December: What's Up?

Next Top Model™ Comes To West Africa

First there was America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks’ brainchild, a reality show in which a number of women compete for the title - America's Next Top Model. Soon after, a myriad of other versions followed including Afghanistan's Next Top Model, China's Next Top Model, Britain's Next Top Model, Australia's Next Top Model and Scandinavia's Next Top Model.

The first African Franchise was in Ghana - GNTM and Nigeria followed shortly with spin-off, Nigeria's Next Top Model which aired on HiTV with Olabimitan Adeyinka.

Cycle after cycle, with the Next Top Model brand getting stronger and stronger and more patents being bought, Tope Esan, professional and president of the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) - http://www.nigeriaentawards.com/ was busy lobbying for the third African Franchise of NTM - West Africa's Next Top Model. He has purchased the rights and hosting the show will be Supermodel and Entrepreneur, Oluchi Onewagba-Orlandi.

Tope Esan, NEA

The show will start airing in January 2009 and will follow the same format as the original American’s Next Top Model. The format will be produced every season by region on the African continent with the initial start up being in West Africa.

Scouting for contestsants will soon commence in the following countries - Cote D'ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia & Nigeria. Like many other revolutions, the era of African Supermodels has evolved. Stay tuned….

Theatre @ Terra

Theatre @ Terra, which is playwright Wole Oguntokun's pet-project, is growing and gaining popularity ever-increasingly. It is an unprecedented project in collaboration with cultural centre, Terra Kulture. Top-rate stage productions are produced weekly, showing twice daily on Sundays every month. The project is playing a major part in the renaissance of Arts & Culture in Nigeria and shows one production per month.

Last month, the famous production - "The lion and the Jewel" by renowned writer, Wole Soyinka was showing.

For more information, visit www.nigerian-theatre.com
Photos: Courtesy Wole Oguntokun


The Experience
Celebrating God and His faithfulness.......live music like never before.

Friday, December 5th at TBS, Onikan Lagos 7pm till 6am!!! Be There!
Visit www.theexperiencelagos.com

Freedom Card, Nigeria

Freedom Gift Card is a customizable preloaded gift plastic card that can be redeemed at any retail outlet where Interswitch debit cards are accepted. It acts as the ideal gift because it gives the recipient the freedom to choose the ideal gift at various discount outlets in Lagos.

Visit www.freedomcardng.com

Post-Thanksgiving

It's been a long, busy weekend for some of us - I haven't had time to update. Therefore, I have missed out on a few events (which I will detail below) and put up what I meant to put up for Thanksgiving (or even before thanksgiving) - smart huh?

Opening this post with a Happy Thanksgiving message from Essence - http://www.ess2ence.com/ (Equipping Single Saints 2 Esteem & Nurture Christ's Example!) - check out the website.

Thanksgiving Event in Atlanta - click here (Nov. 23rd)

Blak J*sus Live in London - click here (Nov. 24th; live in Nottingham - 23rd)

Imperial College ACS Careers Conference (hosted by Funlola Abe) - click to see panelists (Nov. 24th)

Tuface and Elephant Man were in Brooklyn (see video below) (Nov. 23rd)

Finally - London Investment Banking Talk for students (Banking - more ways than you thought) IBtalk.com (visit website) - Nov. 22nd

Free Book Reading: "Celebrated: Nigerian Women in Development" by Ayona Aguele-Trimnell @ Terra Kulture (Nov. 24th)

Anyway, happy holidays - I bet everyone is looking forward to Christmas? There are a few things going on everywhere between now and January 2008 and what would I be if I didn't share this info with you?

In no particular order:





Amplifyd Entertainment presents Banky W in London - Red November (Nov. 28th)

Naij..........A Documentary (Exclusive Screening at Warwick University, courtesy - Nigerian Society) (Nov. 28th). See trailer here

Jobs Wife - A Play (Lagos on Nov. 30th & Dec. 1st)

A lovely play by acclaimed playwright Philip Begho that imagines the plight of Job's wife during the time of her husband's affliction. It is packed with humour, emotion, and a compelling message.

Directed by the accomplished actress and director, Tosan Ugbeye, the play features the talents of highly notable actors such as Joke Silva, Ayo Lijadu and Sola Onayiga.

This is the first production in Nigeria of the Garden Theatre Company, my nascent theatre/production company, and will also be my introduction to the Nigerian stage as a producer and actress.

The play is also being held at the Coral Reef Hall in 10A, a superbly located multi-purpose hall and venue that caters to the various event needs of businesses and individuals.

I hope you can come not just to support the production, but to have what I hope will be a truly enjoyable evening with friends, colleagues, family and theatre enthusiasts.

Details are in the attached flyer. Please make a note of the date and venue! Friday November 30th and Saturday December 1st at 7.30pm @ No 10 Ikoya Ave, Off Macpherson, which is off Bourdillon/Queens Drive, Ikoyi.

Tickets: 3,500.

Joe Guy - Movie showing in London - see website for details.

And finally - The Experience Lagos (presented by House on the Rock)

Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Lionel Petersen and a host of indigenous artistes who performed to an audience of over 60,000 people throughout the night. In the course of the event, prayers were offered up to God for our Nation Nigeria, led by eminent Christian leaders like Bishop David Oyedepo of The Winners Chapel, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of TREM and leaders of other frontline Christian organizations and churches. The Experience is a sacrifice of Praise and faith. God’s visitation was evidenced by the healings and restorations that took place in the lives of people who attended. The testimonies still abound and resound!

In 2007 things only get better! This year’s concert is scheduled to hold on Friday, the 30th of November 2007 through to Saturday 1st of December, from 8pm till dawn. The line up includes, Tye Tribbett, Kurt Carr, Israel Houghton, Don Moen, Lionel Peterson, Cece Winans, Pastor Marvin Winans and the Hon. Bishop T. D Jakes. Also performing will be indigenous talents such as the award winning, Asu Ekiye, the phenomenal Mike Aremu and UK based Singer and radio presenter Muyiwa Olarewaju.

The Experience Lagos website - www.theexperiencelagos.com

House on the Rock website - www.houseontherock.org.ng/hotr/

To view TV advert, visit The Experience site and click on the right hand side.