Oseyiza Oogbodo Blog

The Wedding Party , which opened in Nigerian cinemas on December 16, 2016, has grossed N36m in its opening weekend in cinemas across Nigeria.  The much-talked-about story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W) has redefined box office records in the Nigerian film industry.

Tru Mantra Talented gospel music duo, Tru Mantra, which is made up of Lanre Abiose and Anthony Okwechime, have shot their first official music video after four years of just recording and performing.

Jakpor The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has requested that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) release detailed information on tax waivers, grants and other benefits that British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) and other tobacco companies benefited under the now-rested Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme introduced by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2002. In a media release signed by Philip Jakpor, ERA/FoEN’s Head, Media & Campaigns, the EEG scheme was described as an export incentive designed to assist indigenous exporters to expand the volume and value of their exports, diversify export markets and become more competitive in the international market.

Nissi 22-year-old London-based singer, songwriter and painter, Nissi, burst onto the music scene in August 2016 with her poignant debut single, Pay Attention , and soon followed it up Crimina l which topped the Hype Machine Twitter chart in September. Both records have seen the Nigerian native garner support from MTV Wrap Up, SoulBounce, Revolt TV and BBC Introducing , among others.

Ghana Music Week UK is finally here! After an unfortunate postponement back in October due to unforeseen circumstances, Ghana Music Week UK has returned to take place at the Indigo at The O2 on December 30, 2016.

Peters Frontline juju musician, Yomi Peters, has disclosed that his highly anticipated album, Igbeyawo , will be released this December 2016 by an international record label, MJG Records. According to him, Igbeyawo is to be released this month due to the massive demand its promotion on radio and TV created.

The Nikah and Haflah Awards and Expo, which prides itself as the first Islamic awards, is set to hold in Lagos, Nigeria on December 24 & 25, 2016.

Multiple award-winning music artist, Tim Godfrey, is set to present the second edition of his hit musical play, Ewuro , which is about the struggles of women in Nigeria. Ewuro is the Yoruba word for the popular bitter leaf (vernonia amygdalina).

Arogundade In furtherance of its aim of making Nigerians participate in politics through its project, Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement in Electoral Process (SCEEP), the International Press Centre (IPC) in conjunction with UKAID/DFID and ACTIONAID, has started implementing another phase of SCEEP which involves training Nigerians on how and why they should participate in the preparation of and monitor the implementation of budgets.

An Africa regional survey conducted by the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) reveals that multinational tobacco manufacturing companies are systematically targeting children as young as six years old to pick up the habit of smoking cigarettes. The survey exposes the aggressive marketing tactics of tobacco companies such as British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI) who display cigarettes next to sweets and snacks at kiosks directly outside the gates of primary and secondary schools.

Savage The Nigerian Child Safety Report Initiative has announced that the maiden edition of its awards dedicated to celebrate children, The Nigerian Child Friendly Awards 2016/2017, will hold next year February 12, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Speaking about it, one of the organizers, Ukhurebor Wilson, said TNCFA is all about the children so it was children who came up with the nominees.

Zalee Christian entertainment personality, Obus Zalee, has declared that only God can make a musician into a star. Zalee made this declaration while speaking during the dedication of a Christian music compilation CD, The Father's Company , spearheaded by him through his Christian Talent Community (CTC) project.

Elliot Nigeria’s movie industry, better known as Nollywood, is the second largest movie industry by volume after Bollywood. This week, CNN Marketplace Africa , reports that iRoko, the biggest digital distributor of Nollywood films, has created a new cable channel in the United Kingdom. The programme attends an event in London to celebrate the launch, meeting and speaking to actors and filmmakers on a significant night for Nigeria’s film industry.

Popular actress Funke Akindele will join Sterling Bank this Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 7am for the bank’s quarterly national cleaning exercise under the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) series. The A-list actress is scheduled to lead the Lagos leg of the exercise at Oyingbo Market.

Guests admiring the artwork The British Council, in collaboration with GTBank, has officially launched Wind Sculpture VI, a six-metre high by three-metre wide artwork by Yinka Shonibare MBE (RA) on Thursday 24 November, 2016 at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The sculpture exhibition, which is Shonibare’s first public exhibition in Nigeria, is also part of British Council’s UK/Nigeria 2015–16 season which aims to build new audiences, create new collaborations and strengthen relationships between the two countries.

Alex Lehmann was born in France and studied film at Emerson College in Boston. He’s the director of Blue Jay , his first narrative feature, and now, his Asperger’s Are Us , is set to premiere on Netflix December 11, 2016.

It has been announced in Tuschinski on the last day (Sunday, November 27, 2016) of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) that La Chana by Lucija Stojevic has won the VPRO IDFA Audience Award. La Chana is a portrait of flamenco queen La Chana who returns to the stage after a 23-year absence.

Riding on the success of its ongoing collaborative music show, Coke Studio Africa 4, Coca-Cola Nigeria has launched the Coke Studio Mobile App. The app will make it easier for fans to watch and listen to performances from the show on the go on their mobile phones. Built on the android platform, the Coke Studio Mobile App can be downloaded on both Google Play store and Samsung store. With the app, fans can stream, download, share and create playlists of their favourite songs from the show, beginning from Season 2.

Ajirebi Celebrated actor popularly known as Ajirebi, and Pa James has been announced as the Rotimax Brand Ambassador​ for Rotimax’s Operation No Carry Over  yearly campaign​, and he will champion the cause of all adverts with regards to the campaign this year.

The 13th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will witness the launch of the Arab Cinema LAB. Organized independently by MAD Solutions, the LAB is a first-of-its-kind film financing incubator for accelerating the new film projects and new business ideas that will drive the Arab film industry forward over the coming year.

Kings Glory Kings is the latest gospel artist who is set to take over the gospel music sector with her debut single, Power In The Name Of JESUS . Based in the UK, she told OSEYIZA OOGBODO BLOG about herself and her plans.

Following the success of his single, Bad Gang , which saw Ajebutter22 team up with Falz, the leader of the Bad Gang, who has been nominated in this year's Headies, follows up with his next single, Lagos Big Boy , off the #WhatHappensInLagos project, and produced by the award-winning Studio Magic.

A scene in Nowhere to Hide The winners of the various International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) competition programs have been announced at the awards ceremony of the 29th IDFA in Amsterdam’s Stadsschouwburg theatre on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. Two awards were presented in each competition: the award for best film and a special jury award.

The International Press Centre (IPC) in conjunction with UKAID/DFID and ACTIONAID has held a town hall meeting with the theme: Advancing Participation of Women, Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities in Lagos LGA Elections. The meeting, which held at the Women Development Centre, Agege, Lagos on Thursday, November 24, 2016 had Dr Dele Seteolu of the political science department, LASU as the keynote speaker, and he spoke on the topic: Issues and Context in Advancing Participation of Women, Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities in Lagos LGA Elections.

Seats at the Dubai Tourism Grand Premiere of The Wedding Party, an Elfike Film Collective movie directed by Kemi Adetiba, are completely sold out! The star-studded event will feature the cast of the movie, including Banky W, Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ireti Doyle and Sola Sobowale.

Essiet The organizers of Africa Meets Reggae and World Music Festival led by the convener, Victor Essiet, have concluded arrangements to host the third edition of the music fiesta in Lagos, Nigeria. Essiet, otherwise known as Mandators, while briefing newsmen in a world class press conference during the week, said the festival comes live on November 26, 2016 at the Hockey Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Afolabi Revival Promotion Partners, a religious not-for-profit body, has announced that it will hold its last event for the year, a ministers’ conference/restoration seminar on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Jevinik Place, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

In the movie, Hunter Gatherer, which opens theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on November 16, 2016, Ashley Douglas thinks everything should fall into place when he’s released after three years in prison.

Flytime Promotions and Rhythm 93.7 presents Nigeria's #1 concert, Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged 2016. The 12th edition of Nigeria's most popular music event takes center stage again on Friday, December 23rd, 2016 at 8pm at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Jakpor After one week of heated negotiations and intrigues, governments representing nearly more than 90 percent of the world’s population who attended the seventh session of the World Health Organization’s global tobacco treaty negotiations in New Delhi, India adopted policies that will protect public health over the narrow interests of the tobacco industry.

The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos in conjunction with UKAID/DFID and ACTIONAID has held another one-day advocacy training for representatives of Itu Agan, Abule Ado and Iyagbe communities of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State under the project, Strenghtening Citizens Engagement In Electoral Process (SCEEP), on how they can get government to address their development needs.

Selimax London-based Nigerian afrobeat singer, Selimax, is back with the brand new music video for his latest single, Roma .

Hadassa Esther Nikiruka Onyinyechi Samuel Eboh, popularly known as Nky Hadassa, is currently putting finishing touches to her latest album which she will drop soonest.

Is it a movie? Is it a documentary? Is it a reality show?  Social media has speculated profusely over the last week since the release of Toke Makinwa’s On Becoming visuals. The wait is finally over. We can now confirm that On Becoming is the title of Toke Makinwa’s book.

Martel B Presented by his own K3 Music imprint, British-Nigerian musician Martel B is back with his massive new single, Feel Alright , in collaboration with Sean Focus and fast-rising Nigeria-based producer, Otyno, who has previously worked with 2Baba, Kelly Hansome, Sugarboy, Tillaman, and many others.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), a corporate entity which works to plan, supervise, develop, and market Dubai’s Tourism industry has today officially announced its collaboration with Elfike Collective’s The Wedding Party . Arguably the most anticipated social event of the year, the grand world premiere of The Wedding Party was selected by Dubai Tourism as part of its Vision 2020 initiative. The Vision was approved in May 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, as a strategic roadmap to attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020, doubling the number welcomed in 2012.

Alabi Pastor Nureni Alabi is the author of Jesus Of The Holy Quran , The Second Coming Of Jesus By The Holy Quran And Hadith , and The Islam That Christians Must Know . Considering the very thin line of harmony that exists between Christianity and Islam, OSEYIZA OOGBODO BLOG met Alabi to find out from him why he’s writing books that have titles that can be considered provocative.

Okiemute performing during PFWA 2016 Okiemute became a celebrity by virtue of participating in Project Fame West Africa 2016 which she eventually won. OSEYIZA OOGBODO BLOG met her and brings you excerpts of its interview with her.

Matheba As preparations get into full gear towards the prestigious awards ceremony, AFRIMA 2016, the African Union and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards have unveiled the hosts for the Sunday November 6 ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria. The hosts, who were drawn from the three majorly spoken languages in Africa (English, French and Arabic) are Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Bonang Matheba (South Africa) and Ika Jong (Congo).

Rahma Sadau is one Nigerian actress who is in the eye of the storm due to being banned from acting in the northern part of the country's film sector known as Kannywood over the simple issue of her being touched by a man in a music video. The ban has been a sort of blessing in disguise for her as it has propelled her to the international recognition she had been seeking but not finding and has made the southern film sector known as Nollywood embrace her. OSEYIZA OOGBODO BLOG met her at the media presentation of the EbonyLife TV drama series, Sons of the Caliphate , and spoke with her on sundry issues.

Winner is now a recognized celebrity due to her participation in Project Fame West Africa 2016 where she did so well that she ended up in the sixth position that earned her N500,000. OSEYIZA OOGBODO BLOG met her recently and she spoke about her plans for her career after Project Fame.

In March 2016, Bharder Boiz Muzik Group recording artist, Nessy Bee, came through with his debut single, Ori Owo. The tune was released alongside its crispy clean visuals which got aired on various satellite television stations and earned the budding artist his first run of attention on the Nigerian music scene.

Nnamdi Eneh (left), winner, Progress Booster Show, and Chris Ibeh,  Regional Trade Marketing Manager, NB Plc, Enugu Life Continental beer has rewarded another set of 30 young entrepreneurs with a total of N7.5m on the platform of its Progress Booster Show in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The presentation of prizes took place on Friday, 28 October 2016 at Hotel De Tycoon, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Ibe-Jii Bee Entertainment, in collaboration with Stargaze Management, R&B-PR and Ibejii Music, proudly presents Ayanfe, the first single from Ibe-Jii’s hugely acclaimed body of musical works, GreenWhiteDope.

Ycee (middle) As part of Sony Music Entertainment’s expansion across Africa, the label has announced an exclusive deal with Ycee of Tinny Entertainment. The unprecedented deal will see the rapper’s first EP, The First Wave, released under the Sony umbrella. With this move, Ycee joins the likes of Nigerian superstar Davido as part of the Sony Music family.

Johnson Sexy singer, Nene Johnson, has shot the video of her latest song, African Boy, with acclaimed director, Clarence Peters. The shooting took place last Sunday, October 23, 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.

London-based Nigerian singer and songwriter, Yemi Rush, who was recently crowned Diaspora Afro Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Podium Recognition Awards, and nominated for Artist of the Year at the African Pride Awards, has just debuted his brand new Do Me Right music video featuring exciting Nigerian musician and 2016 MOBO Award nominee, Moelogo.

Ally Derks, IDFA Director During the upcoming International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which will take place from 18 through 27 November 2016, once again the festival will organise a large number of talk shows based around the film program. From 17 through 23 November, six Industry Talks will be held in de Brakke Grond, open to all professional IDFA guests with an accreditation. In addition, various Industry Sessions will take place in the NH Carlton Hotel, which this year will again house the Industry Office for professional IDFA guests. For the first time, IDFA is also presenting the ‘In Conversation with’ program, featuring in-depth conversations with three filmmakers attending the festival.

Kuboye Nigeria-born UK-based singer, Babatunmida Kuboye, has disclosed that he only returned to Nigeria because of his music career. According to the graduate of Birmingham University UK, he discovered that if he was to make it in music, he had to return home to Nigeria to start push his music from home first.

L-R: A'Rese, Butler and the Mi Casa trio After weeks of anticipation, South African guitarist Jonathan Butler, soulful house trio, Mi Casa and Nigeria’s very own singing sensation, A’Rese, are geared up to perform at Smooth Fm's A Night At The Kazbah concert taking place tomorrow Saturday, 22 October at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Speaking at the special meet and greet with members of the press, headline act, Butler, expressed his excitement to be performing at the 2nd edition of Kazbah.

Dutch filmmaker, Coco Schrijber, follows up her award-winning documentary, Bloody Sundays And Strawberry Pies, starring John Malkovich, Holland's Oscar entry in 2009, with her third feature-length film, How To Meet A Mermaid, slated for its world premiere in the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) Feature-length Competition. In her trademark visually poetic style, Schrijber plunges deep into the concept of the sea, water as a source of life and death, turning it into a personal exploration and a meditation on the human will to live.