REDTV, the foremost lifestyle platform powered by the United Bank for Africa, has just launched its new and very much anticipated series, Assistant Madams. Creators of the hit series, The Men’s Club, REDTV has been engaging and providing opportunities for talented youths in the creative industry in Africa, since its inception.

The crème de la crème of the entertainment industry gathered at the prestigious and newly opened, Ebony Life Place in the bustling city of Lagos, to watch the premiere of Assistant madams. The story revolves around the life of three aspiring female Lagos socialites and their journey to ‘big girl’ status.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Producer of REDTV, Bola Atta said “REDTV was birthed by the United Bank for Africa, to support the creative industry in Nigeria and also across the African continent. For about four years now, we have been creating employment through entertainment. The potential revenue that can be generated in this industry is often underestimated and it is only in recent times that more people have had the courage to leave traditional professions and embrace the creatives. We want to encourage talented and creative professionals to pursue their dreams and to confidently feel that they are contributing to economic growth’.

‘The vision of UBA is to support entrepreneurship across Africa and through REDTV, the bank is connecting African talent to the world. REDTV will continue to harness these talents and to provide opportunities for those who wish to pursue careers in the creative industry’ Atta said.

Also speaking at the launch of Assistant madams, Co-producer and director, Tola Odunsi and Akins Akinkugbe expressed their delight at the reception which the new series is receiving. ’’We are pleased to partner with UBA and REDTV to create top-quality content and jobs. Assistant madams alone employed over 120 people during the filming of the series and this is significant’.

In attendance at the event, were Chris Ubosi, Mo Abudu, veteran photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi, Sola Sobowole, Patrick Doyle, Noble Igwe, Juliet Ibrahim, Toke Makinwa, Uru Eke, Obi Asika, Koye Sowemimo, Debola Williams, Sharon Ooja, Bollylomo, Funke Babs Kufreji, Obi Asika, Bisola Aiyeola, Osas Ighodaro, Tana Adelana, Sophie Alakija, Taymesan Emmanuel, Ayo Ayoola, Efa Iwara, and many noteworthy entertainers.

Assistant Madams will premiere on Youtube @itsredtv on January 15, 2020.

REDTV is a fast-paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa, the network is an entertainment platform with rich content that features the very best of Africa.

Yoruba kings and chiefs who indulge in clubbing, smoking, drinking and other untoward behaviour are not worthy of honour and any respect, says the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Oba Adeyemi spoke in Oyo town on Monday during the installation of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, as the Mayegun of Yorubaland.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at the event. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, were also present on the occasion. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was represented by Babafemi Ojudu.

Responding to reports in social media credited to him as saying that after Wasiu’s coronation, he was not expected to prostrate before some kings in the land, the Alaafin said, “I did not mean that he should disrespect the royal fathers.

“He understands the culture and I am not saying that he should disrespect the culture. But kings who go about clubbing and drinking do not deserve any respect.”

Turning to Wasiu, the monarch said, “Accord deserving honour and respect to kings; they are custodians of culture. But there are kings that are not worthy of honour and respect.”

On why the musician was chosen for the title, the oba said it was time Yoruba people honoured those who had distinguished themselves in their callings.

He said gone were the days when Yoruba people were silent about the exploits of their own while they were being honoured in other areas.

He made reference to the likes of IK Dairo and Haruna Ishola who died without being properly honoured.

Oba Adeyemi said, “As we all know, there are three tiers of government. We have the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. The media is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, and musicians are a vital part of the media.

“Through music, some of them criticised the government’s excesses. A king who wants progress for his people should listen to good words of music that are deliberately picked to correct societal problems. I looked around and acknowledged the efforts of some of our musicians who are not just singing for the sake of it.

“For a long time, I have been documenting some of the works of our good musicians in Yorubaland. IK Dairo of blessed memory was honoured in the United Kingdom many years ago. Then, Sunny Ade was discovered. They called him King of Juju music. What we have done is to discover our own talents. The music of Wasiu is philosophical. It is time we honoured our own.

“I did not mean that Wasiu will not respect our culture after being installed. He will honour our kings but will not prostrate before kings who are ignoble. A king should not be drinking (alcohol) at clubs and in public places, and a king should not smoke.

“We have been on the issue of the Mayegun for the past 11 years. Today, the Mayegun has been installed. His duty is to ensure that things go well and right and excesses should be addressed.

Wasiu said his installation meant additional responsibility for him.

He said, “I give thanks to God Almighty for deeming me fit. I thank Kabiyesi Alaafin and all our royal fathers for supporting me on this occasion. The responsibility that I am given is about the unity of Yoruba.

“The music part of me is on one side while the Mayegun part of me is on another. Henceforth, I stand for the interest of the Yoruba nation.

“Eleven years ago when Kabiyesi first muted the idea of installing me, he sent me back midway apparently so that I could go for more tutelage. He sent me to learn about more life. I am better off today. I stand before everybody today and assure you of my readiness to play my role diligently.”

Following the release of the highest-grossing Nollywood movies of the Last Decade by Nigeria’s top film distributor, Film One, Nollywood actor, Eyinna Nwigwe emerges the highest selling Nollywood actor of the decade having featured in the highest-grossing movies of the decade such as Wedding Party 1, Wedding Party2, Living in Bondage and the likes, promises to increase the numbers in 2020 with “Dear Affy” movie set for Cinemas February 14, 2020.

Eyinna featured in the highest-grossing movie of the decade Wedding Party 1 where he played the role of Nonso Onwuka which grossed the sum of N452,000,000 followed by the second highest-grossing movie of the decade Wedding Party 2 where he played the same role of Nonso Onwuka which grossed N435,000,000. He ended the decade with a feature in the Eight highest-grossing movies of the decade, Living in Bondage the sequel directed by Ramsey Nouah where he played Obinna Omego which is currently grossing N141,000,000.

The actor who is well known for his exceptional role interpretation skill has proven he has what it takes to stay in the industry and has promised to bring his magic to 2020’s most anticipated movie, “Dear Affy” directed by entertainment and media entrepreneur, Samuel Olatunji (Bigsam) where he played the role Michael and starred alongside superstars such as Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Williams Uchemba, Odunlade Adekola, Chiwetalu Agu, Jide Kosoko, Ali Nuhu, Bimbo Ademoye, and the likes

In an interview with Ebuka on Rubbin Minds, he said “it comes naturally for me, because like I said I live life on my terms, I am not boxed into set standards or how you operate, I go how I feel and I feel originality is key and it comes from self-expression…so yes, talent is not enough anymore, it is just like how love isn’t enough for a relationship, you know the time has changed, dynamics have changed…Talent is still core but it takes more than talent to be seen and appreciated”

Eyinna Nwigwe is definitely someone to look out for in the new decade as he starts his decade with the most anticipated movie of 2020, “Dear Affy” directed by Samuel Olatunji which promises to be the highest-grossing movie Nollywood will ever see in recent times.

The actor took to his Instagram page regarding 2020’s most anticipated movie, he wrote “We start from #Feb14 when @dearaffy will hit the cinemas. Let’s start right, let’s start TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.”