100 Influential Africans: Dangote, Ezekwesili In, Jonathan Out

 

Four African Heads of State made the list of the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2014, but President Goodluck Jonathan’s name was conspicuously missing from the list. He was also not one of the 31 Nigerians that made the list.

Jonathan...out of the influential loop

Nigeria and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote featured, so does Obiageli Ezekwezili, a former Education Minister and one of the outspoken campaigners of ‪#‎BringBackOurGirls‬.

 

Dangote.

Obiageli

President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President Idriss Déby of Chad and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda all made the cut. All four have featured prominently in 2014 with the latter two playing important roles mediating regional conflicts.

The definitive listing of influential Africans is contained in the New African Magazine issue hitting the newsstands today.

According to a press statement by the magazine, another African woman who makes the list is Lupita Nyong’o, who set fashion blogs on fire and left film critics in awe, as she gracefully carried the beauty of Africa to the global stage.

Celebrated by New African for winning an Oscar for her role in “12 Years a Slave”, the Oscar award winning actress was also appointed ambassador for Lancôme cosmetics and named as Glamour’s woman of the year.

This year’s listing has more than 40 women featuring. South Africa and Nigeria dominate the listing with 33 and 27 entries respectively.

On the list also is ‘Afri-Innovator’ Kelvin Doe. A self-taught engineer by the age of 13, Doe used scraps to build a generator to power a radio station to entertain audiences under the guise of DJ Focus. He has since signed a $100,000 deal to develop his own solar power technology, with a TED talk to add.

Donald Kaberuka of the African Development Bank and Carlos Lopes of the Economic Commission for Africa also featured.

But there were also some new faces, emerging satirist Ikenna Azuike, who has just signed a show with the BBC, or Chester Missing, the puppet which makes so much noise in Southern Africa.

Gulder Ultimate Search 11 Winners Receive Their Car Prizes

 Otto Canon (left), 4th placed contestant and winner, Gulder Ultimate Search 11 Viewers’ Choice receiving the keys to the brand new car which he won, from Walter Drenth (right), Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., at the official prize presentation of cars to winners of the reality TV programme, held at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

Otto Canon (left), 4th placed contestant and winner, Gulder Ultimate Search 11 Viewers’ Choice receiving the keys to the brand new car which he won, from Walter Drenth (right), Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., at the official prize presentation of cars to winners of the reality TV programme, held at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

Nicolaas Vervelde (left), Managing Director and CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc., presenting the keys to a brand new SUV to Chinedu Ubachukwu (right), winner, Gulder Ultimate Search 11, for emerging the Ultimate Champion, at the official prize presentation ceremony held at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

Chinedu Ubachukwu, winner, Gulder Ultimate Search 11, standing near his brand new SUV, after the car was officially presented to him, at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

 Samantha Appi, Last Woman Standing, Gulder Ultimate Search 11, standing near her brand new Ford Focus, after the car was officially presented to her, at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

L – R: Chinedu Ubachukwu, winner, Samantha Appi, Last Woman Standing and Otto Canon, Viewers’ Choice, winner, Gulder Ultimate Search 11 Viewers’ Choice, all of Gulder Ultimate Search 11, at the official prize presentation ceremony to winners of automobiles, held at the Nigerian Breweries Plc. headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

THE HIGH AND MIGHTY AT “K1 LIVE UNUSUAL” CONCERT.

K1 Serenading his guests on stage of Eko Hotels & Suites

Last Friday night, the biggest Fuji-pop concert “K1 Live Unusual” held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos with exciting performances from some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry.

 

K1 dueting Olamide

Fuji legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1 The Ultimate) performed some of his popular hits like “Talazo system”, “Baby mi show colour re”,“Omo Niger”, “Eyo” with super collaborations with indigenous rapper Olamide, 9ice, Sasha P, Muma Gee, Ara and his daughter Honey B.

Dr. Victor Olaiya performing

The unusual concert which attracted lots of music lovers was hosted by the King of comedy, Alibaba, with rib cracking comedy from Buchi while 2shotz, Sir Victor Olaiya, Saheed Osupa, Shola Allyson, DNMT and celebrity disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt took turns to entertain the audience.

Ogbeni Aregbesola with K1 and other guests

His Excellency Engr Rauf Adesola Aregbesola the executive Governor of Osun State; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State governor; Chief Kollington Ayinla, Tunde Kelani, Chris Jeyibo, and many other top-notch celebs were in attendance.

9ice performing

The exquisite concert was produced by Green light Productions and proudly supported by LASSA, LIRS, Beat FM, BHM Group, HIP TV, Ray Power, Primetime Africa, Naija FM, Classic FM, Kennis Music, Sodium Brand Solutions, and many others.

See more photos from the event below:

 

Mrs. Abimbola Fashola

 

Ali Baba, the host

 

Gen. Kollington Ayinla

 

 

K1 with a guest

Tunde KELANI with partner

Muyiwa Ademola, Adebayo Tijanni, Sanyeri, Fathia Williams and Femi Adebayo

Yaw, Olamide & Ali Baba

Ara on stage

Saheed Osupa

Yaw, Adebola Williams & Ali Baba

Sindodo (M) with friends

Damsels at the concert

Guests at the concert

9ice with a friend

K1 with daughter, Honey B

Tee Bliz, Tiwa Savage's hubby
 

Sasha P, K1, Muma Gee & Ara performing,

 

FEMALE FAN KISSES WIZKID AT HENNESSY ARTISTRY SOUTH AFRICAN CLUB TOUR

The ladies sure love StarBoy Wizkid!

 

The moment female fan kissed Wizzy

Hennessy Artistry headliner, Wizkid who performed last night, Friday, November 21^st alongside 2face Idibia at the first ever South African club tour had female fans screaming his name throughout the event.

 

Wizkid attended the club event without a date unlike in Lagos where girlfriend, Tania would ward off over eager fans. He also posted on his Instagram account, “Single for the night!”. The club was packed to capacity as female fans could not wait to see him on stage.

While Wiz tried to shake fans and pose for photos on stage, one female fan pulled the superstar for a quick kiss to Wizkid’s surprise.

Wizkid & 2Face with MTV's Alex Okosi

The StarBoy later performed a few tracks off his latest album, “Ayo” as fans sang along to every song.

Game On, New Reality TV Show, Berths

As the controversy continues between fans and enthusiasts of football and fashion, Malta Guinness, has step in to curate the discussion over which passions best fuels the rise of Naija with the launch of a brand new reality TV show called Malta Guinness Game On.

The debate which has been on ever since fashion designer, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and ex-football star, Daniel Amokachi, made claims about the supremacy of their career paths, on the frontline talk show, Moments with Mo.

Social media has been inundated with an intimidating show of support for both professionals and their passions.

Uche Onwudiwe, Marketing Manager, Malta Guinness Nigeria said as a brand that has passionately helped Nigerians express their ambitions and creativity at different times with legacy projects like the Malta Guinness Street dance, the brand has yet again decided to explore the core of the Nigerian people with these two intriguing passions.
“The brand will be facilitating these tough conversations by playing the role of an impartial umpire with Fashion Icon Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Football Legend, Daniel Amokachi acting as captains of the two teams whilst giving the public a chance to vote and decide," Onwudiwe said.

The series will see contestants battle for supremacy of their passion and the chance to win a life-changing legacy as they literally live the game.

K1's Luxury Suite At Eko Signature

Inside fuji maestro, K1′s $1,200-a night hotel suite @ Eko Signature

All roads lead to Victoria Island, Lagos tonight, Friday 21 November 2014 where the K1 Live Unusual Concert will hold at the prestigious Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites. Headlining the event is the King of Fuji, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1.
He will be performing alongside stars like 2face Idibia, Olamide, and others.
The Nigerian King of Comedy, Ali Baba will be the host.

Ahead of the event, K1 has moved to the Eko Signature, the luxury side of the Eko Hotel & Suites, where he is lodged. At the Eko Signature, there are four types of suites, and reports have it that K1 is lodged in a Signature Suite going for N175,000.

Original story culled from City People.

‘Why We Are Yet To Marry’ -Aneke Twins

Popular twin sisters and actresses, Chidinma and Chidiebere Aneke, better known as Aneke Twins have explained why they are still singles.

The identical female twins in a chat with Lagos-based national newspaper said they are still waiting for the right men to find them.
"It is not as if we are delaying anything; God’s time is the best. It is written in the holy book that ‘he findeth and not she findeth. It is he that will find us," the sisters chorused.

They however declined to speak further on their relationship.
Enugu-born Aneke twins are known for always going together, dress alike and make it difficult for people to identify them due to their similarity.
They once quoted to have expressed interest in marrying another identical twins.

Wyclef, Chidinma Record Anti-HIV Single For Coke Studio Africa

Haiti-American singer, songwriter and music producer, Wyclef Jean, has recorded an　African version of a HIV awareness song with　Nigeria’s Chidinma, to increase HIV/AIDS awareness on the continent.

Wyclef & Chidinma working in the studio

Olufemi Ashipa, brand manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria, disclosed that the anti-HIV hit-track would feature prominently on the final episode of Coke Studio Africa Season 2, during which a tag-line for downloading the song would be made available.
He said in support of global efforts to halt mother to child transmission of HIV in Africa, the soft drink giant has joined forces with anti-HIV campaign group, RED Foundation, leveraging its unique entertainment platform, Coke Studio, to battle the scourge by raising awareness of the need to provide anti-retroviral drugs for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
"Music transcends all barriers - age, language, distance, so it is a vital tool for delivering such an important message across a continent as diverse as Africa." Ashipa said.
He added that Wyclef’s anti-HIV song, which features Chidinma and five other Coke Studio Season 2 artistes, will be played during the final episode of the series.
"We expect that both Wyclef and Chidinma would be available as we approach the season finale, so Nigerians can phone in during radio programmes to speak with them and also enter a fun lyrics contest to win free airtime," he added.
The partnership with RED Foundation further expands Coca-Cola’s interventions in the fight against HIV in Nigeria. Wyclef　Jean is an ambassador for Red Foundation.

Words by Funsho Arogundade

Omotola, Genevieve, Asa Lead #StopEbola Campaign

Nollywood stars, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, will be joining soul singer, Asa, as frontliners in the global campaign to pool a million young Africans to act against Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Genevieve

 

Asasa

Omotola

An initiative of The Future Awards Africa, TFAA, the campaign will also be led by TFAA Young Person of the Year 2013, Ashish Thakkar.
"This goes to the core of what is important to me, and what should be important to all of us who are very concerned about our continent. Just when the world has begun to pay attention to Africa as a destination for rapid growth and investment, we cannot allow Ebola define the narrative. We need to put a stop to this immediately, and young people need to take the lead," said Omotola, who has been spokesperson for Amnesty International and the United Nations.
On her part, Genevieve said Ebola has been defeated in Nigeria and this shows that with the will and resources it can be defeated anywhere else.　
The #StopEbola campaign will get young Africans to support the World Health Organization by donating social media updates and a minimum of $25 between now and the awards date via the portal　www.stopebola.com.
The funds go directly to the United Nations Ebola Response Fund.
The Future Awards Africa holds on　Sunday, 7 December　at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

Words by Funsho Arogundade

EBONY Announces 2014 Power 100 List

Power is many things—strength, focus, commitment, determination. Power is innovation. Power is elevation. Power is about shaping the world in new and different ways. This is why we can barely contain our excitement about The 2014 EBONY Power 100!

EBONY magazine has honored the heroes of the Black community for over 70 years. Today, the EBONY POWER 100 celebrates the world’s most inspiring African Americans. EBONY recognizes those who lead, inspire and demonstrate through their individual talents, the very best in Black America.

This year, on November 19^th, the EBONY POWER 100 event moves from New York City, to the historic Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. EBONY will celebrate the list of the most influential and intriguing men and women in Black America during an elegant and star-studded evening in Hollywood.

Legendary Q

The night will culminate with a special presentation for the legendary Quincy Jones who will receive the 2014 "Lifetime Achievement Award."

Quincy Jones on a 1973 cover of Ebony