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Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter I took this candid shot of actress,Fathia Balogun at the red carpet reception organised by UBA AMAA nominees party at Lagoon Restaurant,Victoria Island,Lagos on Thursday 24 April 2008. I want to see who can write the best caption for the photograph.What could Fathia be thinking? Now, I have the prizes...You stand a chance to win something from Toni Payne.

Olumide Iyanda and ex-Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria,Munachi Abii were the first set of presenters of award that night. Photo 2-Star actor,Kunle Afolayan and Bisoye Fagade, Account Director,Soulcom Publicis Photo 3-Fathia, the estranged wife of Saheed Balogun was also there.Rumour mongers are even saying she has dumped Corporate Picture boss,Abdullahi Abdulrasaq.Do they have anything in common in the first place?Well,i don't know? Photo 3- Empress can't stop impressing us that she is got and she's ever ready to flaunt it.Here, she posed for an exclusive shot with www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com Photo 4-Sunny McDon and Madam Peace Anyiam Osigwe making a presentation on the stage. Photo 5-Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Muma Gee and Partner. Photo 6-See what i have got Mama Gee seems to be telling www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com in this exclusive shot.She look 'hun' (thanks to Paris.I learnt this slan g from her.Gradually, I am turning to a yankee boy!).According to many...

As a little girl, Naomi had a very strong passion for beauty and took special interest in her looks. She even extended this passion to her friends in her days as a student at the university. For every party on campus, she would make her friends up for the occasion. She completed her primary education in Lagos and her Secondary Education at Federal Government Girls' College, Oyo State. She proceeded to study English and Literature at the University of Benin, Edo State, where she obtained her bachelor's degree. She had her Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos in 2000. In 2004, Naomi trained at Fate Foundation, a school for young Entrepreneurs owned by Fola Adeola one of Nigeria's most respected business men. After gaining experience at Fate Foundation, Naomi became more aware of how business works in Nigeria and decided to get more training by working in a marketing communications outfit. At the company, she was exposed to the market...

Story&Photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter Photo 1-Timaya performing on the stage.He gave agood account of himself. 2) Guests and one of the Ayim-Osigwes rocking the dance floor 3) Uche Iwuji posing for photographs 4) Stephanie Okereke, one of the best dressed of the night striking a pose for www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com 5)Beautiful chics at the ceremony 6) Bob-Manuel Udokwu, a friend and Zach Orji 7) Basorge Tariah reeling out what i call 'good' jokes to the audiance.We all had a good time listening to the Niger Delta born comedian. 8) Hmmm...this fan made things really uncomfortable for star actress from Ghana,Jackie Apea,here.All in the name of posing with his favourite star, the guy was almost kissing her.The babe kept on bending her head to avoid the guy until I took the picture.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com could have waited longer before taking the shot.Some fans are ext...

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter Ohhh!I promised to upload more photos from the 2008 UBA AMAA 2008 edition in Abuja,Nigeria.Sorry guys, I have been sleeping all day.Believe me, I have been over working in the last two weeks. Here are some of the photos. Photo 1 and 2-Front and back of popular Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu. Photo 3-Kate Henshaw,winner of the UBA AMAA 2008 Best Actress (Lead Role) and star actress,Rita Dominic.Seeeee their teeth! Photo 4-Nollywood 'bad guy'Kanayo O.Kanayo in traditional ragalia with Ejike Asiegbu,President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and wife.

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter Kate Henshaw-Nuttal couldnt have been more excited at the turn of event in the early hours of today.The Cross River state born actress won the prestigious Actress of the Year title at 2008 edition of African Movie Academy Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.She was presented the award few minutes past midnight today 27 April 2008. Kate was moved to tears when she came on stage to receive the award.She told the everyone that the award has been long coming,now that it is here glory be to GOD. Kate was nominated alongside Jackie Apea,Genevie Nnaji,Stella Damasus- Aboderin and Rakiya Attah. in an exclusive chat,she told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that she was indeed grateful to those that have been supporting her acting career. Kate hinted that the award would make her do more for the industry because of the high expectations attached to award. The jubilation inside the hall after Kate was declared winner showed that she was indeed the popular choi...

Right now, the biggest event in town is the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) 2008 edition.It is takin place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.Alot of stars are already in town.Trust, you will be the first to know.At the time of posting, this story, the event is yet to start but the red carpet has been fully laid. Stay tunned! Abuja is beautiful!

Story & photo by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter The latest news reaching http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ is how top Nigerian comedians,Bright Ikpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth and 'I go die' allegedly disappointed their fans in the United States of America this week.However, a very close aide of Basket Mouth have debunked the allegations.Instead, he told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that it was the organisers that didn't fufil their own part of the bargain. According to details wired to me,Basket Mouth and 'I go die' were invited to the US by Naijaconnect,a group in Dallas Texas.They were billed for a four city tour,starting from 18 April 2008.We gathered that they did the Dallas and Houston shows.However, the story changed as the two comedians felt they did not make enough money from the two shows.In turn, they decided that they were no more interested.According to what we gathered,they told the organisers they were heading back to Nigeria. They were su...

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter On Thursday 24 April 2008, I met Dr. Tonya Merritt, the American born booking agent for music mega stars such as Missy Elliot, 50 Cent, Snoop Doggy Dog, Beyonce and others. She is also a reputable event planner. Thursday was not our first meeting. I actually met her the second time she visited Nigeria in2006.Tonya’s first time in Nigeria was when she came alongside International stars for the first This Day Music Festival in Nigeria. The American lady found the people hospitable and ever since, she bumps in and out. We came in close contact the second time she was in the country. One actress who happens to be a friend gave me the link and I followed it up. We met at her Hotel in Ikoyi and I hadher first ever interviewin Nigeria. It was a wonderful experience as Tonya also introduced me to her business partner (at that time), Mr. Jimmy Ogunniyi (Ogunniyi is a Nigerian based in the US).Tonya, a doctorate degree holder in Business Administr...

Story & Photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter On Thursday 24 April 2008, UBA Plc led by suave and articulate banker,Mr.Tony Elumelu, the title sponsor of this year's African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), put together a colourful ceremony to support the Sicle Cell Foundation.The red carpet ceremony tagged 'AMAA nominees party for sickle cell Foundation' is part of efforts aimed at raising funds for research and people suffering from the ailment.It is also an awareness campaign so that people can stop stigmatising people with SS. The Sickle Cell Foundation is led by Professor Olu Akinyanju.A man known for commitment and integrity since he has been championing the campaign.They used the opportunity to raise money from invited guests at the ceremony. Celine E. Loader, the Divisional Head,Brand and Corporate Communication,UBA plc conveyed the message of her Group Managing Director, who was unavoidable absent at the ceremony.She assured that her company would continue to be ...

Story & photo by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter When I went for the African Movie Academy Award press conference on Tuesday 22 April 2008, I had it at the back of my mind that some foreign experts and visitors would be there as usual. So, it was not a surprise when some of them were introduced as Americans.Shortly, after the conference, there was an interactive session between journalists and the organizers. So, I met this American lady. She speaks so fast and my ‘ears’ were running a race after her lips. Thank God, I heard everything she said. There was no ‘I gonna’, gonna’ like one of my friends in the United States will always say. She told me that she is an African American from the United States of America (USA) and that she hails from Los Ageles, California. So, I asked of her name and she brought out her complimentary card. Guess what? Her name reads ‘Asantewa Olatunji’.I was shocked. She saw the surprise look on my face and her lips beamed with a smile. Yes, we are African A...

By Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter The much talk about African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) will now hold in Abuja, instead of Bayelsa State. Peace Ayiam-Osigwe, President of the AMAA announced the change in venue at a press conference this afternoon.The event has been slated for Saturday 26 April 2008. This is necessary because of the present political mood of Bayelsa State, the host of the biggest movie award in Africa in three consecutive years. The nullification of the election of the Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva and upcoming election in the state are some of the reasons why the organizers believe the award should hold outside the state. Peace announced that it was a collective decision taken by the board of trustees, UBA Plc the title sponsor of the ceremony and other stakeholders. She, however, told the press that Bayelsa State is still very much involved in the ceremony.The only difference is that it wont hold on their soil. The Award holds this Saturday at the congress h...

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti Chief Reporter Miss Ejiro Gbogunren and Mr. Olumide Nurudeen Owode legally assumed the status of husband and wife on Saturday 19 April 2008 when they were joined at the Marriage registry, Ikeja, Lagos. The newest couple in town came from their base in Australia for the wedding. The ceremony was witnessed by several important personalities from far and near. Remember, we brought you photos from the traditional wedding engagement, which took place in Delta State (the home state of the bride).The groom is from Ijebu-Ife in Ogun State.These are some of the photos from the event.Gist later!