the awards committee.

“I feel really excited about hosting this year’s awards. I love the music industry, and I appreciate the fact that The Headies is one of the initiatives that sees to appreciating deserving talents. The team is well organized, and I am already bonding with eLDee. Last week, we
were at a photo shoot organized by the organizers and I had so much fun” Rita Dominic says.

Rita Dominic has an unrepentant love for the Entertainment industry. She has starred in more than 100 movies since she started her career
in 1998.

Paired with Rita Dominic to take the audience through this year’s event is Osun State born Lanre Dabiri popularly known as eLDee. Dabiri is an original member of the band Trybesmen. With four albums to his credit, eLDee has over the years become a force to reckon with in the
music industry.

“I have been to so many editions of The Headies, and I feel really honored hosting this year’s show. Rita Dominic is a good actress and I like the fact that the organizers scout for hosts from different sectors of the Entertainment industry” eLDee says.

Past hosts of The Headies include Darey (2006), Dbanj and Tana (2007), Dakore and Basket Mouth (2008), Banky W and Kemi Adetiba (2009). ‘We always look out for individuals who believe so much in themselves and who have all it takes to represent Nigeria anywhere in the world. That’s what we saw in our past hosts, and that is what we see in eLDee and Rita Dominic.

The sixth edition of The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards) will hold in September 2011. A total of 22 plaques (called Headies) made up of 21 carat gold will be given out to deserving music industry professionals whose works have been screened by a team of select critics and
practitioners commissioned by the organizers.

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