Fall in Love with Kefee’s New Sound! Kefee presents “Eguono” featuring Skales – Listen to the song & view photos from the video shoot

Award-winning musician Kefee is back with a new single – the song is titled “Eguono” which means “Love” in Urhobo. The track features young talent – Skales and was produced by Tee-Y Mix. A video directed by Clarence Peters is currently in the works.

Dakore finally walks down the aisle with heartrob

The much awaited conjugal bliss between Dakore Egbuson and her heart rob Olumide Akande has finally come and gone with celebrities and dignitaries of all and sundry in attendance.
The wedding bell which rang for so long became the talk of town as the due seem to have come to crescendo of there life.
Atleast tongue would stop wagging now that both have come the end of road, tying the nuptial nut they both sort for.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Mbong Amata & Raz Adoti team up with Vivica Fox & Eric Roberts for Jeta Amata’s new movie “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta

They hope to tell the story from the perspective of people who have lived through it.
The people who have seen their land and rivers polluted by oil, the people that are struggling.
Jeta Amata Concepts/Wells Entertainment, Starkid Inc and Rock City Entertainment have just concluded shooting of “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta“.
The movie is described as a political suspense drama;

A powerful story of greed, murder and corruption in the murky waters of the volatile oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Black Gold is an epic film about environmental justice and the fight over the control of the scarce oil resources that the world runs on. The line between good and evil is blurred as corrupt government officials, greedy oil companies and violent rebels go on a war path over oil spills and degradation of the land, caused by oil exploration.

Black Gold features a Nollywood meets Hollywood cast, including Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, Heat), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Kill Bill), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco, Kill Bill), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendables), Billy Zane (Titanic), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Pirates of the Carribean, Hotel Rwanda), Razaaq Adoti (Black Hawk Down, Resident Evil: Apocalypse) and Mbong Amata (Inale, Amazing Grace).

Black Gold is currently in post production and according to the producers, “this movie is especially significant and will be of great interest as it is the first time a production of this calibre has ever been attempted in Africa. Usually, in movies like Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond, Hollywood comes in to tell the story, but in this case, the story of the Niger Delta is being told and produced for the screen by a group of film makers from the Niger Delta. There is no better time to showcase this project, as it deals with all the pertinent issues being faced in the region like oil spills, kidnappings and corruption.“

The movie’s executive producers are Walter Wagbatsoma and Suzanne Delaurentiis. “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta” was written and directed by acclaimed African filmmaker Jeta Amata and produced by Ori Ayonmike and Wilson Ebiye. Plans are in motion for the movie to premiere in Lagos and Abuja during the first quarter of 2011. Black Gold will be released in movie theaters across Africa and in select cinemas worldwide.

This is definitely an ambitious project and we are looking forward to viewing how the vision translates on screen. However, this is an absolutely fantastic way for our African film industry to start the year. We often complain when “our story”" is misrepresented by international filmmakers. It is time for us to take the reins. We are looking forward to seeing this!

The Igwe Twins: Bringing their Mobile Kitchen Dream to Reality through Service and Speedy Delivery

I met Afamefuna Titus Igwe at the Ford Foudation’s Youth Dialogue in Lagos last October where he had been nominated by the Fate Foundation to join the fifteen-member panel carefully selected across the country in discussing major issues concerning Nigeria and projecting for the next five decades. Over the course of the three-day programme, Titus showed us a bit of how passionate he was about Mobile Kitchen and making positive impact in Nigeria, especially among the unemployed youth. A few months down the line, the company is still blossoming and today we will explore the various experiences of this young man and Tobias, his twin brother with whom he started this laudable effort in the food service delivery sector of the Nigerian economy.

Titus and Tobias Igwe are 24-year old twin brothers who jointly run Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen, a food delivery services company in Nigeria. They were both undergraduates studying Business Administration at the University of Lagos (Distance Learning Institute) in 2009, when an unfortunate event occurred in their family. On Saturday October 24th 2009, they lost their father, in a car accident and suddenly became saddled with the responsibility of taking care of their mother and seven siblings. After engaging in a few menial jobs, it soon dawned on them there had to be a better way to approach life and achieve their dreams. Less than two years after that fateful day, they have set out on a journey to earn comfortable living by serving others and they are doing this quite well too. In this exclusive interview with BN Editorial Assistant, Gbenga Awomodu, they share their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

Could you tell us more about Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen?

Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen is a proudly Nigerian, world class food and services company of choice located in a serene environment at the heart of Apapa GRA in Lagos. At Speedmeals, working with the most sufficient technology in food processing so as to improve the lives of our customers is our primary motive. It is a registered food and services company that cooks and supplies food to schools and corporate organisations. With an annual turnover of three million naira in 2010, our company is driven by the knowledge that customers know and trust our services. Our food is produced from the finest ingredients with passion and pride. In 2010, we were declared the overall winner of Samsung Real Dreams initiative by Samsung West Africa. The future is bright for Speedmeals!

How did you start Speedmeals?

In 2009, after the sudden death of our father in an accident, we searched for jobs desperately to fund our studies at University of Lagos and also to assist our mum and seven younger siblings. After six months of no success, we decided to start up something on our own. We learnt how to make cakes and other snacks, but not with the mindset of establishing our own company. A friend, one day, advised me (Titus) to apply for the Samsung Real Dreams programme to learn how to manage a business. Tobias also attended the training in another stream. The rest, they say, is history. So far the success we have recorded has been overwhelming.

Did it require a large start-up capital and how did you obtain the start-up capital?

Really, all what is required is the will and determination to succeed. However, we also had to make some sacrifices. We used our school fees, what was left after our father’s burial, to start up, but unfortunately we were not able to recoup it so we had to apply for deferment, thus adding another one year to our undergraduate studies. It was really hard then; even to pay for deferment. Titus had to step down his education while I (Tobias) continued. We have learnt that business doesn’t just move. Titus is now enrolled in a Diploma programme (English for Professionals) after which he hopes to have an Executive Diploma in English for Professionals… While my brother does the operations, especially the cooking, I (Titus) also want to bring in something different. Tobias just concluded his 200 Level at the UNILAG Distance Learning Institute and, though we have several certificates baking cake, we plan to go for more professional trainings and even obtain a degree in Nutrition. Our three watchwords: Hygiene, Professionalism and Speed!

Which companies are your major competitors?

We don’t see other food vendors as our immediate competitors. Our biggest competitors are the local food vendors popularly called “mama put”. They control the larger part of the market.

What sets your company apart from your competitors?

We guarantee speedy delivery, professionalism and excellent customer service. This is what makes us different from others. With Speedmeals, expect no delays!! At Speedmeals, we understand what it means to be different; to be the leaders and set the pace for others to follow and to fill the vacuum that others have created. This is why we are always on point to meet the needs of our numerous customers. It’s so much more than what you think; we are excitingly different and unique! We know Speedmeals is not just about us.

What are your future plans for your company?

Our vision is “To be the most sought after food vendor brand in Africa with a global competitive edge”. We are going to be working with professional brand strategists and nutritionists. Tobias does the cooking, cake making, etc., while I (Titus) do more of the management. We currently have five contract staff that we pay on weekly basis, but we hope to expand our operations very soon. In the next five years, Speedmeals food should have been eaten by everyone in Lagos. Near every ‘mama put’, you should see a Speedmeal mobile kitchen. Most of the food sold by the local vendors is often prepared under unhygienic conditions. We are going to be employing professional nutritionists, taking Lagos as our primary market; then we’ll spread out to other states. We want to revolutionize the food sector in Nigeria and open up a new page. We are thinking of an enlightenment campaign to educate people on the importance of healthy eating. We do not intend to just put the ‘Mama put’ out of job; we are looking at selling them franchises and helping them to learn to be better service providers in the long run. If you want to remain relevant in the market, you know you have to step up.

L-R: Osayi Oruene Alile (Executive Director, Fate Foundation), a Samsung Representative, The Igwe twins (Speedmeals) and Timi Adamolekun (Brand Manager, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa) during the presentation of Best SRD project Award to Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen by Samsung West Africa.

What other things are you presently doing to achieve your futuristic objectives, especially helping unemployed youth?

In June 2010, we introduced the Speedmeals Academy as a subsidiary with a vision to train 1,000 youths within one year. In line with this goal, we introduced the Opportunity of a Life Time programme, an innovation to train unemployed youth on how to bake cake and make ‘small chops’ so that they can become self-reliant. We publicize the training in churches, mosques and social gatherings. We provide the facilities and platforms for others to be trained and work hard to ensure that we follow up their progress. There is a foundation programme for those who are very new to the business while the advanced classes are for those who have the basic idea already. Each participant is asked to pay a commitment fee of 2,500 Naira and this helps us sieve for people who would be serious with the skills acquired. In 2010, we trained 62 youth, usually 10 in a class over a period of 6 weeks. Many of them have now started their own businesses.

At the end of the programme, each participant is expected to train 10 other people within the first year after the programme. We encourage them to train others and charge fees as well, no matter how small, to make people show commitment to their training. In conjunction with the Fate Foundation, we are also providing entrepreneurship training for all participants through the Samsung Real Dreams programme, a training programme sponsored by Samsung and the International Youth Foundation (IYF). So far, we have trained sixty-two people in the first phase of the programme and certificates were awarded to them. We also give evaluation forms to participants to assess the quality of the programme and so far so good. The second phase of the programme will start in January 2011 and registration is ongoing. We have also sponsored feeding at a few events, including the last edition of CelebrityRead Africa last month.

What major challenges have you faced so far? How about taxation?

Every business has its own unique problems and challenges. For Speedmeals, I (Titus) think our major challenge now is logistics and infrastructure challenges. The banks too are not helping SMEs in Nigeria. We need more support in terms of training and funding. The company was officially registered in July 2010, after we started unofficially in February 2010. We have been to the Federal Inland Revenue Services and the Lagos Inland Revenue Services for clarifications on tax matters. We are still enjoying the provision for first two years being tax-free and as for income tax, our income is not up taxable income yet as we are using our funds to build the business right now. As an entrepreneur you have to be wise with spending…

What else do you have to say to the numerous young people who are unemployed out there?

I (Titus) believe everybody has talent. Young people should look more inwards and try to find what they can do with their own talent. Inasmuch as there are so many challenges in Nigeria, there are also so many opportunities. They should surround themselves with good people and capitalize on opportunities when they see one. It took me (Tobias) four years to think about this idea. We worked in a company as cleaners for three years, but when we visit the company now, we still see people who were there then greeting us “Good morning Sir”. The flip side of problems is opportunities. We need to think about what we can give to people and not what they ought to give us. The importance of education cannot be over emphasized, but people should not continue to see university education as a meal ticket. University education should not be seen as a gate way to heaven!
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About Samsung Real Dreams

Samsung Real Dreams (SRD) is a Samsung corporate social responsibility initiative, in conjunction with International Youth Foundation, which focuses on innovation and enterprise. The initiative started in 2009 in Nigeria and has partnered organisations, including the Fate Foundation, Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) and Pan African University’s School of Media and Communications, to promote technical skills acquisition for young, disadvantaged youths for successful, long-term careers and entrepreneurship.

New Year Special! Denrele Scandal Edun speaks!

My kissing game with Charly Boy
He needs no introduction; especially if you’ve seen a picture of Charly Boy kissing a younger chap. This is Denrele like never before

You keep popping up everywhere. What’s your mission here?

Denrele

We’re shooting ‘The return of Jenifa’ and I have a very hilarious role in it. I don’t exactly try to be everywhere but I try to be consistent and as relevant as possible. I also like to be in peoples’ faces. I don’t necessarily seek attention. It comes naturally. I’ve boycotted a couple of shows that I know the whole world is likely to be. I just seem to have my hands in everything .

How did you land the role?

Funke (Akindele) called me up one day and said she had a role for me in a movie called ‘Akorede’.We shot that but my Yoruba was faulty. She later told me about ‘The return of Jenifa’ and we’ve been lodged here on set for over a week. She practically hijacked me. My role is showbiz inclined. I’m a dance instructor in the movie.

We’ve been moving around sets from the hospital to the airport and we even had a concert in UniLag where eLDee performed.

For how much has Funke hired your service?

Funke has invested a lot of capital ,energy and time in having a large crew .We’re family .

Talking about boycotting shows, you were missing at the last SMVA. Why ?

After the scandal which I know we’ll still talk about, I just felt like being in the news again. I wanted to stir up trouble that will get every one distracted from the scandal .

Where do you work now?

I work with Soundcity. Just this week end, I was in Abuja to cover Face of Selera for my company I’ve been doing that for three years now this is the third edition. I recorded for Soundcity back stage and red carpet. I still work there.

So what‘s the true situation of things between you and your boss- Tajudeen Adepetu?

I and Teju are chums .He’s been a fantastic boss. He gave me a great opportunity so I won’t say any thing negative. I still work with him.

The only problem was that I didn’t go to work for two months and it pissed him off. I was busy chasing other stuffs. I will be sincere with you , the reason I didn’t go to work was because I’ve never gone on leave in my five years of working with Soundcity.

There was a time I was really craving Dublin’ ‘cos I’ve not seen my mum in ten years but there was no time, so I decided to take the time off. I traveled to Malaysia for my own show and to Dubai too. I know it was very wrong of me to take off time like that working in a company and I apologized when I got back .I don’t think my boss took it well but I needed the break.

How is Tilewa your girlfriend doing?

She’s doing fine. We just fought this afternoon because I missed her morning calls. But she’s doing fine in her office.

And how is Charly Boy?

Charley Boy is fantastic – my Popsy .He’s doing great with his wife and kids. His son is back. The first question he asked me was, what the hell is going on with you and my father? I said, ‘I don’t understand’. But over all CB is fine

What’s going on between you and Charly Boy? Did that picture happen or was it computer generated?

There are some things I like to be mysterious about. People have been going on and on about my sexuality like they really care. Finally, this picture shows up and it’s like they’ve found evidence. Meanwhile, the picture could just be a controversial agenda, a publicity stunt, a photoshop creation or even the real deal. People should make out what ever they chose.

Do you blame people for reacting the way they did to the picture ?

I shouldn’t say it was unfair the way they reacted to the pictures. Just that they were extreme .One minute they say, ‘Charly Boy’s wife is divorcing him’. Next thing, ‘my parents have thrown me out’. Then, ‘My boss is sacking me’. They’ve said all manner of things.

Let’s set things straight. Did you kiss Charly Boy?

What do you all think? I think that’ll remain a rhetorical question. I feel people should make out what they like.

Where were you when you first saw the picture? And what came to your mind?

I was in Malaysia. I was really shocked, I won’t lie to you. Somebody sent it to me on my BB from the US. I had just finished shopping and was really excited. But when I got the message I was dazed for the first five minutes. I’m a kind of person that nothing ever brings me down but for the first few minutes….Then someone from U k sent it to me, and then Germany, later Brazil, in fact Nigerians saw it late. Knowing how nasty people are, some people used it as profile picture and all sort. Even some friends.

What went through your mind in the first five minutes?

In that first five minutes, my reaction was ‘oh my goodness. If my parents see this what will they say’? You know because there ‘ll always be crazy members who ‘ll react. I just had to clear my head else I’d have been messed up.

I could have been hibernating because of that, but I didn’t let that get to me . I jolted back after the five

Denrele

minutes and told myself , “this should not bring you down”. I think I’m one of the strongest persons alive. I sat back, checked on Twitter and saw all the rubbish people were writing. I answered those I could, till my battery went flat.

I just went out clubbing to cool off. By the time I came back (to Nigeria) people started buzzing me right from the airport. Imagine what it’s like sitting in traffic and vendors are running after you saying “see yourself ,see wetin you do with Charly Boy . Buy it. buy it”. And then people are pointing at you from their cars… You get all sorts of sneers.

And how does all that make you feel?

I feel on top of the world, trust me. I’m used to people pointing at me. I just shut my mind to negative criticisms. I was thinking of how I could make positivity out of the situation, but I just didn’t see it .I couldn’t find a way to switch it around .Truth be told ,Charly Boy is a well defined brand but I was at the centre of it all. It was me people kept buzzing about it.

I just called my dad and said this is the deal get ready for this scandal that’s about to break out. My sisters even call me ‘scandal’ in the house. Because I was looking lighter when I returned from Malaysia, they said I had gone to Malaysia to bleach my skin. Then there is the funny one (rumour) that says I had a child in my teenage days .

That marveled me because the same people say I’m too sexually twisted to function so where did the child come from. I just decided to see the humor in every thing .

For fans who ask you sincerely if you took the pictures, what do you tell them?

Let me give you this instance. I went to Rehab for Halloween night. And some high school girls approached me asking where is Charly Boy. I said ‘I got tired of kissing him and moved on to some body else’. I just make them laugh about it.

Are you saying you had never seen that picture until some one sent it to you?
Yes and I’m very sincere. I have it on my phone now. I saved it much later. I have it for keep sake.

What do you make of this scandal?

For me I think that’s the height .There’s nothing worse that I can imagine any one else doing to me that could drag me down .

Was the picture familiar any way?

I’ll be very sincere, I could define that picture. The picture came right after I hosted Charly Boy ‘s Battle of the Gifted in Abuja. That was when the speculations began because of my close relationship with Charly Boy.

There was a time I stayed in his house for three days and we had a photo shoot for Charly Boy magazine. The outfits were Domini trick, militant and black because we wanted to look tough. I remember that hair do. It was the first time I was trying out colorful extension It was Sleek (hair range) that gave it to me. I hosted Face of Sleek last year December.

They hadn’t payed me so they called me to come and pick up (hair) extensions at least. I picked all the colors and stuck it to my head. CB’s picture looked very fresh . But that outfit I had on is an old one and I don’t even know where it is. I’m definitely more affected than Charley Boy.

Have you tried to imagine the source of the picture?

Yes I have. I actually sat down to ask myself during the first five minutes that I got the picture. I remember when we were having the photo shoot, they were father and son pictures. I had my head on his shoulder at some point.

Did you try to pinpoint who’s capable of doing such?

I tried but I didn’t want to flip the lid on any body so I don’t accuse any one falsely.

But why would any one try to scandalize you further?

I just think it’s a price you have to pay for fame. People like to drive the final nail into some one’s coffin. But then they didn’t consider my personality and strong will .The pictures I know that I took with CB magazine were taken on the streets and then his house. The ones taken in his house were in the presence of his older sister, his Aunt and Dad. We took them right in front of these people so about the whole kissing thing, let people make out what they like.

How did Tilewa take it?

She didn’t like it at first. Things get to her easily. Immediately those pictures came out , some of my friends just told me to alert my immediate family that will be most concerned. For Tilewa ,every body was sending the picture to her and she saw people’s conversation on the topic and together they got to her. I explained to her any way

So what did you tell your 69year old father?

I called every body into my room and announced ,”there is scandal o!”.And I told them what was going on. It’s just a Nigerian mentality. Some people looked at me and they like the whole regalia and boldness but they can’t dare it.

There are some people that are very hypocritical simply because they’ve not attained the kind of acceptance I have. I struggled to be accepted .I showed my Dad the picture on my phone. My sisters already had it .I just had to prepare his mind because I knew he would go to church and people would report me .
What exactly did you tell him?

I think that will let the cat out of the bag. So when he saw the papers he simply laughed over it. My Dad is am elderly man so he simply said the news will die sooner than we expect.

What is the twitter side of the story?

I wanted to see what people were saying about it so I contacted the CEO vie e-mail. I goggled up his name. I told him I am an On Air Personality in my country and I’d really like to know what people are saying about me.

So I gave him my name and all the likely spellings. That way every tweet mentioning my name pops up in DM. When I re-tweet some of them, people attacked me

Why do you re-tweet negative comment?

I read them and find them hilarious and I want others to read up what some people are saying so they can see how feeble minded some people are .

Did you lose any thing because of this scandal?

No I have not lost any thing yet. Maybe I might, may be I’m unaware. But I have a feeling that some things were supposed to happen and I must have lost therm because of this.

A major company (I don’t want to mention the brand ) had called me earlier for branding but because of the scandal, they dropped me .

Do you feel bad because of that?

Me, feel? I don’t let any thing bring me down. I never regret things happening to me. When I was alone the first five minutes, I wondered why this had to happen to me. I asked my self if I caused it or if it was bound to happen or what .

Did you contact CB when you saw the picture?

I did, but couldn’t get through on his phone so I sent a text saying what I saw. He sent me a reply saying I should deal with it for the first few days. I didn’t see the humor in it .

Do you fast forward to five or ten years from now and imagine what this picture could do to your future?
I’m happy that the pictures came out now. I remember Eve, the American Rapper’s story .She used to be a stripper when she was young and that was before she got into showbiz. Those pictures leaked .I’m happy that something of this capacity has come forth .I can’t think of anything bigger (scandal)coming up that would be worse than this. I think this is the height expected, some one probably take any naked picture

Any plans for your Dad’s 70th birthday?

To celebrate someone who has tolerated me for 27years, there has to be a major plan. That man let me express my individuality and swallowed horrible remarks from people for my sake. I will shake Lagos for him. He’s not the richest man in the world but he’s given me multiple respect. His birthday’s on November 17 and we’ll start celebrations from the church because he’s a ‘Fellow’ in church. I’ve told all the artistes you can think of; from Obesere to Pasuma and the Hip Hop artistes.