Access GMD, Herbert Wigwe shares success tips with students on Children’s Day celebration

Access Bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, reiterated his belief in the potentials of young Nigerians and their important role in the socio-economic growth of the country, as he celebrated the Children’s Day with the students of Girls Secondary Grammar School, Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday, 27 May, 2019.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Wigwe shared several successful tips built on integrity, honesty, hard work, self-love, family, perseverance, developing a savings culture, even as he encouraged them to adopt the values of discipline and hard work in all their endeavours.

“You cannot achieve success without hard work and excellence. In everything you do, be ready to go the extra mile. The biggest mistake anyone can make is to relent on one’s dream because of the fear that it is too difficult. Focus on the joy in every activity, don’t let your present circumstances ever determine your future. Don’t let anyone tell you your dreams are too big to be achieved. Beware of friends and peer groups that tell you to take shortcuts, because shortcuts always end in regrets,” he said.

He further explained the importance of imbibing good saving habits, stating that was a necessary skill that would help them achieve their goals.

“Many of the business leaders that we celebrate in Nigeria and all over the world started off by building a strong saving culture. Learning to save is one of the key things that young people need to imbibe, as it will help prepare you for important periods in your life and help you in starting up any business or career you choose.”

He also joined the students in some interesting activities, as they gathered around him for a selfie photograph, which he promised to cherish always.

A highlight of the event was the interactive session between the Access Bank CEO and the students. Discussing with a student who explained that the school needed instructional facilities, Herbert Wigwe made a commitment to refurbish the school’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory.

Omotola's crazy love for dogs

While superstars might be busy making movies or embarking on lavish vacations abroad, but that doesn't mean they don't have pets. And Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is no exception. The actress is one of those celebrities who have always been fond of animals and have had plenty of them in their care over the years. She shared a photo of herself cuddling her pet on Instagram to show the world how much she's in love with her pet. Perhaps, it's safe to say that the actress is a self-proclaimed lover of animals.

Chief Igbinedion woos film makers to Okada

The Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion has encouraged film makers and producers across the country to take advantage of the historical sites and serene atmosphere that pervades the ancient town of Okada to shoot their films.

The octogenarian business mogul made the passionate appeal recently, when the cast and crew of Lancelot Imasuen's latest flick, 'Family First' paid him a courtesy visit after the premiering of the movie on the campus as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Igbinedion University, Okada.

Esema, who was excited receiving the entourage at his palatial country home, said Okada is home to many historical sites that can be used as movie locations.

'We have a forest that nobody has tampered with. Also, we have more historical sites here than anywhere else. I have seen what you people are doing in Asaba. I implore you to come and shoot their films,” he said.

Steve Benson plans big for showbiz industry

Music business enthusiast and songwriter, Ohenhen Osazuwa Stephen a.k.a Steve Benson (SB) has concluded plans to launch a broad-based record company that provides and produces all related high-demand entertainment solutions.

The new outfit, MSN OCEAN will be a major player in the fast-growing Nigerian entertainment industry as it has huge interests and business dealings as a record label.

Steve Benson (SB) as he's fondly called by his fans has been working underground for past four years alongside his team of dodged professionals understudying the peculiarities of the global entertainment sector.

Steve said serious plans have been made to sign not only artistes but also, Deejays too. Besides, the first act whose project is 85% ready, the company is said to be setting its eyes on the big picture with the talents discovery project called MSN Talent Hunt. The show, according to Steve Benson, who is not a newcomer to the music scene, will be powered in conjunction with an international branding and events company. The contest will feature musicians (solo or bands), DJs, dancers and comedians.

Steve is a songwriter and recording artiste as well as a music business enthusiast. He decided to take the backstage to empower other young and talented persons, hence the establishment of the MSN OCEAN outfit.

20 years of democracy: Our leaders have failed us, says I go Dye

As President Muhammadu Buhari began his second term in office, on Wednesday, May 29, popular comedian, I Go Dye has taken a swipe at the political development of the country, lamenting that the past 20 years of Nigerian democracy has brought about untold hardship, disunity and insecurity than it has impacted positively on the well-being of the citizenry.

The popular comedian made this observation in a statement he released, on Wednesday, to commemorate the inauguration of Buhari's second term in office. He decried the failure of the federal government to salvage the dwindling economy of the nation in the past 20 years.

According to him, while the will of the people, their freedom to be heard and represented was nurtured in democratic principles, the present democratic setting in the country is a complete departure from the norms.

He said with years,months and days gone by,the agonies of disappointment,hate,marginalization,corruption and injustice have continued to ruin the collective well-being of the people. This price, he stressed has become so expensive to maintain, as it also expands into billion's of dollars just to satisfy our elected officials,while the gap of poverty continue to grow.

“Our former Presidents, Governors and legislators have continued to take home packages that our elder statesmen never enjoyed after labouring for 35 years. They are frustrated everyday with several screenings for their pensions. The freedom of democracy has created monsters in our political landscape, breed demons in the midst a religious society that has no value for human lives,” he bemoans. The price of democracy has given birth to kidnapping, suicide bombers,insurgents,militants, armed bandits,herdsmen, ritualists, Boko haram and numerous political cronies' that are desperate to divide this nation, if their selfish interest is uttered.”

“Today, public institutions are left for the poor masses to bear following the ills of unproductive governments in the past 20 years of this faceless and expensive journey called democracy. Till date, no bill has been passed to reduce the unemployment rate nor improve the life expectancy of the people. Nigerian Democracy has given birth to an endless frustration, leading to the increasing rate at which young people take their lives out of frustration,” ' I Go Dye lamented.

Obi Emelonye’s ‘Heart& Soul’ premieres on Africa Magic Showcase

As ‘Heart & Soul’, a medico-spiritual TV series shot by renowned filmmaker, Obi Emelonye premieres on Africa Magic Showcase Channel 150 on Tuesday June 4, 2019, it will be availing opportunities to Nigerian youths interested in taking part in the film and television industry when they engage with the TV series on social media (Facebook: Heart & Soul NG and Instag ram @heartandsoulng).

The TV series which starts at 5.30pm (WAT) and will run every weekday, was shot under the The Obi Emelonye Foundation’s ‘50-50 Legacy’ project, an initiative to offer budding talents in Nigeria the opportunity to join the film and television industry. The TV series started with a string of film workshops in Lagos, and had enlisted about 100 youths in the state to take part in the filming as actors and crew members, with the aim of giving their aspirations in the industry the needed boost.

Obi Emelonye says: “When my twin brother and I, turned 50, we thought of how we could give back to the society in our various fields. This is the result. I am doing mine through television I am interested in giving the opportunity to young Nigerians to realise their dreams in the audio-visual industry. We started at Nsukka with ‘Crazy, Lovely, Cool’. At the Lagos end, we have done this TV series, ‘Heart and Soul’, which has given about 100 young Nigerians the opportunity to participate in the industry. It is usually difficult for the young ones to get that very first opportunity. That is what we intend to bridge with this project.”

Comparable to classic medical dramas like ER, Casualty, and Scrubs, ‘Heart & Soul’ has been described by critics as ‘Grey’s Anatomy set in Lagos with African mystery’, and features Nollywood star, Anthony Monjaro alongside Adekola Amoo, Phoenix Ezendu and many new but talented acts who were selected from the film workshops by the ’50-50 Legacy’ initiative of The Obi Emelonye Foundation.

EXCLUSIVE! Mabel Oboh and beau hold quiet court wedding

It was a moment of happiness and joy as seasoned actress and broadcaster,Mabel Oboh  and her beau, Michael Udoh held a quiet court wedding on Thursday, in Lagos. 

 The couple signed on the dotted line in Eti Osa West marriage registry, in the midst of selected family members and friends.

Among them were the bride's brother, Mighty Mouse, popular ghetto singer, Baba Fyro, ailing rapper, Olusegun Osaniyi, popularly known as Lord of Ajasa and his wife, marriage registry, Ayesa Kehinde among other dignitaries.

DStv, GOtv out with new channels for kids

In an effort to reach more children, PBS Distribution has partnered with MultiChoice Africa to bring PBS KIDS’ high-quality educational children’s content to the DStv and GOtv platforms available in all of sub-Saharan Africa.

Viewers have started enjoying Pinkalicious and Peterrific, Arthur and other well-known PBS KIDS series on DStv channel 313 and GOtv channel 65 since last Wednesday.

“MultiChoice is always open to exploring ways to expand our customer offering, adding a children’s channel that is not only entertaining but also experiential and educational adds value to our DStv and GOtv packages,” says Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

Andrea Downing, Co-President of PBS Distribution, said: “We are excited to offer this new audience the opportunities that PBS KIDS content offers. PBS KIDS is the number one educational media brand for kids, offering children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds. DStv and GOtv are inviting parents and children to experience this trusted content that helps children learn and grow.”

Among the series included in the channel are Pinkalicious andPeterrific, Arthur as well as WordWorld. Pinkalicious and Peterrific is based on the beloved book series by Victoria Kann. It encourages children to engage in self-expression and to explore the arts, including music, dance, and visual arts. Kids will be inspired to get creative by Pinkalicious, Peter, and their friends through adventures in their neighborhood of Pinkville. PBS KIDS will also feature episodes from Postcards from Buster, Peep and The Big Wide World and Time Warp Trio.

Amarachi Mba Kalu is Abuja writers' guest speaker for May edition

The May 25 edition of Abuja Writer’s Forum flagship event, the Guest Writer Session will feature Amarachi Mba Kalu at Rosebud Suites (former Nanet Suites) from 4- 7pm.

Mrs Kalu will read from her sophomore novel, Scarred Roses , which centres around thirty-seven year-old, Ezichi. All her close female friends have supposedly found their charming partners and seem to have settled-down. It is not all smooth sailing and their not too pleasant experiences become a problem for her when she finds a man who is ready and willing to marry her.

Mrs Kalu holds a B.A(ED) Honors in Government from Abia State University, and is an executive board member of Noble Heritage Schools.

She had started off wanting to be a broadcaster, inspired by the likes of Ruth Benamaisia Opia, Sienne Allwell Brown and other NTA broadcasters in the 80’s. However, she has found writing a more suitable form of expression particularly through romantic fiction, and enjoys travelling and learning new cultures which form part of her writing inspiration. Her first novel was SECRETS.

Two prominent administrators would also talk about the books that have impacted on their lives thus far, during the “Take Five” segment of the event.

The Guest Writer Session apart from the reading and “Take Five” segments, features live music and a raffle-draw for books, and is open to the public.

The Abuja Writer’s Forum also runs a weekly Critique Session where writers peer review works in progress and a regular Creative Writing Workshop series.

NFC mourns Eddie Ugbomah

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has reacted to the death of one of Nigeria’s foremost filmmakers, Chief Eddie Ugbomah, who passed on over the weekend. Describing the news of the sudden death of the veteran film maker and one of the pioneers of the big screens in Nigeria, as shocking and painful; Alhaji Sanusi Sambo, the Acting Chief Executive of NFC, said that the creative industry has lost a rare gem, whose creative ingenuity has been a source of pride and inspiration to other filmmakers. “His landmark achievements and impact will be ingrained in the history of the Nigerian Film Industry. The NFC and creative industry stakeholders will surely miss him.”

According to Alhaji Sambo, NFC witnessed a monumental take off and stability as the pivot film agency in Nigeria when Chief Ugbomah was appointed the Chairman of its Board. “Most of the achievements of the NFC today are tied to the foundational direction the late Ugbomah and other members of his Board gave to the management of the corporation”. Chief Eddie Ugbomah was appointed the Chairman of NFC Board, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida (GCFR) and served from February 1988 to February 1991.

AFRIMA unveil plans for 2019 edition

The African Union Commission, AUC, during the week officially unveiled the 2019 All Africa Music Awards, tagged; 6^thAFRIMA, calendar of events at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a statement by the Acting Director, Social Affairs Department, African Union Commission, Mr. Machacha Shepande, the first activity on the continental awards event calendar is submission of entries, which opened globally to African music professionals either living on the continent or in the diaspora from Wednesday, May 15 and closes on Friday, August 2, 2019.

Other activities on the event calendar are the 13-man jury adjudication process and nominees selection from August 6 to August 12. A 'World media announcement of 6^th AFRIMA Nominees' List' will take place on August 13, to publicly unveil African artistes and/or works who have been nominated.

According to the statement, the awards ceremony, a four-day fiesta of music, glamour and entertainment holds from November 6 to November 9 in the official awards host city. It will be preceded by Welcome Soiree, AFRIMA Music Village, the Host City Tour, the Africa Music Business Summit and the exclusive Nominees Party.

The live awards show is broadcast to over eighty countries around the world. The 2018 edition of AFRIMA awards ceremony was hosted by the Republic of Ghana, through the partnership of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.