#LaitAndAbout - TFAA Recognises Noble Africans

The Future Awards Africa recently recognised 20 Africans out of 100 nominated, on Sunday,  December 18th, at the Federal Palace Hotel.

Though the event started late, and all of the pressmen and guests had to stay outside the hall to enjoy the black carpet, finger food and drinks, and the photobooth (I regret that i forgot to use the photobooth though.) 

But i had fun with the #TosynCam - Check @tosynsblog out on instagram for all of the pictures (and follow.)

The event started, Yes! It did. And, Mocheddah, Dj Obi, Shola Fapson and Wole Ojo were the hosts. 

In attendance at the Future Awards were; Vimbai, Lamide Akintobi, Eunice Omole, Kiki, Mannie, Mimi Onalaja, Maraji, Tosin Odunfa to name a few.

President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Nana Akufo-Addo was present and he gave a very long keynote speech at the event.

Falana, Simi, Lala Akindoju, Timi Dakolo and Davido all performed. 

It was one great night of celebrating hope of Africa. And i can't wait for the 12th edition next year.

See below for list of winners;

TFAA Prize for Public Service - Asuquo Ekpenyong (31).

TFAA Prize for Fashion - Adebayo Oke-Lawal (26).

TFAA Prize for Agriculture - Julius Adewopo (31).

TFAA Prize for On Air Personality (Visual) - Bolanle Olukanni (27).

TFAA Prize for Professional Service - Dr. Salihu Dasuki Nakande (29).

TFAA Prize for Business - Ifeanyi Orajaka (28).

TFAA Prize & Ebonylife Prize for New Media - Tosin Ajibade (29).

TFAA Prize for Media Enterprise - Bidemi Zakariyau (27).

TFAA Prize for Sports - Kehinde Paul (28).

TFAA Prize for Creative Professional - Evans Akanno (27). 

TFAA Prize for Technology - Olaniran Abiola (27).

TFAA Prize for Advocacy - Bukola Bolarinwa (28).

TFAA Prize for Art and Culture - Adenrele Sonariwo (29).

TFAA Prize for Music - Yemi Alade (27).

TFAA Prize for On Air Personality (Audio) - Ayo Thompson (30).

TFAA Prize and EbonyLife Prize for Screen Producer - Adeola Osunkojo (30).

TFAA Prize and EbonyLife Prize for Journalism - Chika Sandra Oduah (30).

TFAA Prize and EbonyLife Prize for Acting - Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (28).

TFAA Prize for Beauty - Theodora 'Doranne' Anne Mogo (24).

#LaitAndAbout KSA's Fender Guitar Auctions For N52.1million? Wawu!

Yes o! All roads led to Federal Palace Hotel on Sunday, December 11th, for the legend, King Sunny Ade's Sunny on Sunday concert; a concert that was the grand "wrap-up" concert for the month long celebration of KSA's 70th birthday.

Before I s.h.a.r.e details of my "wawu" highlight of the night ( KSA's Fender Guitar that was auctioned for N52.1million ), let me share highlights of my moments on the red carpet.

I had the #TosynCam so first thing i did was let celebrity guests take #TosynCamSelfies. Check them out via @TosynsBlog on Instagram.

From Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt to quirky Lala Akindoju; from the selfie Queen, Toke Makinwa to Mimi Onalaja, Debola Williams, Darey, Iyanya and Emma Nyra.

The Sunny on Sunday concert had two fun zones - The Temple Balmoral Hall were the main event happened and the VVIP lounge where multi-instrumentalist Ed Izycs serenaded the guests.

Now, to my highlight - the starting bid price for the Fender Guitar was N9million and the bidding got up to N52.1million when an unidentified individual made the final bid.

KSA's glittering Fender guitar was designed by Nigerian visual artist,writer and photogragher Victor Ehikhamenor and the auction was handled by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, a certified auctioneer.

The event was hosted by actress Funke Akindele, OAP Lolo of wazobia Fm and comedian, Tee A. Artistes who performed were Tiwa Savage, Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters, Niniola, Iyanya, Terry Apala, Darey and Awilo Logomba.

Indeed, the night was a night to remember and I look forward to upcoming projects of King Sunny Ade. My Christmas kicked off on the bright side.

#Style One Outfit Three Ways

For today's 'one three ways' feature, i am talking about my #unitedcoloursofbenetton top.

Getting a top that can be styled in different ways and with multiple colours is always a great idea. You can wear it for years and make it look different each time.

My first instinct with this top as shown in Picture 1 and 4, is to accessorise with contrasts to make it even brighter. The secret is to tone down in other areas.

AND, you may not be able to see it properly here, in picture 1, i actually wore the top the wrong way (on purpose o) with the front to the back.

As for the middle pictures, i went with navy blue / a shade of purple because while not as bright, they still give a good contrast.

As always, i love my hats or scarves.

I'm still going to try this with black. I think that will be pretty cool too.

#BehindTheScenes Chatting with the legend, King Sunny Ade, was surreal

I don't know people who live and work with legends manage to behave because every time I meet a living legend? O la la!

Today I had the honour of interviewing King Sunny Ade on my radio show. Sometimes when things like this happen, you are like, 'meeeeeee?'. But I couldn't panic nor over think it. KSA was driving in. 'Wawu'.

So what was it like?

O my. Where do I start?

First KSA is so polished. I don't think they teach that kind of charm in school. Smiley, courteous and gracious. I had to remind myself the man sitting opposite me, so soft spoken, was 70!!!
He took our flight of stairs like it was nothing. It's not surprising for a man who grew up playing football and now plays golf, chess, lacrosse and more.

Speaking of football, he says he loves and supports the Eagles but wouldn't tell us what club he supports. I tried to get him to say, 'Manchester United'.

There's a 'Sunny on Sunday' concert coming up where he will not only perform with other talented stars like Onyeka Onwenu, Darey and Omawumi, but he will also auction of one of his guitars. I asked how many guitars he has. 'Not up to a hundred'.

He will also be the first Nigerian artiste to be inducted into Hard Rock Cafe's Rock Hall of Fame.
'Yass'!

Is there a difference between playing at a concert and playing at a wedding? 'Big Difference', he replied. For the former, all eyes are on you and it's just you trying to entertain the crowd. (Methinks the money spraying would also be a big difference o. Ah).

He 'sprayed' me with prayers. I feel so blessed!!!

I asked what his favourite song from his own body of work is and even though he loooooves all his songs, he has a soft spot for the first song he ever recorded, 'Alaanu ni Oluwa'.

Looking forward to him singing that song live on the 11th of December.

Which brings me to, o my! Whatever shall I wear?????????

#BehindTheScenes Iyanya's baby bells and impressions! (Written by (Iretomiwa)

Guess who stormed Tosyn Bucknor's show ( #TopoftheMorning)?! Mavin's new signing bounced into the studio with his entourage. He even took over Tosyn's snapchat o!

After playing his new song, 'Up To Something' featuring Don Jazzy and Dr. Sid, Tosyn challenged Iyanya to do impressions of Pete Edochie, Falz, Kanye and Don Jazzy.

On his move to MAVINS, he said it's the best decision he's ever made. He explained that it all started after he recorded 'GIFT' with Don Jazzy. According to him, there's no bad blood whatsoever with Ubi Franklin and MMMG.

Right now, he's listening to Sia, Bryson Tiller, Tori Lanez on his ipod.

When we gave him dumbbells to lift (someone actually had to heave to lift them) Iyanya lifted them with his fingers!!! Just two fingers! He called them "baby bells"!!! Cheiiii!!!!

He pointed out that you never stop paying your dues, no matter how old you are in the business.

On why his shirts always seem to be unbuttoned on stage, he repeated that it was because of the heat and light.
When it was time for the proverb challenge, he was clueless for the first 3 minutes trying to rack his brain for an Efik proverb. Finally he got one, we think.

To top it all up, he brought along a biiiiig cake!!!!!. Yaaay Iyanya, thank you!

#Life101 My eternal Nature .v. Nurture debate

(THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON YNAIJA)

"I am my father’s daughter, I am my mother’s child, have hair like my grandmother, I smile like my grandpa… Heritage, that’s what makes me me”

Those are lines from a song, ‘Heritage’, by CON.tra.diction and they ring in my ear regularly. Everything i am, i can seem to link to one parent or the other. And if all else fails, i dig up a grandpa. It works out when i am having a good day- i can thank genetics for getting some things right. But on days when i feel less than perfect, i also feel helpless. Thanks to genetics, i can’t reach certain heights (literally) and have to watch what goes to my hips (thanks grandma).

I once studied criminology in university and was so fascinated by the theories of crime out there, that i based my final year project on the Nature .v. Nurture debate. Are criminals born or made? That was my question and the project tried to answer it by digging up various theories and studies. For example, i found a study of twins separated at birth who still ended up living almost similar lives. Infact, there was one set of twins, girls, who ended up marrying men working in similar fields. And on the day they showed up to meet each other for the first time, dressed alike.

It was uncanny.

But is nature truly to blame for everything? And should it get credit for the good we do? I saw an old picture of my dad; his column in a newspaper. I realise that just like him, i sing and write. And like my mum, i do a lot of business. Would i be a writer if i was born into another home? Was it innate, or was it just watching him work that inspired me? Truth is, i grew up with a musician as a dad; the writer i met through pictures and history.. Then there is that energy my sister and i seem to have. Meet my dad and you may wonder where it comes from. He is a very calm, jovial easy going fellow. Meet my mum, and then you’ll see energy! She still wakes up before i do and goes to bed after me and seems to be everywhere, taking care of every issue, at the same time.

Nature surely, must get the credit there

Nurture theorists beg to differ. According to them, we are not what we were born with, but what we were developed to be. It is the things we watch, or things that are said to us that shape us. So if you take a child from a good home and you raise him with criminals, he will grow up to be a criminal while his siblings will be pillars of society (as we like to say here).

Think about it. If the nature theorists win the debate, that means you can only be as good as the genes you were born with. No point trying to be a leader if you were born into a family destined to follow. No need trying to hide in the corner if you were born a natural exhibitionist. Don’t bother trying to learn to play the guitar, your genes scream ‘medicine’, and hey, your hairline WILL recede. Your grandfather is to blame.

Yikes.

I battle with those thoughts constantly. And figure when nature treats me good, i will let it run its’ course. But when it comes to things i don’t want, i will give nature a run for its money.

In the end, i can only ask myself what Switchfoot asks, “This is your life… Are you who you want to be?”

#BehindTheScenes Nickelodeon says Happy Birthday to Nigerian Kids

Nickelodeon teams up with Dominos for monthly birthday surprises

So, the kids and family channel on Dstv 305, Nickelodeon, has a pleasant surprise for Nigerian kids.

In partnership with Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery, Nickelodeon is offering four kids every month the chance to win an awesome birthday surprise.

This surprise is open to kids between 2 - 12 years of age. (Although Tosyn is not a kid but she got a surprise as well! Think it is because of her height?)

How to win? All kids have to do is take part in a monthly competition and they could be selected alongside friends and family to join in the surprise birthday party.

Aside from the party, Nickelodeon and Domino's will also give winners a special gift. The surprise parties will take place at selected Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone creamery outlets in Nigeria, with lots and lots of fun.

To participate in the competition, click here to fill the registration form on the Nickelodeon website. Winners will be contacted, every month.

Alex Okosi, the Senior Vice President and Managing Director, of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa said:

"We are very excited to be rewarding Nigerian kids with this fun birthday activation in partnership with Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery. Nigeria is one of our largest markets for Nickelodeon and this is our own way of giving back to Nickelodeon fans for their loyalty to the channel.

"Every birthday party will definitely be an unforgettable experience for Nigerian families and we can't wait to kick off!"

#Vlog #MondazetoFriyay... Busy week with Iyanya and My Extensionz CEO

The biggest story during the week was Iyanya signing with the Mavins.



We caught up with him and had a chat about that in this video which also features a chat with the CEO of My Extensionz, where i got my nails and more done.



Check out the video!

#Chikasays #TravelThursday: 5 beautiful reasons Kenya is my next stop

BY CHIKA

So where is your next travel stop this year? For me, i think it might be Kenya. Why? Well i was scrolling through Twitter, when i stumbled upon some pictures of Kenyan wildlife that are totally adorable.

And now i find i might be packing my bags to Nairobi. I would like to share some of them with you here:

Ready?

1. This picture of a sea turtle with fish riding on its back was taken at Watamu beach and it made me smile.

Meanwhile, Watamu beach is near Mombasa Kenya, and not only can you spend time on really beautiful beaches, you can also watch sea creatures, if you are an avid diver.

2. Next up is, this really dope picture of a man feeding an elephant:

The picture was taken at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. According to their Twitter handle @DSWT, they are pioneers in the rescue, rehabilitation & release of orphaned baby elephants, and actively work to conserve all wildlife and wilderness areas in Kenya.

I would love to go visit and feed baby elephants too.

3. Giraffes against the beautiful brown of a safari is a beautiful sight to see.

These giraffes are at home in the Massai Mara, a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya. The Massai Mara is quite close to the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. 

I also noticed that there are several other beautiful sights in this park i really need to see.

4. Dolphins diving is another of my favorite things to watch

I will also likely visit Kenya's wildlife services, apapart from watching animals all day, i will ask them if i can take home a pet dolphin.

5. Watching the migration of wildebeest from a hot air balloon has to be on everyone's bucket list.

I can't wait to get on a hot air balloon and watch the whole of the Serengeti beneath my feet.

Who wants to come?

#ChikaSays For the love of covers: 4 of my favorite

BY CHIKA

Who remembers Banky W's "Ebute Metta", a 'Nigerianized' and catchy cover of  Rihanna's "Umbrella"? Well, here are some of my favorite song covers ever:

1. Ebute Metta by Banky W

So, i really like this song because of its catchy tune. Rihanna's version is dope and sweet, but there is something bouncier about Banky W's "Ebute Metta" that made me fall instantly in love with it.

I sometimes miss the Banky on that track, although i love how he has grown as an artiste since then.

Ready for a massive throwback? Click the video



2. Hello by Praiz

So Adele's "Hello" caught fire. That song was everything, and on many nights, i still go to bed to the soulfulness of it.

Then Praiz brought his beautiful beard and voice into the cover and i fell in love all over again. I think it had to do with the deeper timbre of his voice, but it was instant love on that cover.

Listen to this beauty here:


3. Hello by Omawunmi

I found it hard to ignore Omawunmi's cover of Hello. While i still prefer Praiz's, Omawunmi also gave her soul and a little jazz to the track. The bounciness strangely does not reduce the soul of the song. Kudos! Omawunmi.

Feel the Omawunmi magic:

4. Panda by Ycee

Panda! Panda! Panda! Desiigner went in on that track! I spent a week studying the lyrics just to show off on karaoke night. Then Ycee happened.

Ycee's cover is slower, i can almost hear ever word, i like the creativity it took for him to come up with totally different lyrics, to cover the beat properly, i respect that, so it comes in at no 4.

Click the play button:

Listened to any covers by Nigerians lately that you like? Share with me.

#LaitandAbout Cyphers, Divas and Illbliss Live!

BY LAIT

If you ask me to describe last night in one word, i would say "Super Lit" (make that two words please.El-o-el).

I was at the 5ive Live Hip-Hop sessions' second instalment where rapper, Illbliss, had a special showcase for his fourth studio album "Illygaty; 7075" for an exclusive audience at the Bridge lounge, Lekki. The event was hosted by Chocolate City's finest Loose Kaynon.

The show was scheduled to begin at 6PM but hey! It was "African Time" as usual. One hour twenty minutes later, The Vintage Band opened the show with an electrifying performance as they sang a medley of songs from the international and local scene.

What's a Hip-Hop event without the elements of Hip-Hop? The four elements of Hip-Hop- MCing, DJing, Graffiti & B-boying were all on display and all the acts; popular or underground; performed before Illbliss took the stage. I'm talking Jesse Jags, Eva Alordiah, Dice Ailes, Yung6ix, Terry Apala, Dotman, Fresh L, Ms Chief, Pryse, Oladips and many more.

When 'Oga Boss', Illbliss, came on, he started by explaining that 7075 was his NYSC number and that his mother thinks this is the best collection of work he has done so far.

He went on to perform songs from his 12 track album which features acts like, Falz, Runtown, Vector, Phyno, Bovi, Ycee, and Koker.

All in all, i would call it a really good night, with the cypher and Pryse and Eva's performance as highlights for me.

Illygaty7075 is set to drop soon

#WCW: All the reasons we are crushing on AJ Sarpong

Tv & Radio Personality AJ Sarpong slays daily and she is our Woman Crush Wednesday today

Today we are crushing on AJ Sarpong whose full name is Nana Adjoa Akuoko-Sarpong, and you want to know why?

This awesome television and radio personality has achieved so much, while so young that when she told people her age recently, many were surprised. Can you believe she will be only 25 later this month on the 28th of October ?

Also our WCW, who describes herself as a “Killer combination of Beauty, Brains and Hard work," works so hard. She is on radio each day with her daily entertainment segment on Starr FM’s Mid-Morning show, The Zone with Naa Ashorkor and also on TV each morning with the accolade the “Princess of Morning TV.”

We are not done, she also works With the “TV Royals of Morning TV” Kafui Dey and Baisiwaa on GH One TV’s morning show, as well as the Host of GHOne’s telenovela show Revenge Live Chat Show and is also set to Premiere her new show in a few short weeks and its set to be a must watch.

And guess what? AJ is also a writer, with a quarterly Column "Gisting with AJ” in Glitz Africa Magazine where she speaks her thoughts on events and about the entertainment industry.

Did you know she is also a professional MC for events, who has hosted many exciting events such as the DSTV I Factory showcase, The Cake Fair, The Makeup Revolution events, the Launch of the Bartenders Association of Ghana and so much more.

She takes education seriously too and she just completed her Master’s Degree course at the Ghana Institute of Journalism and will soon be graduating with a Master’s Degree in Journalism and is also a University of Ghana Political Science and Theatre Arts graduate.

We absolutely love this lady who represents the “ New Face of Women in their 20’s”, as she is an ambitious, driven and focused Lady herself, who is able to do it all and do it very well.

Plus she is royalty! She is the last child of Traditional Ruler and Political stalwart, Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, the Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area.