Flavour, Diamond To Release New Song, Nana

Uzo Chikere

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Flavour has recorded new music with Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz.

The Nigerian Highlife singer teamed up with the Tanzanian entertainer to drop the new single which they have entitled ‘Nana’.

The single which has been recorded and mastered is on the brink of release, and will have both stars actively promoted. It is unclear on whose album the single will feature.

This new collaboration marks a new high for Diamond who has also recorded new music with P-Square.

The singing group made up of Peter Okoye  and Paul Okoye have collaborated with the Tanzanian star to record new music.

Paul Okoye took to Instagram to share a photo from their session in the recording house with the caption: “Hmmm ……something is cooking.”

Earlier this year, Diamond had released a song with Iyanya titled ‘Nakupenda’. A video for the song has been shot, but it is yet to be released.

Nigerian Youth, Ogoko Bags Award Alongside Beyonce, Genevive Nnaji

Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

A 20 year-old social entrepreneur and youth development activist, Miss Chinenye Ogoko said she instantly went into celebration mood when she learnt of her nomination for Star Award alongside other super power women like Beyoncé Knowles, Tola Onibanjo, Genevive Nnaji, Linda Ikeji, Sinach amongst others from around the world.

Ogoko  who received one of the 62 awards given to ladies who have made great difference in people’s lives out of 101 nominees, said she was happy that people far and near could now recognize her efforts in changing lives.

Having delved into youth work at the age of 16 after being trained as a HIV/AIDS peer-educator by MTN Foundation, she started her first social enterprise, Youth of Purpose Network (YPN) in 2008.

With YPN raising over 100 youth volunteers and organizing motivational cum educational programmes for youth in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area; Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area and in Owerri Municipal Council all in Imo State, Ogoko became one of the social entrepreneurs selected from Africa to represent Nigeria in the Mobilizing Youth International Summit of the United Network of Young Peace Builders (UNOY) in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2014, where she emerged first prize winner in the Pitch for Peace contest held in the same summit. 

She said, “I am so happy to be honoured alongside these great women, but most especially I am grateful to God for the grace He has given me to do what I am doing.

“It has been my dream to touch lives and I am so happy that the opportunity to do that in higher platforms are coming.

“I am grateful to the organizers of the award, LIFTEFFECTS and everyone who has supported me through this journey”

The Extraordinary ladies were awarded for their outstanding work at a glamorous event held at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, London, United Kingdom on Saturday May 16, 2015 and the awards were presented by the Mayor of Croydon, Manju Shahul-Hameed.

The event was hosted by Sandra Nelson and LIFTEFFECTS a company that hosts conferences, seminars workshops and provides a speaking platform for extraordinary people to share their stories and aims to plant the seed of hope, passion and encouragement so that everyone can reach their goals and believe in themselves.

The Ahiazu Mbaise-born Miss Chinenye Ogoko currently serves as a Peace Child International’s task force member on Conakry-Rabat Commitment for full youth employment 2030 and is a scholar at Watson University in Colorado USA.

Jahbless Unleashes Album on Nigeria's Democracy Day

Uzo Chikere

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After releasing over four singles from his long-awaited 3rd studio album, Nigerian music act, Jahbless released I Am Me to the general public today, Friday, May 29, 2015, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Coinciding with the handing over and swearing in ceremony from the outgoing president, Jonathan Goodluck to new president, Muhammadu Buhari, Jahbless says the need for a radical change in the country and the music industry was one of the reasons for the release of his third album on Nigeria's democracy day.

In his words, ‘As the country enjoys a new dispensation and hope things change for good, I also hope the music industry gets a turn and change for good too.

‘Music alone can pay you good if things are well structured. Shows and endorsements are supposed to be additional, so am creating a platform to make sure I make my money from music and I hope other artistes can do the same too. That’s why we decided to ride on the wind of change by releasing the album on May 29th,’ he disclosed,

Speaking further, Jahbless said, ‘Yes, it’s deliberate, so many things have been happening in the music industry and it’s quite unfortunate that no one is standing up to create a change or face the challenges.

'Piracy is a big issue, royalties for artistes is another, even the new trend of online piracy eats us up so fast, so I decided to release the album on the 29th because I want it to be significant with the change in the country.'

Jahbless' 22-track album features top of the range acts that include Ice Prince, Oristefemi, Reminisce, Vector, Olamide, CDQ, Lil Kesh, Kiss Daniel and Small Doctor.

Warri Produces Three Winners In Legend Stout’s ‘Taste and Tell’

The first set of three contestants for the Legend Extra Stout Taste and Tell programme in Warri was able to correctly identify the stout brand, thus equaling a similar feat recorded at the Calabar leg of the unique consumer reward scheme. Chants of Warri no dey carry last! (Kpata Kpata na draw) a local inspirational slang, rented the humid air that night as the winners made their way out of the podium with their prizes.

Since the flag off of the nationwide Legend Taste and Tell activation this year, no other city except Calabar and Warri have produced the required three winners at a stretch. Winners usually emerge from three batches of three each in a raffle draw for the prizes up for grabs. They are required to taste three stout drinks from three unmarked glasses and tell which one of them is Legend Extra Stout.

According to beer enthusiasts, the Warri feat not only showed the popularity of the drink among beer buffs in the town, it also emphasizes the unique features that distinguish the Legend brand from other stout brands.

John Erhuen emerged the big winner with a brand new generator while Martin Odje and Uvoh Efe went home with an LED television set and a refrigerator respectively.

One of the winners, Uvoh Efe, a business woman after winning, admitted it was her first time of drinking Legend Extra stout. She said her ability to identify the unique bitter taste of Legend won her the prize. According to her, she used to patronize other stout brands but on the night she tried Legend, she won. “Legend is bitter and it is good”, an over-joyed Uvoh said. “From today, it is bye bye to other stouts. For me and my friends it is going to be Legend or no stout”, she added.

However, the two other winners, John Erhuen and Martin Odje have been regular Legend Extra Stout consumers and had no difficulty identifying their favorite brand. According to them what attracted them to Legend is the strength they derive from each sip. According to them, with moderate alcoholic content, Legend does not prompt headaches and hangover compared to other stout brands.

The event which held at the Laurel Hotel and Bar in Mofor, featured live band entertainment by Lagos-based Platinum Blazers and cultural display by Ema Dance Group whose energetic dance steps sent the crowd roaring with applause.

Senior Brand Manager, Stout category and Life Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Funso Ayeni, had during one of the Taste and Tell event stated that “Legend Extra Stout has come to redefine the stout market and has become the fastest growing stout in the market and that exactly is the path we the brand still following”. It is growing and gaining share in a category that is declining. In other words, Legend is doing well”, he added.

COSON Celebrates 5^TH Anniversary With Roll Of Honour

Uzo Chikere

Almost every copyright owner was present last Wednesday when the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and its members converged on the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja celebrate its 5^th Anniversary as the sole Collective Management Organization for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria.

With such A-List entertainers and entreprenures as Ras Kimono, Capital F.E.M.I, KSB, Tuface Idibia, Konga, Bright Chimezie, Olu Maintain, Princess Anne Inyang, Majek Fashek, Sunny Neji, D’Lyte, Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe of Trace TV, Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Mr. Francis Onwochie, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Jenifer Eliogu, Edi Lawani, King Wadada, King Waleman, Mr. John Asein, Mr. Justin Zhag, CEO of Startimes amongst others in attendance, the highpoint of the occasion was the induction of a number of deserving personages into the COSON Roll of Honour, which is a celebration of individuals who had contributed greatly to the defense of the rights of creative people in Nigeria  .

During the event, the organisers graciously remembered late Amaka Igwe who was entered into the COSON Roll of Honour for her exemplary leadership in ensuring that her TOP Radio 90.9FM station practiced paying for the music it broadcast without having to be chased to do so.  the Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba was also decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour; the highest recognition that the music industry can give to any individual in acknowledgment of that person’s significant contribution to the promotion and defence of the rights of creative people in Nigeria. Mr. Mba was unanimously chosen by the COSON Board because of the historic role played by him and his commission in resolving the over four decade raging dispute between the music and broadcasting industries in Nigeria over the payment of music copyright royalties.

COSON founding staff member, the late Mrs. Patricia Oloruntoba was also entered into the COSON Roll of Honour for her dogged belief and unrelenting contributions to the COSON vision even when all looked bleak. 

Several Nigerians who had distinguished themselves greatly in the promotions and defense of the rights of creative people in Nigeria were also celebrated and their names entered into the COSON Roll of Honour. Among them are Mr. Mac Emakpore; Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Afam Ezekude; multiple award winning music icon Tuface Idibia; show biz impresario, Mr. Edi Lawani; renowned saxophonist, Pa Chris Ajilo; music icon and Chairman of the COSON Advisory Board, Evang. (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; COSON front liner, 89 year old Pa Emmanuel Ntia; music artiste and politician, Kenny St. Brown (KSB); renowned Chartered Accountant and member of COSON Advisory Council, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie; the first Chairman of the then Nigerian Copyright Council (NCC), Prof. Egerton Uviegahara; Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Highlife super star, Sunny Neji; Business man and President, Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), Engr. Ekong Onofiok; renowned broadcaster, actor and director, Mr. Patrick Doyle; President of the Hotel & Personal Services Employers Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA), Chief Samuel O. Alabi; renowned Intellectual property lawyer and Professor of Law, Prof. Bankole Sodipo; veteran broadcaster, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo; Intellectual property lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige; music maestro, Prof. Sir. Victor Uwaifo, MON; COSON Licensing Consultant for the FCT, Mr. Segun Awosanya; COSON Licensing Consultant for Lagos state, Mr. Kazie Uko; quintessential Amazon of the Nigerian music industry, Erelu Morenikeji Okunowo; the first Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and Deputy Governor elect of Akwa

Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo; renowned journalist, Mr. Justin Akpovi Esade; CEO of Cellulant Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Goke Akingboro and CEO of GreenBee Mobile Ltd. Mr. Nnamdi Agwunobi. 

Speaking on the event, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, “For us at COSON, this is significant. We look back at where we came from and are amazed at how much we have covered in such a short time. Today COSON has over 130 reciprocal agreements with collecting societies all around the world. We practically represent all known music in the world today. We also have music copyright agreements with the broadcast industry, the hotel industry in Nigeria and several other categories of music users in Nigeria today. COSON has become a flagship collecting society in Africa. We couldn’t have achieved all of these without the support of distinguished Nigerians to whom we are grateful. While we look back in thanksgiving at our journey so far, we look forward with determination and great zeal because we are resolved never to let down the creative minds in Nigeria. We want to assure them that they can sleep while COSON works”

Also speaking COSON GM said, “Nobody gave us a chance when this all started but I am full of gratitude to the Almighty God that it’s been five years and we are still standing strong. I can say that COSON is the best run and most reliable organ in the Nigerian music industry today because we put our minds to it. Even though it’s been 5 years for us, this is just the beginning because the vision just got bigger and stronger”.

The well put together fête which was a culmination of the 5^th COSON Annual General Meeting held in the same venue earlier on in the day had in attendance big wigs of the music industry, the broadcast industry, the hotel industry, renowned intellectual property lawyers, and friends of the society amongst others.