RED Managing Partner Chude Jideonwo has been invited to present a TEDTalk at the TEDxAkure conference happening on Saturday, April 05, 2014 in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

TED is an annual event bringing together the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. The TED conference is globally recognized as the place to discover leading edge thinking in numerous fields. Several speakers have been recognized as leading global thinkers, and include Bill Gates, Chimamanda Adichie and Mrs Okonjo Iweala.

The theme for TEDxAkure currently commencing its second edition; is “Pursuit of Happiness’’.

The Nigerian National Conference, inaugurated to examine the terms of existence of the nation and its people and far-reaching consensus about crucial national questions is presently the nation’s singular most important event at the moment. The Future Project is glad that three of the alumni of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) have been selected to represent the youth at this talk-shop.

The alumni are Mosunmola Umoru, who won for Business-Owner of the Year in 2009 and who was the face of the ‘I represent Naija’ campaign; Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu who was Young Person of the Year 2011, and Hassan RIlwan, who is three-time nominee for Business-Owner of the Year.

“This mirrors the essence of the TFAA process as a platform for spotlighting, presenting and building the next generation of Nigerian leaders,” said Bukonla Adebakin, who is Ag. Project Lead.

“We look forward to these alumni focusing that conference on the issues crucial for 70% of the Nigerian population – young people. It is important that they invigorate and inspire the conference to prove itself a very useful exercise in ensuring the future of our country, and charting a clear path towards a country where leadership is inspired, governance is impactful and the citizens across board can keep faith with their country – reflecting the values of TFAA.”

Since its inception in 2005, TFAA has been adept at selecting the brightest and best young Nigerians who form the critical mass of youth leaders, trend drivers and innovators. The Awards have produced over 1,500 nominees and 120 winners with outstanding roles and performances in various fields – present them as role models to inspire their generation and also building a network of leaders with new values, and impact on their generation and the nation. 

Ifeoma Fafunwa, renowned Director of ‘V Monologues’ and Sefi Atta’s ‘Not my Affair’ returns with another production – HEAR WORD! starring Taiwo Ajayi- Lycett, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Bimbo Akintola, Iretiola Doyle, Elvina Ibru, Omonor Somolu and Kemi Lala Akindoju scheduled for May, 2014 at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

HEAR WORD! is an exhilarating performance art production which would showcase true stories of triumph from 20 different Nigerian women from all walks of life. The production combines artistry, social commentary and true-life stories of transformation delivered by Nigeria’s best known and most talented actresses.

Producer-director Ifeoma Fafunwa says “These superb actresses will offer up an unparalleled performance not to be missed!  We are working towards pure art and Nigerian excellence as we highlight these real and difficult issues facing Nigerian women!’

The play is scheduled to show on various stages in May, 2014 in Lagos.

“HEAR WORD is a place where the highest quality of performance art comes together to express the potential of Nigerian women!  It is a celebration of the Nigerian woman to be shared with the world!” added Fafunwa. As the characters reveal themselves, you may recognize your sister, your mother, your friend, your wife and perhaps even yourself.

This production is presented by Ifeoma Fafunwa Productions.

Nigeria’s foremost coalition of young Nigerians promoting good governance, public accountability and citizen engagement, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH NIGERIA kicks off its RSVP Peace Concerts in Ado-Ekiti.

The concert will hold on Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Melting Point, Adebayo Road, Ado-Ekiti by 4pm.

Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) a coalition of individuals and youth-led organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through advocacy, activism and the mobilization of the youth population as responsible citizens.

Given limited resources – financial, human and time – the campaign  focuses  on Nigerians of voting age, particularly 18 – 35 year olds, with  access to technology – mobile phones and the internet.

Speaking on the organisation, Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, ‘Yemi Adamolekun “Our flagship campaign is Register |Select |Vote |Protect (R|S|V|P) and we’re hosting the concerts as a reward for those who took the time to register during the recently concluded continuous voters registration (CVR).”

Commenting further on the concert initiative she said “Elections come with a lot of tension and sometimes violence, therefore we have partnered with the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, Ekiti to collectively promote a message of peace.”

“The message is deliberately very simple: Register to vote, Select credible candidates, Vote and Protect your vote (R.S.V.P),” she said

Artistes scheduled to headline the concert include Reminisce, May-D , Sasha, Gaise Baba, TV personality Denrele amongst others.

Access to the concert is FREE strictly on presentation of a voter’s card.

The concert is support by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The 20th Nigerian Economic Summit holds from 18 – 20 March 2014 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.

This year’s Summit – which is the 20th edition of the annual marathon of ideas and innovation – is of particular significance as it focuses solely on the education sector.

“The decision to hold the Summit on education was taken to address the decline in a sector that is critical to economic development,” said Frank Nweke, Director-General of the NESG. “The Nigerian education sector is in dire straits, and requires both public and private sector intervention, if the country is to fulfill its potential as not only a regional powerhouse, but as a global player”

This year’s Summit will be declared open by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The President will also lead the high level interaction at Presidential Policy Dialogue aimed at distilling the requirements for deciding what Nigeria’s ideal education system should be.

Some of the key issues to be discussed at the summit include:

1.  National consensus on the objectives of our education system.

2. Collective realisation of the pervasive centrality and importance of education to national development.

3. Sustainable structural reforms and changes that will allow the emergence of a 21st century economy.

4. Building a culture of life-long learning, to ensure the Nigerian economy can respond quickly to global changes and global developments.

Speakers and panelists include Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Kaduna State Governors; Professor PAI Obanya (WAEC); Amb. Maryam Katagum (UNESCO); Jim Ovia (Quantum Capital Partners); Marie Francois Marie Nelly (Country Director, World Bank); Jim Oneill, (ex-Chairman, Goldman Sachs); Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education; Hon Comrade Aminu Suleiman, Chairman, House Committee on Education; Tony O. Elumelu, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Mutiu Sunmonu, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria; Sola David-Borha, CEO, Stanbic IBTC; Jill Jupiter Jones, Team Leader for Education, USAID, Nigeria, amongst others.

For more information about NES 20, visit www.nigerianeconomicsummit.org.  Follow on Twitter @nesgnigeria, on Facebook: NigerianEconomicSummitGroup. The official hashtag is #NES20.

Nigeria’s King of Soul; Timi Dakolo has announced his decision to present other men with a chance to give a gift to their special women using the Iyawo Mi video.

Fans of the artiste can now be a part of the love letter by sharing photos of their wives or fiancées in the montage video which will be premiered at the end of March 2014.

“I want to give my guys a chance to give something special that they can enjoy to their women. I want to personalize the song for every lover, I want this to be part of every love story, someway, somehow!” said Timi Dakolo

Want to be a part of it? Just follow these easy steps.

1.         Send a photo of your woman, yourself and both of you together to [email protected]

2.         Include your names and status of relationship – married, engaged or dating and for how long.

Entries close, March 20, 2014. For more information, visit www.timidakolo.ng

Customer at the new studio

Industry leader in makeup and beauty, House of Tara officially launched its new luxury studio at the Centro Mall, Lekki with an exclusive VIP event at the rooftop of the Centro Mall on 23 February, 2014.

The Centro Mall Studio is the 14th studio for the brand which has 20 new studios planned to launch nationwide.

Bez performs

Guests in attendance were treated to music by one of Nigeria’s A-list artists Bez as well as food from Chef Fregz and champagne.  The event also featured a live makeup showcase of four makeup looks achieved using House of Tara products.

Arese with the HOT lipstick named after her

“House of Tara has been a pioneer in the industry since 1998 and has been a trailblazer in the areas of retail, distribution channel management and education. Following our passion of enabling the industry; in the next 12 months, we will expand even further, opening 20 studios around the country, providing jobs for many makeup artists and aspiring beauty reps.” House of Tara’s brand manager; Temi Akingbe said.

Temi Akingbe – Brand Manager – HOT

Guests included Bola Balogun, Omoni Oboli, Toke Makinwa, Eunice Efole, Tewa Onasanya, Munachi Abi, Arese Ugwu, Mai Atafo, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Linda Ejiofor, Anna Banner and a host of others.

Ada Iwugo and Tara Fela Durotoye

Rhema Akabuogu, House of Tara’s Retail Experience Manager said “Our Strategy is to offer an array of great beauty brands, education and an exciting experience at our retail stores”

One lucky guest was rewarded with a product named after them and a lifetime supply of that House of Tara.

For more information, visit www.houseoftara.com

Mainframe team led by Tunde Kelani were announced as winners of CultureShift 3 – hackaton – workshop organised by the British Council and Co-Creative Hub on Sunday, 23 February, 2014

CultureShift; a programme created to engage creative entrepreneurs and organisation to use technology to provide solutions for challenges started last year on the Ideation stage with 15 companies competing and six companies getting shortlisted to progress to the hackathon stage and the selection of a winner.

Mainframe presented a platform for Yoruba Global Content; movies, trailers, musical videos, teleplays etc. across – mobile, web and internet TV. They built an App called ‘OPOMULERO’ which would run on Android, Ios, blackberry and other operating systems.

With this announcement coming three days to his birthday; veteran director; Tunde Kelani said “I am excited about this and this platform is like a birthday present to me, I am not planning any party this year but I believe that it has been marked by this milestone. I wish to thank family, friends, benefactors, supporters and audience for your love and support.”

Unveiling a new logo as well on his birthday, the veteran added “I shall need you more in the next phase of my life. There are a lot of goodies in 2014 – Dazzling Mirage; a new film set for release soon, Omuti – Palmwine Drinkard (stage re-adaptation), YEEPA Solaarin Nbo (stage) and the ultimate – OPOMULERO -platform for Yoruba Global Content.”

Site and app launch date will be announced soon. For more information, visit: www.mainframemovies.tv

Ndani TV presents a new show titled ‘Stripped’, an entertainment-driven interview series where some of our favourite stars and personalities will give the scoop on their beauty secrets.

The first episode features TV personality and actress Eku Edewor dishing on how she keeps her skin glowing and radiant.

Bare-faced, she shares her beauty routine one (French) product after the other and is not afraid to be vulnerable for the cameras.

Click below to watch!

Ndani TV and Y!/YNaija.com hosted 100 of the most innovative people in the Nigerian Tech space – #YTech100 – at Social Media Week Lagos 2014. The invitation-only event held on Friday, 21 February 2014 at Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki, Lagos.

“With start up businesses in mobile and online payments, e-Commerce as well as online content distribution, the Tech industry has received over $100mil in investment from local and foreign investors and is shaping up to be a key contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth over the next 10years. Consequently, Ndani TV and Y!/YNaija.com agreed on the imperative to engage the key players and leaders of this emerging industry and facilitate discuss that will drive growth and synergy,” said Jadesola Osiberu of Ndani TV.

“It’s very hard to overstate the impact that digital has on our lives at the moment,” Sim Shagaya, chief executive of Konga and DealDey said on the panel discussing ‘Nigeria’s Tech Space: Ecosystem or Bubble?’

The event, which was kicked off with remarks from Lola Odedina, head of the Communications and External Affairs Division, GTBank, had in attendance influential technology leaders including Country Manager of Goggle, Juliet Ehimuan; Co-founder of the Co-Creation Hub, Femi Longe; Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, Gbenga Sesan; CEO of Future Software Resources, Nkemdilim Begho; co-founder ofiROKO TV; Bastian Gotter; founding CEO of Jumia, Tunde Kehinde; Head of Digital Marketing GTBank, Pascal Or, amongst others.

There a real thirst for knowledge in Nigeria and so we need to invest in our mind economy,” said Emeka Okoye, founder of Open Africa. “To be a tech entrepreneur you must be willing to make sacrifices, because the technology industry is presently at its lowest ebb”

The exclusive cocktail and networking event saw the 100 Tech honourees presented with certificates of recognition,

“You guys – developers, entrepreneurs, stoytellers, funders, designers – you guys are the standard bearers for this new reality,” said Chude Jideonwo, managing partner of RED; owner of Y!,YNaija.com amongst other media brands. “You, the #YTech100, are proof, alive, that anything is possible. So we are here to honour you, and to honour the possibilities. To encourage you to build empires, but also to build the eco-system. We are here to facilitate connections and collaborations. To say well done, and then to say not enough. Yes, we should be proud of where we are – but the real work lies ahead. It is yet morning on creation’s day.”

The event was held as one of major highlights of Social Media Week Lagos 2014.

Panelists at #YTech100

Emeka Okoye; Founder of Open Africa speaks at #YTech100

Chude speaking at #YTech100

Audience at #YTech100

Gbenga Sesan receiving his certificate at #YTech100

Honouree receiving certificate at #YTech100

Sim Shagaya receiving his certificate at #YTech100

Charles Odi, Adebola Williams, Brian Oji at #YTech100