EVENTS

Sorry about the sporadic blogging! I am travelling at the moment and its rather crazy.
Anyway, with Nigeria's Independence Day coming up soon, there are loads of events from Lagos to London to Cali and everywhere in between. Check out the flyers below.

intoFASHION

Hi Everyone,

How is it going?

Thanks to everyone that left their suggestions and feedback on BellaNaija in the last post. Its much appreciated!

At the moment, the Nigerian fashion industry is budding, there are loads of talented designers and lots of potential for development.

In the quest to accelerate this trend, a group of fashion insiders have put together the intoFASHION project. This is much more than a fashion show. Its an opportunity for people interested in developing their fashion-related knowledge and skills. There will be workshops covering a broad range of areas including Styling for the Fashion Industry, Fashion Marketing & Merchandising, Understanding the Business of Fashion etc...

The workshops will take place on the 4th of October 2008 at the Civic Center. Click the flyer above for registration information. Registration closes on the 27th of September 2008.

Bella Naija is the official online media partner for the event so I'll be updating you with more information in the leadup to the event.

WEEKEND LUV

Hey Everyone,

How’s it going? How was your week?
My week has been crazy so far. Numerous meetings, hours spent in traffic plus I have a cold. Not fun. Anyway, as always, I like to focus on the sunny side of things so I feel happy and blessed.

I tell people that you cannot be sensitive or lack self-confidence in Nigeria. Many people are very comfortable with giving you unsolicited opinions and advice. how do you handle it? I need some tips.
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Pics

Moments With Mo in collaboration with Food Concepts (Chicken Republic) held a charity event last week. Nigerian celebrities served customers at a Chicken Republic branch to raise awareness and funds. Really innovative idea! The celebrities present included 2Face, Rita Dominic and Desmond Elliot. Check out the photos below.
Photo Credit: Rita Dominic

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A couple of weeks ago, HipHop World Magazine held a white-themed party to celebrate the 1^st anniversary of their groundbreaking entertainment show HipTV . Check out the photos below
Photo Credit: DJ Abass

Kween - Komo - D1 Adeneye

Kunle Afolayan - Keke Ogungbe - Hycinth Idibia

2Face - The Cake!

9ice, DJ Abass & 2Face - Jedi

Makosi - Ayeni Adekunle

Julius Agwu & Wifey with DJ Abass - Tami Kuboye





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Vids









Shank's New Video
Banky W's Etisalat Ad
Eldee - Bosi Gbangba
J Martins Ft Timaya & P-Square - Good Or Bad
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Downloads
Eldee - Bosi Gbangba - I luv this song!
Faze - Originality - Pure Talent!
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Check out Pop Africana - Its a high fashion African Magazine
Very cutting edge photography and concepts
http://www.popafricana.com/
Might be Not Safe For Work - contains artistic nudity
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For all you aspiring models, the Nokia Face of Africa auditions tomorrow, September 20 2008 at the Protea Leadway Hotel in Maryland, Ikeja. Good luck!
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I will really like some feedback on what you will like to see on bellanaija. What should I do less of and what should I focus on. All suggestions are welcome. Remember our Bella Naija staples: Aunty Bella & BN Prose all reader contributed so if you will like to be a part of this, email me at bellanaija @ gmail.com
Have a fab weekend.
B

SATURDAY INTERVIEW - Ramsey Nouah

The Saturday Interview is back!! This week, its an interview with Nollywood leading man, Ramsey Nouah from the Vanguard Newspaper I wish I could have my private life back — Ramsey Nouah

Written by Fred Iwenjora

Saturday, 13 September 2008

As an actor Ramsey Nouah will tell you he is accomplished and satisfied with the fame and popularity the tube has brought his way. Is he wealthy? Well, he‘s comfortable and grateful to God for everything that has come his way, he’ll tell you. But there is one thing the half cast actor- whose father is half Israeli and half Iranian and a mother from Ondo State of Nigeria- misses, his privacy. “I wish I could have my privacy back” he tells our correspondent Bridget Amaraegbu. What more Ramsey Nouah has he got to say? Find out as you read through. Enjoy; Not too long ago you had an accident, did you see Baba God and just how did you manage to survive it? The accident wasn’t as fatal as most people taught it was. I wish I’d seen God but I didn’t. I was only hospitalised for two days and that was it, but I was asked to bed rest for one month because I smashed my head and suffered blood clotting in my brain. After that I was okay, and there was nothing else to it. People have said a lot about your origin, let’s talk about your family background? I’m of a mixed blood. My father is a bit of Iranian and Israeli and my mother is a Nigerian from Ondo State. I was born and bred here in Lagos. Did you grow up with both parents? No. My father was around till I was about 2 years old and then, they separated. What was growing up like with a single mother? It’s like any other single parent home. My mother is a very strong woman who taught me how to be respectful and strong, so I couldn’t be spoilt under her custody. Let me just say I learnt to live life in a very hard way from a tough woman. Were you deprived of anything as a child growing up under the custody of a single parent? While I was growing up yes, but then as a child, I wouldn’t understand if the paternity of a child was necessary. How did you get into acting? That was way back in 1990, I had a friend who always told me that I’m a good actor and urged me to give it a try so in 1991, I acted in Fortunes which later became Mega Fortunes. It came on air in 1993 on NTA and after that came the advent of Home Video and since then I’ve been acting. What are the challenges you’ve faced as an actor? I will not really call them challenges because being a good actor is something that comes from within. I will basically call it God’s gift and if it is not there, no matter how hard you try, you will find it difficult to do it well. I want to always give my viewers something better, working hard to make it better each day. My only is regret is the fame, I wish I could have a more private life. When you initially started acting, did you face any kind of challenges? There weren’t much challenges because I wasn’t trying to get to the top or any such thing, I didn’t see myself having any target to meet up with, I was not struggling to be better than Mr A or B as I was able to pay some school fee’s at a particular point and paying up some other bills. I didn’t have any foresight of what the industry would be in the future. On getting to this point I realised that acting can actually pay my bills and I’m happy. At a point you were banned from acting movies, how did you feel then? I was blacklisted by the marketers when they felt that they couldn’t work with some actors and actresses because of indiscipline on our part. They assumed we were not giving them back what they were asking for. Why didn’t it come from the directors instead of the marketers or even the (AGN) Actors’ Guild? The marketers are also the producers and as at then the AGN was not as functional as it is today. Outside movies and acting, what else do you do? Nothing, I’m just an actor. Ramsey Nouah in action in one of his movies Do you mean your pay as an actor is enough to pay all your bills? Well, I’m not an extravagant person who tries to live larger than what he earns. Even though you cannot compare it to what is obtainable in Hollywood but then the pay is good. Nollywood started from virtually nothing to where it is today. It has employed a lot of people who are not all rich but happy with their career. At least I have a good car, live in a good apartment and take care of my kids so what else do I want. I thank God for the height Nollywood has attained. Which movie will you say made you famous? The first one was Silent Night. It was my first in the industry and it made everybody to know me. The next one is Dangerous Twins. Do you consider Dangerous Twins your most strenuous movie? I will say it was more demanding and tasking both physically and mentally because I had to act Mr A and B at the same time. Dressing up and coming back on stage to reply what I had earlier said was not easy at all but I enjoyed it. As an actor, have you had any embarrassing moment? Yes, I’ve had a couple of people throw pure water at me (laughing) and people pass vulgar. statement at me Is there any new movie you are working on right now? Yes. I’m working on something but the producers no longer title movies until when they are about to release it. And when is it coming out? I really can’t say for now. A lot of things have changed in the industry and you can’t really be specific but sometimes it can take up to a year or less. If you have the opportunity of becoming the (AGN) Actors Guild President, what will you like to change? First of all I’m not a good leader and I don’t know how to lead. But the one thing I’ll like to change will be the disunity amongst members. I’ll like to bring them together to love and care for one another. When was your first encounter with love and what was it like? I was 22 years old then and it was awesome as I enjoyed every bit of it. How true is the rumour that you had a child out of wedlock? It’s no rumour, it’s a fact. And the product of that liaison is my first daughter who is already ten years old. I got married in 2002. Yes, I did have a child out of wedlock. (Shaking his head as a proud father). How have you been able to manage your home and career so well? It’s based on mutual understanding on both side, I have a very understanding wife who understands my career and accepts me for who I am. One more thing, we heard you are a wife batter, is it true? I don’t know where that one is coming from and whoever is going about with such rumour is evil minded. May be they are just looking for something to say about me but I know that all my life I’ve never beaten any woman. I can be violent and very aggressive but not to the point of raising my hand on a woman. This rumour I can assure you is very far from me.

I'M BACK!!! - TAE + MAG COVERS

Hi Everyone!
How are you doing?
I have missed u guys, I don't know how I am ever going to quit blogging because whenever I haven't blogged in a while, I feel so guilty!
So what have you been up to? The last couple of weeks have been really eventful for me but in a good way, I have been making progress with a couple of projects that I am working on so I'm grateful!
Anyways, there is sooo much that I want to blog about I'll just have to take it day by day.

BTW, have you been watching BBA3? Its had its exciting moments but I'm not addicted yet.
I love Munya!!! Such a calm cutie! Uti is cool as well!
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I was at the Tae store today and guess what? They currently have stock on SALE.
25% off selected items. I love Tae apparel and accessories. Simple yet striking and very well finished. The prices are also very reasonable!!
The address is 25, Joel Ogunaike Street , GRA Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria

Here are some photos from the recent TAE exhibition at Terra Kulture. In case you missed it, click HERE for our previous interview and feature on Tae.














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As per our usual tradition on BN, here are the latest magazine covers.
Bolanle Austin Peters on the cover of Genevieve and MBGN Universe 2008, Stephanie Oforka is on the cover of the October issue of True Love WA.
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There are more designer sales going on right now. Check out the info below.
Eve 2000 Sale. Up to 50% off. Sept 1 - 30.
Eve 2000 features Maxi Dresses, Tunics, Evening Dresses etc..
VI: Studio 868, Plot 868 Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, VI Lagos
Mainland: 2A Atunwa Street Off Toyin Street Ikeja

Odio Mimonet Sale. Aug 15 - Sept 15.
25, Sanusi Fafunwa Street VI.
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The nominations for the 2008 MOBO awards have been announced and a truckload of Nigeria artistes have been nominated in the Best African Act Category!
9ice
Asa
D'Banj Mo Hits Allstars
Faze
Hip Hop Pantsula
Jozi
Jua Cali
Magic System
P-Square
Wahu

Yay! we will def win LOL
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One of our fave designers, Kosibah will be exhibiting at the following events over the forthcoming weeks. Be sure to support by attending one of the events. Kosibah's website has also been relaunched. Check on it. http://www.kosibah.co.uk

Kosibah will be exhibiting at stand G40 and showcasing couture wedding gowns on the catwalk at the SPOSA Wedding Exhibition, Alexandra Palace, London N22 on Sunday 14th September ( more details at www.devise-design.com), and will also be exhibiting at stand C89 (at the Designer Area) and showcasing gowns on the catwalk at the National Wedding Show 2008, 26th-28th September (www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk).

Kosibah Creations has also been invited to show as an International Designer at Fashion Expose 2008. The final chapter of Boston Fashion Week was designed to provide a platform to maximise industry exposure for local and talented designers in the Boston area.

The one day extravaganza, to be held on Friday 19th September at the Taj Hotel Boston (formerly the Ritz Carlton Boston) will also serve as a platform for national and international designers and is poised to receive significant press coverage.

For more information, visit http://www.bostonfashionexpose.com.

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That's it for today!!!!!!!!!!
Kisses
B