‘I need a new platform to express myself’, Harrysong on why he dumped Five Star Music:

Reggae Blues crooner, Harrison Tare Okiri, a.k.a, Harrysong whose news of dumping his former music label, Five Star Music to start his own label, Alterplate went viral on the internet has revealed that the desire to express himself in a new platform prompted his decision to part-ways with his former management.

He, however, debunked insinuations that he was having a running battle with his former management before he finally dumped the label. Speaking on the development officially during a media chat, Harrysong admitted leaving Five Star Music. He said, “I am no longer Five Star music artiste. My contract with the company has expired and I decided to unveil my new musical platform. I have learned a lot coming from Question Mark, the first record label I have worked with before I moved to Five Star Music. And when the contract expired, I aspired to grow and to express myself in another platform. That’s why I set up the Alterplate and you will see that it is not just a record label, it involves a lot of things. This is a dream I have been nurturing for many years now. I am very grateful to God that it has become a reality.”

Explaining further, the “Better Pikin” crooner said, “I will always respect both platforms. I will always respect Five Star Music where I learnt the ropes. I can still do some stuff for them such as writing songs or anything they want me to do for them. I am still in talking terms with them and I had their blessing before leaving.” Harryson said, Alterplate as the name of his label, depicts where he was coming from.

According to him, “I started music as a musical director in the church. The name is talking about where I am coming from and the music I have to churn out. It’s also the expectation of what is coming into the music industry in Nigeria. We have some artistes who are already signed to the label and these artistes are people that have worked with me in the past. “I know them and I know what they can do. We also have a band group now called, Alterplate band, that will be performing with me on stage. They can also perform at events without me because they have complete team. This is what we started long time ago. Before now, I was not strong enough to start this but now, I am stronger. I didn’t quarrel with Five Star Music. People say that I am the engine room of Five Star music.

“The truth is that I wrote a lot of songs for them and it doesn’t mean the label is going to crumble as I take my leave. They have a lot of talented people like Kcee, Skibii, Ex-boster among others. I came into the label with my own sound. So, as I am leaving they have their own sound that they are going to continue with. I don’t think there will be any reason for me to go back to Five Star Music, but I will always appreciate the label.”

Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie opens up on how he survived kidney ailment

Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie who was down with kidney related disease for almost four months is back on his feet again.

Mezie returned to the country from the UK last week, where he went for medical treatment, looking hale and hearty. Fortunately, the good-looking actor did not undergo a kidney transplant as was widely publicized. Instead, his kidneys suddenly started working again to the surprise of everyone. Leo Mezie Leo Mezie

The actor met with his media friends at celebrity restaurant, O’jez, National Stadium, Surulere, Tuesday, where he formally announced his return to the country, as well as his plans to organize a survival party to thank God for giving him a second chance to live. He recounted the touching story of how he cheated death. Mezie said, his battle with the terminal ailment and consequential victory over death made him to realize that “There is God, and He works in a miraculous way.”

News broke around July this year that the popular actor was down with advanced stage of kidney disease and required over 60, 000 pounds to carry out a transplant. “I was devastated, I was broken but God decided to give me a second chance, to serve him. “I had made up my mind that I was going to die. I had begun to make preparations because from research I knew that most people live a maximum of 10 years after a transplant, some even less than that. But my wife told me I should not give up, she gave me strength to fight on. At a point, I told her to go back to her parents and start a new life without me. That she’s still young and cannot afford to live with a dying man. “

But after my friend, Mrs. Juliet Bumah, Saturday Editor of The Telegraph visited me in the company of other media friends; that was when they told me they had to let the world know about my plight because I would not be able to foot the medical bills alone. Then I was already spending about 170, 000 weekly on dialysis aside monies I was paying to see consultants too. I agreed with them and that was it.”

The actor is full of gratitude to Nigerians, especially Apostle Suleiman Johnson of Omega Fire Ministries who he said, promptly responded to the “Save Leo Mezie” campaign. He also appreciated Nollywood, fans, and well-wishers who stood by him throughout the trying time. “I never knew I was loved by Nigerians, I never knew God also loved me this much,” he said. He displayed public gratitude to Apostle Suleiman Johnson for coming to his rescue. “I want to thank Apostle Suleiman Johnson for what he did for me. I have never met him before I took ill but as soon he heard about my condition, he contacted me and asked me to stop further public appeals for funds. He then took over all my medical bills and my stay in the UK. I did not lack anything. I thank God for using Apostle Suleiman Johnson to save me from dying,” he gushed.

On the issue of a kidney transplant, Mezie said, “I want to clear the air here, I did not undergo a kidney transplant, although that was what the doctors in the UK said, on my arrival. God did His work and I was only treated effectively. I will call what happened a miracle because tests carried out on me revealed that my kidneys were badly damaged and the only solution was a transplant. But after weeks of treatment, the doctors were even shocked that they were able to revive my kidneys. I give God all the glory.”

Leo Mezie was down with kidney related disease for almost four months. The news of his ailment was broken barely a month after popular music producer, OJB Jezreel passed on. The latter died three years after he underwent a kidney transplant.

Igbo film makers storm Port-Harcourt for NIFA

Nze Harris Chuma, Founder

Port-Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State is bound to reverberate this Sunday, as the 6^th edition of the annual Nollywood Igbo Film Festival and Award,NIFA, holds there amid fun fare.

The event is billed to hold at the prestigious Silverblaze Garden and Hotel, Eze Gbakagbaka road, Woji, Port Harcourt.

NIFA, according to the organizers, is a platform craftily designed for the celebration of Igbo language movies and the makers. An educative and informative festival for budding and established movie practitioners in Nigeria. Aside movie shows, entertainments and media frenzy,this year's edition will witness creative discuss with special focus on "developing and expanding the distribution/markets for the Igbo film" .

Also, the keynote lecture "Igbo: The search for identity in Nollywood" will be delivered by Nollywood Veteran Film maker Mr Madu Chikwendu.

The epochal event will be graced by illustrious sons and daughters of Igbo land in celebration of the rebirth of Igbo film industry. Meanwhile, Ohaneze Ndigbo Nollywood have chosen the event to honour great supporters of the Igbo film festival whereas Mr.Tedi Eneh(a highly successful son of Late Veteran actor Pete Eneh) will be officially inducted and certified as "Outstanding Igbo Ambassador" and Life Patron of Ohaneze Ndigbo Nollywood, His Excellency Dr. Ramas Asusu(Ezoba,Eze ofo Ndigbo has been nominated as the National Traditional Grand Patron of Ohaneze Ndigbo Nollywood, and Live Patron Hrm Igwe Sunday Abariso(Ochinanwa) will be honoured by the Apex Igbo socio-cultural association in Nollywood. Other awards includes, best Igbo film maker, best Igbo film, and face of NIFA 2016.

The Wedding Party premieres, November 26,

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing,Dubai Tourism, has officially announced its collaboration with Elfike Collective's The Wedding Party"as the blockbuster movie premieres on the 26th of November in Lagos. 

 .The premiere of the movie was selected by Dubai Tourism as part of its Vision 2020 initiative. The Vision was approved in May 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, as a strategic roadmap to attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020, doubling the number welcomed in 2012.

Speaking on the partnership, Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said “Nigerians have a warm affection for Dubai. It is a favourite for destination weddings, family holidays and business trips. We are proud of this partnership and we look forward to treating some lucky cinema goers to an unexpected discovery of a city that we all love. We also look forward to hosting the representatives of Dubai Tourism in Lagos this November”.

Africa is a key source market for Dubai, We firmly believe that there is a wealth of talent within the African community. We are pleased and honored to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with ELFIKE COLLECTIVE which aligns with our objective and commitment to supporting and nurturing young filmmaking talent.” said Stella

The Grand World Premiere will hold on Saturday, 26th of November 2016 at The Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests can walk away with amazing prizes including luxury accommodation courtesy Arabian Falcon, theme park passes courtesy IMG Worlds of Adventure, and helicopter rides courtesy Alpha Tours Helicopter Rides. That’s not all; Dubai Tourism will be giving away other VVIP gifts to lucky premiere guests.

Coke Studio brought me out of my comfort zone– Simi

Winner of the "Most Promising Act to Watch" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, professionally known and referred to as Simi, has proven that she can hold her own in the Nigerian music industry.

Speaking recently on her experience on Coke Studio Africa 4, the 28 year old soulful songstress with the “Jamb Question” fame, revealed that being a part of the show has opened her to lot of opportunities, she never imagined possible.

“I remember last year when I was really hoping I would be on Coke Studio. When the call finally came this year, I felt very flattered and excited. For me, my entire coke studio 4 journey had been all about my passion for music. It has been so much fun working on Coke Studio 4 because made me come out of my comfort zone and do things I had never done before. It has been a great learning experience and I am glad Coca-Cola made me a part of this season.”

Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2006 titled Ogaju. Her career came into spotlight in 2014 after she released "Tiff", a song which was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015.

Majek Fashek threatens to drag Mandators to court

Majek

Reggae legend, Majek Fashek is currently spitting fire that he would drag Victor Eshiet of the Mandators fame to court if the latter doesn't desist from using his name to promote his forthcoming concert in Lagos.

The concert, which is tagged "Reggae meets Africa and World Music Festival 2016, is billed to hold on the 26th of November, at the Hockey Pitch, national stadium, Surulere.

Majek made this threat through his Us-based music business consultant, Mr. Omenka Uzoma Day, who claimed that despite series of warnings, Victor Eshiet has continued unabated to use the rainmaker’s name in the promo of the concert. "He even organized a press conference on November 8, where he intimated the public about featuring Majek in the show," he said.

" We are warning unsuspecting public that are currently purchasing ticket to watch Majek that they will be disappointed as he will not show up. He is wrapping up his album in the UK and preparing for a huge concert in Manchester, in December. We are going to sue the organizer if they continue to use Majek’s name as he did not contact him for the show,” he warned.

Meanwhile, attempt by WG to contact Victor Eshiet on the telephone to get his own side of the story proved abortive as he was not picking his calls.

Auditions for Big Brother Naija commences, November 26

Katung Aduwak

MultiChoice Nigeria is talented young Nigerians  the lifetime opportunity to be part of the Big Brother Naijafame!

Auditions for the second installment of reality TV series, Big Brother Naija, will hold on the 26th and 27th of November at the Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Interested applicants must be over 21 years and have a valid Nigerian passport in order to be selected as part of the twelve housemates for the competition. Big Brother Naija is sponsored by PayPorte, your preferred online retail store.

The company  during the week  announced plans to return the Nigeria reality TV show based on the Big Brother TV series. Now referred to as Big Brother Naija, the show will air on dedicated event channels on DStv and GOtv in January 2017.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said the comeback of the show is one of the ways the company is enhancing the quality and variety of content available on its platforms.

He also said the show has been well developed following the successes of past seasons of Big Brother Africa. “Big Brother Africa was popular for its entertainment value and ability to showcase ordinary Africans from different walks of life. We decided to re-invent the reality show once again by bringing back the Nigerian version which we are confident will draw pan-African audiences for the same reasons that Big Brother Africa did”, said Ugbe. In the first edition of the show, twelve house-mates vied for the coveted $100,000 prize money by performing various mental and physical tasks.

10 years ago,Katung Aduwak emerged winner of the show which also produced other notable stars such as Africa Magic’s Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke, and TV personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu after a three-month stay in the house.

Memories of AFRIMA 2016

Tanzanian Diamond with his award

Falz receiving his award

It was a night of glitz and glamour at the third annual All Africa Music Awards ceremony, AFRIMA, held on Sunday November 6, 2016 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nigeria’s Ayo Balogun, known globally as WizKid, emerged Best Artiste in Africa, at the just concluded AFRIMA, held in Lagos Nigeria.

Diamond Platnumz, the Tanzanian kid dynamite’s song, “Utanipenda”, won the the Song of The Year, at the same event, held Sunday November 6, inside Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

While Moroccan Star, Ahmed Soultan won the Album of The Year award .

Again Nigeria remains the dominant force in Africa Music, carting away nine(9) of the awards, the most by any country, out of which Afropop singer, Flavour, won two.