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Escape
Friday, December 13, 2013
33
Travel News
Faze holds fan spellbound at Calabar Festival
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aze, one of Nigeria’s hip hop musical icons and a member of the defunct Plantashun Boiz thrilled fans at Calabar Festival at the weekend. Faze went memory lane with his hit tunes since becoming a solo artiste and the teeming crowd kept dancing and singing along while thanking Cross River State Government for giving both established and budding artistes the opportunity to display their kind of music. He used the occasion to introduce his new song, Ifeoma and Lambo as well as Lambo dance steps. In a Disc Jockey (DJ) competition, which nine persons participated, DJ Spin came out first and carted away the star prize of N100,000 while the second and third persons went home with N70,000 and N50,000 respectively. By this feat, DJ Spin became the first Calabar Festival International DJ Champion which qualifies him to defend the title next year. According to Maurice Inok, aka Doctor Grove, Chairman of the panel of judges, criteria used for judgment included ability to use the musical equipment, continuity
Faze
while not using foul languages, confidence, appearance amongst others. In Calabar’s Got Talent IV, three dancers emerged champions winning free meal tickets for lunch at Beverly Heels Hotel, Calabar while a budding star, Sir James emerged winner of the comedy competition for unknown stars. Artistes who participated also included Smash – (R & B); Pat Reel who did a remix
of “Mammy Water” by Sir Victor Waifo and “Emum Isong Eni Nnyin” – an Efik tune by Late Peter Efiom, Okomokom, who played old school tunes, Shaka Jagger, a UK based Nigerian Hip hop star, Julie Hay, a female R & B star and Rugged man. There was also opportunity for young boys and girls to exhibit their talents in singing as those who came out tops were given prizes and assured of recording contracts.
Confusion Na Wa sweeps BON
Supporting Role in an English Movie. Movie Journalist of the Year went to Independent newspapers’s Hafeez Balogun and Revelation of the Year (Male), went to Charles Billion Pius. Several other Nollywood practitioners also won honours at the awards which showcased the world’s longest red-carpet layout ever, which started from the Dome centre, the venue of the event and spread to the road leading to the State Assembly. Alonge, while speaking to the media, expressed delight at the high-standard of the event, stressing that those who got awards deserved it on merit. She also emphasised that Veleta Fruit Wine and IDL, have become synonymous with Nollywood, as Veleta supported ‘Christmas Night in Nollywood’ last year.
...As Mike Ezoronye wins for Yoruba film
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onfusion Na Wa, stood out at the Best of Nollywood, BON Awards which held in Asaba Delta State capital even as Mike Ezenronye, an actor from the Eastern part of Nigeria, won Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Yoruba Movie category. Supported by Intercontinental Distillers Limited, IDL, the ceremony held on December 5. Among the categories carted away by Confusion Na Wa were: Best Movie of the Year, Movie with the Best Production Design, Best Edited Movie, Best Screen Play and Director of the Year (Kenneth Gyang). The crowd, made up of the society’s who-is-who, particularly Nigeria’s movie industry practitioners otherwise known as Nollywood, gave the film a standing ovation and applause. Best Cinematography, went to the movie Ayitale, while Best Comedy of the Year was won by the movie Nanny. Hosted by Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and represented by his deputy, Professor Amos Etuama, the buzz created in Asaba by the event will continue to echo for a long time to come. Also present at the event hosted by Comedian Gbenga Adeyinka was the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe-Damijo. The awards provided the opportunity for legends like Pete Edochie and Lanre Hassan a.k.a Iya Awero, to be celebrated, as they were given Special Recognition Awards for their contributions to the industry. Fred Amata added spice to the awards with jokes when he mounted the stage alongside Chioma Alonge, the Brand Manager, Veleta Fruit Wine, one of IDL’s brands, to present the award
Mike Ezenronye’s award. Ace actress, Faithia Balogun, for her role in Irugbin won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Yoruba Movie, Best Kiss in a Movie was won by Iboronke Ashaolu and Wale Akanbi in Playing Safe, Best Actor in a Leading Role in an English Movie was won by O.C. Ukeje for Alan Poza. Best Actress in a Leading Role in an English Movie went to Omoni Oboli for her role in Brother’s Keeper, Joke Muyiwa took home Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Yoruba Movie for Ayitale, Rita Dominic, for Finding Mercy won Best Actress in a
L-R: Brand Manager, Veleta Fruit Wine, Chioma Alonge, ace-actor, Fred Amata, presenting the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role to Omoni Oboli.