As the Holiday Ends....

...I look back on both this year and this short holiday I have had. It was very eventful being in Lagos so do I say I enjoyed it? As the Naija to the Core lady, I tried to achieve everything and go everywhere in 13 days - c'est nes pas possible! Well I managed to do about 85%, which to me is really good - went for lunch/dinner, attended a play, went out at night, went to bars and went for a few weddings, get-togethers, engagements.

Very stressful as it was not relaxing in any way, sleeping for three hours each night and spending half of my days at the tailors, I wouldn't say it was a holiday - plus there was family stuff to do! All in all, it was still fun cos now I miss it :-/

I would like to very much highlight our younger generation in this post (well not really younger as we are in the same generation but at this age, we still call them juvvies). I have two sisters so I had first hand experience. I have to say, apart from being the rockers of today i.e. our time has passed, they are very much involved in other stuff such as charity work, fashion shows, concerts and as such, they organise them. What did WE do when we were that age and on holiday apart from pose here and there? I guess they are doing all this stuff in our hindsight as they are also starting businesses and the like. I have some of their events below:

(i) Fusion - Fashion Show (link)

Charity Fashion Show in aid of the fight against illiteracy, poverty and aids with appearances by D'Banj, Banky Wellington, Ikechuckwu, Amplifyd crew, etc.

Click here for facebook link

(ii) Do Sumthing Positive Nigeria Event

Charity fundraiser for Friends of the Disabled organisation.

Click here for facebook link

(iii) Home Sweet Home Party Video

Click here for facebook link

(iv) On Angels Wings - Charity Benefit Fashion Show

I blogged about this earlier.

Click here for facebook link

(v) The Official Hypnotiq Launch in Nigeria

Click here for facebook link

MORE GREASE TO THEIR ELBOWS - I didn't attend any of them but I heard most went really well.

To those still on holiday in Naija, for more info on what's on/new or what to do in Nigeria, visit these sites:

• What's New? NG
• Where to Go in Lagos dot com
• Cube Street International
• The Palms, Lekki (new, refurbished website)
  
  

Please come back for my next post which talks about 2007 going forwards and Nigeria. Happy New Year! xxx

Tis the Season............

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Ok so I blogged on Christmas day (at like 11pm Naija time tho! hehe)

Well not much to say today, I'll be back tomorrow.

R.I.P. James Brown - The King of Soul who died at age 73 from sever pneumonia.

Click for his obituary here and here for a James Brown profile.

Broadway Nigeria.........

Nigerian Theatre and Arts have always been in the picture, long before Nollywood. However the popularity of the Nollywood Home Video has camouflaged the novelty of watching plays and going to theatres and shows.

The National Theatre - built and established in 1977 has long been the heart of Nigerian Arts, Culture and Entertainment.

Muson Centre - even though founded much later, has also seen thousands of plays dating back to the early/mid '90s.

Terra Kulture - opened in 2004 is also another hotspot for shows and the likes and things that are art-related. It is a nice place to visit where you can see artifacts and experience a Bedrock feel....lol when my friend told me it looked like Bedrock, I asked her if she'd ever been to Bedrock lol - madam Flintstone!

Anyway Laspapi is a fantastic playwright lol I sound like I've already seen his work anyways I've seen pictures and read his blog often and he sounds too good not to be lol! He's done quite a few and its a shame I missed his The Gods are not to Blame - sounds like that was a major one. So you can take a look at his blog or the CORA blog (which is for the Committee for Relevant Art ).

Happy Holidays and to those in Lagos, I advise you all who are around to go and watch his play showing on the 26th of December - Wole Soyinka's - The Swamp Dwellers (see flyer below).

More later - I have given myself the challenge to blog on Christmas Day lol (sad I know).

Did You Know?!

GUESS WHO'S IN LAGOS TONIGHT AND BENIN TOMORROW?!

I didn't! Well I heard something vaguely but I didn't think it was true.

This is thanks to Naijavixen of course! More info on her post here. I will update more stuff later today - I am swamped! More details of events in Naij coming later.

P.S. Look out for Plays going on this Christmas courtesy of Laspapi.

Have a good one! :o)

Naija Television!

i) Atmost Fear

Me I didn't know about this o! Nigeria's version of fear Factor, thanks to Laspapi. It will be worth watching - they have a website. I wonder what challenges they will give - how gory can it get? Or maybe since we are Africans, even gory-er (hehe that was a joke).

ii) Nigeria's Next Movie Star

More and more reality shows in Nigeria, NaijaVixen recently published info on the winner - Portia Yamahan who one this year's Next Movie Star reality tv show, a KIA Rio car, 3 movie contracts and N300,000 cash. Not bad abi? She is from Edo state and attended the University of Abuja. Congrats to her!

iii) The Intern Show (Nigeria)

Who knows whether this is still on? I need more info, the website doesn't really tell you much, I mean it tells you about the prizes, the contestants, what is going on or what went on on the show but when did it end or who was the winner? Holler!

iv) This is Nollywood!

This I got from Aderemi's notebook, about a documentary on Bond Emeruwa's goal which was to make a feature-length Nollywood action film in 9 days (rather long by Nolly standards don't you think?) Click here for the website. Very interesting!

v) Amazing Grace (full preview)

You can now watch the full version of Jeta Amata's Amazing Grace on Youtube. I posted some stuff on this about two weeks ago thanks to Taureanminx.

Jeta Amata is a brilliant producer. I recently watched Last Game. That is the best Nollywood movie I have seen so far sha. Anyways watch the trailer for Amazing Grace below:

vi) NTA AM Express!

The most watched breakfast television show - very varied, very modern, very cool, very refreshing lol! Click here for the website.

Ever heard of the MERIX?!

BIG LOLLLLLL, if you have seen this video then cool if you haven't you need your earphones to enjoy this remix of Gnarl's Barkley's Crazy (listen to the original song here on Soundpedia) by Zimbabwean Violet Moyo lol! The girl has some weird talent, I think she has lost it. Watch the entire video here:

I think this girl bastardized the whole song but I prefer her version lol! We Africans sha. Click here for the original Gnarl's Barkley video.

Happy Birthday NaijaNaz, he has some interesting posts so visit his blog. Have a good week!

Sun re....Pastor Bimbo :o)

Sun re - means sleep well or rest in peace in the Yoruba language. Today is the remembrance of Pastor Bimbo Odukoya who died a year ago in the Sosoliso Aircrash. So this post is dedicated to her, she lived a good life and for this I am grateful. Please visit her memorial site to light a candle and also visit the Single & Married website - a show/theme she was popular for. You (whether married or single) will definitely learn a lot. There are also a lot of useful resources here and on her blog here.

Have a good week y'all, journey mercies and God bless xxx

Holiday is Coming, Holiday is Coming!

.......Sorry oh, I just remembered one razz song we sang in our primary school and I dare not say which! (But if you want the lyrics to the song just email me). Hehehe so Happy Holidays everyone! This is the first time I am celebrating an all-round official holiday on Naija to the Core lol cos we had Thanksgiving, bla and bla but Christmas, to me, is an official holiday - don't care what anyone else thinks. Like how my cousin was telling me, his company (a very big, global newspaper firm) have changed the title of their Office's Christmas Party to End of Year Party i.e. there shouldn't be Christmas in the phrase as it is offensive to some - ARE THEY FRIGGIN MAD?! They shouldn't get me started...just like how they won't be calling Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns anymore...probably just Hot Buns! Imagine!

Anyways forget that side, so I suppose a lot of us will be spending Christmas with family - all over, abroad and in Nigeria. Unfortunately, I am turning my attention towards Nigeria as I will be going there by God's grace and also because this blog is called Naija to the Core lol. For those going back home for Christmas, your itineraries must be full (like mine) as there is always so much to do and if you don't know then you have come to the right place.

I have several resources for Nigeria this Christmas:

• LagosLive website gives you a guide to the Best Beaches and Resorts this Christmas.
• You can do a lot of your shopping at The Palms in Lekki - which also has a bar, cinema, gaming store and supermarket.
• Taureanminx gives you some insight on what to do in Lagos and getting around in Lagos - very useful info.
• NaijaVixen has all the details and flyers of parties in Nigeria.

• Lagos is not the only place to go to you know! I also have info on something going on in Port-Harcourt, our younger generation are really doing big things! (more on that next week). Check out On Angel's Wings being held at the Shell Club in Port-Harcourt.

• If you are a member of facebook, you can find a list of events being held in and around Lagos - just login and search for Lagos in All Networks and click on the Events tab and you'll find stuff going on at:

1. Tanjia (website)
2. Saga VIII
3. AstroTurf 2000
4. The Vault
5. VGC Sports Centre
6. Eko Hotels and Suites (website)
7. SilverBird Galleria (website)
8. Churassco
9. British International School (website)
10. TerraKulture (website)

Amazing innit? More info next week! Have a good weekend and safe journey to those already travelling or travelling within a week! xxx

Naija Funnies!

Hell - Nigerian Style

A man dies and goes to hell. There he finds that there is a different hell for each country. He decides he'll pick the least painful to spend his eternity. He goes to Germany Hell and asks, "What do they do here?" He is told "first they put you in an electric chair for an hour. They lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the German devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day".

The man does not like the sound of that at all so he moves on. He checks out the USA Hell as well as the Russia Hell and many more. He discovers that they are all similar to the German hell. Then he comes to the Nigerian Hell and finds that there is a long line of people waiting to get in. Amazed, he asks, "What do they do here?" He is told "first they put you in an electric chair for an hour. Then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. The Nigerian devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day. "But that is exactly the same as all the other hells why are there so many people waiting to get in?"asks the man.

"Because there is never any electricity, so the electric chair does not work. The nails were paid for but never supplied, so the bed is comfortable to sleep on. And, on top of it, the Nigerian devil used to be a Civil Servant, so he comes in, signs his time sheet and goes back home for private business."

Igbo Business Man

A Nigerian business tycoon was at a social gathering where other moguls and wealthy men were present. The Ibo businessman looked for all ways to oppress the other rich men who were present at the gathering. Just for that foolish reason, he sent for his driver and had this conversation with him:

Driver, go to my house, not the green one, the red one. Not the red one in Ikoyi, the red one in Victoria Island. Not the one in Adeola Odeku, the one on Etim Iyang Crescent. Not No. 22, but No. 11. It is a black gate you will see, fling it open. You will see a green Honda Civic. Perpendicularly, adjacently opposite tothe Civic is a blue Toyota Carina E. It is not that one. Trigonometrically, geometrically, hypotenously 90 degrees to the 306 is a Mazda 929.
It is not that one.

The Madza is very close to a regular Benz, the regular Benz is behind a 406, the 406 is beside Volvo S40 which is in front of a Honda Accord blocking a Toyota RAV4 opposite a Honda CRV. That makes a crescent to the Prado Jeep. On getting to the Prado Jeep, make a diagonal sharp turn to the left extreme right top corner, on your way to where I parked the M-Class, very close to the E-Class in front of the Beast at the back of the swimming pool is a lovely S. Type Jaguar. Dont touch the bonnet. Go to the boot, fling it open.

You will see red, white and blue briefcases. The red one contains dollars, 10 million dollars. Dont touch it. The blue contains pounds, 8 million pounds. Dont touch it. The white one contains Naira, 500s, 200s, 100s, 50s, 20s, 10s denominations. I arranged them in hierarchical order. 500 Nairas in first layer, 200 Nairas in second, 100 Nairas 3rd layer, 50 Nairas 4th layer, 20 Nairas 5th and 10 Nairas top floor.

Take one 10 Naira. Go and use it to buy pure water, and don forget to bring my change.

Have a stress free day!

A Bit out of the 'Bloginary'

(i) Carol's Daughter

What do Jada, Mary J, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z and Will Smith have in common? It seems they all use Carol's Daughter cosmetics. When I first heard about it I thought it was just another typical cosmetic line but it seems to be pioneering a lot of Black Skin and Hair Care products oh. The founder, Lisa Price was a stay-at-home mum, who as a teenager, created beauty products and sold them at local flea markets in her neighbourhood, Brooklyn.

Today, it is a multi-million dollar empire with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Mary J. Blige as the official spokeswomen of the line who appeared with Lisa (above) on the Tyra Show back in November. More info on Carol's daughter here.

(ii) Competition - Univ of Hertfordshire

Like I said, this entire post is very out of the ordinary - not your usual Naija to the Core. There is a competition (no entry-fee) open to anyone to submit a short story of up to3,500 words on the theme of 'vision'. 1st prize - £1,000, 2nd - prize £500, 3rd prize - £300, 4th prize - £200.

One section of this competition invites any work that tells the story of what happens when a member of one culture finds him/herself in relationship with members of an "other" culture is eligible. Other, hypothetical examples of plots might include:

* A Brit living in Thailand

* A Native-American college student at an Ivy League university

* An African-American family moves to an all-Caucasian suburb

* A wedding brings together a Latino family and a Jewish family

* A Muslim academic goes to the American South for a conference

* A Nigerian woman and African-American man meet on Match.com

Competition closes on January 15th 2007. More info on Laspapi's blog here.

The winner will also be able to apply for the UHWriting Award three-year scholarship to the Universityof Hertfordshire, study commencing in 2007.

(iii) Memorable Quotes from Basic Instinct (1992)

LOLLLLLL - Now this is one of the randomest things I've ever seen online. If Basic Instinct is your favourite movie, I'm sure these quotes will come as nothing of a surprise. However, I would assume most people know all the lines in Scarface - compare and contrast (hehe!)

Nigeria: A Major Buffer Zone

Hahah you guys must think I'm full of phonetics huh...buffer zone abi? Hehehehe, okay it all started when a fellow blogger and I were reading a couple of posts and I realised, Nigeria has a lot to do with crews, demarcations, Classism (I don't know if that is a word but you know what that means - Class discrimination) so I entered "demarcation" in the Thesaurus and got a whole load of results, hence the word 'Buffer Zone' - I quite like that one.

Anyway, so Nigeria, like a lot of other societies, is very Classist but in Nigeria it is definitely made worse and very in each others' faces.

Take Taureanminx's post on Lagos Crews for instance, where in Lagos there are different crews and bla bla. The funny thing is that just like in Lagos, or wherever in Gidi, there are crews with the Asians, Jews, Western Europeans, Eastern Europeans, and Americans in LA for instance. But Naijanaz highlighted that why it is distinct in Nigeria is because we are Naija and there is no middle class. "There is a differentiation between the Rich, the Really Rich and then the others". Sad innit?

How about Ayoke's blog about Minnie, Mickey and Barbie classes in a school in Nigeria? That is absolutely ridiculous but we are guessing it is the parents of those children who wanted their kids in Minnie/Mickey classes and asked for them to be created, so we can all know which children's parents have names by the classroom they are in. Losers. We are very fickle sha.

Anyways, I cant say I have a solution or want to criticise because we are all in this whole Buffer zone shizniz when we say euuggh - I went to this secondary school compared to that secondary school or where we hear ourselves saying things like "JAND IS A LEVELLER" LOL! God help us sha.

Speaking of Demarcations, who remembers Alayescoro with his amazing blogs on Janded guys and girls? Anyways he has something very funny on The Dichotomy of Naija. Stuff like:

Income - Legit and Illegit

Babes - Prepaid and Postpaid

Football fans - Those who support the villains and all the others who don't

Universities - Ife and the rest (yea right!)

It's quite funny sha...I might start my own soon when I have time but check it out on his blog.

No More Piss Takes

....That should be the name of all my posts this week cos frankly I should be spanked! So much for my all mouth no action. I need to win my audience back meeeen. Okay four words (lol) - watch out this week!


Deck the Halls - Gidi Style!

An almost perfect Christmas present to send to your loved ones in Lagos from England, unfortunately it's only Lagos so if you have someone outside Las Gidi, get them to drive down and pick it up from the post office! Lol okay only joking don't really know how it works but you can enquire from them via their website. Buy securely online using PayPal from just £19.99. Their other services include - cakes for Baby Showers, Weddings, Valentines Day, cookie bouquets and have and eBay shop launching soon i.e. on eBay Shops. So get-a-ordering!

Miss Nigeria USA in Atlanta

I think this was held last Saturday, yea I should have blogged about it earlier actually. I don't know who the winner is yet - or maybe I didn't navigate the site well but click here to see pictures of the event.

Terrorism - Naija Style?? (Not funny)

What is this story about?? I'ts not funny sha. Can you just imagine how they tortured the Michael Dickson! LOL he looks funny in the pic. God help us! And this story about Nigeria being a Haven for Terrorist Internet Communication?? God really help us!

Fashion Passes, Style Remains (or NOT!)

Lastly, looking back at the ThisDay Music Festival and actually finally reading the articles and pictures, I realised that Nigerians are amazing, when people said so many people overdressed I thought they were exaggerating but the next few pics you are about to see make you wonder, if Nigerians know anything about Style at all. Arrrgh! Style and fashion are totally different - Get it in your heads! Check em out here and here and for the rest click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the top. Some people sure looked good though!

Back in the game....

Mona is back! Apologies for the inconsistent blogging, it seems there is something in the water sending us bloggers all on some sabbatical or the other. Anyways I'm back and back with something new. Every week or every other week, I will publish a section of my friend, Naijanaz's NYSC camp diary to which he gave me exclusive rights to publish (so I wonder why he is now writing about it on his own blog - hiss! Anyways we women are more creative, I trust you'll read mine instead ;o) ).

So, for all of you who are interested in doing NYSC or are looking to do it pretty soon or at some point in your lives (don't leave it too late), Naijanaz's diary entries give you an insight to first hand experience on a typical NYSC camp.

Did I say typical?? LOL don't hold your breath cos it depends on where you are posted to, luckily he was in Lagos, given his overseas status. With every entry, I will also include some form of resource with regards to NYSC so here goes:

To Register or not to Register (Day 1)

For those eager beavers who want to register on the first day I got one word for you: DON'T. Or at least if you feel you must make sure you get there at like six in the morning or earlier. Those of us who rocked up at 12, 1 on the first day had a good view of the sky above as we sat down on the camp parade ground looking up at it for like six seven hours. I got there at one and was number 1157, and by the time I left at 10 they had processed up to 7 something. Since I had not registered I was able to get out of the gate without the customary tax required. Second thing about registration if you don’t have a friend who is going with you, you’d better be willing to do anything to get one. This is because the frustration that registration creates is better spread amongst more than one person. I saw a few of these unfortunates and trust me you don’t want that to be u. The other thing friends are good for is bag watching. You want to go to the canteen and get food you can, you walk to the front for like the tenth time to see what is going on you can. You want to hit on that hot girl you can… well if you are going to do any blocking, do it early. Unless you’ve got sugar in your mouth by the eight or the ninth hour you shall be getting the coco!

Not bad huh? ;o)

Source of pic - NYSC Delta site

NYSC Link (1) - NYSC in Wikipedia

Thanksgiving approaches....

So we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Nigeria but we have a lot to be thankful for......most of all, for life, so many tragic events, plane crashes, people passing away, we should all be thankful.

I just realised I never announced on my blog that one of Nollywood's finest actors JT Tom West, passed away after a car accident at the end of September, more on the story here.

Bella Naija also had a post sometime ago on survivors of cancer, its sad to also see the passing away of Tola Okoya Thomas, who died of breast cancer at the age of 28. Here is her memorial site, you can pay a tribute or light a candle.

As I am a soul music fanatic, it is really sad to have confirmed that Gerald Levert died last Friday after a heart attack, more on the story here.

Also, today would have been Stella Obasanjo's 61st birthday, visit her memorial website here to pay condolences.

May their souls rest in peace. This post may seem sad but it also tells us that we have a lot to be thankful for, so quit complaining and thank God for today.

On a brighter note, thanksgiving celebrations (in yankee) are in order! Click on the flyer below:

Amplifyd will also be there i.e. in Atlanta on the 24th of November for thanksgiving. For more info - click here. Visit their myspace at http://myspace.com/amplifydmusic

Thanksgiving in Chicago - see below:

Milklady's Clicks

LASTMA TRAFFIC REPORT

Now you can get the traffic report in and around Lagos, before you set out on your journey. Just click here to check what the traffic status is (lol - only there is no status, they haven't updated it in yonks, God help us!)

However, you can call their traffic hotline (which is not toll-free) on 01-7743026 and 01-4703325. I can imagine a frustrated aunty answering those phones telling you she doesn't know because she is not on the road at the moment.

TAUREANMINX ON NOLLY

Check out taureanminx's post for the new Nollywood movie trailer of "Amazing Grace", it is a high quality production by Jeta Amata.

CALL-A-CAB LAGOS

I'm sure many are aware of this, you can now call a cab (24 hours a day) in Lagos oh and youll be sure it'll get to you asap, given there is no traffic and if LASTMA are doing their job click here to check it out.

BELLA'S HOT PICKS - OPRAH STYLE

Source - bellanaija.blogspot.com

Bella Naija has some amazing Naija picks this week featuring stuff like Peridot & Ruby's new skirts, etc. Click here to look at her list.

LASPAPI'S COLLECTION

Laspapi has an interesting list of the unsolved murders in Nigeria and other absurdities - a good read/glance! Click here (p.s. Laspapi is extremely talented, he has produced several plays, his most recent was The Gods are not to Blame, check out pics on his blog, scroll down).

P.s. Call me the milklady cos I always deliver ;o) ;o)

Some Mid-Week Humour

Is that a goat on that African's back? (LOL)

This was taken outside a Nigerian Mosque - as in HANDS OFF!

Zinedine Zidane in Mortal Kombat

The Matrix - Warri Style (put your speakers on)

EXCLUSIVE: My favourite mag

............This is a tribute to my favouite magazine True Love West Africa. I am a self proclaimed collector of True Love where I have all the issues since its debut. It is a glossy, sophisticated and cosmopolitan mag which features almost everything related to today's woman (young and old) such as food, travel, parenting marriage, relationoships, singledom, work, sex, fitness, health, fashion, dating, cosmetics, competitions and entertainment. I highly recommend it to any lady (or gent) and even to non-Africans.

I don't think it's sister magazine, True Love South Africa (see pics above) is as popular as TL West Africa and ours is gaining such a huge following, I wonder why Media 24 have not yet created a TL West Africa website - can you believe this! So TL SA has a website but we don't. (Crappy!)

I can imagine how cool the True Love site would be. Ah well, until we get one we can only imagine and salivate over the glossy pics we come across online (Google and Aunty Bella's blog) and the alternatives on TL South Africa's site. This month features Caroline Ekanem on the cover (forgot to scan the copy will do and upload) who is an up and coming nollywood actress. More info on her here .

Since it's debut in January 2005 we have had the following personalities on the cover. Click on their names to see their pics:

January 'o5 - Agbani Darego

February '05 - Stella Damasus, Stephanie Okereke and Kate Henshaw.

March '05 - Adebisi (model)

April '05 - Ene Maya-Lawani (Ex - Miss Nigeria '04)

May '05 - Funmi Alaiyemola (model and runner-up Face of Africa '00)

June '05 - T Naija (singer)

July '05 - Yinka Davies (musician)

Aug '05 - Rita Dominic

Sept '05 - Oluchi Onweagba (now Oluchi Luca)

Oct '05 - Doyin, Deola and Opeyemi (Face of Africa girls)

Nov' 05 - Dakore Egbuson

Dec '05/Jan'06 - Ronke Apampa (presenter - see www.ronkeapampa.com)

Feb '06 - TY Bello (photographer)

Mar '06 - Omotola aka Omo Sexy

Apr '06 - Iman

May '06 - Genevieve Nnaji (they called her Gene on the cover so as not to publicise the name of their competitor, Genevieve magazine - smart innit?!)

June '06 - Asa (musician)

July '06 - Joan (of Big Brother Nigeria)

Aug/Sep'06 - Ojy (model)

Oct '06 - Ronke Onitiri aka Karima (Nigeria's MTV Base Presenter)

Nov '06 - Caroline Ekanem

Anyways, I wonder who will be on December's cover. Hmmm, watch this space.

P.S. A lot of this info would not have been possible if not for a blogger friend so many thanks!

P.P.S. Speaking of Nigeria, before you could search Google in yoruba but now we have our own page oh! See:

Google Nigeria or search Google in Yoruba!