Dumping her lucrative job as a banker was the easiest part of the career trajectory for Adetola Juyitan. It was not a decision she spent a long time brooding over. Conversely, it was not a problem at all for her to decide on her next direction. There was only one choice, playing big in Nigeria’s rising events industry.
The recent birth of the Glitz Event Centre at Oniru was the culmination of her career aspirations and made her very happy. Often in high spirits, Adetola seeks not only to share the joy she carries but to monetise it as well. Sitting on two acres of land, Glitz Event Centre features two marquees which can host two events simultaneously. The Glitz Imperial Marquee offers a space for 1,200 guests for banquet style and 2,000 guests for theatre-style, while the Glitz Deluxe Marquee can similarly accommodate up to 300 guests, banquet style and 600 guests theatre- style.
Talking about its unique features, Adetola emphasised that patrons do not “need to bring sound or light equipment. We have partners that we work with to provide any and every kind of service, so you necessarily don’t need to do anything. You can attend your event as a guest. We take care of everything from start to finish.”
The ample parking space which was expertly controlled by uniformed protocol personnel and Lagos State Government traffic management officials took care of the normal stress experienced at many event venues.
The bigger hall where the launch party held was neatly divided into a reception area featuring the meet-and-greet, red carpet and media board for photo opportunities. The larger part of the hall decorated with beautiful chandeliers, attractive table-cloths and gorgeous flowers had a stage at one end.
Earlier in the day, Adetola had a meeting with a variety of service providers where attractive discounts were announced to boost the working relationship with the events centre. The price cut which ranged between 15 and 20 per cent would cover all areas of services like wedding, halls and equipment for the next six months.
The event which attracted many valued celebrities, top executives in the banking, oil and gas sectors, humanitarian/service organisations featured a mini-concert with artistes like Jesse Jaggz and Ceekay from the Chocolate City label. Definitely, the headline act who was also most applauded was Jaywon. Comedians like Senator, Dan the Humorous, Funny Bone and Mimiko were on the bill as well and they left the audience in stitches.
UNVEILING THE AFRICAN DIVA REALITY TV SHOW
– Funke Olaode
Nollywood Diva, Chika Ike has announced that her previously rested reality television show, African Diva which was last held in 2013 is set to bounce back bigger and better.
Unveiling the 16-week show at Radisson Blu, Ike said she conceived the idea to impact in the society and her environment. According to her, it wasn’t an easy task when she started due to lack of sponsorship. With help from Bullet Energy Drink, Da Viva, AIT, Epe Resorts Lagos and a host of others this time her passion is fulfilled. Nevertheless, she is proud of the first winner, Love Ebule who is currently fulfilling her dreams.
A Pan-African show, it was borne out her desire to give back and empower young African women who can be useful and contribute their quota to the economy. The show she said centres around so many things but the focus is acting. Another objective of the show is to expose the girls and to promote African culture and heritage which has been overshadowed by the western culture.
The selected young ladies between 18 and 35 years from five West African countries who exude confidence and originality will slug it out in the house where they have to compete to win a task to become an African Diva. Each week there will be an elimination.
“We give them task based on their African root and culture, hospitality, motherhood and entrepreneurship and how to pitch a brand to an investor. At the end of the day, one winner will emerge and it is a winner takes it all. The prize this year is a brand new car, $10,000 dollars and a one year acting contract under Chika Ike Film Production.
2BABA, GBENGA ADEYINKA, CALLY IKPE ENTER OONI OF IFE’S COURT
In another move that was loudly applauded, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife who is fast gaining a reputation for good deeds, particularly promotion of peaceful co-existence, recently admitted popular musician, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka and entertainment entrepreneur, Cally Ikpe into his court as peace ambassadors.
The natural ruler who implored the recipients of the honour to take it seriously emphasized that it meant a lot to him. Since his ascension on the throne, Oba Ogunwusi has made peace astounding moves to fellow traditional rulers who were estranged to his predecessors- an act that has been widely commended by all and sundry.
Inducting an influential figure like 2Baba who has his own campaign themed, ‘Violence Free World’ and Cally Ikpe who has devoted the last couple of editions of his Nigeria Music Video Awards, NMVA to campaign for peace broadens the spectrum of the royal campaign for a peaceful world which will receive innovative activation in the coming days.
“I will urge you to strive harder to ensure you preach peace and unity everywhere you go and be ambassadors of the initiative. I believe youths have to combat acts of terror and violence in the world,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
2Baba who spoke on behalf of the honourees said, “the Ooni has just exemplified the true essence of the type of monarch we need at this point in Nigeria. His love for preaching and making peace has been the mantra of his reign and I’m glad to be part of that mantra.”
JONATHAN BUTLER, MI CASA AND A’RESE TO LIVE AT ‘A NIGHT AT THE KAZBAH’ CONCERT
Smooth 98.1FM, the premier 24-hour music station and curators of contemporary African and Nigerian music brings to all music lovers the second instalment of A Night At The Kazbah. This year, the line up is bigger than ever headlined by South African singer songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler supported by soulful house trio Mi CASA and The Voice Nigeria reality TV winner, A’rese. The concert holds next Saturday, 22nd of October 2016 at The Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
Last year, ‘A Night At The Kazbah’ was a huge success raising the bar and reshaping live music on the Lagos scene with a pioneering blend of AfroSoul and AfroJazz featuring Ruby Gyang, Bez, Kunle Ayo & Brymo.
Anticipation for these performers has reached fever pitch on social media over recent weeks with each act taking to Instagram and Twitter to announcement their excitement to their Lagos fans. Soulful House Trio, Mi Casa took time out of their busy Africa Tour to let their Lagos fans know they will be in town in a fun Instagram Video. The ‘Jika’ performers took a leaf out of The Voice Nigeria winner, A’rese book who earlier announced via Instagtam that A Night At The Kazbah was infact her first live music concert since winning the coveted music prize.
The headliner, South African singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jonathan Butler earlier this week sent his video message promising to trill Lagosians with his electrifying truly authentic African sound.
‘A Night at the Kazbah’ is more than just music, it is a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.
For years, Smooth 98.1 FM has been delivering high quality music appealing to a wide audience of discerning listeners some of whom are made up of innovative thinkers, creative professionals and all those who love great music.
Love Music, Love Life by following the conversation on #ANightAtTheKazbah and on all our Social Media pages @Smooth981FM, www.smooth981.fm/anightatthekazbah or by tuning in everyday to 98.1 Smooth FM.
MICHAEL JACKSON MAKES HISTORIC MARK
The late pop legend beats David Bowie, Prince and other late celebrities to emerge at the number one spot of Forbes top-earning dead celebrities. The pop star who died in 2009 gave a wide berth to Charles Schulz ($48 million) who sits on the second position. Michael Jackson’s income according to the business bible is a staggering sum of $825 million. This figure beats any celebrity earnings both dead and alive. Most of the earnings were attributed to the sale of his Sony/ATV music-publishing catalog in March, which fetched $750 million.
The late Prince who died in April occupied the fifth position with $25 million while
Bob Marley followed suit with $21 million. David Bowie made the bottom of the list with $10.5 million. Other dead celebrities who made the Forbes list include Elvis Presley (, $27 million), John Lennon (, $12 million), and Albert Einstein ($11.5 million).
CHRIS ROCK SCORES BIG WITH NETFLIX
The comedian will be returning to stand-up comedy with two hit shows with the streaming network. The deal is estimated to fetch Chris Rock a whopping sum of $40 million whose last stunt in the field was eight years ago.
Chris hosted the 88th Annual Academy Awards earlier this year and his role contributed to the growing criticism of the Oscars for its lack of diversity in its nominations. His first show with Netflix will be filmed next year following a planned tour.
Some of Chris recent works include a guest role on Fox’s musical drama ‘Empire’, Bill Murray‘s Netflix special ‘A Very Murray Christmas’ and Amy Schumer‘s HBO stand-up special ‘Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,’ for which he received an Outstanding Director for a Variety Special nomination at this year’s Emmys.
