Saturday, 28 December 2013

ABOUT CALABAR FESTIVAL

The Calabar Festival is indisputably the biggest and longest multi-dimensional, multi-faceted tourism leisure and entertainment programme in West Africa. Thirty-two days of exciting events, colorful activities and unprecedented yearly participation by close to a million people from all over the world. A festive season that started at the turn of the Millennium has grown in popularity, scope and participation year in year out. Today, it is arguably Nigeriaâ€™s strongest tourism brand.
The Cross River State Government has employed this Festival/Carnival over the past years to drive its tourism efforts and provide exposure for its vast tourism sites and infrastructures such as the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort, Marina Resort, etc.
The Festival starts with the Tree-Lighting ceremony on the 30th of November at the Millennium Park, Calabar and culminates in the Thanksgiving Ceremony on 1st January of the succeeding year. In between, there are musical concerts which have featured renowned national and international artistes like Lucky Dube (of blessed memory), Joe, Alpha Blondy, Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Akon, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Chevelle Franklyn, Fat Joe, NeYo, Asa, Dâ€™banj etc have all at one time or the other graced the Festival with their rhythms and lyrics. There are also awareness campaigns and seminars on contemporary issues of global concerns, children Christmas Camp, Theatre performances, vocational trainings for youth, Fashion and Food Fairs, a weekend at the Obudu Ranch Resort to celebrate Africa, and so many other side attractions. Of course there is a two-day Carnival Calabar to spice up the season.

Every December, all roads lead to the beautiful city of Calabar, for the Calabar Festival, the biggest and longest multi-faceted entertainment programme in West Africa. For thirty two days, the serene, tree-lined streets of Calabar come alive with visitors from all over the world, in an exhilarating celebration of culture, dance, music and theatre. Nigeriaâ€™s strongest tourism brand, the Festival features the HIV/AIDS walk, musical concerts featuring top national and international artistes, a colorful cultural parade, traditional boat regatta, Christmas village, Christmas camp for children, Food Fair, fashion shows and the Childrenâ€™s Carnival.

The highlight of the Festival is the exciting and colorful Carnival Calabar. Attracting over 100,000 costumed revelers and well over a million local and international spectators, the Carnival, tagged Africaâ€™s Biggest Street Party, is a unique visual display of innovation and creativity, featuring cultural influences and traditions from the past and the present in its costumes, drama, dance and music.

The seductive ambiance in the city is truly special, full of joy, camaraderie and friendship.

Pictures from CALABAR FESTIVAL in Nigeria

Sunday, 22 December 2013

Celebrities all over the world mark their Birthday today.... Happy Birthday to Agbani Darego

Agbani Darego

Agbani Darego, MFR (born Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego,22 December 1982) is a Nigerian model, best known as the first Black African Miss World

JORDIN SPARKS 24
She became famous at age seventeen, when she won season 6 of American Idol and released her self-titled debut album, which went platinum.
SIN CARA 31 Born Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde, Mistico gained fame on WWE as the protege of Fray Tormenta.

RALPH FIENNES 51 He portrayed the menacing role of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON (1912-2007) Lyndon Johnson's First Lady, who was a lifelong advocate for the beautification of the nation's cities

DIANE SAWYER 68

Good Morning America co-anchor who was also on Primetime Live.

ROBIN GIBB (1949-2012)

Member of the disco band the Bee Gees, the group known for hits like "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart."

STEVE CARLTON 69

10-time MLB All-Star pitcher who won World Series Championships with the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals.

REMY THORNE 18

Actor who appeared in such films as First Strike (2009), Miss March (2009), and Rubber (2010). In 2007 he was in the film Bad.

Emmanuel Olisadebe

Warri Soccer Player in Nigeria

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Pictures from Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Night 2013

Heralding 2013 A’Ibom Xmas Carol Night

Don Jazzy, P-Square, D’Banj top Forbes Africa richest artistes lists

Channel O and Forbes Africa has presented the top 10 most bankable/richest artistes in Africa. This list was put together using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence and so many other factors. The list shows the African artistes making the most money in Africa.

Below are the top10 list:
1. AKON – CEO of Konvict Music, opened doors with other African artistes
2. Don Jazzy – Producer. CEO Mavin Records, MTN, Samsung and Loya Milk endorsement. D’Banj, Kanye West, Beyonce and Jay Z on production credits.
3. P-Square – Music Duo. Featured on Forbes Africa twice, sold out concerts, presidential guest in at least five African countries, they fly private jets.
4. D’Banj – Music Artiste. G.O.O.D Music deal, Sony Entertainment deal
5. Wizkid – Music Artiste. EME artiste, Starboy CEO, affiliation with Disturbing London, several international collaborations, highest paid Pepsi ambassador in Africa, ambassador of MTN
6. 2FACE Idibia – Music Artiste. Ten million CDs and at least seven million digital sales, one campaign… associated with Guinness, Haven Homes, Airtel Worldwide and philantropist – 2face foundation
7. Anselmo Ralph – Musically Artiste Samsung and Coca Cola ambassador, Perfume line, clothing label, multimillion dollar tour bus, Sony artiste.
8. Sarkodie – Rapper. Youth ambassador Ghana, Sark clothing, Samsung ambassador, Fan Milk Ghana ambassador.
9. Ice Prince – Artiste. Six million downloads, two studio owner, one foundation member, Plug N Play ambassador, Zamani foundation.
10. Banky W – Artiste. Co owner EME, Samsung Ambassador, philanthropist, multiple award winner.
Winners emerge in 2013 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsThe 8th edition of Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA) took place recently, in New York, United States of America and it was hosted by Basket Mouth.
The event focused on recognising the contributions of African entertainers to the global entertainment industry, and it is also aimed at promoting the image and culture of Nigeria.
Opening the event was Sean Tizzle performing on stage, Dammy Krane, Olamide & Phyno and more.
Below is the full list of nominations and their winners:
Best Album Of The Year
YBNL – Olamide
Hottest Single Of The Year
Kukere – Iyanya
Best New Act Of The Year
Burna Boy
Gospel Artiste/Group Of The Year
Sammy Okposo
Best Pop/R&B Artist Of The Year
Davido
Best Rap Act Of The Year
Ice Prince
Music Producer Of The Year
Spellz
Most Promising Male Act
Endia
Most Promising Female Act To Watch
Emma Nyra
Best International Artist
JJC
Best Indigenous Artist/Group
Olamide
Best Collabo
Ghost Mode – Phyno & Olamide
Best Lead Actress In Film
Rita Dominic
Best Supporting Actor In Film
Ali Nuhu
Best Film Director
Tunde Kelani (Maami)
Best TV Show
Big Brother Africa
Pan African Actor
John Dumelo
Pan African Actress
Nadia Buhari
World DJ
DJ Bayo (UK)
Best Comedian
Basket Mouth
Entertainment Promoter
Coko Bar
Radio On Air/TV Personality
Freeze – Cool FM
TV Personality
Labi Layori
Entertainment Blog
NotJustOk

Walking With Dinosaurs WWD

Book tickets here for the greatest adventure in history! http://bit.ly/18Lt4NN #WalkingWithDinosaurs in cinemas now

Checkout Nnena Agba, Nigerian born American Model

Nnenna Agba

Nnenna Agba is an American fashion model, who ranked 6th on Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model.

Early life

Nnenna stated that she was raised in Nigeria but later sent back to the US due to her father wanting a better life. Her mother died while giving birth to her last sister.

On the show

Agba's head was shaved during the model makeover after the judges expressed their approval of her look when they simulated baldness in a previous photoshoot. Though considered a front-runner early on, she was eliminated in episode nine. During the season, Nnenna had a major fight and arguement with her boyfriend, which was mostly due to episode four photoshoot with male models, whom she kissed while posing, creating major misunderstanding.

Modeling career

Since Top Model, Nnenna has signed with MC2, formerly known as Karin Models. She has graced the cover of Onyx Style Magazine. During the Spring 2007 New York Fashion Week, Nnenna has walked for Anand Jon Spring/Summer 2007 and Imitation of Christ Spring/Summer 2007. Nnenna Agba modelled at the 9th Annual Chocolate Fashion Show which took place in NYC. She appeared in an all-chocolate couture dress by celebrity favourites, Traver Rains and Richie Rich of Heatherette.

Sarkodie Speaks About His ‘Zero Awards’ At VGMA

After walking home with no award from the just ended Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Sarkodie has sent out comforting words to his fans calling on them to keep up the high spirit.
The B.E.T award winner who was nominated in six (6) times in various categories with collaborations with other artists was expected to at least an award especially as he was the man of the moment at last year’s event picking up the topmost award, “Artiste of the Year” and two others.
The rapper who seemed okay with him going home without an award has this to say to his fans:

big things coming soon fans i know u guys wanted us to pick something but don’t kill da vibe… God has been good to us lets b thankful.. hes still working wonders…

Well, a godfather has many connotations. You could have positive godfathers and negative ones. The good ones work towards making things work and succeed but if you have a godfather that is always challenging, he wants to make appointments, if you have 10 commissioners, he would want to have three or four. After you have given him two commissioners, he will say he wants Special Advisers, Special Assistants and he will even want to choose their portfolios but I said these things are not done like that and they said it is done like that, that is controversy.

There is a godfather who had an arrangement with the military that he would be paid N10m every month, I wasn’t there when the agreement was made. When I tried to stop it, I was dragged to President Obasanjo’s office and I told Obasanjo this is the situation I found on ground and Obasanjo said I had to go back and continue paying it; that it was legal. At what stage did I renege? They will always try to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Obasanjo gave them contracts worth billions of naira, they were super rich, there was nothing I could give to them.