It's the Future Awards 2012 – ‘Tear down these walls’

Ohimai Atafo, Tara Durotoye, Tolu Ogunlesi & Uche Nnaji at the press conference.

Organizers of the annual award ceremony celebrating Nigerians under the age of 30, The Future Awards, have officially launched its seventh season.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Koral Reef, Ikoyi, the media launch of the awards’ 7th season took place, and was well attended by the media, past winners and judges of the awards.

Past winners: beautician Tara Durotoye, fashion pundit Uche Nnaji, and writer Tolu Ogunlesi all spoke on the impact and influence of the award.

This year’s theme is The Future Awards for Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Innovators -‘Tear down these walls! and according to the executive director of The Future Project, Chude Jideonwo, ‘The Future Awards led the charge, presenting over 1000 Positive Role Models (especially outside of entertainment) to young Nigerians and Africans over the past years, we have succeeded in establishing faith in country amongst blocs of young people, fundamentally altered for good the way young Nigerians are viewed as leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs’.

The event was anchored by designer and editor, fashion designer Ohimai Atafo, who heads the award’s Central Working Committee. ‘The season starts immediately’, he said. ‘We begin the town hall meetings to the six geo-political zones; we will also have special town hall meetings to spotlight innovation in specific fields, there will of course be the Nominees Reception for Charity, all leading to the awards in August – we are excited!’

A total of 21 award categories will be featured in this year’s event, broken into seven broad sections, which include Change, Creativity, Innovation, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Music and The Ultimate Prize. The Awards will hold on August 26, 2012. Nominations are now on via www.facebook.com/TheFutureAwards. Nominations end at midnight on June 30, 2012.

FULL LIST OF CATEGORIES
Change
Best Use of Advocacy
Best Use of New Media
Creativity
Creative Artist of the Year
Designer of the Year
Excellence in Service
Excellence in Service – Government
Excellence in Service – Journalism
Excellence in Service – Corporate
Innovation
Innovator of the Year – Science & Technology
Innovator of the Year – Education
Entertainment
Actor of the Year
Musician of the Year –Artiste
Producer of the Year – Music
Producer of the Year – Screen
On-Air Personality – Radio
On-Air Personality – Television
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur of the Year – Entertainment
Entrepreneur of the Year – Fashion
Entrepreneur of the Year – Technology
Entrepreneur of the Year – Media/Communication
Entrepreneur of the Year – General
The Ultimate Prize
Young Person of the Year

                         Imagine these Four

Just two days to the well talked about Stephanie Okereke's fairy tale wedding in Paris to Mr. Linus Idahosa, she had a swell time with these friends, who came all the way from Nigeria to support her. They remain beautiful, talented and blessed, as they share almost everything in common.

They make sense together jaree!!!

‘Mo’ Hits will never die’ Don Jazzy and the Marvins say....

Don Jazzy and The Mavins in an exclusive photo shoot and interview with THISDAY Style

In this interview culled from ThisDay Style, the hit producer says he believes the hit label ‘lives on’.

Tell me a bit about yourself; what was your childhood like?

Well, I was born in Umuahia but spent most of my childhood in Lagos after our family moved here. I am the eldest of four kids. I have always loved music and started banging drums and instruments when I was a kid. As I grew older, I started experimenting with different sounds even if they didn’t make sense.

What inspired you to go into music?

I have always been surrounded by music growing up. My father was in the music business and retains a very special interest in it until today. Music was part and parcel of our everyday life.

Was it an easy take breaking into the Nigerian entertainment industry?

God has been extremely generous to me so thankfully it has not been so bad. But believe me, there were some trials. After we set up, we even considered selling it off when some offers came in. If not that there were some delays, we may have sold for like N1m. Fortunately, it was not to be and God allowed us go from strength to strength.

Contrary to some of your predecessors, it didn’t take you long to create a niche for yourself as the don of the Nigerian entertainment and the beats master. What was the secret behind your success?

God almighty, a lot of hard work, a wonderful team, loads of practice and study of the music game, knowing what the people want, and loving what I do.

The birth of MAVIN signifies a new era for you. How do you feel about it?

I feel gingered and ready to work as always. Nothing stops. We will just keep working. I’m excited because things look beautiful so far for a new company. I am the kind of person who always looks forward to what he does. MAVIN is like a new child for me and I am so excited about it. On the day we launched I could hardly even sleep.

There have been a lot of speculations and wild rumours; could you clear the air as to real reason behind the breakup of the record label?

Most of the things out there have been fabricated. I have not even been giving interviews until after the launch of MAVIN so where the stories came from, I do not know. There was no major problem behind the split. D’banj and I just decided we wanted to branch out and try different things musically and professionally.

The dictionary definition of the MAVIN means someone who is dazzlingly skilled in his field an expert so to say. Was there a particular reason to the choice of this name for your record label? Were you perchance trying to pass a message to your fans?

Yes! You always think hard when creating a company. You think about what beat describes you or the company or how people see you as. So MAVIN meaning genius kind of sounded sexy (Laughing) although people have been complaining that we are forcing them to read the dictionary for the meaning of the MAVIN and even Solar Plexus, the name of the new album. Everybody has his or her own unique skill in life, whatever it is you do, don’t just be amazing at it, be a MAVIN at it.

There’s a fresh addition to the group in person of Tiwa Savage, a clear diversion from the all-male feel of the group. If at all an addition, why a female artist, and why Tiwa Savage?

Even at, I wanted to sign a female artiste but the opportunity never really came up. Tiwa and I have a connection musically. We work well together that’s why she was first choice to get activated.

Do you have any plans to push MAVIN deep into the international market? And do you intend to go about it?

Yes we all definitely want to grow. And we intend to go about it one step at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. We are Nigerians and this is our base but African music is hot in the world right now so we must meet that demand too.

Where did you draw inspirations from during the creation of Solar Plexus?

Well the name itself actually came from my dad. He loves winding us with big grammar. The inspiration for the album itself came from God. I just wanted to make songs that were different from songs out at the moment production wise. Although I played with sounds not common in the Nigerian market now, I am glad it’s working fine meaning we Nigerians are now opening up our ears to alien sounds little by little.

Seeing as the album was created just a little while after the breakup of records, how were you able to concentrate in the midst of all the mayhem?

It wasn’t easy. But I am someone that doesn’t have any trouble and don’t like trouble each other. I have built myself up in a way that not a lot of things bother me. There is nothing you can’t achieve with hard work and prayers. I always just try and let the music do the talking.

Is there any possibility of reconciliation between you and D’banj, not only in terms of the brotherly friendship that existed between you but also to create music?

(Laughs) Who said we quarrelled? There can only be reconciliation when people have quarrelled before. We are good. We even worked together recently on the ‘Oliver Twist‘ remix and performed in New York.

Is Don Jazzy a musician or a producer?

(Laughs) All of the above.

A last word on the death of Mo’Hits any regrets?

None. No matter how much people call it that, it actually can’t die. The great songs we made as will outlive you and I.  Mo’Hits lives on in every one of us

Project Fame season 4 winner Monica shines like the Star that she is

 

What can be harder than emerging as winner of a high-profiled talent show and then jumping  into a very competitive music market? That’s the little burden Monica Ogah, winner season 4, Project Fame West Africa has to bear for the time being.

The young singer singed under Goretti Management has premiered three brand new singles. Let’s dig in…

‘Below‘, the techno-laced, bass-thumping  number produced by J Sleek  should easily score as a club hit. Monica’s vocal presence removes any form of the song sounding monotonous, making it ‘repeat button complaint’.

‘I wish sey‘ was produced by Tha Suspect (who seems to have found his revolutionary side). Monica bitterly complains about the condition of the everyday Nigerian and hopes for a better day. Again, her vocal performance should be commended.

On ‘Tomorrow‘, Monica strikes a resemblance with past PFWA winner Chidinma. She still performs very well  on the Tee-Y Mix-produced pop sound.

Monica relies largely on her vocals which will pay off for a starter as herself. Very commendable.

It's honeymoon things for Funke Akindele in England......Wareva!

Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Oloyede

The newest bride in Nollywood, actress Funke Akindele and her hubby, Kenny Almaroof Oloyede have traveled to London to spend their honeymoon after tying the knot last Saturday, May 26, 2012, at The Haven event centre, Ikeja, Lagos,a wedding which was well attended by a host of Nollywood actors and other celebs,.

While in the UK, Jenifa as she is fondly called by her fans, will also make an appearance at the upcoming Wizkid concert at the HMV Apollo theatre on Monday, June 4, 2012. ’See ya cash ya dere hehehhehe‘, Akindele replied when a fan tweeted about expecting to see her at the HMV Apollo.

Why should UNILAG be named after Abiola? Professor Wole Soyinka Speaks..........

 

“This is one gift horse which, contrary to traditional saying, must be inspected thoroughly in the mouth”, according to Wole Soyinka in a statement entitled “Goodluck Jonathan’s gift horse.”

 “Primary from all of us must be a plea to the MKO Abiola family not to misconstrue the protests against the naming of the University of Lagos after their heroic patriarch. Issues must be separated and understood in their appropriate contexts.  The family will acknowledge that, among the loudest opposing voices to Jonathan’s gift horse, are those who have clamoured tirelessly that MKO Abiola, the Nigerian nation’s president-elect, be honoured nationally, and in a befitting manner.

“Next is my confession to considerable shock that President Goodluck Jonathan did not even think it fit to consult or inform the administrators of the university, including Council and Senate, of his intention to re-name their university for any reason, however laudable. This arbitrariness, this act of disrespect, was a barely tolerated aberration of military governance. It is totally deplorable in what is supposed to be a civilian order.

“After that comes the bad-mouthing of MKO Abiola and the Nigerian electorate by President Jonathan who referred to MKO as the “presumed winner” of a historic election. While applauding the president for finally taking the bull by the horns and rendering  honour unto whom honour is due, the particularities of this gesture have made it dubious, suspect, and tainted. You do not honour someone while detracting from his or her record of achievement. MKO Abiola was not a presumed winner, but the President-elect of a nation, and thus universally acknowledged.

“It is sad, very sad, that after his predecessor who, for eight full years of presidency, could not even bear to utter the name of a man who made his own incumbency possible, along comes someone who takes back with the left hand what the right has offered.  However, there is hope. Legalists have claimed that there is a legal flaw to the entire process. The university, solidly backed by other tertiary institutions nation-wide, should immediately proceed to the courts of law and demand a ‘stay of execution’. That should give President Jonathan time to re-consider and perhaps shift his focus to the nation’s capital for institutions begging for rituals of re-naming. After all, it is on record that the House of Assembly did once resolve that the Abuja stadium be named after the man already bestowed the unique title of  “Pillar of African Sports”. He deserved that, and a lot more. What he did not deserve is to be, albeit posthumously, the centre of a fully avoidable acrimony, one that has now resulted in the shutting down one of the institutions of learning to whose cause, the cause of learning, President-elect MKO Abiola also made unparalleled private contributions.

“Let me end by stressing that my position remains the same as it was when the University of Ife was re-named Obafemi Awolowo University. I deplored it at the time, deplore it till today, have never come to terms with it, and still hope that some day in the not too distant future, that crime against the culture of institutional autonomy will be rectified. Let us not compound the aberrations of the past with provocations in an era that should propel us towards a belated new Age of Enlightenment.”

Charles Taylor lives his next 50 years in jail

 

Liberia’s ex-President Charles Taylor’s life of crime and corruption collapsed yesterday. He was sentenced to 50 years in jail by a UN-backed war crimes court.

He was found guilty of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.

Special Court for Sierra Leone judges said the sentence reflected his status as head of state at the time and his betrayal of public trust.

This 64 year old mans insists he is innocent and his lawyer still insists on putting up an appeal against the sentence.

Someone at his age, the 50-year sentence is possibly a life sentence. The rules of the court prohibit expressly the imposition of a life sentence, defence counsel Morris Anyah said.

The appeal process could last up to six months.

While Mr Taylor never set foot in Sierra Leone, his heavy footprint is there,” the judge said.

Taylor, wearing a suit and yellow tie, showed no emotion during the hearing.

“The accused has been found responsible for aiding and abetting some of the most heinous crimes in human history,” Judge Richard Lussick said.

The crimes - which took place over five years - included cutting off the limbs of their victims and cutting open pregnant women to settle bets over the sex of their unborn children, he said.

The prosecution had wanted an 80-year prison term to reflect the severity of the crimes and the central role that Taylor had in facilitating them.

Sentencing the 64-year-old former president to 50 years means in effect that Charles Taylor will spend the rest of his life locked up in jail.

His defence team was hoping judges would take into account the fact that Taylor has a family: he is a father of 14 children and an educated man.

But the judges decided his role in aiding and abetting the RUF rebels in Sierra Leone was serious enough to warrant 50 years.

 

          HAS RAMSEY NOUAH REALLY QUIT ACTING?

There is no way you can talk about Nollywood, without mentioning this wonderful actor. Handsome, talented, and intelligent as he always appears, he has really been a great source of inspiration to the up-coming ones. Let us hear from the horse's mouth, where he threw his plans open.

I think I’ve had my fair share. To my fans and loved ones, I know they’ll always want to see me on screen, but as they say, it’s best to leave when the ovation is loudest. I want to leave a very strong legacy. I believe I have left a very strong imprint in that line. There’s no possible way you can mention ‘Nollywood’ without mentioning Ramsey Nouah. I’ll be going behind the scenes. I’ll still be acting a bit here and there, but it will phase out for directing eventually. For a while now, I’ve not really been on the screen, and that’s because I don’t want to act just because I want to be on TV. I only want to be associated with the kind of movies that are poised to take the industry to another level, which is were we are headed now. Plus, I want to focus on working behind the scenes.

We wish you the best dude!!!

A GOOD FRIEND

A GOOD FRIEND

What are the qualities of a good friend? True friendships can start instantly but they take time to build. Here are a few qualities to look for when making friends as a teen -- and beyond.

 

1. A good friend is honest.

A good friend may not share every detail of every second of their life, but they do try to be clear about their intentions. This means that they try to present an accurate picture of who they are and of different situations. When something doesn't seem right, they let you know.

 

2. A good friend is fun, unique and interesting.

OK, this is a given, and probably the reason you became friends in the first place. But there's a lot to be said for chemistry and shared interests.
As for fun, it depends how you define it: Some friends are fun because they're the life of the party, others are fun because they notice every strange little detail about a situation. Some people are fun simply because they see life like no one else does.

 

3. A good friend is attentive and adaptable.

A good friend is at least a fairly good listener and notices how little, day-to-day things affect you. They can't read your mind, but chances are they can usually tell when you're happy, sad, excited, shocked or upset. If they're aware that they're doing something that annoys you, they try to change their ways or at least talk to you about it.

 

4. A good friend is supportive of you and your goals.

Sure, your friend may think you're cool, but are they on the same page as you? Do they know what you want most out of life? A really good friend will know what makes you tick and help you become the person you want to be. They won't try to change who you are or drag you into situations that make you uncomfortable or put you at risk of losing something that matters to you.

 

5. A good friend is a friend you can trust.

A true friend won't try to steal your girlfriend or boyfriend, your job or your personality. They won't gossip about you constantly or try to damage your reputation. They will let you know when they're concerned and do their best to stick up for you when you're in trouble.

 

6. A good friend makes it clear that they care about you.

Different people may have different ways of letting you know that they care about you. One person may give you a big hug whereas another person might gently tease you. A big clue that someone cares is that they talk to you fairly often and, in general, know what's going on in your life and act interested about it.

 

7. A good friend sticks with you in good times and bad.

Loyalty is a quality almost everyone lists when asked what they look for in a friend. A loyal friend will stick with you when your new play is a flop, when you bomb the SATs or when your parents get divorced. If you move or switch schools, they'll do their best to stay in touch with you.

 

8. A good friend accepts you for who you are, even when you're being a butthead.

In friendship, being accepting goes hand in hand with being loyal. A true friend rolls with the punches as you grow and change and know how to deal with your quirks and faults.
They are also patient with you when you make mistakes -- even big ones -- and learn how to forgive you when you hurt them. In other words, they treat you as you'd like to be treated, even when you aren't at your best.

TRUST

TRUST

Trust is both an emotional and logical act. Emotionally, it is where you expose your vulnerabilities to people, but believing they will not take advantage of your openness. Logically, it is where you have assessed the probabilities of gain and loss, calculating expected utility based on hard performance data, and concluded that the person in question will behave in a predictable manner. In practice, trust is a bit of both. I trust you because I have experienced your trustworthiness and because I have faith in human nature.
We feel trust. Emotions associated with trust include companionship, friendship, love, agreement, relaxation, comfort.
There are a number of different ways we can define trust. Here are the dimensions of trust and consequent definitions.

Predictability

It is a normal part of the human condition to be constantly forecasting ahead. We build internal models of the world based both on our experiences and what others tell us, and then use these to guess what will happen next. This allows us to spot and prepare for threats and also make plans to achieve our longer-term goals.
The greatest unpredictability is at 50%; a reliable enemy can be preferable to an unpredictable friend, as at least we know where we are with them.

Definition 1: Trust means being able to predict what other people will do and what situations will occur. If we can surround ourselves with people we trust, then we can create a safe present and an even better future.

Value exchange

Most of what we do with other people is based around exchange, which is the basis for all businesses as well as simple relationships. At its simplest, it is exchange of goods. I will swap you two sheep for one cow. It is easy to calculate the value in such material bargaining. Things get more complex when less tangible forces come into play. A parent exchanges attention for love. A company exchanges not only pay but good working conditions for the intellectual and manual efforts of its workforce.
Value exchange works because we each value things differently. If I have a whole flock of sheep but no milk, then I can do business with a person who has a herd of cows but no clothes. This principle of reciprocity is what binds societies together.
Trust in value exchange occurs when we do not know fully whether what we are receiving is what we expect. When we buy a car, don’t want to be sold a ringer which the seller knows is faulty. When I get advice in business, I want it to be based on facts, not wild opinions.

Definition 2: Trust means making an exchange with someone when you do not have full knowledge about them, their intent and the things they are offering to you.

Delayed reciprocity

Exchange is not just about an immediate swapping of cows and sheep or hugs and kisses. What makes companies and societies really work is that something is given now, but the return is paid back some time in the future. The advantage of this is that we can create a more flexible environment, where you can get what you need when you need it, rather than having to save up for it.
Trust now becomes particularly important, because otherwise we are giving something for nothing. The delay we have placed in the reciprocal arrangement adds a high level of uncertainty which we need to mitigate through trust.
What is often called the ‘golden rule’ is a simple formula for creating trust. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ It sets up the dynamic for my giving you something now with the hope of getting back some unspecified thing in the indeterminate future.

Definition 3: Trust means giving something now with an expectation that it will be repaid, maybe indirectly, possibly in some unspecified way at some unspecified time in the future.

Exposed vulnerabilities

When we trust other people, we may not only be giving them something in hope of getting something else back in the future, we may also be exposing ourselves in a way that they can take advantage of our vulnerabilities. If I buy a car from you and I do not know a good price, you can lie to me so you get a better bargain. If I tell you in confidence about the problems I am having with work, you could use this to further your own career at my expense.
Although the threat of retribution or projected feelings of guilt can counteract your temptation to abuse my exposed vulnerabilities, if you succumb I still get hurt and may still end up with the shorter stick. For our transaction to complete successfully, I must be able to trust that such agonies will not come to pass.

Definition 4: Trust means enabling other people to take advantage of your vulnerabilities—but expecting that they will not do this.

So what?

So learn about trust, how it works and how to build it. If you do it well, other people will give you the earth. If you betray them, your conscience will hunt you to the ends of the earth.

LOVE

LOVE

What is love? It is one of the most difficult questions for the mankind. Centuries have passed by, relationships have bloomed and so has love. But no one can give the proper definition of love. To some Love is friendship set on fire for others Maybe love is like luck. You have to go all the way to find it. No matter how you define it or feel it, love is the eternal truth in the history of mankind. Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life. Always stand steadfast in love, not fall into it. It is like the dream of your matter of affection coming true.   Love can occur between two or more individuals. It bonds them and connects them in a unified link of trust, intimacy and interdependence. It enhances the relationship and comforts the soul. Love should be experienced and not just felt. The depth of love can not be measured. Look at the relationship between a mother and a child. The mother loves the child unconditionally and it can not be measured at all.   A different dimension can be attained between any relationships with the magic of love. Love can be created. You just need to focus on the goodness of the other person. If this can be done easily, then you can also love easily. And remember we all have some positive aspect in us, no matter how bad our deeds maybe. And as God said �Love all� Depending on context, love can be of different varieties. Romantic love is a deep, intense and unending. It shared on a very intimate and interpersonal and sexual relationship.  The term Platonic love, familial love and religious love are also matter of great affection. It is more of desire, preference and feelings. The meaning of love will change with each different relationship and depends more on its concept of depth, versatility, and complexity. But at times the very existence of love is questioned. Some say it is false and meaningless. It says that it never exist, because there has been many instances of hatred and brutality in relationships. The history of our world has witnessed many such events. There has been hatred between brothers, parents and children, sibling rivalry and spouses have failed each other. Friends have betrayed each other; the son has killed his parents for the throne, the count is endless. Even the modern generation is also facing with such dilemmas everyday. But �love� is not responsible for that. It is us, the people, who have forgotten the meaning of love and have undertaken such gruesome apathy. In the past the study of philosophy and religion has done many speculations on the phenomenon of love. But love has always ruled, in music, poetry, paintings, sculptor and literature. Psychology has also done lot of dissection to the essence of love, just like what biology, anthropology and neuroscience has also done to it. Psychology portrays love as a cognitive phenomenon with a social cause. It is said to have three components in the book of psychology: Intimacy, Commitment, and Passion. Also, in an ancient proverb love is defined as a high form of tolerance. And this view has been accepted and advocated by both philosophers and scholars.   Love also includes compatibility. But it is more of journey to the unknown when the concept of compatibility comes into picture. Maybe the person whom we see in front of us, may be least compatible than the person who is miles away. We might talk to each other and portray that we love each other, but practically we do not end up into any relationship. Also in compatibility, the key is to think about the long term successful relationship, not a short journey. We need to understand each other and must always remember that no body is perfect. Be together, share your joy and sorrow, understand each other, provide space to each other, but always be there for each others need. And surely love will blossom to strengthen your relationship with your matter of affection.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

DREAM BIG,BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN

DREAM BIG,BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN

As a citizen of Africa,don’t live as though your nation or continent owe u something.Rather your mindset should be that you have something the whole Africa needs.It’s in you,so be concerned with what you can do to make our continent a better place.

Africa is not indebted to you,but in reality ,it is you that owe Africa,and it is a debt you must pay.If you have the opportunity to go to school,don’t wander about loafing and doing nothing,for we are today’s leaders.Don’t talk bad about Africa,irrespective of the seeming hardship talk good about the continent.Refuse to allow the negative influence of others to cause you to lose hope and confidence in the great future of this great continent.I believe in Africa,I see a new generation of leaders rising and taking up the challenges of selfless service to the continent,a generation so passionate about putting in their best to build a virile,progressive,developed and buoyant continent.The possibility of moving Africa forward in dependent on you.

If there were a time to dare,to make a difference,to embark on something worth doing,it is now.Not even necessarily for any grand cause,but for something that tugs at your heart,something that you have dreamt about.

You owe it yourself to make your days here on earth count.Have fun,dig deep,stretch,dream big,know though,that things worth doing seldom come easy.There will be good days,there will be good times when you want to turn around,pack it up and cal it quits.Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself,that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persit,because with an idea,determination and the right tools,you can do great things.Let your instincts,intellect and your heart guide you.Learn to trust.The start of something new brings the hope of something great.Anything is possible.There is only one you,and you will pass this way only once.Do it right.