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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍł, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś
with Ě“ ÍŽÍśÍŻÍŻÍ˛Í˛ÍˇÍłÍąÍ°Í˛Ëœ nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com
Universal Music Nigeria Partners Runway Jazz
U
niversal Music Nigeria recently announced its partnership with Runway Jazz, an annual jazz festival that fuses fashion and music. The partnership is the first of its kind for the company which opened its Nigerian office late last year. Present at the signing was Sipho Dlamini, the Managing Director of Universal Music South Africa and SubSaharan Africa (English-speaking) who shared the company’s commitment in promoting the music culture in Nigeria. “Universal Music is the number one entertainment company in the world and as such in the continent, we pride ourselves for upholding the same title. In Nigeria as we do in other countries
that we operate, we have a record label where we sign local talents, then we also do live events. And on the live events, we conceptualise, produce and partner with companies like Runway Jazz to produce music concert, conferences, festivals and music related experiences. So for us it is a huge honour to be working with Runway Jazz festival on this two-day event, the conference and the jazz festival itself. We are very excited to be given the opportunity to partner with a prestigious jazz event. This will be the flagship event in Africa and we are very happy to be given the opportunity.� The Runway Jazz was conceived two years ago by Afolabi Oke and is also in partnership with The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) with a mandate to promote global peace, unity and dialogue. Previous editions of the event have attracted the cream of the society and paraded international acclaimed jazz artistes like Najee. Speaking at the signing of the new deal, Afolabi Oke revealed that the Lagos state government has been very supportive in promoting Jazz in Nigeria. This year’s event which will take place on April 29, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos will be headlined by international Grammy award nominee Gerald Albright. There will also be performances by Tiwa Savage, Sweet Sound, Beyond Vocal, Heavy Wind and Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN).
Gerald Albright
Aba Fans Celebrate Easter with Real Deal Experience Aba was host to another edition of Legend Extra Stout Real Deal Experience on Easter Day. Expectedly, fans were thrilled as some of Nigeria’s entertainers including Niagga Raw, Ruff Coin, Tipsy Kelvano and more performed hits after hits much to the delight of the audience. Mr Raw headlined the show with thrilling performances of some of his fan favourite songs including - “Obodo� and “Oyolima�, while former BBNaija housemate Ifu Ennada who co-hosted the show rocked the staged as she promised, by keeping the crowd alive and well entertained. Legend Extra Stout also provided a sensory room, whereby consumers were able to learn more about the real stout. In its usual tradition of celebrating legends, Legend extra stout celebrated chairman of Chemlap Nigeria Limited - Elder Dr. Emmanuel Adaelu (MFR) a courageous man who worked tirelessly from a humble beginning to become a Legend. Speaking on this recognition, Elder Dr. Emmanuel Adaelu (MFR) said “Honesty leads to credibility, and only a credible man can be regarded as a Legend, this is one of the quality I admire in a man� In recognizing his legendary feats, the Legend Extra Stout torch was presented to him by public affairs manager (South) NBPlc., Uzodinna Odenigbo The Real Deal Experience has held in cities including Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, Umuahia, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, and Owerri, has featured some of Nigeria’s biggest entertainers including MI, Timaya, 9ice, Kcee, Oritsefemi and Small Doctor among others. ZEE PLANS BIG FOR NIGERIA AUDIENCE – Vanessa Obioha
Since its entrance into the Nigerian market in 1996, the biggest Indian Entertainment company, Zee has been able to entertain it’s viewers with the best of South-Asian entertainment. However, the company took a notch higher when it redirected its mission to create unique Bollywood content for Nigeria and other African countries. The birth of Zee World available on only DStv and GOtv, the world’s first Bollywood English dubbed channel in Africa, triggered a new wave of fame for the entertainment company. With contemporary movies and series, Zee World has grown to become a staple in most Nigerian homes. Its growing fan base led to the birth of other channels such as Zee Bollymovies, a first of its kind English Bollywood Movies channel; Zee Bollynova, a dedicated Bollywood telenovela channel only available on Kwese TV; and Zee Cinema International, a Bollywood movie channel in Hindi and English subtitles available only on Startimes. Currently, Zee offers 12 channels across Africa with a reach spanning over 173 countries and access to more than 1.3 billion viewers globally. This has only been made possible by the effective team headed by Harish Goyal. Goyal who comes with two decades experience is committed in promoting and pushing the brand to the rest of the continent. Goyal however attributed the success of Zee in Nigeria to the cultural resonance between Indian and Nigeria. “Nigerians love music and drama, which are very strong features in our content. Even the daily hustle in the cities like Lagos is similar to that of India. Our foods are spicy so also are
Ifu Ennada
yours. There is a lot of similarity between the two countries.� He further debunked the general perception that Bollywood is depriving Nigerians from enjoying local content. “The way I see it, we are complementing each other not competing. We have a Zee studio now so in the future we are looking at collaborations with Nollywood.� Some of the programmes to look up to in the upcoming months on the different Zee channels include the return of popular series such as Twist of Fate season 2, King of Hearts season 2, as well as new series- Bride with Benefits, Begusarai, Amma and Iron Lady. A number of blockbuster movies will also premiere on Zee BollyMovies later this year, including the 2017 crime thriller, MOM, starring the Bollywood legend Sridevi, who sets out to avenge her step-daughter after the justice system failed to convict her attackers. With the help of a shady detective, she takes the law into her own hands. Other movies on the channel will feature A-list actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Amitabh Bachchan and many more. On Zee BollyNova which offers a wide range of entertainment with food shows by celebrity chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and Ripu Raman Handa, viewers can catch up on reality shows such as ‘Look love what you made me do’, for the romance lovers and Fear Files, for those who enjoy a good scare, not to forget much-loved series like Saloni, Destiny and The Vow coming in May 2018. Viewers can go on an exciting and adventurous ride on Zee Cinema with the channel robust film collection which boasts over 4200 movie titles with leading Bollywood superstars likeAamir Khan, Shah
Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, DeepikaPadukone and many other A-listers featured. UNWANA SETS LAGOS ABLAZE WITH MUSIC – Funke Olaode
Welcome to the world of Unwana Ukeme, a gospel singer-songwriter and speaker from Akwa Ibom State. His music career started at the Chosen Generation Chapel. He also served as music director and praise worship leader with Rev Ethel Odungide of His Fireplace Ministries. He would later launch his music ministry in 2005 and it was called The Worship Ablaze. This platform has been kept alive in the past three years, with amazing results leading to change in lives, destiny restoration, fresh passion and numerous testimonies. “I started taking music as a career at the age of 18. I went into it in 2004 while serving under the CEO of His Fireplace Concert Music Ministry where I served for four years. My music ministry was initially named Worship Ablaze with it we hosted concerts for three years in 2005, 2006, 2007.� In 2007, he relocated from Uyo to Lagos and joined the music ministry of the Realm of Glory International Church under the leadership of Pastor Sam & Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the music director of Realm of Glory, Ipaja branch. Speaking further on his foray in the vineyard, “I was sent to go and do music serving under Pastor Toni Akintara, a passionate and energetic woman of God. It has been a fulfilling moment for me as I am doing it full time and currently getting set to release singles before launching out fully. My church is a church that prepares you
Gerald Albright
to make sure that you are well grounded before you are launched out,� he said. As Ukeme and his team are getting set to set Lagos ablaze through his concert slated for evening of Sunday, April 22 at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Corner Stone Parish, My Father’s House, Okota, Lagos, Ukeme reiterated his commitment to draw more souls to Christ just as people should look out for unusual touch from God, music in another dimension like never seen before. “We are putting things together to make the outing successful. This is my first outing since I came to Lagos 10 years ago. We trust for an unusual experience.� According to him some of guest artistes expected at the explosive concert are Tim Godfrey, Yemi Levite, Rev. Ethel Odungide, Pastor Aity Dennis, Minister Naomi Classik, Raptureman, Minister Joshua Bassey, Minister Sam, and Pastor Stephen Elbuba, Worshippers and De Awesome crew.