Tag Archives: Lagos

Nehita Jewelry Brand Makes Waves in Lagos, Nigeria

AfriQtalk, first announced back in May, 2011 that Nehita Jewelry was set to go global with plans to launch in fine boutiques and specialist stores worldwide. That’s right!  On 9th of October, 2011, CEO of Nehita Jewelry, Monalisa Okojie, once again showcased her luxurious collection of some of the finest handpicked exotic stones, golds and conflict free diamonds at the Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Center in Ikoyi, Lagos. Guest were entertained with a fashion collections by Derin of Fablane and music performances by Haykm of Serengeti music.

Her jewelry, designed from exotic stones, has been worn by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alan Cumming, Melora Hardin, Michael Henderson, Sally Pressman, CCH Pounder, Katherine Joosten, Meagan Good, Brandy, Hosea Chanchez, Carrie Ann Inaba, Quinton Aaron, Malina Moye, Jackie Long, Gramma Funk, Lisa Raye. Monalisa’s next stop will be in Accra, Ghana before heading back to the U.S.

Monalisa has a strong commitment to support ethical causes through donating a generous portion of Nehita profits to charities such as the International Center of Education and Youth Development. She also personally ensures the ethical sources of materials and conflict free diamonds. Monalisa puts artistry into every piece of her gems.

Food For Thought

By Switz Chef (Olufemi Sweet)

Click to find out  AfriQtalk’s Pick of the day @ Palmview Manor Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigeria


To have a free recipe for my pick of the day, email me at afriqtalk@yahoo.com.

When Royalty meets Entertainment “Dking” is born

Rokan Adekola was born in 1967 at Iboropa Akoko in Ondo State, South West of Nigeria to the Adekola Royal Family, a.k.a, DKing.  Rokan attended St Mark’s Primary School Iboropa Akoko and Fadeyi Primary School 3 where he completed his primary education and moved on to Birch Freeman High Schoolin Lagos for his secondary education. Because of his passion for music, he enrolled in His Grace School of Music, Lagos where he became a full time percussionist.

Popularly known as King Rokan is a US-based Nigerian songwriter, recording artiste and performer. His music is a contemporary mix of Afro-juju, Fuji and Gospel Highlife with a soulful touch of traditional Yoruba rhythm. His songs are mostly in his Yoruba mother tongue and inspired by the desire to uplift and promote the rich indigenous culture of Africa.

Dking has performed at very important events around the world including; the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics and black history month. He has entertained three presidents; President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1993 with Bolu and the Roots of African Percussion and two former Nigerian presidents; Gen. Abdusalemi Abubakar in Washington DC and President Olusegun Obasanjoin Ohio.

Also, he performed live at the grand opening of Animal Kingdom in Disney world Orlando Florida. After Losing his parents at the tender age of 10, at 12 years old he was determined to work hard and be successful. King Rokan became the choir master of Eternal Order of Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Alpha ET Omega Ilasamaja in 1983. In 1986 he moved to the branch at Esuola Okota as music director.

In 1994, he relocated to Atlanta where he started the band King Rokan & The Royal Crew in 1997 and was the first Nigerian to start a live band in Atlanta. In 2001, when he released “Rock On”; he scored another first as the first Nigerian artiste to release an album and a video the same day in America. “Showtime” followed in 2003, “4GveDem” in 2005, “Thank U God” in 2008 and “Oba Tide” in 2010 which was produced by Yinka Ayefele and Puffy Tee.

As a promoter and music entrepreneur, King Rokan started Rokan Entertainment, a music promotion and artiste management outfit. On this platform, he has worked with and promoted Late DR Sikiru Ayinde Barrister- , Gen. Kollington Ayinla,Sir Shina Peters, Obesere, Adewale Ayuba, Yinka Ayefele, Just to mention few including K1 D Ultimate(King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall) who gave him the title of Oluaye of Georgia in 2002.

King Rokan’s eclectic style earned him the best Indigenous Artist of the year award at the N.P.A summit in Atlanta GA. He has a new single, recently launched in Lagos, Nigeria 12/15/2011, FT 2FACE “MAGBAGBE”(NO 4GET) PRODUCED BY FEMI OJETUNDE(FEM DOUBLE PRODUCTIONS). Kudos to you Dking http://facebook.com/kingrokan. You rock!

Press Release -The Nigerian Promoters Association prepares for the 2nd Annual Summit & Awards Gala in Atlanta,Georgia

The Nigerian Promoters  Association prepares for the 2nd Annual Summit & Awards Gala in Atlanta,GA by Ovacom Consulting on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 3:10am.

The Nigerian Promoters Association (USA), is set to polish the Nigerian Arts and Entertainment Business in the United States of America and in the diaspora. You will recall that undoubtedly, a message of hope for change had already been established upon a successful NPA Launch and it’s 1st Annual Summit held in Houston TX on October 9th, 2010.

NPA  2ND ANNUAL SUMMIT

The Annual summit is an annual meeting of Entertainment Administrators such as; promoters, music producers, event planners, record label companies, Artiste managers, DEEJAYS, Entertainment media personalities, film producers, fashion designers, Arts, sports est. coming together to meet and deliberate thoroughly on how to better improve the standard of  the Nigerian  Arts and Entertainment industry as a one point agenda by the year 2015. In addition, it should be categorically noted therefore, that the Nigerian promoters Association is not politically oriented and will not give room to be politically influenced by any Nigerian politician or political party as the case may be.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS AWARDS

The NPA 2011 Awards is planned to be bigger and better holding in Atlanta Georgia on SEPTEMBER 3RD respectively. The Arts and Entertainment  Business Awards is to recognize, to celebrate and to further promote the Nigerian entertainment practitioners  based in the United States of America.  This way more talents will be discovered because of the competition it will definitely create. While the already discovered talents will also have reasons to do better and remain relevant in the industry.

This award ceremony will award thirty-two (32) winners with thirty-two (32) awards each under thirty-two (32) competitive categories including three(3) international awards, the progressive image Award of Nigerian public office and eight (8) Honorary awards. Bringing the total number of awards to recipients to forty (40).

NOMINEES:

Nominations are based on  the available active entertainment person(s) with current material works, such as; Music and Film on; CD, DVD, including Media. Categories consists of two (2) to ten (10) nominees that are selected for each category respectively.

VOTING:

For transparency, an online voting is embed on the NPA website where fans can  cast their votes for their various nominees under various categories of the award and also view the entire result of the voting and who the winner is right away. Voting commences April 20-July 20,2011.

Dangote to invest $3.9 bln on cement plants in Africa

On April 12, 2011  In  Vanguard Headlines

Lagos –  The Dangote Group says it will invest 3.9 billion dollars (N585 billion) in the expansion of its cement plants in some Africa countries.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the company, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos while signing an agreement between his company and a Chinese firm, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd.

He said that the expansion project, expected to be completed in 2013, would produce additional 16.5 million tonnes of cement to achieve a target of 50 million tonnes in the next two years.

Dangote, represented by Mr Devakumar Edwin, the company’s Group Executive Director ( Business Development), said that the projects included installation of equipment, mining, quarry and power facilities, among others.

“Cement plants with installed capacity of 1.5 million tonnes each per year will be constructed in countries like Tanzania, Gabon and Republic of Congo.

“South Africa, Ibese and Obajana cement plants will each produce additional new lines of three million tonnes while the grinding plant in Cameroon is targeted at producing 1.5 million tonnes annually.

“The agreement signed today is for production of additional three million tonnes each from the existing plants in Obajana, Ibese and other plants,” he said.

Dangote said that the group was targeting the production of 20 million tonnes of cement before the end of 2011 from the plants.

He said that the new projects would provide over 40,000 additional jobs to truck drivers that would have multiplier effects on the nation’s economy and wealth creation.

Dangote said that the group was exploring many other power sources to save cost.

“In Senegal, we use coal to power the plant and we import the coal from South Africa. We use gas and hydro-power plant where they are available,” he said..

Mr Wu Shoufu, President of the Chinese firm, said that the agreement would strengthen business growth in the two countries.

Shoufu said that the expansion of cement plants in Africa by Dangote Group would make the region to achieve self sufficiency in cement production soon. (NAN)