Thursday, August 22, 2013

TV Hunk Uti Nwachukwu stars in the Nokia Lumia 520 Campaign

Uti Nwachukwu - August 2013 - BellaNaija
Uti Nwachukwu is smiling to the bank.
The 31 year old former reality star and host of Jara TV stars in the Nokia Lumia 520 Campaign.
The TVC which was shot in South Africa, follows the TV star/rising Nollywood actor holding the smartphone while out and about.
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Big Brother Africa belle Vimbai Mutinhiri also stars in another TVC for the campaign.

Ibinabo Fiberesima, Segun Arinze & Bukky Ajayi celebrate Nollywood Veteran Actress Ngozi Nwosu at 50 – Photos

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Yesterday Wednesday 21st August 2013, Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu celebrated her 50th birthday.
The Fuji House of Commotion TV star who turned the big 50 on Thursday 1st August 2013, was celebrated by Best of Nollywood Ventures at Eagles Park, Ikeja, Lagos.
Earlier this year, Ngozi was diagnosed with a kidney and heart ailment and has since under gone treatment. The star proved to be living life to the fullest as she lit up the scene with her smile and a pretty LBD.
AGN president Ibinabo Fiberesima as well as actor Segun Arinze, veteran Yoruba movie star Bukky Ajayi and Boy Alinco of Papa Ajasco fame Bayo Bankole were present at the event.
Photos
Ibinabo Fiberesima,  Bukky Ajayi & Ngozi Nwosu
Ibinabo Fiberesima, Bukky Ajayi & Ngozi Nwosu
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Ibinabo Fiberesima, Bukky Ajayi, Ngozi Nwosu & Segun Arinze
Ibinabo Fiberesima, Bukky Ajayi, Ngozi Nwosu & Segun Arinze
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Photo Credit: SDK’s Blog

American Pop Star Demi Lovato celebrates 21st Birthday by Helping the Less Privleged in Kenya

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Demi Lovato is one pop star with a heart of Gold.
Yesterday Tuesday 20th August 2013, the American singer/songwriter and X-Factor US Judge turned the big 21.
Instead of celebrating by lounging on a yacht or vacationing on an island, the pop star celebrated her day in Maasai Mara, Kenya on a Me to We Volunteer Trip.
Demi together with her friends and family visited and volunteered in communities supported by Me to We charity’s partner Free the Children.
They spent much of their time getting to know the local students and working alongside local community members to help build a new Free The Children school
Demi also spoke on her choice to volunteer. “With 21 being a milestone birthday, I wanted a memorable and meaningful way to celebrate, rather than throw a big birthday bash. I knew traveling with Me to We and volunteering with Free The Children would give me the opportunity to have a life-changing experience I would never forget, with the people closest to me.
Also having worked with the organization over this past year it’s been great to see first-hand the wonderful work that is being done as a result of all the incredible efforts of young people around the nation.” she said in a statement.
We are proud of you Demi. Check out photos!
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For more on the campaign, visit www.freethechildren.com
Photo Credit: Ocean Up

Introducing the Groom Style Consultant – Sammy Aki: Tips, Moments & More!

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Today on BellaNaija Weddings we have something for the grooms!
Groom style consultant Sammy Aki is both Ghanaian and Nigerian, and started her styling service last year after she noticed a  considerable gap for groom advice in the wedding industry. Today she shares a series of “moments” every guy experiences on their wedding day – photos from a groom she styles, and we also ask her some questions on how she prepares grooms for their big day.
Enjoy!
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From Sammy to Grooms, advice and tips:
bellanaija_sammy_aki1. What’s the best way to stand out from your groomsmen?
I have seen a resurgence in  waistcoats for Grooms and this is not the typical “white wedding” waistcoat but one tailored for you in corresponding fabric to your suit. Whilst wearing a waistcoat you can really stand proud and have a distinguished difference between yourself and your groomsmen.
2. What are creative ways to look coordinated with the bride (apart from matching socks, boutonniere)?
Coordination is the keyword here and not matching, it’s not fancy dress. As part of my consultation service I meet the bride as well as the Groom. This enables me to ask specific questions and see a (secret) photo of what she will be wearing and get to know the other themes of the wedding. This is very important as a style of a suit and its accessories can also vary as much as the brides gown. So if her theme is 1920′s Paris and the Groom isn’t aware of this or isn’t sure how to interpret it he could easily run into difficulties. Some may think a dinner jacket is just a dinner jacket but I know that there are several ways to stand out from the crowd in black tie without having to wear white.
3. A couture gown takes about 6 months to make between fittings, embellishments and more fittings. How much time should a man invest in getting a bespoke suit?
I work closely with the tailors of Savile Row to produce their biannual presentation for London Collections Men. (http://www.sammyaki.com/portfolio/the-english-gentleman-at-lords). Together we produce at times over 100 bespoke outfits for the models involved. I’m not going to deny that a few grumbles can sometimes be heard as there is no getting away from the fact that the Bespoke process is a precise one and time is needed for excellence. A two piece suit can have  over 200 hours of hand work and each time it takes my breath away to see what is achieved.
For a new client at least 3 appointments will be needed. The first of which all measurements will be taken, and fabrics and style decided. I am on hand to guide clients through the 1000′s of fabrics available and have also worked on producing exclusive cloths with the mills.  An individually cut paper pattern is produced by hand by the Master Cutter who will then proceed to the first stages of the process. Typically it will take between 8-12 weeks depending on the time of year and the clients availability for fittings.  In this time I will also work on coordinating the accessories, shirting and footwear to complete the entire look for the Groom. As well as offering a made to measure service for the Best Men and ushers.
Wedding Photos from a Sammy Aki styled groom – very dapper!
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Now here’s something every groom can relate to:
“Moments”: (featuring rising Nigerian/British actor Chuku Modu)
Sammy says, “Back in January (the day after The English Gentleman at Spencer House) I pulled together my team to produce a “film”. An expression of how we feel a Groom’s preparations for his wedding should also be a focus. Sophisticated, sleek and masculine, is how we want every man to indulge in his wedding. Set at the stunning St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Kings Cross London, our Grooms celebrate with the Best of British Tailoring and present their Moment…”
There is always “a moment” on the wedding day when a man takes 30 seconds and reflects. In this moment emotions of joy, anxiety, eagerness and pride surround him. This is the Groom’s moment. When will yours come?
These short (each less than a minute long videos) were inspired by iconic images taken from the weddings of President Obama to Mick Jagger.
Enjoy!

Shop Fabulous Shoes at 5% Off with NaijaFeet.com’s Shopping Promo!

NaijaFeet - BellaNaija - August 2013It’s time to shop till you drop. Naijafeet is giving 50 shoppers the opportunity to buy any shoe of their choice at 5% discount.
All you need to do is log on to our website www.naijafeet.com, add items to your shopping cart and enter the promo code “NAIJAFEET5” in the ’Discount Codes’ Box and Voila…you get 5% off. Don’t let anyone tell you the story, go and buy your pair at 5% off.
“At Naijafeet, we don’t just sell shoes, we style your feet.”

Pop Duo P-Square’s “Personally” Claims the No. 1 Spot on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 Chart | DJ Xclusive Co-Hosts

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“I go deal with you Personally, Personal, Personally”
I so love that track. After a slow climb up the chart, Nigerian pop duo P-Square have finally achieved the top spot on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10. Personally displaces Wande Coal‘s “The Kick” which falls to the third place.
Miss Kedike Chidinma who co-hosted last week’s episode continues to make progress on the countdown. Her track “E Mi Ni Baller” rises to number 2, up one slot from last week.
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Cool FM’s DJ Xclusive, whose track No Time is on the number 7 slot, co-hosted the show with VJ Ehiz.
Burna Boy‘s “Run My Race” smoothly slides into the number 5 spot, while D’banj‘s “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense” still retains the 4th slot.
2 Face Idibia‘s “Rainbow” falls two places to the number 10 slot. Flavour‘s “Chinny Baby” is at number 8, while Ice Prince‘s “VIP” is at number 6.
Timaya‘s ‘Ekoloa Demba” rises one place to number 9.
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The MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart is powered by Star Music and put together by an elite panel of judges consisting of Nigerian broadcasters, music specialists and taste makers, working with MTV Base to pick the very best.
The panel consists of BellaNaija.com‘s Music Editor Onos OvuerayeDJ Humility (Rhythm FM), DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive (Cool FM), Big Time (Rhythm FM), DJ Caise (The Beat FM), Toolz (The Beat FM) and Osagie Alonge (Nigerian Entertainment Today).
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The MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 (Friday 16th August 2013 – Thursday 22nd August 2013)
  1. P-Square – Personally
  2. Chidinma – E Mi Ni Baller
  3. Wande Coal – The Kick
  4. D’banj – Don’t Tell Me Nonsense
  5. Burna Boy – Run My Race
  6. Ice Prince – VIP
  7. DJ Xclusive – No Time
  8. Flavour – Chinny Baby
  9. Timaya – Ekoloma Demba
  10. 2 Face Idibia – Rainbow
This week’s Official Naija Top 10 premiered on MTV Base on NTA on Friday 16th August 2013. Next week’s will be revealed on Friday 23rd August 2013.
A brand new episode will air on Friday 16th August 2013 on NTA at 23:30 WAT.
  • 1st Repeat – Tuesday 20th August 2013 on MTV Base (DSTV Channel 322) by 22:00 WAT
  • 2nd Repeat – Tuesday 20th August 2013 on AIT by 21:30 WAT
  • 3rd Repeat – Thursday 22nd August 2013 on STV by 18:00 WAT
Be sure to tune in ;)
For more info about the show, log on to www.MTVBase.com | like www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified | follow @MTVBaseAfrica on Twitter, using the hashtag #OfficialNaijaChart

International Jazz Vocalist & Songwriter Somi signs on to Sony Music

Somi - August 2013 - BellaNaija
A huge congrats to Somi.
BellaNaija Music can exclusively reveal that the beautiful American singer and songwriter with Rwandan and Ugandan descent, has just signed her first major deal with Sony Music.
The 34 year old jazz vocalist will release her upcoming record on their newly relaunched jazz imprint Okeh.
Be sure to stay tuned for more details on Somi from BN Music.
If you haven’t heard Somi sing, listen to one of her singles Ginger Me Slowly.

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Lights, Cameras, “Shuga” Action! Tiwa Savage, Chris Attoh, Maria Okanrende, Nick Mutuma – Your Exclusive Look at the Stars of the MTV Base Series

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We’ve got a treat for you this afternoon!
In 2012, BN Movies & TV brought exclusively to you all episodes of the MTV Base Shuga Series and you loved it.
We were super excited to hear that the show which fuses sexual health messaging with gripping storylines, was coming back with some fresh new faces.
Nigerian chanteuse Tiwa Savage, Ghanaian heartthrob Chris Attoh and on-air-personality Maria Okanrende were announced as some of the stars to feature with the show’s regular cast Nick Mutuma who plays Leo and Emmanuel Ikubese who plays Femi.
Now you can get to see the entire cast and the names of their roles. We have all the exclusive stunning pics of the cast shot by celebrity photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi.
Check it out!
Tiwa Savage (Sade)
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Chris Attoh (Nii)
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Maria Okanrende (Foye)
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Nick Mutuma (Leo)
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Bikiya Graham-Douglas (HIV Counselor)
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Emmanuel Ikubese (Femi)
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Dorcas Shola Fapson (Sophie)
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Kachi Nnochiri (Osaro)
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Sharon Chisom Ezeamaka (Princess)
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Olumide Oworu (Weki)
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Sani Muazu (Solomon)
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Leonora Okine (Malaika)
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Leonora Okine & Chris Attoh
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James Timini Egbuson (Tobi)
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KC Ejelonu (HIV Counselor)
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Okezie Morro (Ekene)
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Biyi Bandele (Director)
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Okezie Morro, Maria Okanrende & Emmanuel Ikubese
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Love it right? We do too. I really like Chris Attoh and Leonora Okine’s shots as well as Tiwa Savage’s, whose pose is your fave?
Other actors who will feature in the show to help raise awareness about HIV prevention and teen pregnancy in Nigeria, include Ugbeye Owumi (Bikiya), Efa Iwara (David), Don Flexy (DJ at Badoo club), Ehiz Okoeguale (MC), Silo Emem Bankole (Radio Producer), Charles Ukpong (Sophie’s disapproving University lecturer).
Photography: Kelechi Amadi-Obi
Location: Protea Hotel, Westwood, Ikoyi, Lagos