Entertainment People And Events That Shaped 2014

 

The year 2014 is gradually drawing to a close and it is one year that had so much in store positively and otherwise. In no particular order AHMED BOULOR reels-out a list of people and events that shaped the year in question.

 

People:

 

2face Idibia

 

Nigeria's biggest musical export and pop icon 2face Idibia is probably one of the biggest influencers on the continent and his unflinching relevance on the music scene and beyond makes him one of the revered and respected entertainers.

 

The pop king dropped his bespoke 6th album titled The Ascension to the delight of scores of his fans and music critics. 2face also contributed immensely to the needy through his 2face Idibia Reach-Out Foundation.

 

But outgoing year was all not rosy for 2face as he unfortunately lost his dad, Pa Michael Agbo Idibia, a native of Okpokwu Idumoga in Benue State.

 

The late Michael was born on July 25, 1946, and before his death was an alumnus of Kansas State University, USA, and retired from the Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.‎

 

He survived by wife, Mrs. Rose Owoyi Idibia, children: Steven Idibia, Innocent ’2face’ Idibia‎, Hyacinth Idibia and Oche Idibia, grand-children, and siblings.

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Though the cause of his death was not stated unconfirmed reports posits that he died on Saturday evening at an undisclosed hospital after an unsuccessful battle with Prostate Cancer.

 

Tiwa Savage

 

Raunchy performer Tiwa Savage set minds wandering and tongues wagging over the release of her latest video titled ‘Wanted’ earlier in the year. The video released whipped up mixed reactions and comments from fans especially top figures in the entertainment industry. The video directed by UK based Mr Moe Musa shows Tiwa twisting and dancing in a seductive way while also touching provocative parts of her body.

 

Social media was also abuzz too about speculations about rancor in their marriage, with stories making the rounds that their marriage has hit the rocks.

 

The duo had a celebrity wedding in April this year but the music changed with Teebillz according to reports no longer the manager of Tiwa Savage.

But despite the rumours and supposed rancor, both parties are still together waxing stronger and still looking forward to having a great union.

 

D’Banj

Eccentric entertainer D'Banj who goes by the moniker Kokomaster was also an proved to be influential in the outgoing year as he broke new grounds.

 

Despite being the spearhead artiste in the One Campaign initiative, D'Banj made a firm statement in the minds of many when he penned an endorsement deal with the Beats by Dre franchise.

 

The energetic performer who has failed to churn out a major hit since he dropped Oliver Twist also presented President Jonathan with a specially designed edition of his customized Beats by Dre headphones.

 

D’Banj was at the launch of the Youth Employment In Agriculture Programme (YEAP) by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja when he made the presentation.

 

 Oshadipe Twin

The entertainment industry was thrown into morning when one half of the Oshadipe Twins breathed her last.

 

The petite and beautiful music star was nursing her baby of close to two years when she died on Friday October 3rd, 2014.

The velvet voiced Oshadipe twins are very industrious ladies who have been in the industry for a while. They’re both graduate and have done everything to keep their shoulders high.

Taiwo got pregnant to yet an unknown man but the duo has since been coping with taking care of the baby on their own, in their apartment somewhere in Oko Oba, Abule Egba area of Lagos state before the unfortunate incident occurred.

 

 

Ibinabo Fiberesima

 

The wedding of Ibinabo Fiberesima was the talk of the town in the latter part of 2014. The city of Port Harcourt took a carnival like appearance as one of their own walked walk down the aisle.

 

The mother of six kids and the first female National President of Actors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima exchanged marital vows with her fiancée, Uche Egbuka in Rivers state.

 

Ibinabo who has been romantically linked with movie Director, Fred Amata, completed the rites for her traditional marriage, while the white wedding was well staged too.

 

The marriage saw the attendance of some of her colleagues, including Toyin Aimakhu, Lilian Bach, musician Timi Dakolo and many other celebrities who all came in their numbers to celebrate with Ibinabo.

 

Amaka Igwe

 

Prolific director script writer, director and producer, Amaka Igwe died in the month of April in Enugu after an asthma attack. The veteran producer was reported to have travelled to Enugu in company of her husband to make preparations for a new Igbo soap, when the incident occurred.

 

She was the founder of BoBTV Expo, Top radio Fm amongst other business ventures. Amaka also produced popular soap operas like Fuji House of Commotion, Checkmate, and films including Violated, Rattle Snake amongst others

 

She found the massive studios of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service from where such classics like the long rested Basi and Company and the New Masquerade were produced.

 

Amaka had conceived Checkmate by watching Mirror in the Sun. She had written a script about an all-conquering female hero like Queen Amina and had conceived it like a traditional stage play, but when she saw Mirror in the Sun, she decided to make it a modern all conquering female hero story.

 

Events:

 

The Headies

The Headies maintained its glittering streak and consistency as it delivered its 9th edition on December 14. Despite delays, the award night which had the who-is-who of the music and entertainment industry in Nigeria, lived up to its hype. Hosted by Basket Mouth and on-air-personality, Toke Makinwa, the event had all the trappings of a memorable occasion.

Rookies of the Year, an award category initiated by OAP, Toolz, opened the stage. The category for newest artistes was pruned down to three out of several artistes and people were asked to vote after performances by Sly, YunGreyc from Naija Ninja group and Rekardo Banks from Mavin Crew.

 

The Future Awards

 

Africa's biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa was staged on Sunday, December 9, 2014. The annual event turned out to be an evening of glitz and glamour.

The 9th edition of the awards held at the Intercontinental Hotel, VI, Lagos had guests Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna representing President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Professor Pat Utomi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, CEO Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, Senator Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Daniel Amokachi, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Funke Akindele, Dakore Akande, Timi Dakolo, Toke Makinwa, Toolz, Uti Nwachukwu, Dotun of COOL FM, to name a few.

The winners were drawn from Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. The Future Awards Africa 2014 is headlined by UBA. It was presented in partnership with Access Bank, Etisalat, Microsoft, the Lagos Internal Revenue Service and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

K1 Unusual

One of the biggest Fuji-pop concerts “K1 Live Unusual” was staged at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos with exciting performances from some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry. Fuji legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1 The Ultimate) performed some of his popular hits like “Talazo system”, “Baby mi show colour re”, “Omo Niger”, “Eyo” with super collaborations with Olamide, 9ice, Sasha P, Muma Gee, Ara and his daughter Honey B.

 

The unusual concert which attracted lots of music lovers was hosted by the King of comedy, Alibaba, with rib cracking comedy from Buchi while 2shotz, Sir Victor Olaiya, Saheed Osupa, Shola Allyson, DNMT and celebrity disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt took turns to entertain the audience.

 

His Excellency Engineer Rauf Adesola Aregbesola the executive Governor of Osun state, First Lady of Lagos Abimbola Fashola, Chief Kollington Ayinla, Femi Adebayo, Dayo Amusa, Olakunle Afoja, Chief Kenny Ogungbe, Tunde Kelani, Chris Jeyibo, Seun Soyinka, ID Ogungbe, Mary Atuyota, Aremo Oniru, Doris Simeon, Kunle Afolayan, Fathia Balogun, Ayo Animashaun, Chris Ihidero, YAW, Toolz, Tunde Ednut, Tee Billz, Toke Makinwa, Teju Baby Face, Sikiratu Sindodo and other notable faces.  

 

The exquisite concert was produced by Green light Productions and proudly supported by LASSA, LIRS, Beat Fm, BHM Group, HIP TV, Ray Power, Primetime Africa, Naija Fm, Classic Fm, Kennis Music, Sodium Brand Solutions, and many others.

 

Justice Oputa's Burial

 

After more than a week of activities marking the burial of the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, the line-up of events put in place came to a befitting climax when A-list artistes performed to the delight of many at the expansive premises of the Oguta Girls Primary School.

 

The concert which will now be staged every year as revealed by Charlyboy boasted of a list of established artistes such as Terry G, Felix Duke, Dr Alban, Daddy Showkey and other popular musicians. 

 

The multitude that attended the concert had high expectations and they were not disappointed as they were duly served a healthy dose of music and entertainment.

 

The concert which was anchored by OB Fado (Head of Programmes Hot FM, Owerri) and co-produced by Asha Gangali (Rock Da Mic Africa) came alive when The Pioneers (A live band) mounted the stage to set the tone for what turned out to be a night of performances on the night.

 

Next came the irrepressible Felix Duke who performed his hit song 'Joanna' to the delight of many sitting within and around the venue of the concert.

 

Charlyboy's cousin, Dr Alban who has sold over 16 million copies of his musical works mounted the stage immediately after Felix Duke performed. He delivered three of his classic numbers 'Carolina', 'It's My Life' and 'Halleluyah Day' which got the crowd dancing their hearts out.

 

For the second day running, fair skinned artiste, Lady IB who also doubles as the current PMAN President, Port Harcourt chapter, got the crowd seriously engaged as she delivered Old Skool hits and popular contemporary songs which got an obviously impressed Charlyboy on his feet as he walked straight to the stage to ferry Lady IB down into the midst of an obviously excited audience.

 

Immediately after she performed the skyline in Oguta was greeted with a flurry of fireworks in honor of the late Justice Oputa.

 

Ghetto Soldier, Daddy Showkey got energy levels up when he mounted the stage to perform his hit song titled 'Showkey' which got the crowd dancing so hard to the track. He also sent the crowd down memory lane when he also performed one of his popular songs 'Dianna'.

 

Energetic performer, Terry G literarilly pulled down the roof when he performed hits from his previous albums such as 'Free Madness', 'Troway', 'I Love You', 'Malo Nogedede' and 'Akpako'.

 

Speaking about her impression of the New Skool Concert, Kelly Maduagwu, a student and an indegene of Oguta said she was happy she witnessed the performances.

 

"I am happy I witnessed the concert live. I had fun and I also had the opportunity to see artistes such as Daddy Showkey, Terry G, Felix Duke and Dr Alban perform live. I only see such artistes perform on TV and this experience has further inspired my dream to become a performing artiste."

 

Onyeka Oginni who is also an indegene of Oguta said the New Skool Concert was the icing on the cake after a week-long of activities penciled down to celebrate the life and times of Justice Oputa.

 

 AFRIFF

 

In four years, Africa International Film Festival has become a meeting point for African movie stars to interact with their Hollywood counterparts.

 

This year’s edition of the prestigious awards was held at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, with top Nollywood stars, producers, directors and stakeholders from Africa, Europe, America and other parts of the world in attendance.

Leading Nollywood stars at the event were Genevieve Nnaji, and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and they dazzled the red carpet with everything they had to showcase.

Others include Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Segun Arinze, Ramsey Nouah, Kalu Ikeagwu, Fred Amata, and Uru Eke, who was co-anchor with Gideon Okeke.