|
|
Winnie Mandela Opera to Premiere in South Africa
An Opera About The Life of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, The ex-wife of Former South African President Nelson Mandela is to Premiere in Pretoria Next Year, it Has Been Announced.
 |
The lyrics will combine English and Xhosa and the opera will feature a 60-piece orchestra performing western and traditional African music.
It is believed to be the first opera fully composed and orchestrated in the country.The cast will be revealed in January.The opera is due to premiere at the State Theatre in Pretoria on 28 April.
Three years ago, Canada denied Mrs Mandikizela-Mandela a visa application to attend the premiere of an opera about her life - called The Passion of Winnie - in Toronto.
The new show combines the same team of South African-born composer and musician Bongani Ndodana-Breen and filmmaker Warren Wilensky.
Winnie Mandikizela-Mandela came to attention in 1964 when her then husband Nelson was sentenced to life imprisonment. She was arrested in 1969 for printing and distributing anti-apatheid literature.
She separated from her husband in 1992 amid stories of her infidelity and the couple divorced in 1996.
In 2003, she was found guilty on charges of fraud and theft.
Earlier this year, the BBC screened a dramatisation of her life, starring Oscar-nominee Sophie Okonedo in the main role.
Hollywood actress Jennifer Hudson has also taken on the same role in a film, due for release next year.
2Face, P-Square, Mo’Cheddah, Sasha, Liquideep, Fally Ipupa & Eminem Win Big at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards
Miriam Makeba Honoured In Lagos
 |
The 2010 MAMA awards opened with an explosive performance by Hip Hop heavyweight, Rick Ross, and closed with an unforgettable rendition of “Win” featuring T-Pain, Rick Ross, Da LES and 2Face – a world first. In keeping with the tradition of the awards, the show featured an array of electrifying collaborations between artists from different parts of the continent, mixing up music genres, language and cultures in a unprecedented extravaganza of African talent. Among the collaborations were Nigeria’s 2Face who hooked up with South African rock outfit The Parlotones. The performance of Banky W’s “Lagos Party” saw South Africa’s Big Nuz, Angola’s Cabo Snoop and Paul G and DRC’s Barbara Kanam rocking the house with the first ever truly pan-African version of the hit track.
Commented Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, “The diversity and talent of the performances this evening was a reflection of the vast and rich talent pool that Africa has to offer. We at Airtel are proud to partner with the MTV Africa Music Awards as it is a platform for the youth and young at heart in Africa, enabling them to showcase their talent to a global audience. Music is an important way to connect with Africa as we relaunch the Airtel brand on the continent. It will support Airtel’s mission of giving the youth a means to express themselves and the freedom to do more.”
Among the performers at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel were: 2Face (Nigeria), Banky W (Nigeria), Barbara Kanam (DRC), Big Nuz (South Africa), Cabo Snoop (Angola), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Diamond (Tanzania), Eve (USA), Fally Ipupa (DRC), J. Martins (Nigeria), Jozi (South Africa), Liquideep (South Africa), Lizha James (Mozambique), Mo Cheddah (Nigeria), Paul G (Angola), P-Unit (Kenya), Public Enemy (USA), Radio & Weasel (Uganda), Rick Ross (USA), Sarkodie (Ghana), Sasha (Nigeria), T-Pain (USA), Teargas (South Africa), The Parlotones (South Africa), Wande Coal (Nigeria).
Guest presenters and celebrity guests included Ba Ponga, Dama do Bling, Lizha James, Daniel Amokachi, Oluchi, Julius Agwu, Genevieve Nnaji, Muthoni, Nneka, MTV VJs Vanessa Mdee & Sizwe Dhlomo, Tatiana, JoJo and fashion designer Lisa Folawiyo.
MAMA 2010 WINNERS IN FULL
Best Anglophone – Daddy Owen (Kenya)
Best Francophone – Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Best Lusophone – Cabo Snoop (Angola)
Artist of the Year – 2Face (Nigeria)
Best Female – Sasha (Nigeria)
Best Male – 2Face (Nigeria)
Best Video – Fally Ipupa (DRC): “Sexy Dance”
Best Group – P-Square (Nigeria)
Brand New Act - Mo’Cheddah (Nigeria)
Best Performance – Big Nuz (South Africa)
Song of the Year – Liquideep (South Africa): “Fairytale”
MAMA Legend – Miriam Makeba (South Africa)
Best International – Eminem (USA)
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel premieres on MTV base (DStv Channel 322) on Saturday 18 December at 19:00 CAT, with repeats on Sunday 19 December at 08:00 CAT and 14:00 CAT.
Airtel, MTV Boost Nigeria’s Economy with 2010 MAMAs
New subtitle
 |
The economy of Nigeria is set to receive a major boost from the leading mobile operator, Airtel and MTV as international and African music stars, entertainment promoters, music enthusiasts, Airtel customers from 15 African countries and other delegates from across the world storm the Lagos this week for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel.
The event, which is arguably the biggest musical celebrations in Africa, is scheduled to hold in Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State, has attracted a lot of guests from across the world. The show will feature top international and African artistes and will be hosted by US hip-hop artist and actress, Eve.
MAMA with Airtel will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010. The activities of guests for the music event are expected to significantly result in upsurge of commercial and tourism activities.
International guests are expected to fill several hotels, storm shopping malls and visit local markets to buy items in addition to visiting top tourist destinations across the Lagos metropolis during and after the period of the event.
Already, both Airtel and MTV have made reservations in several hotels in Lagos while booking has been made in a number of recreational centres and places with strong tourists appeal to give the guests a wonderful experience in Nigeria.
This comes as the Lagos State government has assured the organisers of the event of adequate security and the usual hospitality of Lagos people. Speaking at a media event in Lagos, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Opeyemi Bamidele assured that plans are in top gear to ensure adequate security, smooth traffic flow & control and efficient emergency response system through-out the duration of the event.
Nigerian Entertainers Thrills Malaysia
Daily Sun News Reports
 |
Osuofia, Klint, Flavour, Chuxy, others thrill Malaysians
From AZUH AMATUS, Kuala Lumpur
December, 2010
For two days, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia played host to some leading names in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Among the popular entertainers that kept the South-Eastern Asia country alive for 48-hours in a marathon show tagged: Kuala Lumpur Storm 2011 were: Nollywood star, Nkem Owoh famously called Osuofia, Klint D’ Drunk, Flavour of Nabania fame, Chuxy and several other up and coming Nigerian acts based in Malaysia.
The two-day show began on Friday, December 3, when the acts thrilled and performed to a capacity-filled hall comprising both Blacks and Asians at the prestigious Live Centre, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, all night.
The pulsating show, which set the whole city agog, came to a riveting end on Sunday night with a memorable outing at the expansive Long Bar, inside the magnificent One World Hotel, Utama. The post-independence/pre- Xmas show was proudly powered by Cool Coin Investment, King Evans Investment and Kingsley Investment in collaboration with Gold-Silktech Entertainment.
A happy Osuofia told Daily Sun that the reception from his fans, especially non Nigerians overwhelmed him.
“I’ve been attending shows all over the world, but this one in Malaysia really overwhelmed me. I must commend the organizers for having the initiative to bring us to mix and interact with our fans, especially foreigners.
''I had fun thrilling at both shows and meeting people from different backgrounds. I look forward to another outing because our home grown entertainment has gone global,”he said.
Michelle Obama, Friends Watch ‘Fela!’ On Broadway
BBC Report
 |
The audience at Thursday's performance of "Fela!" on Broadway got an extra thrill when an unannounced guest arrived — the first lady.Michelle Obama and six girlfriends stunned theater goers when she arrived at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 49th Street to catch the Tony Award-winning musical about Fela Kuti, the Afrobeat artist and Nigerian political activist.
"When the audience realized that she was in the audience, they just went nuts," said Stephen Hendel, who co-conceived and produced the show. "People started standing up and applauding, saying 'We love you!' and 'We love you, Michelle!' It took a minute or so to get the audience to settle down."
The musical features dancers mingling with the audience and the first lady's group was seated along Row G, where many of the dancers cross over. The Secret Service asked the dancers not to change their performance but to give Obama some extra space.
Hendel was one of only few people who knew ahead of time that the first lady was coming. The cast was only told 20 minutes before Obama's arrival. She and her friends arrived shortly after 8 p.m. as the overture was ending.
The audience also cheered wildly when the musical made reference in the first act to one of Kuti's nicknames: Black President. Said Hendel: "The whole place just exploded."
At the end, the first lady's group gave the musical a standing ovation and Obama stayed to greet and congratulate each sweaty member of the cast as they passed. "She was hugely gracious," said Hendel, who watched the night's performance with his wife, Ruth, also one of the show's producers.
"It's a wonderful feeling that this show would have Mrs. Obama come to it."Broadway shows have lured Obama before. She and daughters Sasha and Malia attended performances of "Memphis" and "The Addams Family" in March. And she and her husband saw "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" during a date night in 2009.
"Fela!" was nominated for a Tony Award as last year's best musical. It won for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and Best Sound Design. In addition to the Hendels, it is also produced by actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and hip-hop star Jay-Z.
A production opened this week at London's National Theatre with Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the title character on Broadway. The Broadway run, which features Kevin Mambo in the title role and Patti LaBelle as his mother, ends Jan. 2
Nigerian Information Minister Furious Over Use of "Naija" In Entertainment Industry.
Nigeria To Henceforth Stop Using That Word.
 |
Have you ever seen the Nigerian Minister for Information and Communication Prof.Dora
Akunyili being terribly angry before?
Well, the participants of Heir apparent reality show saw just that during their courtesy visit to
the office of the minister this week.
Prof. Akunyili was very furious at jingles made by the Heir Apparent in which Nigeria was being
called “Naija.”
The Minister claimed that it was very offensive to call Nigeria "Naija" saying it is a corrupt version of
the official name of Nigeria, and said she would write all companies in Nigeria to henceforth stop
using that word.
Is Naija really the corrupt version of Nigeria...Hmmm? Where did that come from? To stop
using it, does it make us corrupt free..hmmm?
If the minister stops it from Nigeria, what about outside Nigeria and on the internet which the
word is mostly used and even millions of Tee Shirts out there that carry the word "Naija," or
"this is Naija" Yes don’t be amazed henceforth when you see Nigerian Police beating up
Nigerians who wear a tee shirt with the word Naija.
Is this another form of re-branding? What will the poor masses of Nigeria gain from this? Will it
bring food to their table, will it generate electricity? Will it provide Jobs for the teeming
youths? Will it reduce corruption in Nigeria?
Now to readers, do you really think Using the word Naija instead of Nigeria by especially
musicians, and the entertainment industry is a bad idea?
R&B Singer R. Kelly To Perform At Star Mega Jam In Lagos.
9ice, MI, Timaya, Sound Sultan, D'Banj,To Also Perform
 |
R&B singer R.Kelly is expected to perform at this year's annual Star Mega Jam musical concert
which will hold at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, on Friday 17th Dec.2010 and at the Abuja Parade
ground on the 18th,Dec.
The concert sponsors Nigeria Brewries Plc stressed in a statement made available to African
Examiner entertainment that Nigeria breweries rolled out series of activities this year to mark the
golden jubilee of Nigeria's Independence in which Mega Jam happens to coincide with.
Artist like 9ice, MI, Timaya, Sound Sultan, D'Banj, Kc presh, Diamonds, Pulse and juke box, Mohits
Crew and P Square will also perform at the event.
African Examiner entertainment could not confirm however if any Fuji or juju musician will perform at
the concert.
R. Kelly, 43 ran into troubled waters years back after a video tape he allegedly made with an
underage girl surfaced in the United States media.
Popularly known as the king of R&B, R. Kelly has since been discharged and acquitted of all 21
count charge, including child pornography.
Michael Jackson's New Song Featuring Akon Released
Proud To Work With Music Icon
"Hold my hand" a new singles from Michael Jackson new CD has been released.
The singles which unfinished version was leaked a couple of years ago, had Michael Jackson in a
duet with rapper Akon.
A statement that was released by Akon on Michael Jackson official website states that the
new single has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song."I am so proud to have had the
chance to work with Michael, one of my all time idols" he said.
Michael Jackson popularly known as the king of pop died from an overdose of the anesthetic
propofol and two other sedatives at his Los Angeles home in June, 2009, he was aged 50.
How The Nigerian Music Industry Becomes A Warring Zone
Odimegwu Onwumere
 |
Jùjú, highlife, fuji, Yo-pop, Afro-jùjú, Afrobeat, Palmwine music, Afroraggae, inter alia, are the
Nigerian music that history is replete with in the Nigerian music industry. They are Nigerian
Folk and secular music known locally and beyond the West. Bronze carvings in the 16th
Century in the present day Nigeria depicted the existence of musicians and their instruments
before the European contact. Ronnie Graham, an historian who specialised in West Africa,
attributed the success of the Nigerian music industry to the country's culture and its "thirst for
aesthetic and material success and a voracious appetite for life, love and music, and a huge
domestic market, big enough to sustain artistes who sing in regional languages and
experiment with indigenous styles". Apart from such artistes as IK Dairo who started to take on
new electric instruments imported from the United States and Europe and techniques in Rock
N' roll, soul, and later fun in the 1950s, 60s and 70s which became very popular in Nigeria
(and elements of these genres were added to jùjú following World War II), Fela Kuti, Ebenezer
Obey and King Sunny Ade, were in the early to mid 1970s, three of the biggest names in the
Nigerian music history. The Ghanaian E. T. Mensah was known for his highlife style of music.
Bobby Benson & His Combo was the first Nigerian highlife band to find audiences across the
country. Jim Lawson & the Mayor's Dance Band followed. The group achieved national fame in
the mid 70s, ending with Lawson's death in 1976. Rocafil Jazz and Prince Nico Mbarga’s
"Sweet Mother" was a pan-African hit that sold more than 13 million copies, more than any
other African single of any kind. Today, Nigeria is called "the heart of African music" in line with
her music developmental strides.
Thursday, May 20, 2010, would ever remain indelible in the minds of friends and lovers of the
Nigeria’s music industry. This day was when the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright
Commission (NCC), Mr. Adebambo Adewopo announced that the Copyright Society of Nigeria
(COSON) has received the Federal Government approval; COSON was going to be the sole
copyright collective management organization in the Nigeria’s music industry, as against the
Musical Copyright Society Nigeria’s (MCSN) posturing. COSON’s Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji
reportedly said, “We are grateful to the NCC for taking this bold decision. The victory is not for
any individual but for the entire music industry. There will be no losers as a result of the
COSON approval as we intend to find accommodation for everyone regardless of which side of
the argument the person may have been on. The approval is not the end of the struggle but
the real beginning. We must show that we deserve the trust that has been bestowed on us and
must rise to the challenge and work together to bring true benefits to every stakeholder. By the
grace of the Almighty, we will not fail”.
The announcement threw up merriments and discords among those whose sole occupation is
to earn a living by crooning upon the receipt of the certificate of the approval delivered to
COSON by an official of the NCC. The COSON office at number 18, Mojidi Street,
off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos State, was flooded by people, and congratulatory messages
from the music stakeholders were in piles. Investigation had it that musicians that included
Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi described the COSON approval as “excellent” and “the work
of the Almighty”. Multi award winning sensation, 2Face Idibia painted the development as
“sweet and lovely!” while his manager, Mr. Efe Omorogbe exclaimed, “wonderful… wonderful…
wonderful!”. Jos based Alhaji Dan Maraya Jos, spoke on the phone and congratulated
musicians across Nigeria for what he called “a monumental victory. Ms Onyeka Onwenu wasn’t
exempted in the congratulation banquet as it was reported that she was in Abuja when the
news filtered the air. Her words: “It may have taken many agonizing years but ultimately the
forces of unity within the industry have prevailed over the agents of divide and plunder”.
While musicians that include Sir Victor Uwaifo, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Onyeka Onwenu,
Laolu Akins, Dan Maraya Jos, Christy Essien Igbokwe, 2Face Idibia, Sammie Okposo, Olu
Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Neji, Rugged Man, DJ Stramborella, Eddy Remedy, Mr. Kool, 2 Shotz,
Baba Dee, Bouqui, Rooftop MCs, Kenny Saint Brown, Kefee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, MI,
Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, KC Presh, X Project, Asha, Konga, African China, Owen Gee, Funmi
Adams, Majek Fashek, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, Tony Okoroji, Ras Kimono, Stella Monye,
Shina Peters, Wale Thompson, Kollington Ayinla, Adewale Ayuba, Orlando Julius, Dekunle
Fuji, Lord of Ajasa, Zoolezoo, Ekwe Original Stereoman, Danfo Drivers, Rhymzo, DJ Jimmy Jatt,
Muma Gee, AY. Com, ID Cabassa, Klever J, Zidon Poperella, Terry G, Nomoreloss, W4,
Omotola Jolade Ekehinde, Yinka Ayefele, OJB Jezreel, Djinee, Blackface, Chris Ajilo and more
than one thousand other Nigerian artistes from every part of the country were in jubilation
mood as members of COSON which cuts across the spectrum of the music industry in Nigeria,
the likes of Charly Boy and Orits Wiliki were crying blue murder over the none-approval of their
Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN).
But COSON was not the only organization that applied for the Approval. According to an
account, Adewopo said that three organizations had applied for the approval namely: Wireless
Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (Ltd/Gte), Musical Copyright Society
Nigeria (Ltd/Gte), and Copyright Society of Nigeria (Ltd/Gte), but that the findings of the
Committee set up by the NCC to appraise the applications held that of the COSON in a high
esteem. His words: “The application of Copyright Society of Nigeria (Ltd/Gte) demonstrated the
highest level of compliance to the statutory and regulatory approval conditions. Furthermore,
the Committee also noted that the establishment of COSON followed a broad-based
consultative process which allowed for the participation of the majority of stakeholders in the
music industry and therefore provided a wider and more accommodating platform to all
stakeholders who will make for a stronger and more cohesive collective management”.
NCC could not approve the MCSN, which was in charge of this ‘Collection’ as the (authentic)
sole copyright collective management organization in the Nigeria’s music industry, Charles
Oputa,( popularly known as Charly Boy) and Orits Wiliki, a strong ally of Charly Boy decided to
seeing that Adewopo and Okoroji didn’t rest their cups after drinking. Charly Boy started
leading a battle with the COSON led by Tony Okoroji and by extension, Adebambo Adewopo.
(Charly Boy is 57. He is a grandfather and son of the revered legal luminary, Justice
Chukwudifu Oputa). In an interview with a national newspaper, Charly Boy said that the
approval of COSON was “... been powered by those who have exploited us, those never
sympathetic to our plight. It’s very interesting to note that most of these people are the ones
we fought when I was PMAN president. The same people that were not friendly with we artistes,
recording labels that have cheated the artistes and pirates who have defrauded the artistes,
are those who make up COSON. This is a huge problem, but this is a fight that must be won
and which I am giving my all to”.
When Charly Boy was asked that he’s part of MCSN, which was approved by NCC DG,
Adebambo Adewopo, who also doubles as its solicitor. And that for the DG to have approved
COSON, many expected him to embrace it, hear him: “How can I embrace a company made up
of people who have always been against artistes and who have never cared about artistes’
welfare? Like I told you, the make-up of COSON is questionable. How come we have all the
recording companies, which have been washed away with time, record labels that have not
been paying artistes their dues, and known pirates who have metamorphosed into distributors,
agents and label owners, all in COSON? Why Adebambo, of all people, would approve such a
society beats my imagination. We fought for him because we thought we had a good person
who was representing the industry. I know the kind of support he had from MCSN at that point
in time. To do a 360 degree turn around is something that beats my imagination. Since it has
turned out like this, what we all owe Bambo is to make sure he does not succeed with his
plans. I am using this opportunity to call for his resignation because he is not the one to
regulate what happens in this industry. You can't use corruption to fight corruption, it’s not
possible...”
Charly Boy reiterated that it was not the alleged low profile that MCSN was maintaining that led
Okoroji to floating COSON. He said that for MCSN to have been in charge of collecting over
ninety percent of Nigerian artistes’ rights, it must have been doing something good. That most
artistes, including Nollywood actors, are all registered with MCSN (before the approval of
COSON). Hear him: “I don’t know who COSON is representing. What led to Adebambo’s
declaration of COSON as a sole collecting organization is what we need to find out. We shall
get to the bottom of it one day. In this day of liberalization, everybody has freedom of
belonging to any association of his or her choice. Do you know how many telecommunication
companies we have in Nigeria, including political parties?”
Investigations revealed that Ope Banwo, the CEO of Stingomania Entertainment who is a US-
based lawyer and a former CEO of Dove Media further commented that the activities of Charly
Boy were unproductive. He said that it was ridiculous of Charly Boy to accuse the legal adviser
to his own Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) organization of bias for licensing
COSON. He described the ‘attack’ by Charly Boy on the leadership of COSON as unfair,
irrelevant and libelous. Banwo’s comments were, according to investigation, contained in a
release issued by his publicists and made available to journalists.
Hear him: “It is most unfair of Charly Boy to attack the leadership of COSON the way he has
done on the pages of newspapers without addressing the issues that are relevant to
stakeholders in the industry other for him to say that Tony Okoroji and DG of NCC, Bambo
Adewopo are irresponsible…. common sense will suggest that if Bambo (Adewopo) were to be
biased, he would have done it in favour of an organization that he is still officially their legal
adviser instead of a new entity…. Frankly, I am really curious to understand how Charly Boy
could come out and blast Adewopo for licensing COSON. I mean the guy is the legal adviser to
your own MCSN from what I hear. If Charly Boy’s own organization’s legal adviser is saying
MCSN does not deserve to be re-licensed, what exactly does Charly Boy want us to do? That
is clearly a vote of no confidence in him by the most important legal person attached to his
organization…. All I want in the collecting body is change and results”. Banwo dared Charly
Boy to come out and publish the list of people whose lives got better with his collecting society
or the people who received fair compensation for their copyrights. ‘‘I advise Charly Boy to get
involved in fights that will produce results and not just fight for fighting sake. I advise Charly
Boy to take a leave and allow new and fresh hands like Banky W, MI, Don Jazzy to take over so
as to move forward,’’ he had said.
However, on August 12, 2010, the news that Charly Boy had been arrested by the Nigeria
Police in Abuja, were sketchy. The alleged arrest was what was described as his breach of
public peace and harassment of the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission and
was in police custody. Journalists described Charly Boy's actions as nothing but a display of
lawlessness and gangstarism. A statement credited to the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition
signed by Onyeka Onwenu, Efe Omorgbe, Laolu Akins, John Udegbunam and Toju
Ejueyitchie, investigation revealed that the arrest of Charly Boy might have been necessitated
after several reported harassment attempt by Charly Boy and Mayo Ayilaran over refusal of
the licence for MCSN by NCC. In a report, Nigerian people were reminded of how the Mayo
Ayilaran/Charly Boy led MCSN first applied for approval to the NCC in 1993 when Mr. Moses
Ekpo was Director General of the commission. Under Ekpo, NCC refused to approve MCSN
based on issues bordering on the accounts and finances of the organization. MCSN rejected
the verdict of the Commission and launched a never ending media attack on Ekpo until Mr.
Ekpo left office. Ekpo's successor, Mr. S.O. Williams on similar ground also refused to back the
statutory approval of MCSN which resulted in MCSN unleashing a campaign of calumny
against Mr. Williams until he died. Similarly, Mr. Williams' successor, Professor Eyinna
Nwauche also vehemently rejected the approval of MCSN. MCSN in 2004 used Charly Boy and
his thugs to harass and hound Professor Nwauche leading to his withdrawal from the NCC.
The successor to Professor Nwauche and present Director-General of NCC, Mr Adebambo
Adewopo who himself was once a lawyer to MCSN, also rejected the approval of MCSN. Once
again, MCSN hired Charly Boy to use thugs to hound, harass, intimidate and blackmail
Adewopo. It is time Charly Boy and his MCSN gang are clearly told that Nigeria is a nation of
laws. This writer investigated that Mr. Charles Oputa (presently) does not hold any recognized
leadership position of any type in the Nigerian music industry. “He is clearly behind times and
not conversant with the present thinking in the industry,” reiterated the Nigerian Music Industry
Coalition. Going further, the Coalition group said that Charles Oputa has not participated in
any of the negotiations and discussions which have taken place in the last one year and which
are responsible for the recent stability and positive developments the industry is enjoying. He
is not a spokesperson for the music industry and his ranting in no way represents the view or
position of the Nigerian music industry.
Nigerian Music Industry Coalition had said that the backward views which Charly Boy was
suddenly promoting without shame in various newspaper and magazine articles represented
the desires of those who had employed and paid him to create confusion and scuttle the
progress (presently) being made by the music industry in Nigeria both in the collective
management of copyright and the now portent battle against piracy. It is clear that Mr. Charles
Oputa, the self professed “area farther”, the report said, was willing to do anything to gain
publicity, but has been deployed to scatter the huge progress presently being made by the
music industry in Nigeria. Further, the 57 year old “Charly Boy” who forced his way into the
leadership of PMAN destroyed the association and left the music industry in total disarray and
confusion was clearly unhappy that without him the industry is achieving the kind of progress
he was incapable of promoting. So he is ranting and ranting. He has ganged up with the
enemies of the industry, who like him, have been feeding fat from the toils of Nigerian artistes.
Now they want to tear down COSON, one of the biggest achievements of the Nigerian creative
community in years.
Notwithstanding, Charly Boy who was not comfortable with Onyeka Onwenu fought back when
a reporter asked him in the interview: “What do you think of Onyeka Onwenu's involvement in
COSON?” Hear Charly Boy: “We all know the antecedents of Onyeka. For the few artistes in
COSON, they are ignorant because they don’t understand the issues on ground. We have a
lot of artistes out there who still don’t understand what copyright is all about. It’s unfortunate
that because of the quest for survival, most artistes are ignorant of what they could do with
their rights. There is a lot of awareness to be done and we've started something by instructing
that if any fake person comes to make demands from them, they should ask for the Deed of
Assignment...What is happening is wrong. People know my fight as PMAN president and were
aware of our stand because we thought Bambo was unjustly victimized. We all rallied round
him to make sure that he was not sacked. It was from this fight that we created the Federation
of Intellectual Property Owners (FIPO) and part of FIPO’s mandate at that time was to make
sure that we secure Bambo’s appointment as DG of NCC. Now we have realised that things
have gone so bad, compared to how we left it, I have decided to come back, especially in this
circumstance, because people recognize me as an artiste first before being a social engineer...
Bambo’s time is up, he has lots of explanations to do. I won’t reveal our strategy to get him out
of the office, but it’s going to come. I am going to lead the battle. If I fought and succeeded in
making sure that Bambo was retained as DG of NCC, I can equally rally the industry to see that
Bambo is removed”.
Nigerian USA Physicians To Feature "The Nice Lace Project" Show
At Their Washington, DC National Convention in July, 2010
 |
ANPA TO FEATURE THE NICE LACE PROJECT SHOW
“EYERE’S TRUMPET: FROM BROADWAY TO BAR BEACH”
At its 2010 WASHINGTON CONVENTION
The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) and the New Nigeria International Corporation (NNIC), announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to present Nigerian entertainers, Nollywood actors, cultural folklores, music, in P. Chudi Uwazurike’s off Broadway play, “Eyere’s Trumpet - From Broadway To Bar Beach”, to be presented in a special Friday night extravaganza at the Annual ANPA National Convention at the Gaylord Resort.The Gaylord Hotel and Resort Center overlooking the Potomac River, National Harbor, Washington DC, Maryland, the event is set for Friday Evening, July 2nd, 2010. Announcing this on Friday jointly were the current President of ANPA, Dr. Julius Kpaduwa and the Chief Executive Officer for NNIC Dr. Dan E. Austin. Expected to feature are major stars from Nigeria’s Nollywood movie industry as well as US-based Nigerian, African and American talented cast members.
The "Nice Lace Project” acronym for Nigerian Invasion of Literal Arts, Culture and Entertainment centers on the concept of harvesting the huge talents of the Nigerian entertainment industry to harness gains in the international entertainment economy. The goal is to package Nigerian Entertainment a little differently so it can be delivered to audiences worldwide.
Founded by Dr. Austin, the mission statement states as follows. The holding company, NNIC, is a US based African Diaspora organization championing investments by the Diaspora in Nigeria, among which will be sponsorship of the best of the African artistic and entertainment industry on world tours. In a statement, the NNIC management has stated as follows: "We believe the Nigerian Entertainment Industry is ripe for sale to the world, from Nollywood to Nigerian contemporary music - from High life to Afro beat, from the Naija Reggae to the Najia Rap sensation of today - you name it, we believe we can package this for New York, Paris, and starting off our world tour here in Washington DC capital of the world’s largest economy, celebrating this cultural heritage both at the presentation and the cast after party with both the starts and with the best and brightest of the Nigerian American Physicians, is an excellent start.”
With an intended salute to the source of the Diaspora cultural inspiration, the Nice Lace project will start off with a Home coming event scheduled for Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, Saturday June 18-19th, 2010 at the Embassy Court Hotel, 15 Remi Olumide Street off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Victoria Island Lagos. The evening will feature a symposium on the "Nice Lace Project" and an audition event to scout for talents to participate in the Nice Lace World Tour USA.
The group plans to start the US world tour with the special limited engagement at the ANPA Convention in Washington DC. The Off Broadway show plans to highlight works by great Nigerian Playwrights including Chinua Achuabe, Wole Soyinka and many more. A stage show to run in Washington DC for two weeks and then continue to Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, then New York and possibly on to Europe and the rest of the world.
Featuring at various stages will be such invited stars Nollywood stars as Omotola, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Noah as well as the likes of Liz Benson, Olu Jacobs, Bob Manuel, and Pete Edochie, to name a few. The works of award-winning novelist-playwright and New York-based professor, P. Chudi Uwazurike have been interpreted by such American actors as Marsha Hamilton, Omar M’Sai, Daralyn Jay, Ahmat Jallo and Arthur French, among dozens of others over the years.
In a welcome linkage with the Nigerian dramatic heritage that suggests continuity, Producer Blaise Osondu and Director Cash Nwachukwu who studied with or mentored by the likes of Ola Rotimi, Mekki Zewi, Jazz Amankulor, Ossie Enekwe, among others, and inspired by the great Wole Soyinka either at various levels, plan to present an extravaganza. The production under the coordination of Executive Producers Cynthia Austin and Dan E. Austin, MD, President of Cignet Healthacare Inc. is supported by the All Nigerian American Congress, ANAC and its Arts Culture and Entertainment Committee, Chaired by Omolara Okunubi.
Among the several other events at this year’s ANPA Convention event will be the scheduled presentation by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian Finance Minister and Vice President of the World Bank, on the Millennium Development Goals for Nigeria. The event will also feature the participation of the New Nigeria International Corporation (NNIC) on the investment strategies of the Nigeria Diaspora in the New Nigerian Economy with a round table discussion to follow. The evening will then be treated to the splendor of the Nice Lace Star performance.
Tickets are moderately priced at $35 for children and students, $50 for individuals and $75 for couples. The entire African Community and entertainment enthusiast in the Washington DC Area are strongly encouraged to come and enjoy the taste of this modern African entertainment. The motto for the fun part of the evening is simple:
Everybody needs something nice sometimes, why not a "Nice Lace"? So come and enjoy the best of Nigerian entertainment.
For Corporate Sponsorship opportunities, Ticket information, Guest Passes, interested parties can contact the producers of the Nice Lace project or ANPA at: Email: nicelace@ttimesmail.com or Visit: www.nicelace.com, www.anpa.org
|
|
|
|
