Mandela dazzled us all in London - 9ice

By Tade Makinde

(L-R) Bayo Ligali, Chief Executive Officer,
Celtel Nigeria; 9ice and Oladeinde Fajana,
9ice’s Manager, during zain’s Mandela 90th
Birthday Concert in London recentlyWhat informed Celtel’s choice in picking you for the Mandela 90th birthday musical concert in London?
Well, my source there said it was because of the originality of my songs. He also told me that their investigation into who is the hottest Nigerian musician’s among Nigerians in UK and that its me, 9lce.

Did you eventually meet Mandela?
Only briefly and that was on the stage.

How would you describe that brief meeting?
I was bowled over. I wasn’t the only one, several other Africans and Afro-Americans were. He had this infectious smile. Will Smith even confessed that he admired his grey hair.

So, Smith was bowled over too?
That man is the hottest celebrity among celebrities. People adore him for his doggedness and steadfatstness. It’s not very common you find an African that is ready to die just to ensure that his people are free. Mandela is not just a South African, he is now the spirit of Africanism, a wave of patriotism flowing through Africans in UK.

What of Will Smith?
That guy was just having fun. You would think he was Mandela’s son. He came with his whole family to party with Mandela. I overheard Jada Pinkett say they would pay Mandela a visit in South Africa before summer ends.

Would you like something like that too?
If I was that close to Mandela, why not?

Smith wouldn’t stop dancing to “Gongo Aso,” how did you feel seeing the American groove to your song?
It felt good inside. This is one guy whose rise in the entertainment industry has been phenomenal. He started out as a rapper, then a sit-com star and now a movie star. That guy appreciates good music. Afterall, he doesn’t understand Yoruba.

How has that trip helped you?
The international exposure for one, I have always wanted to travel to London ever since a comedian told me “Gongo Aso” is rocking London clubs.

Large turnout at GUS V regional screening

THE venues of the ongoing screening for this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search has been taken over by a multitude of youths eager to win the prizes offered by Gulder lager this year. It is a battle of the fittest as everyone tries to prove his or herself to ensure that they are selected for the final selection in Lagos . This year, the Ultimate Man or Woman who finds the “Lost Chronicle”, a treasure that will banish the tyrant war lord and protect the future, would exchange it for a whooping cash prize of N7million (seven million Naira)two million higher than what was given to the winner in 2007, a wardrobe allowance of N500,000 and a Brand New SUV.

Other prizes include N2.5m and N1.5m for the first and second runner up respectively. The 4th placed contestant would go home with N750, 000 while the 5th placed contestant would end his or search with N700, 000.The 6th,7th,8th,9th and 10th win N650,000, 600,000, 550,000, 500,000 and 450,000 respectively.

Just like last year, the “Last Woman Standing” would win an additional N1, 000,000 as Nigerian TV viewers and the International audience gets set be treated to the best 21 days of entertainment with an original Nigerian Adventure programme with International standards.

The contestants are expected to go through an exciting and rewarding search in the very challenging terrain of Awgu Hills.

Star Trek ends in style

IT was an exciting and memorable night for youths and the young at heart in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Saturday as Star Trek came to an end. The concert which had kept Awka, capital of Anambra State, awake the previous night, with superlative performances from Ruggedman, 2Shotz, Felix Duke and Jewels & Diamonds respectively, did not need any further introduction to draw fun lovers from their homes.

So, from about 6pm, all roads in town led to the popular Township Stadium and when, the gates eventually opened, it was as if there was a prize to be given for attendance. It was a multitude of a crowd, and, all available seats in the stadium were completely taken over. The Diamonds were literally at home as rocked the town. Abakaliki youths with music talents were given an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Gbenga Adeyinka, the MC was also at hand thrilling the crowd with hilarious jokes and by the time, the “real” stars came on stage, the stadium erupted in ecstasy. They danced and swayed their hips. P-Square did all their popular songs, African China did his popular songs too but also used the occasion to introduce his very political upcoming album “Fire Burn Them”. Ruggedman did his songs and a collabo with 2Shotz.