Entertainment
Nigerian Excellence celebrated in London at Lux Afrique’s Nigerian Independence Dinner
APO Group, the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to have been an official sponsor at the Lux Afrique Nigerian Independence Dinner at Claridge’s Hotel in the heart of London last night.
This was the fourth annual staging of the event celebrating Nigerian excellence on the global stage. Organised by Lux Afrique, the luxury lifestyle platform dedicated to Africa, the guestlist represented the crème de la crème of the British and international Nigerian community.
Stars of sport, fashion and entertainment rubbed shoulders with distinguished guests such as Nigerian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade to celebrate 59 years of Nigerian independence.
High profile attendees recognised for their contribution to the promotion of Nigeria in the UK included Love Island’s Ovie Soko, actor Charles Venn, former World Champion and Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi and footballer Peter Odemwingie.
Also in attendance were boxer Richard Riakporhe, Capital XTRA radio presenter Yinka Bokinni, Kojo Annan (son of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan), Top Boy actor Kola Bokinni and singer Banky “W” Wellington.
The event began with a red-carpet welcome, followed by dinner, speeches and spellbinding performances by DJ Fasida and renowned Afrobeat musician Dele Sosimi and his band. There was also an exhibition of the latest iconic diamond jewellery from legendary fashion house Chanel.
For APO Group, who sponsored the event alongside the FCMB UK bank and fashion brand Marina Rinaldi, this celebration of African excellence and success epitomises their philosophy of promoting African business, culture and development on a global scale and connecting African people from all walks of life.
Boasting the largest economy on the continent – as well as the two wealthiest individuals in Africa, Aliko Dangote and Mike Adenuga – Nigeria is an emerging power on the global stage.
According to Bloomberg , demand for luxury goods in the country is higher than ever due to significantly increased prosperity. They cite a report predicting that the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Nigeria will rise 90% by 2024 – and global luxury brands are starting to take notice, with Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci among companies establishing a presence in Lagos in recent years.
The Independence Dinner is a chance to inspire the next generation of Nigerians to emulate that success. Last night’s event featured a ‘silent auction’, with guests keen to remember their roots and support people back home. The main beneficiary this year is Lagos Food Bank which helps people in deprived areas of Nigeria with basic food and supplies.
“The Nigerian Independence dinner is always one of the highlights of the calendar,” said Lux Afrique founder and event host Alexander Amosu. “It is inspiring to have so many people from diverse industries come together to celebrate Nigerian spirit and entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it is a great opportunity to network, share stories and showcase the very best of our wonderful nation.”
“This is a fantastic event for APO Group to be part of,” said APO Group Chairman and Founder, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard. “Lux Afrique events highlight the success of Africans and positive developments across the continent, and we feel passionate about helping them tell these compelling stories to new audiences around the world. It is a privilege for us to be able to share in tonight’s celebrations and promote African excellence”.
Entertainment
Iyabo Ojo Reveals Painful Past: “I Was Raped Five Times in My Life”
Popular Nollywood actress, lyabo Ojo, has opened up about her traumatic experiences with sexual assault, revealing that she was a victim of rape on five separate occasions.
The emotional disclosure came during an interview with fellow actress, Biola Bayo on the talk show Talk to B.
In the heartfelt conversation, lyabo explained her staunch stance against sexual violence and her zero tolerance for rape apologists. She stressed that she would not hesitate to confront anyone guilty of the crime, even if it were her own son.
“I was raped five times in my life,” she said. “I discovered we have a lot of rape apologists. I don’t care who the person is; if that person is my son, I am going to come for him unapologetically.”
The actress also shared details of her challenging upbringing, revealing that she was raised by her grandmother and only met her mother at the age of seven.
“I grew up with my grandmother, who is half Delta and half Igbo. I think I was seven before I knew my mother,” she recounted.
lyabo further revealed the strained relationship she had with her father, who disowned her when she chose to marry her ex-husband against his wishes. Tragically, her father’s struggles with alcohol and drug addiction cut his life short at the age of 49.
“My dad did everything- alcohol and drugs -so it messed him up at a young age. He died at 49,” she said.
The actress also addressed rumours about her relationship with controversial singer, Naira Marley, clarifying that despite public perception, she has never met him in person.
Entertainment
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist to Surpass 8 Billion Spotify Streams
Nigerian music sensation Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the first African artist to amass over eight billion streams on Spotify.
This feat solidifies his reputation as a global music phenomenon and a trailblazer in the Afrobeats genre.
Leading this historic achievement is One Dance, his chart-topping collaboration with Canadian superstar Drake, which has garnered over 2 billion streams, making it his most-streamed track on the platform.
Also, Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition) album has racked up close to 1 billion streams, marking it as his most successful body of work to date.
In comparison, fellow Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy follows closely with 7.2 billion streams, placing him as the second most-streamed African artist on Spotify. Wizkid also reigns as the most-followed Afrobeats artist on the platform, a testament to his ever-expanding fanbase and global influence.
This remarkable achievement underscores the growing global appeal of Afrobeats and highlights Wizkid’s pivotal role in bringing African music to the forefront of the international stage. It is an inspiration for emerging artists across the continent, proving that African music has the power to break barriers and set new records on a global scale.
Wizkid’s groundbreaking success is not just a personal victory but also a significant moment for African music, which continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Entertainment
Funke Akindele Breaks Records Again! ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ Hits N500M in Just 12 Days
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has once again redefined box office success with her latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The film has made history as the fastest Nollywood production to gross N500 million, achieving the milestone in just 12 days.
The blockbuster had earlier set another record for the highest-grossing one-day performance of all time, raking in N87.8 million on its best day.
Announcing the milestone through her Instagram account, Akindele expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support.
Sharing a celebratory graphic highlighting the movie’s N511 million earnings, she wrote, “Thank you, Lord!! Thank you everyone!!! I couldn’t have done this without your love and support!!!! God bless you all!!”
Everybody Loves Jenifa is the latest installment in the popular Jenifa series, chronicling the comedic yet relatable escapades of the titular character, Jenifa, played by Akindele.
The movie features a star-studded cast, including Falz, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, and Layi, who bring depth and charm to the production.
Akindele’s achievements in the film industry continue to set new standards. Her 2023 movie, A Tribe Called Judah, still holds the title of the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time.
Fans and critics alike have hailed Everybody Loves Jenifa for its humor, relatability, and stellar performances, making it a must-watch in Nigerian cinemas. With this latest feat, Funke Akindele reaffirms her position as a trailblazer in Nollywood.
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