Makeup, Wigs and Yankee Accent....

That was a real slap O!

What Does a Mall in Africa Look Like?

Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Nigeria.

Someone asked, so I thought I'll share.

Chief Forest Whitaker & Chief Danny Glover of Imo State, Nigeria

April 6 was a really beautiful day. The people of Nkwerre village in Imo State, Eastern Nigeria might have thought they were just luckky to have a day as nice as this but the reason that day was all shiny and new was because a lost son had returned.

Forest Steven Whitaker,an Academy Award-, Golden Globe-, and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and director returned home to Nigeria.

I was the only journalist that got luckky to be right there as he was welcomed with fellow star, Danny Glover. Right there before my eyes, they were given prestigious chieftancy titles reserved for nobel and well respected men.

Whitaker, sorry chief Whitaker was given the title-"Nwannedinambe Of Nkwerre" meaning "A Brother in Foreign Land" while Chief Glover received the title- "Enyioma of Nkwerre," this means "A Good Friend."

It took me a while to believe I was actually there with world stars in a small village in Nigeria. I have not fully recovered.

I was really proud to be who I am when Chief Whitaker thanked the King for allowing him to breathe the air and feel the wind in a different way. To feel his blood differently. I was moved to tears and filled with mixed emotions when he said "Now I know where I stand, it is the greatest gift anyone can receive."

Chief GLover was also honoured and said this was home for him. We all moved on to the Ayiam-Osigwe family house to celebrate. I took in slowly, the priviledge of seeing them dance to the beats of Africa and savouring every mouth full of Jollof-rice, semovita and egusi soup, our native dish.

For me, a 24 year old Newswatch magazine senior staff writer in Lagos, I would never forget this day. Since I got back to my desk, I have recounted the stories to my colleagues over and over, now I want to tell the world.

I beleive his visit, his new identity, his title, his words and who he is would inspire Nigerians especially those on the road to shunning corruption and believing in hardwork.

Ghana Music Awards - Akon's n' dem cousins?

The MTN Ghana Music Awards is a people's choice awards scheme that seeks to foster the development of the Ghanaian music industry.



This dude is joggling between school and his music career



Campaign video...this dual won "Best Collaboration"

Log on to http://www.ghanamusicawards.com/ for more information

Omotola Baby...

I see some Shakira type moves here O!


Feel Alright (Music Video) 2009 from Ron Hightower on Vimeo

In Concert: Habib Koité & Bamada and Dobet Gnahoré

Thur. Apr 16, 8:00PM
GW Lisner Auditorium presents
Habib Koité & Bamada and Dobet Gnahoré
Double Bill - Two Full Sets

Two stars of 2006’s acclaimed Acoustic Africa tour return for their only double-bill this year.

Koité and his band draw on styles from several regions of Mali, integrating the rock and folk sounds of the Western world, without watering down his cherished roots. His charisma and magnetism translates across cultures.

"His reputation as a guitar player has become almost mythical" -The New York Times

Gnahoré, a remarkable singer from Côte d’Ivoire returns with a group of instrumentalists offering new sounds, ancient traditions, and remarkable music. From Mandingue melodies to Congolese rumba, Ivory Coast ziglibiti to Cameroon bikoutsi, Gnahoré’s pan-African palette blends colorful compositions, jazz-inflected vocals, and unparalleled charisma.

Oga Landlord

President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Book Release and Interview

Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia Book Release and Interview Event as a Featured Guest on the In the Cafe with Mocha Television Show.

President Johnson Sirleaf appears on Friday April 17, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The event time is 6:30. Each ticket comes with a signed book and a portion of the proceeds will help to support literacy initiatives in Liberia.


Click here for more details

Pics from Ini Edo's Wedding

Came across these pics, Nollywood superstar Ini Edo tied the knot last month. This na serious marital bliss.




Ini Edo has starred in numerous nollywood flicks...

Put A Ring On It- AFRICAN REMIX!!!

Africas in China

Miss Guinea USA Pageant

The First Miss Guinea USA Pageant is being held in Maryland. Click here for more information.

Cable Series Straight Out of Botswana

As a young girl growing up in the African nation of Botswana, Precious Ramotswe was encouraged by her father to follow her dreams, no matter what. Now in her mid-30s, Precious is doing just that — by opening her country's first and only female-owned detective agency for the benefit of those who need help the most.
The first major film/TV project to be shot entirely on location in Botswana, 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' is based on the best-selling novels by Alexander McCall Smith and co-written and executive produced by Richard Curtis and the late Anthony Minghella.




Click here to get more online.

African Dance Hall - Introducinf Samini

For dance hall fans out there, meet Samini live and direct from Ghana.

Here is a sample of his work. Enjoy.

Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles

A colleague of mine sent me a link to an interview with Richard Dowden the author of Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles.

Very interesting stuff. Click here to listen to the interview, and if you're gonna read a book, Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles might be one to consider.

Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Economic Development

Excerpt from article:

"Fifteen years after the genocide, the small African country has embraced a new model of economic development. Its strategy: Build a global network of powerful friends to lure private investment -- and market the brand of Rwanda."


Click here to read the full article

First Black Chief Executive of a FTSE 100 Company

Tidjane Thiam makes history as first black chief executive of a FTSE 100 company

Tidjane Thiam, the new boss of the Prudential, created history yesterday by becoming the first black chief executive of a FTSE 100 company.

Mr Thiam, a French citizen who was born in the Ivory Coast, is finance director of Britain’s second-biggest insurer and will succeed Mark Tucker in October.

However, the timing of Mr Tucker’s departure astonished the City, raising speculation – denied by the company – that the Pru had been forced to accelerate its succession plans to prevent Mr Thiam being poached by a rival.

There was also speculation that Mr Tucker had gone amid unhappiness at the Pru’s recent decision not to bid for the Asian assets of AIG, the stricken American insurance group.

Full story on TimesOnline

Madagascar's New Leader

I'm pretty sure most of you have been falling with this intriguing story of the rise of a 34 year old former disc jockey to the president of Madagascar.



Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has taken the presidency of Madagascar after President Marc Ravalomanana stepped down following a power struggle.

Here are key facts about him:

* Rajoelina presents himself as the champion of a new generation of reformists. However, at just 34 and having effectively strong-armed Ravalomanana out of power, critics say his behaviour resembles one of Africa's old "Big Men".

* A former disc jockey and nicknamed "TGV" after the fast French train for his rapid-fire rhetoric and charismatic personality, Rajoelina has led demonstrations against the president since the turn of the year. The protests, triggered by the closure of his Viva TV station at the end of 2008 for airing an interview with former president Didier Ratsiraka, quickly became a mass movement bent on toppling Ravalomanana.

* Viewed as something of a maverick given to sweeping statements and grand claims, Rajoelina won municipal elections in 2007 as an independent, running against Ravalomanana's party. As mayor, he became one of the most ardent critics of the government, labelling it a dictatorship, but was fired on Feb. 3 of this year by Ravalomanana at the height of the protests.

* Army backing was the clinching factor in bringing Rajoelina to power this week. Analysts say, however, that he has close links with the exiled Ratsiraka's camp and may also have enjoyed the tacit support of the French government.

* Rajoelina says his first and biggest challenge is to improve standards of living for the Malagasy, many of whom live on less than $2 a day. On the international stage, he will have to convince doubters of his legitimacy given his unconstitutional rise to power several years before the next presidential election was due.

* Rajoelina will also have to control some dissent in the military, where diplomats say some officers opposed his rise but were quashed by more powerful voices.

* He is expected to continue his predecessor's free market economic policies, welcoming foreign investors in the key mining and oil exploration sectors, while also trying to cut down on waste and put more emphasis on social policies.

* Rajoelina has displayed supreme confidence throughout the months-long crisis, only disappearing into hiding once when Ravalomanana's security forces came to arrest him. At rallies, he exuded certainty that he was on the verge of power. During Tuesday's extraordinary turn of events, he actually walked into Ravalomanana's office and announced his plans as president before the military formally conferred power on him.

SOURCE: REUTERS

The Ultimate Hair Do...

The First Lady of Cameroon showcases the native hairstyle...

A Dose of Humor