FULL NAME: Temitope Balogun Joshua
DATE OF BIRTH: June 12, 1963
KNOWN TO BE A: Prophet, minister, Evangelist
MARITAL STATUS: Married
Prophet T.B JOSHUA Full Bography, Life, And News
FULL NAME: Temitope Balogun Joshua
DATE OF BIRTH: June 12, 1963
KNOWN TO BE A: Prophet, minister, Evangelist
MARITAL STATUS: Married
Nigeria's Past Presidents And Military Head Of State From 1960 To 2015. (PICS)
We are bringing back the memories of Nigeria's past presidents and military head of state since year 1960.
Top Ten News Stories In Nigeria Today![28/11/2015]
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| Buhari |
Today, Apata Bayode brings to you the top ten news stories in Nigeria today. 28/11/2015. Sorry its too late before i could update this.
Actress Yvonne Okoro Full Biography,Life, And News.
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/11/1984
OCCUPATION: Actress
MARITAL STATUS: Not Married
INTRODUCTION
Yvonne Okoro is a popular Ghallywood and Nollywood actress of Nigerian and Ghanaian origin. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is Ghanaian, She feature mostly in Ghanaian movies, Yvonne is an award winning actress with a lot of fans both in Nigeria and Ghana. Her figure and prettiness has been a real controversial thing since she's been in the spotlight.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Born to a Nigerian dad and Ghanaian mother, Yvonne Okoro is of mixed lineage and calls herself an African. She comes from a very large family, as the first child of her mother and the fifth of all siblings. She started showing traits of an actress as a child. She attended Achimota Preparatory School after which she went to the Lincoln Community School and then to Faith Montessori School.
She was born Yvonne Chinyere Okereke Okoro to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother. Ever since she hit the silver screens, movie lovers in the two countries, Nigeria and Ghana have silently struggled to ‘claim’ her but she insists that the Africannes in her supersedes all other lineages.
Report has it she spent most of her Childhood-growing up time in Ghana, but she revealed in an interview that she's been close to Nigeria also, Her comments below:
"I’m very close to my Nigerian lineage. When I was a child, my father used to bring us home. Particularly, when we were on holidays and during festive periods.
I’m familiar with my ancestral home. My dad is a very patriotic Nigerian, right from the beginning. He realised the need to link us up with our roots, even though we were still kids then."
She is the first child of her mother, and the fifth born of all siblings from both parents. Her strict dad who believes in education didn’t like the fact that she chose acting over education, but the fact is that Yvonne has not chosen the screen over school.
She has had a long walk through the corridors of formal education and she has plans to keep walking. Yvonne attended Achimota Preparatory School, after which she went to the Lincoln Community School then to Faith Montessori School. The Mfanstiman Girls Senior High School was her next stop.
She later studied and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon. She continued later at the Universite’ De Nantes in France, where she studied French Civilisation and Culture as well as Drama and Marketing.
CAREER AND LIFE
Yvonne got launched into the in the movie industry in 2002 after her Senior High Education. Her first movie was ‘Sticking to the Promise’ produced by the Nigerian producer, Theo Akatugba.
She also played a cameo role in the hit miniseries ‘Tentacles’ produced by the same producer for Point Blank Media Concepts.
Her good performances in the above productions ‘threw’ her into a big movie, ‘Beyonce’, which was her first major movie. She starred alongside Jackie Appiah in the Abdul Sallam Mumuni film produced by Venus Films.
Speaking on her experience as a first timer in an interview;
"I think I was lucky to have Sparrow Production on board because they were able to organise most of the logistics. All I did was to pay the money and get involved. From the location to props, they were more involved. Mostly what they do is like get three locations and call me to come and check them out. So I go with the Director, Shirley and they ask which I prefer. We all bring our heads together and choose the one that is the best. It was a lot of work and I respect producers a lot now. It made me realize that I am a terrible producer. I am just hoping that with my next one, I will be more involved."
She has more than 12 movies to her credit. They include Beyonce, Beyonce 2, The Return Of Beyonce, The Return Of Beyonce 2; The President’s Daughter; The President’s Daughter 2; Play, 4Play Reloaded, Desperate To Survive, The Game, Agony Of Christ, Royal Battle, Queen Of Dreams and ‘Le Hotelier’ a French production, Pool Party, Sticking to the promise
Single Six, Why Marry, Best Friends (Three can play),Blood is Thick,Four Play,Four Play reloaded
Forbidden City,Contract (28th dec. 2012) with Hlomlo dandala, I Broke my Heart, Adams Apples film series (2011–2012), Crime, Queen Lateefah, Ghana Must Go (2015) And many more other big movies.
Yvonne loves the screens but she also has her eyes on the Bar and is keen on pursuing her dream of becoming a Lawyer. She also enjoys writing, report has it she has book she wrote.
The star actress has a plethora of accolades, with several awards and nominations under her belt such as best actress 2010 at the Ghana movie awards, nominee for best actress 2011, 2012 and 2013 at the African movie academy awards and winning best actress at the Nigerian excellence awards in 2011 and 2012 honoured by the amabassador of Nigeria His excellency Musuliu Obanikoro for personality of the year.
The first Ghanaian actress to have been interviewed on BBC focus for Africa and appeared on the radio breakfast show Newsday on BBC radio as fast rising entrepreneur. She's been involved in several charitable causes and has to a degree been able to fulfil some of her social responsibilities.
For the men out there who have been fantasizing about ‘quality times’ with Yvonne; she says yes she is single but not available.
Yvonne enjoys reading and cooking. Give her a plate of rice and stew garnished with vegetables and you may always see her at meals time in your home.
AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Actress has multiple awards to her name.
Few includes:
Won Ghana Movie Awards for Best Actress in 2010
Also won Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award and in 2012 was honoured with a Distinguished Achievement Award at the Nigeria Excellence Awards.
And more..
ENDORSEMENTS
She was reported to have signed a huge endorsement deal with PZ Cussons Ghana LTD as the new face for the company
CONTROVERSIES
She keeps having controversies of being raunchy on screen and off-screen. Many say she does not look decent most times due to her fashion sense she wears what many believe is not decent. She's cleared air on the issue many times, she believes she can wear whatever she likes to wherever she wants at the time she likes.
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| Yvonne pretty |
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| Yvonne Raunchy |
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| Okoro's controversial AMAA Outfit |
SOURCE: africanmoviesnews.com, ghanacelebrities.com,vanguardngr.com,wikipedia.org,yvonneokoro.com,takemetonaija.com
The Top Ten Best Artists In Nigeria Year 2015! (Voting Ended, See Results )
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| stars |
Hello readers, we all know you all have been waiting to see Nigeria’s best artists of year 2015 as you guys have dropped your votes to tell us the people who deserve to be topping the list following their performance this year. Well, we bring to you today what you’ve been waiting for.
Singer And Producer SELEBOBO Full Biography,Life And News.
DATE OF BIRTH: July 29, 1992
KNOWN TO BE A: Singer,Producer,Dancer, Songwriter
MARITAL STATUS: Not Married
INTRODUCTION
Selebobo is a popular Nigerian music producer,dancer and singer, He came into limelight in 2013 after producing many hit songs for big Nigerian artists, He has since then produced more hits after that. He co-wrote the Johnny song with Yemi Alade in 2013, As at 2015 he is signed to Iyanya's record label TrippleMG.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Udoka Chigozie Oku a.k.a, Selebobo was born into a Christian, musical & artistic family in the early nineties. He is the seventh of twelve children Selebobo hails from Ukpo, Oranto Village, Dunukofia L.G.A. of Anambra State.
Selebobo is multitalented. He is not just an artiste; he is also a Song-writer, Dancer, Audio producer and Sound Engineer. It would not come as a surprise to know that he wrote and produced majority of his songs.
Creativity flows in his bloodline. His talent was nurtured by his father, Mr. Goddy Oku, a known guitarist and musician of the 70's. He started ‘recording’ at the age of 7 in his dad's studio (Godiac Studios, Enugu) and by the time he was 12, he had started producing with his little Yamaha Djx keyboard.
In an interview he talked about how it all started:
"When I was little, in primary school, it’s kind of funny (laughs) but I grew up knowing that I can always go to a studio; my dad owned a studio – he still does. Every time I finish from school, he takes me to the studio before I go home, so that has been my life. I found myself playing with some of his instruments – he didn’t like it at first but I was stubborn, he eventually let me be. When I finished secondary school I decided to take it to the next level."
His parents encouraged him. They all were in support, unlike some artistes that often tell stories of how their parents did not support their career. His own is different. They are fully in support of his music career and they’re always there for him.
For someone so young, Selebobo is a force to be reckoned with. In his own words, his style of music is ‘Naija Hip-hop which is fusion of African flavour and Hip-hop’. He is a breath of fresh air. His unique and dynamic style is heavily influence by his childhood idol, Michael Jackson. This influence can be seen in a few of his songs. Despite his many talents, Selebobo is down-to-earth, kind-hearted and God-fearing. He believes that his inspiration comes from God. Impossibility is one thing he doesn’t believe in. Meeting him with a pencil opens a whole new world of difference about this rising star.
When asked in an interview;
When did you drop your first single?
"Really, I can’t remember the year. I think it should be after my secondary school. That was my first official single but that’s not the first song I recorded. The first song I recorded was in primary school, but I didn’t drop it. Recording, for me is not today’s thing. It’s something that I have been doing over the years." He replies.
CAREER AND LIFE
He dropped three songs officially before Triple MG. He counts his career from that song, Yoyo that is a hit. He dropped two after that before joining Triple MG.
On his relationship with Iyanya and how they met; he said he started developing a relationship between them in 2013 he believed there was this chemistry between them because he actually wanted to work with Iyanya so they started as a family, from there he saw himself being signed.
As a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts, you should not be surprise if you see him busy drawing with a pencil, so that makes him also an artist. Selebobo is the producer for majority of the song in the Made Men Music Group {Tripple MG} Album “The Evolution” released on 29th May 2014. He has his production signature behind alot of hit singles on the likes of Johnny by Yemi Alade , Ada Ada by Flavour and Mr Oreo by Iyanya just to mention a few. Related: Tekno Miles Biography and SongsMore on Selebobo Biography It was the prodcution of Yemi Alade’s hit single “Johnny” that brought him to limelight, which saw him moving to lagos and join the big boys of the Tripple Mg. He once said he respect alot of people in the Nigerian music industry especially Don Jazzy of the Mavins Crew who has being his Mentor since he started.
Selebobo already has a number of singles to his name like “Lose Control”, “Odeshi” featuring Flavour, “No Letting Go” featuring Ugand’s Keko, “Kulenje” featuring Stormrex, etc. Selebobo receives a copious amount of praise for his all his songs. His official singles “Oroma Baby”, “ZaminA” and “YOYO” the remix featuring J.Martins are already massive hits, with the video for “YOYO”receiving over massive views and still counting.
Selebobo is responsible for the production of hits like "Ada Ada" by Flavour, "Balance For Me" by Dipp and "Johnny" by Yemi Alade. And many more....
Speaking on why he produced and wrote the song Johnny for Yemi Alade
You wrote and produced “Johnny”, what inspired the concept?
He says; From my own point of view, I felt that the female artistes in the industry weren’t really kicking the guys in the “ass”. So I really thought of Johnny because the guys have been known to use hardcore female names like; Ifunanya, Carolina, Uju – and I was like come on why haven’t female artiste done something like this. I looked for an English name that we pronounce in a local way, that’s why I chose Johnny – I believe that’s why it stuck.
In 2015 Yemi Alade thought it wise to dedicate her MAMA award to her producer Selebob. She said if not for him the Jonny song would have been an RnB song and not a dance hall hit
When it comes to Selebobo's stage performances,you don't want to blink at all.As a break dancer,he drew more inspiration from his group, "SHADOWS", that partook in the Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa Competition 2009.He believes that all his inspiration comes from God and well nurtured by his Father, Mr.Goddy Oku, a well known guitarist and musician of the 70's.
AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS
CONTROVERSIES
He's been rumored to be dating sexy female singer Beverly Ukegbu singer Flavour's Ex-girlfriend. There has been no confirmation to this though.
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| Selebobo with the Triple MG crew |
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| Selebobo and yemi music video |
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| Selebobo And Beverly |
Tips Of The Week: Foods You Can Eat To Increase Your Breast Size.(LADIES ONLY)
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| Sample |
Top Ten News Stories In Nigeria Today![24/11/2015]
Today, Apata Bayode brings to you the top ten news stories in Nigeria today. 24/11/2015. Sorry its too late before i could update this.
FUN TUESDAY: Top Ten Cutest Male Musicians In Nigeria 2015(pics)
Making it a fun Tuesday we've come up with an interesting list which features Nigeria's most handsome musicians of 2015.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed Full Biography, Life And CV. (Minister Of Information)
DATE OF BIRTH: born. 1952
OCCUPATION: Politician, Lawyer
MARITAL STATUS: Married
INTRODUCTION
Lai Mohammed is a popular Nigerian politician, He served as Chief of Staff to former governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu He was the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2015 he was appointed by president Buhari to be Nigeria's minister of information.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
He was born into the family of alh mohammed adekeye in 1952. He earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1975 and Law degrees from the University of Lagos and the Nigerian Law School in 1986 and Alhaji Lai Mohammed as a Lawyer co-founded the legal firm of Edu & Mohammed as a Senior Partner in 1989.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed is a Lawyer and Co-founded the thriving legal firm of Edu & Mohammed as a Senior Partner in 1989. Alhaji Lai Mohammed is an Astute Businessman and an active politician and is the National Secretary of Actions Congress Nigeria (ACN).
In October 2002, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was a candidate for governor in the April 2003 Kwara State elections on the Alliance for Democracy platform. He was assaulted and five vehicles in his convoy were smashed in front of Senator Suleiman Ajadi's campaign office at Oke-Onigbin during a festivity.
Alhaji Mohammed served as the Chairman of Optmedia Limited, a subsidiary of Afromedia Plc since December 18, 2008. He served as a Director of Afromedia PLC since May 2011. Alhaji Mohammed is also a fellow of the Nigerian
CAREER AND LIFE
Alhaji Lai Mohammed is an Astute Businessman and an active politician and is the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Nigeria. Alhaji Mohammed served as the Chairman of Optmedia Limited, a subsidiary of Afromedia Plc since December 18, 2008.
He served as Chief of Staff to former governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu
He is the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He served as a Director of Afromedia PLC since May 2011. Alhaji Mohammed is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and worked as Public Relations Officer for almost 10 years with the Nigerian Airport Authority, now Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
In October 2002, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was a candidate for governor in the April 2003 Kwara State elections on the Alliance for Democracy platform. He was assaulted and five vehicles in his convoy were smashed in front of Senator Suleiman Ajadi’s campaign office at Oke-Onigbin during a festivity.
In 2015 he was appointed to be the minister of information by president Buhari.
This is because most of the names that featured on the list are prominent politicians who have been associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a long time, making people believe that they are professional politicians.
Many do not know that these politicians were professionals before joining active politics. The senate on its part, has started doling out the Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the nominees in order to let Nigerians know their background and their past achievements.
FEW FACTS AND BRIEF BIO
Below is the CV of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the ministerial nominee from Kwara state and the current national publicity secretary of the APC.
* Mohammed was born on December 6 1951 and he is from Irepodun local government of Kwara state.
* He holds a B.A. (Hons) French (1976) (Ife), LL.B (1985) (Unilag) & B.L (Hons) (Nigerian Law School) (1986)
* He also attended Centre Audio Visuel de Langues Modernes, Vichy France.
* He worked as as Senior PRO, Principal PRO & Assistant Cheif PROat the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1978 & 1987
* He was Principal Partner at Edu & Mohammed (Attorneys – At – Law) between 1989 and 1999.
* He is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
* He was a foundation member of the Social Democratic Party and member of the National Democratic Coalition.
* He was the coordinator of Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation in 1998 and later served as Chief of Staff to Tinubu between 1999-2002.
* He later contested for the governorship position in Kwara state under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy.
* Lai Mohammed is the author of the book ‘Witness to History‘ 2003 & Leadership Nigeria Politician of the Year 2008 & 2012.
CONTROVERSIES
No scandal in particular.
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| Lai with the president |
SOURCES: dailymail.com.ng. wikipedia.org. naij.com takemetonaija.com
The Late Prince Abubakar Audu Full Biography, Life, Career And Death
T.I.N Magazine decides to compile up a biography of the late and popular Audu. Find all you need to know about the man below.
FULL NAME: Abubakar Audu
DATE OF BIRTH: born 1947
OCCUPATION: Politician
DATE OF BIRTH: born 1947
OCCUPATION: Politician
Top Ten News Stories In Nigeria Today![22/11/2015]
Here is a new category introduced on T.I.N Magazine, it is called "Top Ten News Stories In Nigeria Today" this will be a daily editorial brought to you by Apata Bayode.
12 Interesting Quotes From Succesful Nigerian CEOs.
T.I.N Magazine brings to you this morning 12 good quotes by successful Nigerian entrepreneurs, here are what fellow successful and more experienced Nigerian founders and owners think and believe in. Read and get inspired.
1. “I come from a place where there are opportunities staring you in the eye, but it’s looking for the people who have the heart and courage to do it and do it right.” – Ibukun Awosika, CEO, The Chair Ltd.
2. “Don’t despair too much if you see beautiful things destroyed, if you see them perish. Because the best things are always growing in secret.” – Ben Okri, award-winning poet and novelist.
3. “Success for me is a journey. It is not a place you would say you have reached. It is not only about money, it is not about awards or accolades. It is about what you stand for, what your values are. For me, there has to be a wholesome definition to success.”– Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder/CEO, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble
4. “You gotta have the bad yeas so you can love the good years.” – Okechukwu Ofili, Author and Founder, Okadabooks.com
5. “When you imagine you are creating things, you need faith to bring imagination to pass.” – Leke Alder, Founder/CEO, Alder Consulting.
6. “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” – Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate
7. “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” – Prof. Chinua Achebe, world-renowned poet and novelist
8. “I believe in hardwork and one of my business success secrets is hardwork. It’s hard to see a youth that will go to bed by 2 a.m. and wake up by 5 a.m. I don’t rest until I have achieved something” – Dangote, CEO/Founder, Dangote Group.
9. “Failure is the test of true commitment. If you back out and quit after a failed attempt, then you are not yet committed to the dream.” – Fela Durotoye, CEO/Founder, Gemstone Nation Builders Network
10. “I just had this can-do spirit. I was just so convinced that my product was so genuine and would no doubt conquer the world.” – Deola Sagoe, Haute Couture Fashion Designer
11. “Excuse is the tool of the incompetent. A monument of nothingness, and those that use it are not wise.” – Pst. Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor, House On The Rock
12.”How far you can see determines how far you can go.” – Bishop David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop, Living Faith Worldwide (Winners Chapel).
STAY INSPIRED!
Actress ENIOLA BADMUS Full Biography,Life And News
FULL NAME: Eniola Badmus
DATE OF BIRTH: 7th of September 1977
OCCUPATION: Actress
MARITAL STATUS: Not Married
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Full Biography, Life, And Career.
DATE OF BIRTH: 29 March 1952
OCCUPATION: Accountant, Politician
MARITAL STATUS: Married
NOLLYWOOD REVIEW: Why Nollywood Is Doing Not Too Good And How This Should Be Tackled.
Here is an interesting article i would like to share with our readers and every body involved or interested in Nollywood to see today.
Article by Apata D rock
Article by Apata D rock
Singer DR SID Full Biography,Life And News
FULL NAME: Sidney Onoriode EsiriDATE OF BIRTH: 1 May 1980
OCCUPATION: Singer/rapper
General YAKUBU GOWON Full Biography,Life And News.(Nigeria's Youngest Head Of State.)
FULL NAME: Yakubu Gowon
DATE OF BIRTH: 19 October 1934
OCCUPATIONS: Military Man(rtd. General, Lecturer
See The Full List Of Winners At The AFRIMA Held In Lagos Yesterday. (pics)
The very much awaited and promoted African music award show finally took place in Victoria Island Lagos state yesterday, it can be concluded a very fascinating one as many artists put up amazing performances,
Mama Taraba Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan Inspiring Biography,Life And Career. (Nigeria's first female elected governor)
DATE OF BIRTH: 16th of September, 1959
OCCUPATION: Politician: (Senator, Governor Elect)
KEMI ADEOSUN Full Biography, Life And CV. ( Minister Of Finance)
FULL NAME: Kemi Adeosun
DATE OF BIRTH: Born 9th March, 1967
OCCUPATION: Accountant. Nigeria's Finance Minister[2015-----]
MARITAL STATUS: Married
INTRODUCTION
Kemi is an accountant judging with her field of work. She once was the commissioner of finance in Ogun state, and she is Nigeria's finance minister from 2015 to ----
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Kemi Adeosun attended the prestigious University of East London from 1986 and graduated in 1989 where she bagged a Bsc Hons. In Applied Economics with Upper Second Class Honours. In 1994 she became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (England & Wales).
She was Born and bred in London, and she is the third of four children.
She was a senior manager at the Price Waterhouse Coopers, London. Despite the fact that she had a good job in London, she decided to relocate to Nigeria because according to her, she needed to secure her home and have her family intact.
Another reason was the fact that her husband’s business brought him more to Lagos. He was spending a lot of time in Nigeria and by 2002, she had made up her mind and her family moved back to Nigeria.
Some her friends felt she might not be able to cope in Nigeria but she belongs to the school of thought, where everything is possible. She had reasoned that: if Chinese, Indians and other nationals come to Nigeria and are coping, why wouldn’t she in her fatherland.
When she came back to Nigeria, she had the option of retaining her job at Price Water Cooper in Nigeria but she never wanted a job that would make her shuttle from one state to the other. So, in view of that fact, she joined Denham Management as a financial controller and rose to become the managing director. In 2008, the company merged with Chapel Hill
Kemi Adeosun however left the company in 2010. She wanted to be an entrepreneur.
That intention gingered her into organizing the personal finance planning programme for women. She was also a newspaper columnist for sometime. In an interview, she recalled how she came about the programme: “When I returned from London, I discovered most Nigerian women don’t have anything! A large percentage carry designer bags, wear labels but live on credit. Some can’t even lend you N100,000! Meanwhile, she wears clothes and accessories worth hundreds of thousands! This was unlike our mothers, who built houses and had thriving businesses. So, I started running seminars and teachings on personal financial planning. Aside the column, I also had programmes in churches educating women on how to save money. Though I have stopped the column due to time constraint, I still do the teachings at fora whenever I have the time.
CAREER AND LIFE
On how she came to be in Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s cabinet, According to her, it was never on her mind to have a job like such. She has this to say:
“In 2010, a mentor, who is a friend of the Governor called me and said the Governor wanted to see me,” she reminisced.
“He mentioned a job on finance but I replied that I wasn’t interested in any political appointment. He insisted and I went. I just wanted to get there, see the governor, thank him for considering me and reject the offer. But by the time I heard him talk about his plans for the state and his zeal (he is also an accountant); I changed my mind and took up the job,” she added.
But nothing prepared her for what laid ahead of her appointment. The financial mess the government inherited was unthinkable! There were all sorts of debts- from banks to contractors, pensions etc. The funds available just could not go round.
Kemi Adeosun added that she almost cried one day when a pensioner walked into her office and begged her to be paid her pension. The lady had cancer and was due for surgery in India but she didn’t have money. This incident and more made her determined to utilise her skills and improve the financial health of the state. She Thanks God, that she and her team made a lot of progress in getting the state back to her feet financially even though it was tough!”.
The challenges, she faced as Commissioner were enormous but she was able to overcome. “First, it was getting a large percentage to believe that a woman is the commissioner for finance. One day, she was summoned by the governor to see a contractor. When she entered, the look on the man’s face said it all — she can’t possibly be the commissioner. Considering her hair, make-up, suit and jewellery, he was confused. There were more episodes but now, everyone is accustomed to the idea. Whenever she went for the federal allocation committee meeting, she would be asked if she was representing the commissioner. She would always reply, “I’m the commissioner.” She adds that other challenges were: insufficient funds and getting the citizens to pay taxes.
She has however observed that she has had cause to tell her team to correct her whenever she is wrong because according to her, there is so much ‘Yes ma’ here in Nigeria. She added that It is not like that abroad. That she is a commissioner does not make her so superior that she would not be told the truth,” she added.
Despite her enthusiasm at what she does, life as a career woman, a mother and a wife has be hectic. She added that she works in Abeokuta and there are days she does not go to sleep until 2am. it’s work and more work. She however learnt how to juggle things and like other women in Nigeria, cope.
On her style, Kemi Adeosun. warned that she is not as fashionable as most people think. She has this to say “First, know that I’m not a designer freak. My style is easy and I wear what I am comfortable with. I don’t go for labels either. It doesn’t do anything to me. I thought I liked jewellery but now that I’m in Nigeria, I know I don’t. I could wear one for a week while some change theirs everyday! I love it when they do but I can’t do it. With me, it’s simplicity- no nails and minimum make-up. I am comfortable being me. Though I am more conscious of my appearance; I make my hair often, wear more of suits and tie Iro and Buba unlike when I was in London, I still believe in moderation.”
For Kemi Adeosun's leisure? She says that she juggles things to have time for her family but that however robs her of her social life. She hardly attend parties. But she writes, read and still spend quality time with her family.
In November 11, 2015 she was appointed as Nigeria's minister of finance.
FACTS AND FULL CV
1. She was born on March, 1968.
2. She was born and bred in, London, United Kingdom.
3. She was the third, among four children, born by her father.
4. She is a graduate of Economics, from University of East London, United Kingdom.
5. She furthered her education at University of London for Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management
B. Sc (HONS) APPLIED ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON (1986-1989)
6. She had worked as Accounting assistant at British Telecom Company, London, from 1989 – 1990.
7. She had worked as a Senior audit officer at Goodman Jones, London, from 1990- 1993.
8. She was a Manager, Internal Audit at London Underground Limited, London,1994 – 1995.
9. She also worked as a Manager Internal Audit, Prism Consulting from 1996 – 2000.
10. She was a Senior Manager at the Price Waterhouse Coopers, London, from 2000- 2002.
11. She joined Chapel Hill Denham Management as a financial controller in 2002 and left the organisation as Managing Director in 2010
12. She also worked with Quo Vadis Partnership as Managing Director, from June 2010 – June 2011
13. She was a former Commissioner of Finance in Ogun state, from 2011 – 2015.
14. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales.
15. She is a member of Chartered institute of Accountant of Nigeria.
16. She returned to Nigeria with the main notion of securing and keeping her family intact.
17. She didn’t aspire to be a politician, got her political appointments through recommendation.
18. She is from Ogun waterside area of the State.
19. Nigeria's minister of finance. ( 2015----)
CONTROVERSIES
Rumors online says she has an affair with her ex boss Gov. Amosun
After being announced as a ministerial nominee there were different sayings on the internet that she is corrupt and not fit.
SOURCES: nigerianbiography.com,olumoonline.com, takemetonaija.com
The Top Ten Record Labels In Nigeria 2015
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| Nigerian record labels |
NIGERIA'S TOP TEN RECORD LABELS OF 2015 COUNTDOWN.
10] CAPITAL HILL MUSIC
Founded by one the ace video director Clarence Peters, the record label didn’t bring out much hits this year but they did fairly well. The label is home for artists like Tha suspect, Chidinma, Illbliss and Ayoola. With no doubts the label belongs to the top ten in Nigeria this year.
9] STARBOY ENTERTAINMENT
The Wizkid owned record label do not have very much artists signed to it, the label can actually be said to be with two artists only which are L.A.X and Wizkid himself although there are many other music producer signed to the label though.
8] X3M
The Extreme music label may not be as popular as others but it has the currently trending Nigerian star R&B singers signed as artists. The label is home for artists like PRAIZ,SIMI and not very popular SAMMY. The label really tried for their artists this year with production of many songs and music video. The label is gradually becoming Nigeria’s home of R&B.
7] HKN
The Honorable Kings of New-school record label owned by the OBO himself is can actually be said to have make some impacts in the industry this year. Even though we can only mention two active artists signed to the label which are B-RED and Davido himself. They both made hits this year. So they should definitely make this list.
6] EME
This label actually used to be the no.1 in Nigeria few years back. But now at the no.6 is quite a drawback. The label with artists like NIYOLA, SHAYDEE and BANKY W himself the label CEO can be agreed to have been fairly active this year. With a few hit songs from Banky and Shaydee specifically, they can be said to have done fairly well.
5] TRIPPLE MG
The MADE MEN MUSIC GROUP owned by star artist Iyanya and his manager Ubi Franklin we believe did well this year. The label with artists like; Iyanya, Selebobo, Tekno and others. With a few active artists on the label they showed Nigerians their label is still in the game.
4] CHOCOLATE CITY
Well, the owned by M.I and ICE PRINCE Label did their best this year, with a few hits from their label artists, the label might actually be said to be the label with higest number of artists in Nigeria, they’ve got artists not all of them were active this year though. A few of their artists can be concluded to have done well this year though artists like; Victoria Kimani, Ice prince, M.I, Nosa, Femi Kuti and others...
3] 5star MUSIC GROUP
This label no doubts rocked the music industry this year, no arguments they did well this year. The E-MONEY owned record label with artists like KCEE, Harrysong, the controversial Skibii and others did their best with releases of hit songs and amazing performances when it comes to shows and tours this year. 5star really nailed it. Two of the label artists also have huge endorsements to their name.
2] YBNL
YBNL is sure a popular name to any music lover in Nigeria, the label artists did well this year with the release of many hit songs and show performances. The label ceo himself was quite the man of the year when it comes to hit songs and other performances and also with up to 5 active artists on the label they thrilled Nigeria this 2015, artists which includes; Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Chynko Ekun, Victoh and Olamide himself and also a few of its artists have got endorsement deal to their names.
1] MAVINS (SMD)
The very popular record label is sure the no.1 in Nigeria for year 2015. With up to 7 active artists on the label. Mavin artists really lead the music industry this year with amazing performances from artists like; Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Dr Sid, Di’ja, Tiwa savage, D’prince and Don Jazzy himself who is the CEO of the label. Many of its artists performed in big shows and events across Nigeria this year and all the artists have multimillion naira endorsements to their name.
OKAY.. THAT'S IT! EXPECT MORE T.I.N MAGAZINE RATINGS FOR YEAR 2015....!
OKAY.. THAT'S IT! EXPECT MORE T.I.N MAGAZINE RATINGS FOR YEAR 2015....!
TV Personality&Businesswoman MO ABUDU Full Biography,Life And News
DATE OF BIRTH: 11 September 1964
Babatunde Fashola(SAN) Full Biography,Life, And CV. (Minister for works,power and housing)
FULL NAME: Babatunde Raji Fashola
DATE OF BIRTH: 28 June 1963
OCCUPATION: lawyer, politician; Ex governor
MARITAL STATUS: Married.
INTRODUCTION
Fashola was the thirteenth governor of Lagos State, Nigeria. As a candidate of the Action Congress party, Fashola succeeded his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, He was sworn in on May 29, 2007. He was reelected on 26 April 2011. He's been said to be the best governor Lagos ever had.
In 2015, He was selected as a minister in 2015 by president Buhari.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is a descendant of the patriarch of the Fashola family, Alfa Bello Fashola of Princess Street in Isale Gangan, Lagos. On the Fashola family tree, he is the great-great grandson of Bello Fashola, a philanthropist and a very close friend of Esugbayi Eleko, who contributed morally and financially to the struggle to return Esugbayi Eleko to Lagos after the Oba's banishment from his kingdom by the then colonial government. Bello Fashola had 137 children with Tiamiyu Bashorun Fashola as the eldest child. The direct linkage is as follows: Bello Fashola begat Tiamiyu Fashola, who begat Raji Olayinka Fashola, who begat Ademola Fashola who begat Babatunde Raji Fashola.
He is also linked to Isale Eko through his paternal grandmother who is a direct descendant of the Shomade/Bashua family of Obun Eko and Suenu chieftaincy family house. His paternal great, great grandmother was Jarinatu Okunnu from Isale Eko Onilegbe family whilst his maternal great grandmother is from Idumagbo Isale Eko of the Suenu Chieftaincy family.
He attended Birch Freeman High school Lagos and Igbobi College Lagos. He studied Law at the University of Benin from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B.(Hon), degree in 1987
CAREER AND LIFE
He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 1988 after completing the professional training programme at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos which he undertook between 1987 and 1988. His legal career of over one and a half decades, commenced in the law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore, where he cut his legal teeth as a litigator over such wide-ranging areas of specialization as, intellectual property (registration of trade marks), commercial law, covering general contracts, company activities, mergers, acquisitions, right issues, ownership of shares and equity of corporations, as well as land disputes, criminal law and chieftaincy matters, in all of which he has come to acquire appreciable expertise and vast experience.
Fashola, a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has been variously honoured with awards and certificates of merit including the Distinguished Alumnus Award conferred on him by the University of Benin Alumni Association in recognition of contributions to the Alumnus association and humanity. He is also a recipient of Lagos State public service club Platinum Award for outstanding contribution towards development. As well as Alliance for Democracy " Igbogbo Bayeku Local Government Award" in recognition of activities towards the success of the party.
Babatunde Fashola is also a Patron of the Law Students Association of the University of Benin and he is the second law graduate from the University of Benin and the first member of the Nigerian Law School graduating class of 1988 to be conferred with the Rank of Senior Advocate. He is also the First ever Chief of Staff to be so honored. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Babatunde Raji Fashola commenced a four-year tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in Nigeria on 29 May 2007. In June 2007, Babatunde Fashola appointed former Inspector General of Police Musiliu Smith head of the Lagos State Security council, a body charged with taking a holistic look at the anatomy of crime in the state. The Babatunde Fashola Good Governance Group (G3) movement is a good example of Fashola's commitment to reaching out to the people using various media channels.
One of the main source of Lagos State government' funds are received as tax payers' money. Recently, a controversial proposal to charge consumption tax on eateries had been enforced. The matter was taken to court, but the ruling was announced in the government's favour.
Babatunde Fashola vowed to rehabilitate the state's public schools, long being neglected with time. Among the schools being habilitated included the governor's alma mater, Birch Freeman High School, which is located at a busy metropolis of Surulere.
The biggest task Babatunde Raji Fashola faces in office is his visionary project to transform Lagos into a mega city, the first of its kind in Lagosian history. Although initialised under the former governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in June 2002, the mega project task accelerated under Fashola's governorship. Both private and public sectors are involved in fulfilling the project.
Another ambition is to recover lands at Victoria Island, being lost to erosion for decades.
This artificial terrain is the location of the proposed Eko Atlantic City. This is also to support housing project that would accommodate up to 25 million Lagosians by 2015, a population growth from 15 million that could turn Lagos into the world's third largest city.
As soon as Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, Babatunde Fashola launched an appeal to raise up to one million US dollars. The funds raised were used to assist the victims of the Haiti quake. As this was in place, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said Nigerians should be prepared in events of natural disasters.
In May 2014, Fashola announced the compulsory use of life jackets on Lagos waterways. In a 2012 accident, ten children from Ijora Awori, Lagos State, drowned while they were being ferried to school, because they were not wearing life jackets.
By December 2009, there had been rumours and speculation by news media that Babatunde Fashola was subjected to a possible impeachment from within, primarily because of disagreements with the former governor. Ironically, a similar situation played itself out between Tinubu and Femi Pedro, Tinubu's former Deputy Governor, in the run-up to the gubernatorial elections in 2007. It is believed that there was a dispute over Fashola's 2.1 billion Naira worth of commission with the former governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, although both Fashola and the Lagos State House of Assembly had earlier denied such plot ever took place.
But in late January 2010, the Lagos State House of Assembly launched an investigation into possible mishandling of tax payers' money by Fashola, mainly on the ongoing mega city project. The accusations range from importing of palm trees from Niger, for gardening projects within a rain forest state, to improper usage of contract money involving one of Lagos State's contractors. The group carrying out the investigation was known as the "True Face of Lagos". The final reports were due to be submitted on 15 February 2010, but the True Face of Lagos was later abolished. There were attempts to re-launch the probes through a petition, but they were again being turned down by the court.
THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) finally ended months of speculation over the second term ambition of the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), when it endorsed him as the party's sole candidate for the 2011 governorship election.
On Wednesday, at the party's secretariat, in Ikeja Lagos, Fashola's predecessor, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu who people perceived to be at the centre of the uncertainty over the political future of Fashola announced the decision of the party.
Before thousands of the party supporters, Tinubu, who flew into Lagos from Abuja because of the emergency stakeholders' meeting raised Babatunde Fashola's hand and said: “Today, by the power conferred on me by the ACN, in consultation and in agreement with all our party leaders throughout the state and at the national level, I am announcing to you, the final endorsement of Raji Babatunde Fashola for the 2011 election.” He was re-elected on 26 April 2011 by a massive landslide victory. In Lagos, South-West Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole, Babatunde Raji Fashola remains a reference point in 21st century Governance.
In 2015 Fashola participated in the campaign of President Buhari, which was later revealed Buhari and Fashola really had quite a very close relationship.
Curriculum Vitae And More Facts About Fashola
In 1988 Fashola was called to bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
He has a decade and half in the profession and awarded the ffg honour /achievements
Distinguished Alumnus Award from University of Benin.
Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Successful containment and eradication of Ebola outbreak in Lagos
Lagos State Public Service Club (Platinum Award)
1st member of the Nigerian law school graduating class of 1988
First ever Chief of Staff to be honoured
Member , Nigerian Bar Association
Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
Introduction of BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) to ease transportation
Recovery of Lands in Victoria Island being lost to erosion
Fashola launched an appeal to raise $1m for victims of Haiti earthquake
Chief of Staff to former governor, Bola Ahmed
Honourable Commissioner to the Governor’s Tinubu office
Secretary of the Lands Sub-Committee of the Transitional Work Groups 1999
Panel Member on allocation of houses on Member of the State Tenders Board- 2002-
Member of the State Security Council – 2002-
Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee on Review of Transitional Work Groups 1999
Mobolaji Johnson Housing Scheme Lekki 2006 2006
Asset distribution among LGs
Executive governor of Lagos State between 2007 – 2015.
Minister of works,power and housing from 2015 to -----
FACTS AND SAYINGS:
Minister with biggest responsibily: Was appointed to be the minister of Works,Power and Housing by president buhari in 2015, which makes him the minister with the highest responsibilities
Overwhelmingly re-elected for a second term of four years at the April 26, 2011 Gubernatorial polls, His Excellency, the former Governor of Lagos State (2007-2015), Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) is the recipient of the 2009 Yitzhak Rabin Centre for African Development Governor of the Decade for Peace Award and the recipient of the 2010 Award of Excellence in Leadership of the Martin Luther King Jnr. Foundation.
He is the recipient of the 2009 Good Governance Award from the United Kingdom-based African Business Magazine. Here in Nigeria, he is The Guardian, The Vanguard and The Sun newspapers' Man of The Year for 2009. He is the Daily Champion Man of the Year for 2010. He is also the 2010 Award winner of the City People Magazine Best Governor of the Year and Best Southwest Governor of the Year.
Both nationally and internationally, he is acclaimed as one of the bright hopes for the future of Nigeria; one of the very progressive Governors determined to reclaim Nigeria's past glories through competent and transparent leadership.
Since his election to the office of Governor of Lagos State in 2007, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in public service and uncommon commitment to his avowed pledge to lead the change that would transform Lagos into Africa's model mega-city.
His dogged pursuit of renewal of the infrastructure of Lagos as the critical strategy for economic growth and poverty alleviation has won the State honours from as far away as Australia for undertaking the fastest infrastructure renewal ever in Africa.
His unflagging spirit has led the Government to explode many negative myths about Lagos.
A passionate lover of children and the youth, Governor Fashola has embarked on projects aimed at improving the opportunities open to children and youths in the State.
In very unequivocal acceptance of his style of governance and the positive impact it has had on their lives, Lagosians overwhelmingly re-elected him for another term of 4 (four) years with 82% of the total votes cast and the highest votes ever cast for any individual in a State in the electoral history of Nigeria.
Born on June 28, 1963 in Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is a truly made in Nigeria product. He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate [FSLC] from the Sunny Fields Primary School, Adelabu Surulere, Lagos, after which he proceeded to Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos and later Igbobi College, Yaba from where he acquired the West African School Certificate [WASC]. He, thereafter, went to the University of Benin, Benin City and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws [LLB Hons] degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigeria Bar in November 1988 after undertaking the statutory training for Barristers and Solicitors.
For the mandatory National Youth Service Corps [NYSC] programme [1988-1989], he served in Benin, the former Bendel State now Edo State. His flourishing private legal practice, running into nearly fifteen years, saw him acquiring appreciable expertise and vast experience in such areas as Litigation, Intellectual Property [registration of trademarks], Commercial Law, Mergers, Acquisitions, Right of Issues, Ownership of Shares and Equity of Corporations, as well as Land Disputes and Chieftaincy Matters.
In the course of his distinguished legal career at Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore; the law firm of K.O.Tinubu & Company and as Managing Partner, Lead Counsel, Babatunde Raji Fashola successfully pleaded many cases at High Courts, various divisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and he was elevated to the class of Nigerian Elite Lawyers in August 2004 when he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN], a leadership position of the Nigerian Bar and the nation's highest legal distinction and honour for lawyers.
He was appointed Chief of Staff by the former Governor of Lagos State [Governor Emeritus], Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who he later succeeded in office and served from August 16, 2002 to November 6, 2006, during which time he served as Member, State Tenders Board; Member, State Executive Council, Member, State Treasury Board, and Member, State Security Council amongst several other Ad-Hoc Committees/Panels. With the experiences he garnered he resigned voluntarily to contest for the Office of Governor of Lagos State under the platform of Action Congress [AC] Party now Action Congress of Nigeria.
He has served in various Ad-hoc Committees of the Federal Government in different capacities. He was a member of the Presidential Committee on the Review of Tariffs charged with the responsibilities of reviewing the current tariff structure and fiscal incentives in Nigeria, identifying barriers to investments and recommending strategic initiatives that would promote foreign direct investment and ultimately stimulate economic growth.
Mr. Fashola, was the Chairman of the Governor's Forum Committees set up to formulate the Rules and Regulations guiding succession to leadership of the Forum and to review the Revenue Allocation Formula for Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations by which the State Governments will engage critical stakeholders towards finding an equitable revenue formula for the country.
Mr. Fashola, SAN is Patron, Institute of Arbitrators [CIA], Grand Patron, Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners [ANTP] Lagos State Chapter, Member, Nigeria Bar Association [NBA], Member, International Bar Association [IBA], Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria [CITN], Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Recipient of several awards and Certificates of Merit, Legal Practitioner, Administrator, Management Consultant, Team Player and a detribalised Nigerian.
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola is an ardent sportsman who loves playing and watching football. He also enjoys swimming, billiards, snooker, lawn tennis and squash. He belongs to a number of social clubs, notably Eko Club, Island Club, Ikoyi Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and Eagle Club, Surulere, while he is Patron, Lagos Island Club; Yoruba Tennis Club, Ikeja Golf Club, City Club and the Lagos Country Club by virtue of his position as Governor of Lagos State.
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is married to Her Excellency, the former First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and they are blessed with children.
CONTROVERSIES
As the governor of the most populous state in Nigeria he had a lot of controversies; which includes fights with his party leader Tinubu according to the media.
In 2015 after leaving office he was accused of several corruption allegations, he later cleared the air on them in 2015 and got Nigerians trust back in him.
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| Fashola with president buhari |
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| Fashola award |
Population: Nigeria's Position Among The Top Ten Countries Of The World; See Nigeria's Population By 2050 And 2100
| Nigerian Crowd |
The Newly Officially Appointed Ministers in Nigeria And Their Sectors (Inauguration Photo).
We've decided to show to you readers the newly appointed Nigerian ministers and their responsibilities alongside.
T.I.N Magazine plans on writing a detailed bio profiling on each of them soon. Keep checking!
Security Alert: 8 Tips to Prevent Being Robbed Via Your ATM Card.
This article have been featured on T.I.N Magazine from ConnectNigeria article written by
Actress MONALISA CHINDA Full Biography,LIfe And News
PROFILE
FULL NAME: Monalisa Chinda
DATE OF BIRTH: 13 September 1974
Football Star Victor Osimhen Touching Biography,Life And News
FULL NAME: Victor James Osimhen
DATE OF BIRTH: Dec 29, 1998
Enyimba FC Crowned NPFL Champions For The 7th Time
Well, its a bit late but we think we should still inform the people who do not know; Enyimba FC won this season's league title yesterday,
Singer Harrysong Full Biography, Life And News
DATE OF BIRTH: March 30, 1981
updated: The Top Ten Best Artists In Nigeria 2015, Nominees Out, Open And Vote Your Best Musician In Nigeria For Year 2015.
Hello readers, its November! Meaning it is time we rate out the top ten artists in Nigeria for the year.
Born Blind Star Nigerian Musician And Producer Cobhams Asuquo Full Biography,Life And News
FULL NAME: Cobhams Emmanuel AsuquoDATE OF BIRTH: 06 Jan 1981
OCCUPATION: Music Producer, Singer, Songwriter
MARITAL STATUS: Married
INTRODUCTION
Cobhams Asuquo is a born blind Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter.
He is CEO/ Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions) which is currently representing himself, Bez Idakula and Stan Iyke. He was responsible for Aşa's highly acclaimed international album ASA and has been mentioned on many artists' sleeve credits as producer and writer.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo is a Nigerian song writer/music producer per excellence who started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire. His style comprises a wide spectrum of genres based on his careful understudy of such classical, jazz and traditional music greats as Tchaikovsky, Dave Grusin and Haruna Isola respectively.
As a young boy, he used to organize concerts in his neighborhood, drumming on his mother's barrels of water.
"All the kids from the neighboring block would come and we'd hang out and we'd make so much noise. I didn't realize at the time that I was preparing myself for what would be my life, my career path, my destiny," Asuquo remembers.
His musical journey, however, seemed to come to a halt a few years later when he entered university to pursue studies in law.
But Asuquo soon realized that he had to follow his musical passion, leaving university to embark on a path that, for a young blind musician in Nigeria, was far from easy to tread.
"(I had to) sleep on studio floors all across Lagos, worked at different studios, worked without pay, I've been out on the road, out on the streets, doing my thing," Asuquo recalls.
"I had to convince people that I could do it -- I had sessions that were canceled because they weren't sure I could deliver either because they thought I was too young or maybe as a blind person, 'how do we trust our music which is our future and investment?'" he adds.
But it didn't take long for Asuquo to prove himself as his musical talent soon began to shine. Over the next few years he went on to work closely with internationally-renowned artists such as pop sensation Asa and R&B star Darey and today he is a much-in demand producer operating from his own studio.
CAREER AND LIFE
Cobhams Asuquo likes to say that his music career started when as a child he used to puff his cheeks to play the 12-bar blues. Today, he is known for producing some of the finest artistes in Nigeria. Noteworthy among these artistes is the Nigerian soul-singing sensation, Asa, whose 2007 debut album became an international hit. In addition to producing the album, Cobhams wrote and co-wrote several of its hits songs. In 2005, Cobhams signed on to Sony ATV London as a songwriter. After working as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he set up his own recording facility in 2006. He is CEO/ Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), an all-encompassing entertainment company that discovers, nurtures and exposes great talents. Cobhams has won multiple local and international awards for his creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the Nigerian music industry.
WIPO had the pleasure of hosting on July 13, 2009 a performance by Nigerian musician, songwriter and producer Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo. He was recently featured on CNN's African Voices for his contribution and impact on the African music industry. Rising alternative soul artiste, Bez is the first of three artistes signed by Cobhams to the C.A.M.P record label, and Bez’s debut album ‘Super Sun’ was highlighted on The Boston Globe’s top ten list of best ‘world music’ albums of 2011. He has won several awards in the music and film scene in Africa and beyond. Cobhams talked about the advantages of being blind in an interview he had with the BBCNews Cobhams Also spoke at the TEDxEuston in 2012 where he talked about the gift of blindness.
On 2 December 2010, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo got married to Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni and have a Son.
Cobhams shot to international acclaim with his musical production of the debut album by the Nigerian soul sensation Aṣa. He also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the award-winning album including the hit singles, “Fire on the Mountain,” and “Jailer.”
Cobhams has likewise produced numerous award-winning songs for Nigerian recording artistes such as:
Banky W Omawumi Waje Timi Dakolo Dare Art-Alade Rooftop MCs Faze Mode 9 Ego Shola Allyson Djinee Maintain
He has arranged music, and performed with bands at international music events as The Harare International Festival of Arts, the AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert with Asa and Angelique Kidjo; AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nigeria Week in Paris and the launch of MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base Africa) at Abuja, Nigeria.
In the TV and film media, he has composed and arranged film scores to be interpreted for conservatoires as well as for film and stage performances such as “A Voice for Ella” by Uche Macaulay, Sunshine (Alpha Vision), “Bent Arrows” by Isang Awah and Communication For Change’s “Bayelsan Sillhouttes.”
He is also a judge on Nigeria's "Project Fame," a television musical talent show where he helps young singers achieve their dreams.
Cobhams released his much awaited first official single title Ordinary People on 1 January 2014. The Song immediately became the NO.1 on most radio charts Nigeria."It's important for me to mentor and inspire fresh talent, to work with fresh talent," he says."I feel there is a lot I've learned in my journey as far as music is concerned and I'm in a position to share that knowledge."But Asuquo is not only interested in helping out fledgling music stars. He also sees himself as an ambassador for blind young Nigerians who still face many challenges in their daily lives."I think it would be meaningless if I can achieve as much as I can achieve and as much as I hope to achieve and I'm not able to affect other blind people," he says."It is time to bring to the fore the needs of people with special needs and just how much they can contribute to growing Nigeria as a nation and the world."
HIS MARRIAGE
It was a day filled with blessings, joy, music and when the music maestro Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo wed Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni on the 2nd of December 2010.
For Cobhams and Ojuola, it was truly a blessing to celebrate their union surrounded by their close family and friends. Their marriage was solemnized at the Redeemed Christian Church of God – The King is Coming Parish at the Redemption Camp. The General Overseer of the RCCG – Pastor Enoch Adeboye along with his wife were present at the ceremony and played a major role in the proceedings as they prayed for the couple and helped usher them into married life.
In an interview when he was asked Do you sometimes wish you could regain your sight even for a day?
He said: Yes, I would love to regain my sight even if it is for one day just to see my wife’s face. That is one of the things that would make her happy.
AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Has won several awards since starting his career as a producer and musician
The Future Awards 2006 and 2009 (Producer of the Year),
| 2014 | The Headies | Ordinary People | Best Recording Won |
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| Cobhams at work |
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| Cobhams Wedding |
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| Cobhams getting an award |
SOURCES: wikipedia.org,edition.cnn.com,takemetonaija.com,bellanaija.com, cobhamsasuquo.com
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