DRUMMER GIRL, ARA, SEPARATES FROM HUSBAND

ARA AND HUBBY, NURUDEEN

Drummer girl, Ara, has joined the growing list of Nigerian celebrities without their husbands. She, last week, released the belated announcement of her separation from her husband of just two years.

According to her, she and her husband, Prince Nurudeen Olalekan Saliu, have been separated since January this year but had somehow withheld the announcement till now. “We’ve been separated since January,” a statement from the musician read. “But because I do not want rumours to start flying… all my friends and fans need to know what’s happening to me, I think it’s right to set the records straight once and for all on this. We’re no longer together and we’re both happy. We’ve both moved on.”

She went on to add that she is single again but not searching at the moment. “I’ve taken this decision very painfully; and it’s particularly a tough and sensitive time for me and my son. And I plead with my friends and fans to put us in their prayers at this period,” she concluded.

The couple married on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Isolo Registry and had their son a few weeks after. Rumour has it that the reason for their separation is not far distanced from wife battering and domestic violence and this post on her facebook wall more or less confirms it: “When I am down, I look for someone to show love n care to, someone I probably would never see again. I don’t know how I survived d last 7months people. Through my pain, the abuse, tears, the betrayal…I thank all those I have been of help to, in heeding ur calls, my broken heart is mending. I thank those who have helped me help others, God will continually lift you all…I thank God for making me His instrument. I thank God for my son!”

CALLY IKPE LOSES FATHER

CALLY IKPE

The CEO of CALLYVISION NETWORK, Mr. Cally Ikpe, is in deep mourning right now. His beloved dad succumbed to the cold hands of death in the early hours of Thursday, July 14, 2011. He was aged 67 years and had been diabetic for a while but the family had carefully and successfully managed it up until the time of his death.

Pa Simon Ikpe who was based back home in Gboko, Benue State. He is survived by his wife and six children among who is Mr. Cally Ikpe whose CALLYVISION NETWORK produces LIVEBEATS and the Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA).

When I called Cally last week, he was already on his way to Benue State. “We accept God’s will in everything,” he said. He also added that though no burial arrangements were in place yet, that the family would abide by the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church which his father is a staunch adherent.

CRACK YA RIBS TO HIT ABUJA!

Julius Agwu

The first installment of this year’s CRACK YA RIBS is set to hit the capital city of Abuja on Sunday, July 31. It will hold at the THISDAY DOME and would feature artistes like Okey Bakassi, Ice Prince, Basketmouth, I Go Dye, Flavour, Funny Bone, Tiwa Savage, Senator, Dan DHumorous, Osama and Lynxxx.

According to the host of the show, Julius D’Genius Agwu, the organizers have put in lots of effort into this year’s show in order give the people resident in Abuja quality entertainment. “For the people that have been part of Crack Ya Ribs in Abuja in the past, they can testify to the standard of the show in terms of quality entertainment and we don’t intend to rest on our oars. Aside our lineup of entertainers for this year’s CRACK YAR RIBS, there will be lots of surprises. We are introducing something that has never been done before in Abuja. You just have to be there on July 31 to see for yourself.”

As usual, Aero Contractors, which is the official carrier of the Abuja show and also one of the leading airlines in Nigeria, will be flying the entertainers from Lagos to Abuja.

Crack Ya Ribs has held in different parts of the world including London and America and has become one of the biggest annual concerts in Nigeria. It celebrated its tenth anniversary last year.

THE NEW FACE OF PMAN

PREDDY WISE

The developments in Nigeria’s premier house of music, the PERFORMING MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PMAN) seems to have finally taken a positive form. This comes in the shape of the brand new executives earlier elected for the association and their resolve to take the body forward. Headed by Mr. Wisdom Okoduwa (Preddy Wise) and assisted by Ms. Yinka Davies and Mr. Soki Ohale, they have declared their readiness move forward from the various controversies and disputes that have trailed PMAN for a long time now.

CHRISTY ESSIEN-IGBOKWE FOR BURIAL ON SEPTEMBER 9; ENDOWMENT FUND TO BE MANAGED BY ZENITH BANK

CHRISTY ESSIEN-IGBOKWE

The remains of Nigeria’s Lady of Songs, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, would be buried in Lagos on Friday, September 9, 2011. This is according to a release from the burial committee which was inaugurated shortly after her death.

The committee is chaired by former Delta State Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Austin Izagbo and has a number of other sub-committees including Finance, Publicity, Ceremonial, Welfare, Security, Special Duties and Logistics which have been charged with handling the specifics of the burial ceremony.

A “Christy Essien-Igbokwe Endowment Fund” is also to be set up in her honour. It will handled by the Finance sub-committee which has constitutional lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje; Mr. Marcel Ikedudu, a retired banker; Dr. Patrick Igbokwe, member of the Igbokwe family and Mr. Mike Ejezie as members. The account will be managed by Zenith Bank and all contributions and donations towards the burial activities will be deposited there.

YOUNG ACTS THRILL 'AT ONE MIC NAIJA 2'

Nikki, Koffi and Kel

It was a beautiful festival of live music at the second edition of ONE MIC NAIJA, which held on Sunday, June 26 at Browne’s Café, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Young upcoming artistes grabbed the opportunity presented them on a live stage with both hands and delivered some very remarkable performances with a live band.

Of the performers on the night, gospel crooner, Nikki Laoye, was the most senior and she delivered smoothly numbers from her first album, ANGEL FOR LIFE. Her performance which was to have come later in the evening was brought forward to allow her leave for the launch of Pastor Paul Adefarasin and the Chosen Treasure’s album launch holding on the island. Yemi Alade and Suzzy followed beautifully in the singing genre, both raising masculine temperatures in the building with some ‘smoochy’ moves. Slim T, Efa, Five Mics and Base One, who delivered on Nikki’s song, did the rap duties. Comedian, Koffi, also dropped some well received comic lines while rapper, Kel and former Tribesman, KB hosted.

The show was launched in April to provide a platform for upcoming music acts to showcase their skills with a live band on a stage. Last month’s edition had performances by Pope, 19th Street, Clay and many others. The June edition was supported by hair care giants, SOULMATE, who provided gift packs for every attendee. Next edition comes up in August.

MORACHI RETURNS

MORACHI

The entertainment industry sure has missed him and the creativity that revolves round his work but Morachi has finally returned to the Nigerian music scene. The artiste who single, “Hapuya Like That” is back with a bang and his new works reflect that.

Recently at the Industry Nite which held in his honour at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Morachi launched his brand new video ‘Ibu Onye’ which was directed by upcoming director, Beryls. It features several elements of traditional Nigeria and relates his eastern roots. A 150 year-old tortoise, two ostriches, a python were on the list of characters.

On the night, he also performed for the first time, his new single, ‘Bend Down Touch Your Toes’ featuring Lynxxx of the ‘Utunu’ fame.

Speaking to me afterwards, Morachi registered his joy at once again taking centre stage on the Nigerian music scene. ‘I am very happy to find my way back into the Nigerian music industry. I thank everyone who came out to support me, most especially my mom, for all the love and support she has shown me.” He also revealed that he is at an advanced stage of work on his new album which should be out this year.

THE NEW SHAPE OF THE 2011 HEADIES

eLdee and Rita Dominic

The HEADIES, formerly HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS is gradually taking a new and definite shape for the 2011 edition.

CHANGE OF NAME: Firstly the name changed from the HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS to the HEADIES to fit the international standard set by awards like the GRAMMYS and OSCARS.

HOSTS: Prolific producer and singer, Eldee the Don (Lanre Dabiri) and popular Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic would host this year’s HEADIES. Past hosts are D’banj and Dakore Egbuson, Darey and Tana Adelana, Banky W and Kemi Adetiba.

THEME SONG: The song, entitled "Breaking from the Norm" was recorded by Waje, Ice Prince, Wizkid, Mo’ Cheddah and produced by Samklef. It was released last week and the video would be shot in no time.

ARTISTES’ SEMINAR: There are also plans to hold a seminar for artistes and stakeholders in the industry before the awards. The seminar according to the organizers is part of efforts to sensitize them on the rules, details of sending in entries for nomination, and the unveiling of the selection committee for the awards proper.

NIKKI LAOYE ENGAGED AT CHICKEN REPUBLIC

NIKKI AND HER RING

THE GUY IN QUESTION

Petite Gospel singer, Nikki Laoye, is flushed with embarrassing joy. Reason: Her beau swept her off her feet on Sunday, June 26, during a lunch date at the popular eatery by publicly going down on his knees and ‘demanding’ for her hand in marriage. She couldn’t just refuse that and since then all her profile pictures on all the social networks have changed to the picture here or something like it.

Her FACEBOOK status read: ‘and the dude done did it. June 26 is the day I will never forget. Was the headlining artiste at ONE MIC NAIJA and became d headline topic in d best proposal ever. Share my joy. LORD I thank u. U have finally DID IT. Yaay!’ She also told me that she was overwhelmed. ‘I will never forget this day in my life! It ranks right up there among the happiest days of my life and I thank God. I don’t know about marriage plans yet, I am just happy to be engaged now.’

Nikki’s fiancé, Alex, is a fair young man from Abia State who has been her confidante for six months now. He drafted his proposal letter on the blog: http://www.sammieal.blogspot.com/ and directed Nikki to it on the pretext that there’s a story on her there. By the time she got to the last line which read: ‘Oyenike Samantha (Sammie) Phoebe Helen Funmilayo Nikki Laoye Will You Marry Me?’ He was already on his knees in the public glare of the ever busy Ikoyi Chicken Republic. An eye witness account stated that Nikki immediately burst into tears before the other ‘eaters’ understood what was happening and it took her about ten minutes to recollect herself and say YES!

Her first album, ANGEL FOR LIFE, came out in 2009 and after a stellar performance at the 2009 Hip Hop World Awards in Abuja announced her to the Nigerian music community; her star has been on the rise even though she has maintained the gospel in her tunes. She is presently working on her second album.

BABY BOOM IN THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY

OBI AND BABY ASIKA

The month of June was a very fruitful one for the Nigerian music industry as not less than four music personalities welcomed little tots into their homes. This came after Obi Asika, the amiable boss of Storm Records and his wife, Yetside, had closed the month of May with the birth of their baby girl on Thursday, May 26. This people followed him:

OMAWUMI

OMAWUMI MEGBELE: Perhaps the most publicized of the quartet is Omawumi’s because ever since the Idols West Africa runner-up appeared with a protruding belly, the Nigerian music world has been awash with tales. Firstly was the mystery of the baby’s father once it was established that her erstwhile boyfriend, producer, Dr. Frabz was not responsible. The lot finally settled on Tosin yusuf, one of the handlers of the popular nightclub, Movida and Omawumi put to bed on Friday, June 17 at the Rockdale Medical Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The baby girl has been christened Emmanuella Kamila Yusuf seven days after birth. Omawumi would be back in the country later in the year to conclude work on her sophomore album and a more elaborate naming ceremony would be held for the baby.

DJ MEWSIC AND HIS FIRS BABY

DJ MEWSIC: On that same Friday, June 17, at the Roding Medical Centre, Victoria Island, DJ Mewsic of Brila 88.9 FM and his wife, Abisola, received their own bundle of joy, a daughter. She is their second child (they had a son first after their marriage in 2009) and they have gone on to christen her, Iseoluwa Michelle Ojedokun.

DJ Mewsic’s real name is Ojedokun Emmanuel Oluwafemi and he is the resident DJ of Brila FM. He presents the programmes: Brila 88.9FM's victory party, the Top 8 countdown, the Hit Mix and Best Hours. He was an understudy to DJ Humility before coming into his own and has received quite a number of recognitions including: The award of Best DJ in Surulere 2004 and a nomination for the Best Club DJ (Mainland) in 2006.

ROGBA AND MO' CHEDDAH

ADEROGBA ARIMORO (ROGBA) of the Knighthouse team and his wife Biyo welcomed their first child, a baby girl, at around 11am on Saturday, June 18 at the Deseret International Hospital, GRA Ikeja. Rogba who is known as the CEO by friends and his wife, got married in Lagos on Saturday, December 18, 2010. The baby was christened Emmanuel Oluwateniola Ebiegberi seven days after.

The Knighthouse team is a music production outfit made up of the trio of Rogba, Gomez and Lanre. They have been involved in the works of some of the most notable of the contemporary Nigerian musicians and have Mo’ Cheddah on their label.

SOUND SULTAN AND FARIDAH

SOUND SULTAN’S baby arrived on the morning of Sunday, June 26 at a FESTAC Town hospital. The ‘Jagbajantis’ crooner and his wife, Faridah welcomed their second child, a baby boy, who comes a year and eight months after the birth of their first child, a girl, who they named Zara.

The couple got married in Lagos on October 1, 2009 after dating for some time. At that time, Farida, an Igbo Christian who went by the name Chichi was an undergraduate at the Lagos State University but she converted to her husband’s religion, Islam before taking on her present name.