Thursday, August 2, 2012

Calling Fashion Designers, Creative Entrepreneurs & Models – Here’s Your Chance to Take Your Career to the Next Level! 2012 MTN Lagos Fashion and Desi

After a successful debut in 2011, MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) will return to Lagos and take place at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Speaking on the event Omoyemi Akerele, Creative Director of StyleHouse, the producers of LFDW said “Our goal for LFDW 2012 is primarily to make an impact in the Nigerian fashion industry beyond the runway. Fashion is a viable economic driver in Europe and North America and it is no longer just about aesthetics but a business model which
can significantly contribute to Nigerian economy if made part of the agenda.”

LFDW has been at the forefront of growing the Nigerian fashion industry by seeking out various international opportunities for Nigerian fashion designers. In February this year LFDW designers participated in an international
Fashion Showcase in conjunction with the British Fashion Council and British Council to exhibit a cross-section of Nigerian fashion designers in the “Tales by Moonlight” exhibition in London.

Five LFDW designers also attended in June, Pitti Immagine – a fashion trade fair in Florence, Italy which brings together fashion buyers, international press and key players in the international fashion industry. Akerele added “LFDW designers have just returned from a successful international showing at Pitti Immagine, the response we received to their work was phenomenal, and we have created an international appetite for Nigerian fashion as more international fashion buyers are now looking in the direction of Nigeria to stock their stores and all eager to see what comes out of Nigeria this fashion season.

This year MTN LFDW will host for a period of four days over 20 designers on the runway, showcasing their Spring/Summer collection. The runway shows will be headlined by a guest international designer. The week will also host a series of Awards, namely; The MTN LFDW Awards – Young Designer of the Year co- sponsored by British Council, Young Model of The Year and Young Creative Entrepreneur of The Year which is a British Council initiative.

A number of capacity-building LFDW Seminars in partnership with British Council (LFDW Associate Sponsors) will also hold during the week; which will not only focus on training young Nigerian creatives but also provide mentoring opportunities by international and local names.

Joining the LFDW this year again as Headline sponsor is telecommunications giant MTN. According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi, the MTN LFDW is another way through which MTN delivers its brand promise of enriching the lives of its customers via empowering and mentoring platforms that connect with their passion.“MTN is not just in the business of providing its customers with reliable telecom experience, we are continuously seeking different avenues to positively impact the lives of the people and communities we operate in, and fashion provides us a veritable platform which cuts across different segments of the society like age, profession, gender, religion and economic class to contribute to the development of the nation,” he said.

Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of BlackBerry smartphones and tablets, is the Official Technology Partner for
LFDW 2012. “We are proud to support Nigeria’s fashion industry at LFDW for a second year running,” said Waldi
Wepener, Regional Director for East, West and Central Africa at RIM. “BlackBerry smartphones offer the perfect
blend of beautiful design and powerful functionality for busy people with a sense of style, making LFDW an ideal
platform for our brand In fact, BlackBerry is used in the fashion industry all around the world and as a leading
provider of smartphones in Nigeria, we’re proud to support Nigeria’s cutting edge fashion industry.

British Council is the Associate Sponsors for LFDW 2012. “British Council is very pleased to be working with LFDW for the second year in a row” said Ojoma Ochai, Assistant Country Manager, British Council Nigeria. “We remain
committed to developing links between young creative entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom and Nigeria; and
helping these young entrepreneurs develop the skills they need for success. We are confident that this year’s
winners, like last year’s, will be innovative and forward thinking entrepreneurs who will maximise the opportunities
that this platform brings

MTN LFDW 2012 sponsors also include Porsche, Virgin Atlantic, Africa Magic Entertainment, House of Tara and Mania Magazine.


Last year’s MTN LFDW Awards had 3 categories, The MTN British Council Young Designer of the Year, won by Binta Shuaibu who went home with a car, Master Classes facilitated by British Council and a 3 month presence at Le Petit Marche’s monthly pop up store.

MTN British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur Ayotomi Rotimi went home with A Million Naira and a Tour of the United Kingdom’s Fashion Capital during London Fashion Week by British Council and a MTN

This year, the stakes have been raised! With Cash Prizes from From 2 Million to 4 Million Naira to be won from MTN, Master Classes facilitated by British Council and prizes from RIM Blackberry, MTN LFDW’s Official Technical Partner.

MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) which is scheduled to take place from the 24th -27th of October 2012, is calling out to all Young designers and Creative Entreprenuers willing to participate in the awards categories.

Categories

  • MTN British Council Young Designer of the Year (YDE) – Cash prize of N4,000,000, business mentoring and capacity building working workshops
  • British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year (YCE) – Cash prize of N2,000,000 and a tour of the London Fashion Week
  • MTN Young Model of the Year – Cash prize of N1,000,000 and a modelling contract

Application forms are available for download on the official website www.lagosfashionanddesignweek.com. All applications close on the 10th of August 2012.

Vlisco presents “Funky Grooves”! View the Ad Campaign Images & TV Commercial on BN

The Funky Grooves collection draws from Vlisco‘s proud history, inspired by global urban culture and couture craftsmanship. It’s a collection of contrasts, with edgy street wear influences reinterpreted through a lens of pure glamour. The new collection is a melting pot of ideas, using new colours to update Vlisco’s heritage designs, and classic Vlisco techniques to create new looks.

Raw, geometric lines, traditional wrap shapes, bold metallic studs and edgy industrial hues come together to create a modern vibe. The collection’s colours range from earthy browns, brassy golds and bronzes, to brick reds and shocking pinks, and fresh acid blues and greens. It all comes together in the Funky Grooves collection, for a look that is bold, punky and original, yet feminine and effortlessly easy to wear.

The new Funky Grooves fabrics will also form part of a fashion & accessories collection, which will be available at selected Vlisco boutiques from August 2012.

Singer Dencia gets verified on Twitter

Eh? How did this happen? Dencia abeg show us the way o!

Meanwhile, I am so sorry for the 48 hour absence. Will definitely do a lot of blogging from here, but just wanted to take today off to meet friends and see a bit of London...will start uploading comments now and loads of gist coming your way! Thanks for your understanding :-)

More Pictures From P-Square Mum’s Burial

Today, August 2, 2012, the mother of singing duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, Mrs Josephine Okoye is being buried in her home town in Anambra State.

The duo were also joined by their other siblings including Jude ‘Engees’ Okoye for the burial rites.

The funeral started today at her husband’s house at Ifite-Dunu, Akwa Village, Anambra State today. It was preceded with a lying-in-state in Umunachi, Umudioka Village, Anambra State, and a church service afterwards at St.Gabriel Catholic Church, before the proper burial at Ifite-Dunu, which is also be the reception venue. M.I.C anchored the burial reported to have cost about 50 million Naira. Below are some pictures from the funeral.


My Commissioners & Perm. Secretaries Are Rogues - Gov. Orji

Key government officials of Abia state, including commissioners and permanent secretaries, are stashing away billions of naira of state funds in illegal accounts, the governor, Theodore Orji, said Monday in a brazen remark that sought to excuse the administration's drab performance.

Mr. Orji said billions of internally generated revenues were being squandered monthly through official fraud, leaving the state to depend fully on monthly federal allocations.

Much of the federal receipts are used to clear salaries with relatively less for developmental projects. In June for instance, the state spent N2.5 billion on wages out of its federal allocation of N3.4 billion, the governor said.

The governor said the health, education, roads and infrastructure development would suffer if nothing drastic was done to shore up the state's revenue base.

"I am not here to pay salaries alone,'' he said.

Mr. Orji met with the commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial offices in the state capital, Umuahia, on Monday, and warned that all illegal accounts be closed immediately, threatening to fire and prosecute defaulters.

"As you leave this place, you should close all the revenue accounts in your ministries where you keep your revenue and disburse without government's knowledge," he directed.

"All the revenues generated by your ministries must be paid into the consolidated revenue account that is what the law says."

The governor said the government functionaries had fronted assorted revenue collection agents and consultancies through which the monies are siphoned.

"We have instances where officers collect money and pocket it. "I am not going to take it lightly this time around; it will be Bosom-for-tat. If any commissioner keeps any account in the ministry, I will arrest him and lock him up along with his permanent secretary," he said.

"I will sack him and then hand him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission."

The south east state, which receives oil derivation, has been under criticisms as amongst some of the least performing states with its renowned commercial city of Aba in filth and just a part of the capital, Umuahia, receiving a face-lift.

The governor said a particular commissioner floated a revenue collecting company, through which he was pocketing money that ought to go into government's coffers.

He recalled that Aba generated the revenue that ran the defunct Imo State, stressing that the city still had the potential to sustain Abia.

"The openings for revenue generation are still there in Aba but we are not harnessing them because of sabotage and personal aggrandizement," he said.

The governor said only one revenue consultant was approved by the state government for revenue collection in the state, saying that any other consultant or revenue collector was illegal.

"If I get any person parading himself as a revenue agent or consultant, I will set example with that person,'' he said.

Mr. Orji specifically took a swipe at the commissioners for Lands, Commerce and Industry, Environment and Agriculture for failing in their duties.

"As my appointees, you have to do my bidding and if there is any arrangement you have in the ministry on how you generate revenue, go now and cancel it," he said.

"You have to do what I want you to do, otherwise, you should find your way out or I will show you the way out,'' he said.

Agents of the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency, he said, harassed traders and residents of Umuahia and Aba and raked in huge revenues running into hundreds of millions of naira, with only a pittance being remitted to government's coffers.

The governor also spoke of the "rot" in the state's Local Government system, alleging that many people were collecting salaries without doing any job.

He said that during a recent assessment of the Local Government workforce, using the bio-metric data machine, it was discovered that N80 million was paid to ghost workers monthly.

The governor said there were more teachers in the state than required and warned that he might begin a systematic downsizing of the workforce to rid the service of redundant workers.

PHOTO:What is Akon really looking at?

This dude just can`t keep hos eyes off this black ass,Obviously he was fascinated looking at this black mannequin and he just couldn't keep his eyes off the black ass....lolzzzz

PHOTO:Latest Convertible Beetle Car, Made In Naija

Am I A Fool? I Am Deeply In Love With A Girl That Doesn't Care About Me

It all Began last year, i meet this cool wonderful girl and fell in love with her. i went to nigeria to meet her and luckily for the both of us, we came to europe together. Before we came, friends and families warned me that now she is coming to europe, i should bear it in mind that she would change but i never believed any of them. finally, we got to ukraine. i am a medical studuent so also is she too but i am a year ahead of her.

Everything was going on well, not until she started telling her friends, colleagues and acquittance that i and her were just friends. i confronted her about it and she said denied ever saying it. Luckily for me, i caught her red handed when she saying that to her friend while we were talking on phone. she was like, its the church leader, i cant tell her bla bla bla.. I didn't bring up the issue again.. but before then, i spend on her, get her gifts, and so on and so forth... But surprisingly, she doesn't get me anything.. not until i brought up the issue with her and ask her why she doesn't even care about me. she gave me flimsy excuses again.. i didn't object.. On valentines day which was early this year, i got her a present but she got me nothing.. i didn't complain.. before our first Year anniversary i noticed some changes in her. Asked her about it she was like, she's just scared.. that she has never been this long in a relationship before. i comforted her.. told her life will be beautiful.. i kept on telling her that lets live each day together as if were to be our last. The anniversary went well. after that day, she mysteriously changed. she stopped coming around, she stopped calling. so out of annoyance, i diverted all my calls because i didn't want her to call again.. i wanted to see if she was gonna miss me.. Unfortunately, i was wrong...she didn't...so we started having constant quarrels.

Few days ago, i called her one night at around 9:46pm, i asked her where she was, she told me she was in a cab going somewhere, i asked her where she was to going to by this time of the night, she was trying to fix in words and she said she was going to one of her friends house.. and that friend in particular has been asking her out.. i was like, what do you wanna go and do in his house, she was like, he told her to come. i said ok. then i sent her a text immediately saying i don't know what is going on between you two. but please before something happens, let me know or please cut me off. she called me instantly saying, i cant be an ingrate, inshort, i wont stay long there, i ll b going back to my hostel. i said ok. i believe you. i called her back around 11pm that same night and asked her if she was home, she said she was already home. i then told her i wanted to see her. it was urgent. she said ok. so i called a taxi to go and pick her up from her hostel. then i called her and told her the taxi was downstairs. she was like, ''do you know where i am? i am still in his house and am spending the night '' i was dumb-folded i was like but you told me you were home already, she denied every saying she was home. i was like, but i called a cab when u said you were home.. dt instant i didn't know what to do again. i told her to give the phone to the guy and i told him to please get a cab for her that i needed to see her urgently.. and the surprising thing my girlfriend asked was, hope i ll be coming back o.. i said ok no problem.

When she came, i started telling her i am tired. i dont like wat she was doing to me, she started begging, crying and she cut her hands with a knife. immediately, i changed my mood coz i didnt want her to get hurt. i then told her i have forgiven her and i still love her. i said it from my heart and i meant it. immediately, she then said she wanted to go back to the friend's apartment at around 3am in the midnyt.. i was devastated. i called the cab and she changed her mind.

The next morning, she said she was going, i was like, to ur hostel right? she said no. To his house. i didnt argue. i said ok. i called the cab. gave her all the money in my wallet. she left. Do you know that she never called me even wen she got there. i then called her and was like, u didn't call me that you have gotten there.. why? she was like she forgot, and shez sorry. i said ok. no p.
later that evening, i made dinner for the both of us and called her on phone saying i have a surprise for her and i want her to come to my place. she said she was going to think about it and she ll call to gv me her reply. i waited for hours and she didn't call. i then called and asked if she was coming, she said she's already in her hostel and she can't go out again.. i was like, why didn't you tell me u werent gonna come? u kept me waiting all these while. anyway, no problem.. so i called her on skype while we were chatting.. i noticed she wasnt the only one in her room. i asked who was with her at around 11:41pm, she said her friend. i asked, which friend she said the guy she went to his apartment. i was like, i tot u said he has gotten an apartment and wat is he doing in your room by this time of the nyt? she said nothing. out of annoyance i said goodnyt and logged off.

I then called her later and told her i have to see her. its very important. that she shld meet me in a restaurant the next day. she did keep to her promise. she came. i talked to her and told her i have been suffering in this relationship so i have deviced a means on hw to save our relationship. i told her that i am relieving her. i want her to be free. she should try who ever she wants to try and do the things she wanna do and if those things or people makes her more happier than i do. then she shld go for it. but if she doesnt, i ll be here waiting for her. i guess she didnt understand so i was removed, her passport photograph frm my wallet and told her to have it. that when she shez coming bk into my life she should bring a new photo. she refused so she walked out on me. that is from the restaurant. i followed her. i was like was it that difficult? you should have told me u werent willing to work things out wit me and u wanted out.. i would have understood. infact the moment i handed u that photograph, i was testing you. Now i know the truth. you want to be freed. the next thing she told me was DAMN ME! i was mute. she hugged me. the moment she hugged me, i tot she ws willing to change and make this better but i experienced the opposite. she said, i am gonna leave now, dont think i m leaving becos i want to. its bcos i am ashamed of myself and cant look at you in the eyes. that was how she left. i called her back countless times, i shouted her name, begged her to come back but she refused. that was how she left.. Please pals, i am torn apart. i dont know what to do again.. i feel like screaming and banging my head on the wall. please i need your opinion on what to do... It would be greatly appreciated if you all contribute and lighten my burden.. Thanks in advance.

Pregnant Star Actress Chika Ike Gets Maltreated By Husband

Nollywood actress, Chika Ike is believed to be heavily pregnant. Sources claimed that she now carries a protruding stomach around.

According to further information disclosed to 247naijagossip.com Chika is not lucky this time with her choice of husband as she gets maltreated by her man. The reason for her being maltreated was not revealed to us.

But investigation made by 247naijagossip.com shows that the scenario described above is from a movie that has kept Chika busy for over a month. It is a multi-million Naira flick she recently acted in.

As we gathered, it is the first time she would be taking the role of a pregnant woman in a movie, which she has been able to deliver with perfection and professionalism, as a location source maintained.

Those who should know however concluded that Chika Ike is not a stereotyped actress especially looking back at her humble beginning in the industry. She has become the delight of every producers and directors simply because of the unique way she interprets her roles.

WAEC Results Released, 80% Failed English and Maths!

Giving out a total breakdown of the report.
The Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr Alozie N.U decided to share and revealed the full statictics of the 2012/2013 Waec examination of her candidates.
Enjoy this ride and don’t forget to share this information with your friends on facebook and twitter.

Note that this article is coming to you, directly from the Nigerian Open University Educational News Broadcasting Team

A total of 324,998 candidates registered for the examination.
Now, out of these 310. 077 candidates, here are their gender statictics:
168,835 are Males:
while 141,242 are Females: candidates who registered for the waec examination.

WITHHELD RESULTS:
The results of 51,876 candidates, representing 16. 73% of candidates are being withheld by the waec Board, based on various reports, mostly for these candidates alleged involvement in examination malpractice.

While another Statistics shows that a Whooping Number of 250,487 candidates representing 80. 78% have 2 credits and above.

While 217,161candidates, representing 70. 03 of the total 2012 WAEC candidates, have three credits and above.

Yet, another statictics shows that 180,480 candidates, which represented 58. 20% of this year’s candidates, have four credits and above in their results.

Further Stats shows that 141,167 candidates representing 45. 52% of candidates who registered for this year’s examination, obtained the following:
five (5) credits and above.

While 99,750 candidates representing 32. 16%, did obtained six credits and above.

While on the basis of University admission qualifications, The Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr Alozie shed more light on this:

A total of 133,507 candidates representing 43. 06% obtained credit and above in English Language.
While a total of 151,569 candidates representing 48. 88% of candidates, has obtained credit and above in Mathematics.

While 62,295 candidates, representing 20. 04%, obtained credits in the following subjects:
English language,
Mathematics and at least three other Subjects.

A whooping sum total of 33 blind candidates sat for this year’s examination, and from this figure, 4 candidates, representing (12. 12%), obtained credits in five subjects.
Which include the following:
English Language.
Important Notice:
Blind candidates are exempted from taking mathematics and science practicals in WASSCE diets.

That is the total stats of candidates performance in the 2012/2013 Waec Examination.

Candidates who sat for the 2012/2013 waec examination can now check their results at the waec official website.

Hip Hop Star Snoop Dogg Changes Name To Snoop Lion

The rapper (born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) has announced he is changing his name to Snoop Lion. This is the third time he's changed his name (he was previously known as Snoop Doggy Dogg), but he seems serious about it -- he even updated his Twitter handle.

"I want to bury Snoop Dogg, and become Snoop Lion," he said at a news conference in New York, revealing that the new name was bestowed upon him by Rastafarian priests during a trip to Jamaica in February 2011.

The 40-year-old "Boom" hit-maker explained that he visited a temple while in Jamaica. "The High Priest asked me what my name was, and I said, 'Snoop Dogg.' And he looked me in my eyes and said, 'No more. You are the light; you are the lion.'"

Snoop's "rebirth" also includes his musical style. The man who believes he is "Bob Marley reincarnated" has traded in the gangsta rap genre that made him famous in order to focus on reggae music, which he called the "music of love."

What is your opinion on this name change from dog to lion?

PHOTO:Identical Twin Sisters Give Birth One Hour Apart.

Shaakira White and Zaakira Mitchell twin sisters,of South Carolina, gave birth on July 24th just one hour apart. Mitchell was accompanying her sister to her doctor’s appointment, and then suddenly they both went into labor.

One gave birth to a set of twins and the other a baby boy. Although, this is not the first time twins gave birth on the same day, it still a special time for all involve. Well wishes to Saakira and Zaakira.

Dr. Ferguson, who delivered the babies of the twins said:

“I’ve never seen twins being pregnant at the same time!” said Dr. James Ferguson.
Dr. Ferguson is still getting over the fact the sisters just shared their pregnancies. He said he couldn’t believe it when they both showed up Tuesday and went into labor.
“I kinda joked with Shaakira that she was trying to steal her sister’s limelight for that day,” said Ferguson. “I just thought this is not really believable.”

Our Business has been Crippled because of Ramaddan - Prostitutes Lament.

Commercial sex workers, otherwise known as prostitutes are angry, their anger, we gathered is not unconnected with the ongoing Ramadam fasting being embarked on by Muslim faithful across the country.

According to those in the business of bed-to-wealth, the fasting period has crippled their business. When Dailypost visited one of their bases in Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos, the visibly angry ladies were seen siting at different locations, discussing their fate.

On enquiry, a lady identified as Rose from Edo lamented, “Oga, since morning, na only one person I don do, unlike before, I for don do like 16 or so. Na Raamadam . ” She said.

When prodded further, the enraged lady said, “Oga I no come count bridge for Lagos, if u wan support my ministry tell me, I go ‘do’ you well.”

In Ikotun, prostitutes lamented that their customers no longer pick their calls, “since Ramadan fasting started, my regular customer, Waidi refused picking my calls, and its painful and unfair. They should consider our own side too”, said Joy, a native of Akwa Ibom.

When asked about her service, the fair-complexion lady who said she’s a drop out of Delta State University, said, “it depends, at times, most of these big men don’t negotiate, if you do them well, they can give you even 50k per night. Now we don’t have choice because of Ramadan, we can agree for even 200 for a round.

Our efforts to reach the president, National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (NANP), Lagos state chapter were fruitless as the lady was said to have travailed out of the country. - daily post.

B*R*E*A*K*I*N*G News! We Bombed VP Sambo’s house & Sokoto police Stations - Boko Haram.

**We thank Allah for giving us the opportunity to attacke Sokoto.
**women are used to spy on us, we will destroy them.
**Christians, security agents & top government officials remains our target.

The Jamaatu Ahlis Sunnah Lil Daawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for Monday’s suicide attack on the residence of Vice President Namadi Sambo in Zaria, Kaduna State; and on two police formations in Sokoto, including the attack on the office of an Assistant Inspector General of Police in the state.

In an email sent to media houses, Tuesday, by Abul Qaqa, its spokesperson, the group said it carried out the attacks in fulfillment of the promise made earlier to carry out attacks in Sokoto, if the government refused to release its members detained in the state.

“We give thanks to Allah for giving us the opportunity to fulfill the promise we made earlier to attack Sokoto for arresting and detaining our brothers,” the statement stated.

The group, which claimed to be fighting against enemies of Islam, stated that “God gave us the opportunity to carry out suicide attacks against the offices of security agencies to include AIG’s office at Marina, and Police stations at Anguwan Rogo and Arkilla all in Sokoto township.”

Boko Haram also said it is waging its jihad in other to free the people from oppression; and that its target remains security agents, top government officials, and Christians. It also promised to kill whoever aids security agents in tracking its members.

The terrorist group said it has information that women are being used to spy on its members; saying they would slaughter any woman found spying on them. It also claimed that security agents, who cannot protect themselves, cannot provide security to others.

The group also claimed responsibility for the attack, Sunday, in Bauchi, and also in Damaturu, Yobe state, where a truck belonging to the Joint Task Force was allegedly destroyed.