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Ooni Of Ife Criticizes BBNaija, Suggests Replacement

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has suggested a replacement for the Big Brother Naija reality show.

While playing host to members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in his palace at Ile Ife, Osun, the monarch criticized the #BBNaija show.

He said the reality show was “misrepresenting the goodness and integrity of the Nigerian youths”.

As a replacement, he suggested a reality show that would project the country’s values, cultures, and traditions.

He suggested that the new show could be tagged “The Big Nigeria Reality Show”.

“The proposed show will be structured in a way that young professionals, talented individuals, and others across several fields of endeavour will be showcased and helped to reach their peak.

“This would help the participants and also help viewers to have access to people that can be seen as role models,” Ooni added.

The royal father, who stressed the need for participation of more youths in leadership, lamented that the youths have misplaced their priorities and must redress it as a matter of urgent public importance.

“Nigerian youths are fond of accusing and abusing our leaders, stop abusing them contribute your own quota. Let’s wear our thinking caps and begin to act like the real future leaders that we are.

“In the last general election, the total number of vote cast was around 27 million while over 170 million people voted during the 2019 Big Brother Naija reality show.

“This is a practical reality of who Nigerian youths are and where our priorities lie as Nigerians.

“The funny side in all of these is that we still go to bed, have a good sleep, and wake up with the hope to meet a Nigeria we didn’t create.

“Unfortunately, every time I talk about this kind of attitude, everyone just laughs and moves on. What kind of nation are we building?

“When people say this country, or what kind of country is this, they are indirectly saying these people – it is the people that make a country; so what kind of Nigerian youths are we?” Ooni asked.

Earlier in his address, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, who was represented by Dr Mariam Abdullahi, a director in the ministry, explained that the youths have major roles to play in the country’s development.

“As a government, we will keep ensuring that we equip our youths towards prosperity,” the minister added.

Representing Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Yemi Lawal, explained that the youths have a lot to learn from elders towards reaching their goals.

“As much as we youths are important, let us be humble enough to learn from our elders because they were once like us. Humility, persistence, and patience is the key and we must be upright in our dealings,” he said.

The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Sara-Igbe Sukubo, thanked the Ooni for what he described as an unthinkable warm reception for the youths.

“We have heard your kind words of wisdom and I want to assure you on behalf of the teeming Nigerian youths that we will put them into action.

“Fellow Nigerian youths, as we reflect on youth engagement for global action today, let us realize that a new era of opportunities and responsibilities is now upon us.

“Today’s youths are now being called upon to rise as practical stakeholders in governance and development. Let us rise to this challenge,” Sukubo said.

The youths at the occasion announced Ooni Ogunwusi as the ”Royal Father of Nigerian Youths”, in recognition and appreciation of his immeasurable commitment towards youth development in the country.

BIG STORY

Gbenga Adeyinka D’1st Laffmattazz Records Huge Success With ‘Lagos Again’ [PHOTOS]

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On Sunday, November 26, 2023, Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st’s Laffmattazz train stopped at the Balmoral centre on Victoria Island, Lagos for the Lagos Again edition.

The seven-hour-long comedy and music show kicked off with an orange carpet sponsored by Maltina. Ably supported by the Lagos State government, under the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, LSDPC, Toyota, Eleganza, Sujimoto, and The Address Homes, the music cum comedy show saw attendees and guests getting various treats from Indomie, Goldberg, and Ace.

A total of 33 entertainers – music and comedy stars – took on the Laffmattazz train and stage to thrill over 3,500 guests that attended the Lagos Again edition. Kicking off early on the show were young and rising comic and music acts that include Damola, MC Lozy, Prince Phelar, MC 90s, MC Stylo and Ashny.

The show host, Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st surprised attendees with his grand entry after he was introduced by one of his long-standing allies, Omobaba 1. The comedian, who also doubles as a master of ceremony and actor, expressed gratitude to brands and attendees.

“What I felt was even higher than ‘over happiness’ if there’s anything like that in the dictionary. There is nothing more gratifying than planning an event and having everything fall into place, I am overjoyed,” Adeyinka D 1st began. “The support from the Lagos State government was massive. The Honourable Commissioner Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka led a robust team to our event while the Speaker Rt. Hon Obasa led the legislatures and also the LSDPC boss, Mr Ayo Joseph, who supported.”

Other performers that made the event memorable include music superstars and comedy experts that were led by Tuface Idibia, Adewale Ayuba, Alibaba, Ruggedman, Funnybone, Real Iyke, Destalker, Bowjoint, Koffi tha Guru, MC Ajele, MC Bash, Baba Alariya, Dr. Smile, Prince Phelar, and many others. DJ Vinnie also dished out various tunes while showing his expertise on the turntables. Side attractions at the event were provided by Magic Whizz, Carton Boys and GKB.

Despite various high points of the event, the show’s crescendo remains the performances of Tuface Idibia, Ruggedman, and Fuji veteran Adewale Ayuba.

A long list of dignitaries that attended the event include Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa and other lawmakers, Honourable Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, foremost Nigerian industrialist, Chief Razak Okoya and his beloved wife, Dr Sade Okoya, Kenny Keke Ogungbe, ID Ogungbe, amongst several others.

Adeyinka D 1st also expressed gratitude to entertainers who made his Laffmattazz Lagos Again a success. He said, “I can never repay all my colleagues for what they did to support me in achieving success with the Laffmatazz Lagos Again edition. It was a massive show of love from beginning to the end. Even though we were touring, we never lost touch with our base and that came to the fore at the event. We had attendees and performers at the event. The show was a rewarding one for myself and every member of our team and we are grateful but like Oliver Twist, we will always yearn for more so that we can do more.”

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BIG STORY

15th BON Awards: Osun State To Host Star-Studded Ceremony Celebrating Excellence In Nollywood

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It’s official! Organisers of the prestigious Best of Nollywood Awards have announced that the 2023 edition of the annual pan-Nigeria, travelling awards will hold in the ancient city of Osogbo, Osun State, come December 22.

In addition, billed to serve as host for the event is versatile actor, Kunle Remi, while Media Maestro, Toun Cole, will man the red carpet.

Speaking on Osun State as host, founder of the awards, Seun Oloketuyi stated that the choice of Osun was a long time coming.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke is a big-time lover of the arts. Long before he became governor, he identified greatly with the entertainment sector, and the moment we presented him with our wish, he accepted us wholeheartedly and even asked us to sound the gongs that Osun was going to host the biggest and best BON Awards ceremony the industry has ever seen.

“This is our 15th year as the longest running awards platform in the industry, and having Governor Adeleke on it with us is right on brand and the extra pizzaz that is needed,” he stated.

While commenting on the choice of Kunle Remi as the host for the year, Oloketuyi said, “15 is the unofficial entry into maturity. At 15, we are entering our mature phase, and we want to identify with people who are still on fire for Nollywood. Kunle Remi is the poster child for the new blood that has been injected into Nollywood in the last few years, and as an award that celebrates excellence, we identify with that. Who better to do it? Last year in Imo State, we had Lateef Adedimeji and Queen Nwokoye. We are not just interested in getting the rave of the moment, we are focused on people who can deliver value and that is what Kunle Remi represents.

It would be remembered that in the recently-released nominee list, Shanty Town, Herdsmen, and Underbelly dominated the line-up of films nominated in the 29 categories available on the awards platform.

Shanty Town, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller created by Xavier Ighorodje, Chichi Nworah and produced by Chinenye Nworah, bagged 15 of the total 29 categories of the BON Awards.

Also leading with 11 nominations is Herdsmen produced by Chloe Coko and directed by Toka Mcbaror. The movie which was shot in Kaduna is based on mix fiction and first-hand experience, takes a look at the herdsmen-farmer crisis in Nigeria.

Nonetheless, Underbelly also takes the stage with 11 nominations. The movie is produced by Tunde Aina. The movie is a thrilling and suspenseful epic that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

BON Awards which was first held in December 2009, in Ikeja, Lagos State has continued to be a creative strata for the Nigerian movie industry. Every edition of the award ceremony is usually hosted by different states in Nigeria including Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Ekiti, Delta, Abia among others.

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BIG STORY

Governor Sanwo-Olu Hails Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s Appointment As MD Of TVCe

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated popular television presenter, Dr. Morayo Afolabi-Brown, on her appointment as the Managing Director of TVCe, the Entertainment Channel of TVC Communications.

He said the new role given to Afolabi-Brown, the host of the TVC’s breakfast programme, ‘Your View’ is well deserved.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Afolabi-Brown’s appointment as Managing Director of TVCe is inspirational to young media practitioners that they can get to the top position of their career with hardwork, commitment and discipline.

He said: “The appointment of Dr. Morayo Afolabi-Brown as the Managing Director of TVCe, the Entertainment Channel of TVC Communications, is deserving having distinguished herself at TVC Communications and the media industry for almost two decades.

“Morayo Afolabi-Brown is one of the most influential women presenters not only in Nigeria but Africa. She has been recognised as one of the top 25 most influential women in Journalism Africa (WIJA) 2020 where she ranked 18th on the list.

“I believe strongly that Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s new appointment is an inspiration to young media practitioners, particularly members of staff of TVC Communications, that they can get to the top of their career in the company if they put in a little more than is expected from them by their employers.

“Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s new role attests to her exceptional track record of achievements in TVC Communications as a former Deputy Director of Programmes TVC News, where she created content on three independent channels for broadcast. She has also made a lot of impact as a host in addressing basic issues in society through the TVC’s breakfast show ‘Your View,’ programme.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

30 NOVEMBER 2023

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