MEET THE HOT DONNA

Many may say she’s hot but using that is an understatement compared to what she as been created with. Donna Adja is a professional song writer, artiste cum producer. Donna used to be the face behind the DAZ Entertainment band at the prestigious Sharaton Hotel located in the heart of Ikeja, lagos. recently, the diva decided to meet with the press and guess what we discussed except... read onQ: Who is donna diva
A: Donna is just a simple lady. Donna Adja is my full name and am from delta state, am an Orobo girl. An artiste, model, song writer, producer and a fashion designer.

Q: Lead us into your educational background
A: I started my education journey at Adams Iweh primary school and baptist high school both in the same town called “EKU” in edo state before i moved on to Obafemi Awolowo university where i studied business management as a BSc holder.

Q: tell us how you ventured into music
A: it all started professionally 5years ago because i felt like am wasting my time engaging in some educational things am doing back then so i have to switched into music. i started music way back in a studio where i used to work before someone advised if i can do a live band music. at first, i thought i wasnt going to be easy but my positive thinking nature motivated me so i decided to take the bull by the horn and at the same time, i was working at the lagos-Ikeja Sharaton Hotel. in 6 months of my debut, the GM of the Hotel “Sharaton” came to me and advised i should do something of my own, start a band instead of working for someone else.

Q: how was the experience?
A: i wont say its 100% good but i enjoyed starting my own thing and that’s what made strong till date.

Q: how was the journey so-far
A: my 5years in the music world as been so fulfilling because i had the chance to travel abroad for shows, places like Australia, Dubai, London and so many other countries. i just came back from a festival in London where i came 3rd in a competition called “SURFAC FESTIVAL”. i also travel out of the country for weddings, birthday and other private performances.

Q: how are your parent handling the fact that you left your professional certificate for music
A: (Laff). well my parent believed in me alot and and they know am a positive person and moreso, the know am a goal getter. they have been so good to me and very supportive.

Q: what about the challenges
A: well, i wont lie to you, it’s been so challenging, meeting with positive and negative minded people, trying to drag you off your dream lane, saying all sort of things to make you believe you cant do it but God as been so nice to me. i now see every disappointments as an opportunity to adjust from the wrong steps you took.

Q: now, tell us the kind of music you do
A: well, i own a live band where i do my live band performance on both local and international songs matched with my own songs. my bands are still live and active even after i quit my job at the Sharaton Hotel to start my own kind of music. i want the world to feel, hear and recognize me as a brand to reckon with not just working in a Hotel. Sharaton was a good avenue though but i just want more and that why i broke out of my shell, hatched and fast growing. my kind of music needs to be heard because its an infusion of Afro, Raggea, dancehall, soul etc. it’s a combination of style that blends without barrear in both local and international standard form

Q: how do you get your inspiration
A: well, i have 2 inspiring single now which is enjoying massive airplay tittled “SHUT-UP & WIRE”. the inspiration of “Shut-up” came from how i was once depressed by people’s words that i cant be anything in this world. shut-up is sincerely dedicated to those people believing they can drag you down from the ladder of success with negative words to discourage you. Wire; is a love song indicating “Connection”, i want people to connect via my music, i want to connect to my fans and i want my fans to connect with me because their is virtually nothing we can do without “WIRE” almost everything we use in this world is connect via the medium

Q: what about the reception
A: i sincerely thank God for the reception because it’s been a miracle. i cant imagine when i go for shows and before i collect the mic, people are already shouting “Shut-up”. i thanks God and my fans for everything.

Q: tell us what you are working on now
A: i have a song now titled “GAGA” meaning loosing yourself positively in the rhythm of music because i believe music is life and i love music a lot and i can bet a lot of people cant do without music too. i also have lots of others that am working on but GAGA is my next project and am shooting a video to compliment it.

Q: if you are to work with some names here in Nigeria, who and who will you be considering?
A: wow! i have alot of names i will love to work with and if i am to tell you for free, i can kill to work with 2face (laughing in chorus), Eldee, MI, Tiwa Savage, Goldie and lots of them but to mention a few.

Q: are you under any management now?
A: No! i have a studio of mine and i work from home with a producer called “Gold” because i dont like the stress of traveling to work in a studio, back home and re-travel again if there is a correction. that’s why i decided to fully equip myself and my home with all necessary things i will need when i decided to stay stay alone. i have both digital and live band equipment to blend to any level i desire.

Q: aside from music, what else do you do
A: am a model and am also into fashion designing. i make almost all that i wear from my specs, shoes, dress, jeans etc. people wonder why my things are so different and classy even when i travel out of the country and when ever i tell them i made it, they are always amazed and i get orders from both home (nigeria) and abroad to make cloths for them. so i decided to make come with my own fashion line for all categories. fashion is a life time thing for me but the modeling part is something i will do for a while because i have to settle down now or later but it also depends on the kind of contract i get from my modeling agents but sincerely, music and fashion is something i want to do for the rest of my life because i believe its something am made for.

Q: are u saying you have a clothing outline now?
A: yes i do but am stilling working it on locations, staffs etc and please dont ask me what the name is because am not ready to disclose that now.

Q: what should we be expecting from Donna Diva

A: am working on dropping a video to compliment the favored airplay single and that will be happening soon.

Q: how many track album are you planning to drop now
A: well, i dont really want to drop much but 10-12 track album will be okay featuring the likes of ; D’banj, MI, Eldee, Goldie, Tiwa Savage etc. i also have a flavor of Salsa, Reggea, Hip-Hop, Soul and many more, all i hope for is the best because this is just the start of a good thing to happen but am not thinking of dropping the album anytime from now.

Q: in one word, how can u classify your person
A: Hmmm! Donna Adja Diva is a “Goal Getter”

Q: what’s your advise to those looking up to you
A: do not relent and don’t give up in anything you believe in.

FACE OF THE CABAL.

HOW WALE TINUBU DEFRAUDED NIGERIANS

With the heat generated by the sudden removal of the subsidy on fuel yet to cool down,  a fierce war has begun between Wale Tinubu led Oando and the Petroleum products Pricing Regulatory Agency over the kingpin that influenced the ridiculous amount paid as subsidy in the petroleum industry. The crisis commenced few day back when Oando,one of the leading oil companies in the country and a major leader of the alleged Cabal fire a salvo against PPRA that it was responsible for the increase of the funds paid as subsidy. Wale Tinubu alleged PPRA top officials were responsible for the government expenditure amounting to 1.3trillion.
However, insiders revealed that some top officials are set to take him to the cleaners by revealing his fraudulent acts in the scheme of things.
Inside source claimed wale tinubu led Oando manipulated policy makers to its sole advantage. Through bribe and maintenance of chummy relationship with top official in the agency,they have become notorious in manipulating policies in their favor. An officer in the reconciliation team was offered a bribe by Oando official. The staff was sanctioned when exposed. Also, in 2011 they have been writing several petitions against other marketers secretly so as to monopolized the industry. They also resorted to threat of top officials who consequently gave them ridiculous allocation in the quarter 3 of 2011. Thus the subsidy they got in 2011 alone is N110billion which is about their allocations for 5 years. Consequently,they rank top as the highest beneficiary of the fuel subsidy amounting to N228billion.It was an open secret within the petroleum industry that the oil company succeeded in achieving this by maintaining chummy relationship with the pioneer General Manager Operations in the PPRA. It was also found out that the company tried unsuccessfully to install him as the executive secretary of the Agency just in order to perpetuate its selfish interest. It also used the model of 30days moving average with an inclusion of standard   deviation to defraud the Nation. The implication of 30 days model in a highly volatile market is that there is heavy disparity between the 30 days moving average on the pricing template and the actual platts quotation on daily basis. Through this policy,the company defrauded the nation of billions of Naira on each cargo transaction. We scooped that the agency is set to reveal more of its shady business in kerosene and other sectors. After all, he that comes with equity must come with clean hands.
Also,it has been exposed that they also manipulated the Petroleum equalization fund (PEF) set up to remove logistic jam encountered in cost of transporting fuel to other parts of the country so that the price of fuel could still be uniform. Femi Falana mentioned to the house of representatives about the potential fraud going on at PEF. Interestingly, Oando was the key player in prpetrating this fraudulent transaction by manipulating PEF claims when they do not deserve such claims or subsidy. This is often perpetrated Via one of his sisters company in Oando group plc, Oando Supply and Trading Company.

Phyllis Taylor of Sika Designs launches the Bow Boutique in Accra – Your Invitation & the Blossom Collection Lookbook

SAHARA ENERGY GOES GAGA - SACKS ELEVEN SENIOR STAFF

SAHARA ENERGY GOES GAGA - SACKS ELEVEN SENIOR STAFF

Would you call this downsizing or staff restructuring. Everything is definitely not alright in Tonye Cole's Sahara Energy. The young and handsome oil tycoon is surely going through a rough path right now, and this is coming just immediately after he was allegedly fingered in a relationship breaking scandal.

Just recently, about 11 senior staff members were given the boot. The reason for this has vague. The whole issue had a hush-hush feel to it and it looks like things have been swept under the wrong for the main time.

There is also gist that there is bad blood among staff, as they plot and strategize to bring each other down. One of such strategies which backfired and resulted in the mass firing.

The tale of woes surely has no end in sight, as the name of the company was rubbed in the mud during the fuel subsidy brouhaha. Tonye Coal and others were fingered to be the dons controlling vital issues about our crude oil.

The company which had a lavish end of year party, left no stone unturned in making sure the party was a blast.

CALLY IKPE SPEAKS ON NMVA 2011

CALLY IKPE SPEAKS ON NMVA 2011

He anchors the longest running music TV show in this part of the world, Live Beat. Dubbed foremost founding father of the present hip hop revolution in Nigeria. He is also leading a team of fantastic and innovative young people who organize the very reputable Nigeria Music Video Awards, NMVA. In this interview with Paz Obiz, Cally Ikpe reveals what to expect in the forth coming national music awards. Excerpts.

What should people expect from this year’s NMVA that is different from the past?

A whole lot of great ideas are in the works and I think it will be premature to talk about them now. Expect a show that is better organized. The event is coming up by November, at the moment we are trying to do finishing touches before we come out to announce the date. You might have listened to our theme song titled, Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage, we have the voices of Justina and Harrysong on it. It’s enjoying massive airplay. In this year’s event we intend to be more national than we have been, we also intend to be more cultural than before. You are aware we paid a courtesy visit to the minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke, who have pledged support for NMVA. We are in talks with more cooperate bodies that seems likely to work with us. We have never felt more accepted than now.

Nigeria just celebrated her 51th Independence, is there any tie with this year’s event to that

No, Unlike what happened last year, last year we dedicated the event to the 50^th Independence of Nigeria that was why we said, we have come of age.  This year we are not talking about any particular year because we are in a new era, another 50 years have begun. That is why we are celebrating our own culture; this is geared towards getting people to believe more in who we are.

What about sponsorships, do you have any yet?

When I talked about being in talks with some people and doing finishing torches and being definite, that was what I was talking about.  One needs to be sure before coming out to speak, you need to have papers in your hands before making any statement. I am also uncomfortable that the pace is quite slow but that has not affected my optimism in any way. I am very optimistic and excited about what we want to do.

Where would be the venue, the same Eko Hotels and Suites?

I do not know any other venue.

Are there any fundamental changes, same Annabel Statuette?

We are not changing it but there could be one or two touches to make it glitter more but it remains the Annabel just as my name is Cally, I could be called Dr. Cally, Chief Cally so that is the way it is.

In the award categories, any new additions or will it still be the same as last year’s

(He directs the question to Live beats Producer, Nas who answers the question) The last we added was the Soft Rock category to accommodate people like Gennie, Exetera, and others. That is a genre we discovered was popping up among Nigerian artistes.

After the event would have come and gone, what would you beat your chest and say this is what we achieved this time?

It’s not after the event that I am going to beat my chest, I have been beating my chest ever since! It’s not easy to do a show like the NMVA without sponsorship, we have been doing that. We have been beating our chest that we have God and our contemporaries; what can be greater? I am already beating my chest not after the show.

Any surprises, any international artiste on the bill

Which international artiste hasn’t come here before, may be not on the NMVA bill but a lot of artistes have been here playing shows unless you want to resurrect Michael Jackson that is the only person that will wow Nigerians. Beyonce has been here, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg etc. Again if it’s going to be a surprise if I tell you it won’t be a surprise any more, why don’t you just come. Nas right?

(Nas interrupts) Yes, especially now that we are talking about looking inwards, celebrating our own, the surprise should come from amongst us. (Nas concludes).

THE STUPENDOUSLY RICH NOLLYWOOD GIRLS REVEALED

THE STUPENDOUSLY RICH NOLLYWOOD GIRLS REVEALED

From almost nothing they made themselves queens in our hearts. From just pursuing their passion, they have become big brand ambassadors which have automatically turned them stupendously rich. In this eye popping compilation of the richest Nollywood gals, Paz Obiz, brings you details on how these stars made their millions. Enjoy.

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, N67 million.

She is nothing but a silent millionaire. This AMAA best actress 2008 winner who has a daughter called Gabrielle is a complete business savvy woman. Appearing very classy; Kate, it has been gathered is not a spindrift, she travels abroad only on business trips, she drives affordable cars. Kate made her millions by diversifying her investments, she has business interest in Real Estate, she has three buildings and several landed properties all over the country. This Cross River born star had N10 million by 2006, by the following year she pushed it up N12million and since then she never looked back. Then came the Onga deal, brand from the stable of Promasidar, then the Glo deal which she lost recently.

Genevieve Nnaji, N64 million.

A screen goddess! Best AMAA actress in a leading role in 2005, Genie is arguably the most popular actress from this part of the world. She has over 10,000 registered fans on her website and receives about 3,000 letters from fans all over the world every week. She has been endorsed by Oprah, also by far one of the most paid actresses in Nollywood. She raised the bar in 2009 by collecting $25,000 for appearing in the block buster movie,IJE , produdecd by  Chineze Anyaene. She became the face of Lux and subsequently got involved in Pronto beverage and Omo detergent endorsement deals. Between 2004 and 2006, she had earned a whopping N31.3 million. Major part of the money coming from her Lux endorsement deal from which she made N14.7 for a two year deal. She dived into fashion, creating her own label, St. Genevieve, managed by Zizi Cardow. The label is reportedly worth N20 million. No doubt she would have been topping the list if she had gotten the Glo deal; she was the first to be contacted but she demanded for N50 million while Glo was offering N30 million. Due to this lose she sacked her manager of three years. In 2010 she made more money with movies like IJE, Busting Out, Mirror Boy and Tango with Me. She also became the face of MUD.

Ini Edo, N60 million.

Ini believes in landed and housing properties, she has invested in this area more than any other Nollywood star. She has over six buildings on lease and about nine landed properties. Five of them are at Ikotun and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State while the rest are in her home State. By 2007, she had earned N15.7 million from movies and her businesses. The Glo deal really made her richer coupled with the productions of her own movies.

Rita Dominc, N58 million.

Dubbed best dressed actress in Nollywood. Won the City People Awards as most outstanding actress. The face of Nokia ,the the Glo deal made her financially powerful. Her assets includes landed properties and two completed building estimated to be worth N40 million.

Mercy Johnson, N55 million.

By 2008 alone Mercy Johnson had appeared in 15 movies and had earned N11.4. The following year she earned another N13 million. She has great interest in real estate, she has two houses and six landed properties in Lagos State.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde , N53 million.

Bold and beautiful. Believed to share same status with Genevieve in Nollywood. In 2007 she earned N9 million. Omotola has not been really consistent with movies lately but she always gives her best in any one she appears in. She loves cars, her garage is worth N20 million. Don’t forget she is married to a rich pilot, Mathew Ekeinde. Recently she spent over N13 million promoting her new album, Me, Myself and Eyes.

Patiance Ozokwo, N51 million.

Nicknamed Mama G, she is the oldest among this list but not in any way the poorest. She has diversified into music. She made her money by going into business early in life; she has landed properties.

Uche Jombo,N50 million

2010 was a good year for Uche, she was the darling of major media hypes. 2008 she pocketed N10 million for her slick performances in several movies. A good screen writer. She co-wrote the block buster movie, Game Men Play, with Emem Isong. Then came the Glo deal.  In 2009 Uche earned more than N11 million. Now making her own movies and retaining her name on the Glo pay list.

Monalisa Chinda, N50 million

A full member of the now popular Royal Art Academy led by Emem Isong. Rivers State born actress has done well in her ten years presence in Nollywood but her major hit came from her Glo endorsement deal which runs into tens of millions.

 This mother of one also owns landed properties in choice areas in River State and Lagos State.

Chioma Chukwuka Apkota, N46million

Mrs Scandal free has worked very hard to get to where she is at the moment in Nollywood. Has featured in about 70 movies with which she earned millions of Naira into her personal account. This Orafite Anambra State born star won AMAA best actress in 2007. She earned a whopping N9 million in 2009. Got the Glo deal and her story totally changed. She also owns two houses and several landed properties in Lagos and her home state.

Funke Akindele, N44 million.

Jenifa, as she is popular known. Looking back to her days in the popular soap, I Need to Know, she will thank God for his grace. Her hard work paid off when she wowed the world with the block buster, Jenifa. With it she won the AMAA best actress of the year between 2008/2009. She earned a whopping N16 million from movies alone. She also has a lot of endorsements in her pocket like the bank account expanding Glo deal. Recently she released her Return of Jenifa to the cinemas which grossed N10 million in seven days.

Oge Okoye N42 million

Among Nollywood’s A list actresses. Besides being a good actress, and a good mum, she is also a business woman. She works with several international business outfits that help her to remain at the top. Between 2006 and 2008, she earned N12 million from movies alone. She also has landed properties to her name.

Stella Damasus, N40 million

Not even the death of her first hubby, Jaiye, could stop her from rising to the top. Between 2004 and 2008, she earned over N20 million just from movies. This movie, music and MC star has so much to offer to the growth of Nollywood. Stella is a diversely talented and business woman who will always move from one level to another.

GONE SOLO, ABOUT TO ROCK YOUR WORLD- NEJ

GONE SOLO, ABOUT TO ROCK YOUR WORLD- NEJ

Before you mention 10 hot and sexy female musical artistes in Nigeria, her name would have popped up. Nene Johnson was an active member of the now defunct group, Ecstasy. Due to personal and label issues they broke up. She has gone solo. In this interview with Paschal Chikero, she speaks on her solo career and what she has been up to. Enjoy:

Let’s meet you

My name is Nene Johnson, also known as NEJ. I am a graduate of Lagos State University, I am musician, a model, I am an entertainer. I from Arochukwu  Local Government  in Abia State.

Why did Ecstasy your former group break up?

Ok Ecstasy was a musical group made of two female artistes, we had issues with our UK based record label as a result of the fact that the label was new and based outside the country. Before the break up, we got up to the level that our video was on air and our song too was on air. So there were personal issues and label issues so everybody just sat down and trashed it all out and decided that we should all go our separate ways.

Since the break up, how has your relationship with your colleague been?

Very platonic and cordial. I wouldn’t say that we are still as close as we used to be in the past because then we did everything together, like recording in the studio, hanging out but this days we now do our thing, sometimes in shows we bump into each other , we greet each other. That is just it.

What is NEJ up to at the moment?

NEJ is actually taking her time to do something meaningful, everybody is rushing to do something but to me this is the time to sit down to strategize, rebrand and work on stuffs. So when I come out I can make positive impact. At moment NEJ has singles but not yet on air. I am just taking my time producing and recording but before this month runs or early quarter of next month, about two of them will be on air.

These days every artiste throws out at least one single to remain relevant until the album is complete, why are you not doing that

That is exactly what is going to happen before this month runs out or early next month, I have singles now but we just don’t want to rush out.

Can we know the titles of the singles that you are coming out with

I have Ezi Okwu, I have Be My Bobo and a couple of others. I have worked with a couple of good producers and I have plans to work with Sam Clef. These songs are there but I have not picked out my single but definitely before this month runs out, I will.

So when will the full album come out

Well let’s look at singles for now then shows etc.

Who are the big artistes we should expect you working with

Am looking forward to working with Olamide, Durela  and then the females, I would like to work with Eva, Muna the pretty rapper, Omawumi, Waje has a wonderful voice. I am actually happy that the female artistes are really thriving.

It’s now a general complain from the female artistes, they say they are not treated equally with the male artistes, what is your take on this

I feel that Nigerians as a whole should accept the woman. You guys just feel she is just a woman. I think African men should just accept the black woman as an equal and it will do a whole lot of good. For instance women are more reasonable than men; we are not as callous as men in making decisions.

In America we have big and well respected female artistes like Beyonce, Rihana, Lady Gaga. These are big artistes that must be respected , don’t you think that the reason women are not yet well respected in Nigeria is because we don’t have the big female artiste with the extra gift to compete with Tuface, Dbanj etc

Those American female artistes we feel are respected today were actually given a chance, they were embraced. The difference here is there is a wall the lady has to break down and to do that it actually takes a lot of courage. I believe that if those walls and barriers are broken down for the female artistes to express themselves, we will make the difference.

So as a female artiste how are you going to break that wall?

First of all I am coming in with a male mind set. Be consistent, persevere. Men have this mindset that I have responsibilities so I have to this but ladies, we come in with the mindset of lets go and try, some day, one man is going to come in and continue from where we stopped.

So what is the next level for NEJ concerning record label

I am actually so open to record labels right now.

There is this die hard attitude new artistes have these days, just go into the studio, do a nice song,  promote it, do shows  while you work on your album then straight to Alaba, sell then back to the studio. Don’t you want to apply the winning strategy?

It’s about the kind of society we are in. as a new artistes people find it difficult to deal with you, they feel it’s like gambling; they would always prefer to deal with the older artistes so you have to proof yourself and to do that, you have to make moves. You can’t just fold your arms waiting for record labels, your dreams would just die.

So as I am looking at NEJ, she is about to blow and when you do don’t forget me (laughs).what kind of brand are you coming out with, the Lady Gaga thing or what

NEJirism thing (laughs), which you are about to find out. It’s a mixture of weird, unpredictability, real talent and reasonable contents, all these in one.

Let’s talk about the he in the she

He is fine; I don’t really like to talk about my relationship. He is fine.

There is this rumour that you will soon get married

(Laughs) Very funny.

Are you going to settle down one day with a man?

Off course I would, hello?

A lot of ladies these days say I don’t have time for men, I want to just have a kid and make my ends meats

Let’s get it straight, I believe God made woman for man and man for woman if not there wouldn’t be two sexes in the world. Off course I am going to get married but I am trying to get my priorities right. As a woman I feel I owe it to humanity to achieve something in life. Something that my kids will say that is what my mother lived for, my husband can say that is what she achieved not the just give birth to children kind of woman.

So what kind of music do you do?

Pop, a fusion of R and B, Afro music and hip hop but basically Pop.

What does style mean to you?

Well I think style is your persona. I don’t think style is something particular; it is basically what you are comfortable in and confident in.

What is your beauty routine?

I make sure I shower two times a week and whenever I have the time I always try to get a good sleep. It’s always good to rest.  I try to get my facials done once a while, unplug my purse and then eat well.

Where will NEJ be in the next one year?

Next one year, I see NEJ being a recognized brand, doing big shows in and out of Nigeria.

Nice talking to you

Same here.

PROMISETONI RETURNS WITH A BANGER!

For now, he is the hottest new thing happening in the music industry especially in the Afro Hip Hop genre. This tall, handsome dude who graduated from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsuka has just concluded the recording of a new single, titled Gbakamisi. The track has been adjudged by industry bigwigs as the song that will position him at the center of the search light of fame and set the huge ball of success rolling for his highly promising career in music. This proudly Mbaise, Imo State boy is at the moment using Gbakamisi as a social re-engineering tool to correct the wrong impression millions of people have about Mbaise people, knowing fully well that the wrong impression was created by a fellow musician with Mbaise  origin. Already within couple of hours of uploading the song on Reverbnation.com , the site has witnessed the arrival of a new star as hundreds of people visit the site just to have their own free copy! Did I hear you say, Awuf no de run bele? Exactly. So what on earth are you waiting for, please pick up your blackberry smart phone, late Steve Jobs' Iphone, Ipad; Android, Laptop, what ever digital tool you use and join the party. Its just a click away on http://www.reverbnation.com/promisetonni and you will be rocking all the way.

OPA WILLIAMS WOWS NIGERIANS AGAIN WITH NITE OF A THOUSAND LAUGHS

OPA WILLIAMS WOWS NIGERIANS AGAIN WITH NITE OF A THOUSAND LAUGHS

It has become a norm to see entertainment industry legends like Opa Williams score 10/10 in almost every endeavor they embark on. This man whose looks is fast nearing that of the sage himself, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has just done it again and this time he pushed the notch higher. It is no more news that Opa Williams has been making Nigerians laugh since 1995 in an innovative way with his completely Nigerian brand, Nite of a Thousand Laughs, which he has taken international. On the 1^st of October, exactly the day Nigeria clocked 51; his hilarious show garnered patriotic Nigerians at the prestigious Muson Centre to celebrate the birth of a great nation, Nigeria, with laughter. There were two shows at the same venue and same day. The first took off earlier in the day while the other came later. Comedians that cracked the ribs of Opa’s audience were Gordons, Buchi, Bovi etc. Hey it wasn’t all laughs and no party. Mo-Hits boys, Dr. SID and De Prince; the rave of the moment as far as high life music is concerned, Flavour, were all there to make the audience shake and get down. It was all fun and laughter. That is why big brands like MTN Nigeria, Loya Milk, Cool FM, The Beat, Classic FM, Wazobia FM, Brilla FM, Riguez Nigeria Ltd. Van Kere, The City Mall, Zenith Margin etc put their money and support where their mouth is. From here, we say seven gbosa for the man with the magic, Opa Williams and wish him good luck as he takes Nite of a Thousand Laughs global. Keep walking, Johnny Walker!