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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013
Entertainers to create shows for 100 years of Nigeria
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ONSIDERED as a uniting force outside of football, the entertainment industry has been co-opted into plans by the federal government for the centenary celebrations of the existence of the Nigerian nation At a forum with stakeholders in the music and movie sector in Lagos on Wednesday, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, intimated the entertainers on the proposed activities and the need for them to be a part of the project. The event, which held at the Yellow Chili Restaurant, Joel Ogunnaike, GRA, Lagos had the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in attendance. Anchored by veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, the meeting witnessed a flurry of stars from the Yoruba, Hausa and the English language film production wings of the industry. Duke, in his opening remark, said the federal government deemed it necessary to involve the entertainment industry because the entertainers are the bedrock of the Nigerian brand and the creative power house of African continent. He described Nollywood as a great contributor to the culture and tourism status of Nigeria as well as a huge foreign exchange earner outside of oil. Duke, urged the filmmakers not to falter due to the challenges being faced by their members, but take a frontal seat in the centenary project as creative people. "I enjoin you to seize this opportunity as a sacred duty to contribute in several ways and strengthen the Nigerian brand," he said. Senator Anyim, who presented a 24page paper titled "The Centenary Project: Concept Document", asked the entertainers to develop a position
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•Senator Ayim addressing while Sanni Muuazu and the Minister of Culture look on
programme that will be fuse into the larger centenary celebrations calendar. He noted there had been unfavourable reactions regarding why the celebration is not necessary-one of which is the criticism that the Nigerian nation was forced by the colonial masters through the amalgamation, but that it is important to leverage on the strength of oneness and celebrate the country's achievements together. The SGF who noted that: never in history had justice been totally achieved, by a people, said there is the need to develop certain legacy projects, including a city that will serve as a hallmark of the centenary celebrations. "The essence of the project is to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. Let us emphasise the need for us to remain as a country and to become what the world wants us to become,” he said. He said as a way of involving the private sector on patriotic projects, the
Celebrities unite for
OP Nigerian actors, comedians and musicians will finally unite under one roof on Sunday, February 3rd to praise and worship God, like never before, at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island at 4pm, as the third edition of the annual Shift Celebrity Prayse holds in grand style. Organized by Pastor Paul Emmanuel of the Cornerstone Ministries, Shift Celebrity Prayse aims at gathering Nigerian entertainers alongside their fans in appreciation and thanksgiving to God for gifts of talents, health and life, while fostering unity within the industry. Featuring an array entertainers including Julius Agwu, Chinda, AY, Aisha Abimbola, Midnight Crew, Olu Jacobs, Alibaba, Genevieve Nnaji, Tim Godfrey, Segun Arinze, MI, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Tuface Idibia and many more, the freeaccess event will parade celebrities in an unusual atmosphere of soul-lifting prayers, praises and worship to God. Speaking at a recently held press conference, the convener, Pastor Paul Emmanuel enthusiastically stated, “We would recall that the past few years have been turbulent for the industry with the passing away of veteran entertainers and journalists; the likes of Sam Loco Efe, CD John, Ogbonna Amadi, Enebeli Elebuwa, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Sunny Okosun, Dagrin, Abagana just to name a few. Aside appreciating God, it is a platform to avert future tragic occurrences.” He added. “This is a noble cause and I believe every entertainer should come together, this time, to seek the face of God in a unified environment. I also see this event as a major means of promoting oneness in the entertainment industry” added AY, one of the major supporters of the event.
Shift Celebrity Prayse
•Midnight crew
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federal government has said it will not put its money into the project. “It is important to note that government has decided not to put money into the project. It is going to be funded by the organized private sector. This is what we must continue to do to ensure that private expenditure in issues of national importance is a culture that we all should start getting familiar with," he stressed, adding that whatever programmes the filmmakers will be doing, they should
understand that government will only come in by canvassing for private sector support for the project. Anyim who disclosed that a theme song has already been recorded by music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, said President Goodluck Jonathan will flag off activities leading to the celebrations on February 4, 2013 in Abuja. He noted that the programme is not to promote anybody or any administration, saying that It is only by coincidence that it is during the tenure of president Jonathan that the country clocked 100 years. Kanayo, who spoke on behalf of the entertainers, assured that the industry will evolve with a position paper as soon as possible. He said the letterhead to be used will not carry any particular guild but that it will come as a project of the entire Nollywood industry. He noted that this will be to forestall any form of controversy among the various guilds and associations. Among the celebrities at the forum were: Mahmood, Ali-Balogun, Zeb Ejiro, Chico Ejiro, Bukky Wright, Stephanie Okereke, Alex Lopez, Fidelis Duker, Francis Onwoche, Joke Silva and husband, Olu Jacobs, Segun Arinze, Charles Novia, Greg Odutayo, Jide Kosovo, Sanni Danga, Sani Muazu, Sunny MacDon, Lillian Amah and Chinedu Ikedieze, of the 'Aki
Oluseyi drops Bamijo
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USIC act, Oluseyi Solagbade, has finally dropped his much awaited album, Bamijo (Dance with Me). The Afro Gospel album, released after his USA tour in December 2012, is a 12 tracker with heavy percussive idioms presented under free style wind and string instrumentation. “The new album is a result of God's intervention in my life. It is simply an invitation for people to come rejoice with me because I was once blind and now can see,” says the artiste who is also the leader of the Black Face band Bamijo is the fourth album from the easy going artiste, coming after Matuwo, Black face and No King as God. Oluseyi revealed that he is working diligently on the video for the title track, Bamijo, even as he had shot some of it in his just concluded USA tour. “My music is a fusion of different genre of music in Africa. I can conveniently say it is what we call pandiatonism, a combination of chords. So am just using that idea to create new kind of music style. To me, originality is a basic phenomenon; when your music is original your art will definitely be a futuristic one,” he further explains. Also, his monthly gig, 'Art Café with Oluseyi', is billed to resume very soon in
collaboration the French Cultural Centre. The inspirational groove that will serve as 'hypnotherapy' to everyone is a platform to promote authentic music in all artistic forms, the artiste says.
Adepoju’s new album eulogises Fayemi
ENOWNED Ewi exponent, Chief Olanrewaju Adepoju's Fayemi N Dabira, which he waxed in honour of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi last December, is fast turning a toast of many households, especially across the South West. Released on the stable of Lanrad Records Limited, the album, a product of Olanrewaju's trademark intellectual acumen, features thought-provoking tracks like: Fayemi N Dabira, 8-Point Agenda, Out of the Shadows and Awon Akoni Ekiti. Intellectually woven in the artiste's characteristic idiomatic expressions, Fayemi N Dabira, like the 8-Point Agenda, comes with enlivening delivery, itemising the ground-breaking exploits of the governor within two years in the saddle. He urged Ekiti people to uphold their unshaking faith in his administration and work for its continuity. Out of the Shadows is the title of Fayemi's new informative book where he recalls his experience the hellish days of the military days. Adepoju referred to the book and
•Adepoju
Dada ALADELOKUN, Assistant Editor described it as a must-read for all. All lovers of history, especially of gladiators dead and alive in Ekiti land would appreciate the track, Awon Akoni Ekiti. With free-flowing delivery, he recalls
•Oluseyi
the legendary exploits of warriors including the late Fabunmi Okemesi, Faboro of Ido, Balogun Okirikiri Bata of Efonland and Aduloju Ogbigboni Oran. The veteran poet who is in his 70s, also reeled off big names like the late Gen. Adekunle Fajuyi, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; Adegoke Olubunmo, renowned Prof of Mathematics; Prof Bamitale Omole, US-based Dr. Funmi Falusi; ex-Ekiti Governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni. Legal luminaries Chief Afe Babalola; Chief Wole Olanipekun and Femi Falana are not left out of the roll of honour. So are: Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, a foremost industrialist; Profs Moses Akinola Makinde and Akinjide Osuntokun; Chief Ayo Ogunlade, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dele Alake and Michael Omoleye, all journalists, among others. A musical analyst, Dr. Remi Omolade said of the album: “I have taken the pain to listen to it many times over; it is a pure intellectual and award-winning work by the artiste who, to me, has long deserved a national honour.”