The Nigerian NYSC scheme was established in a bid
to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country
after its Civil war. The pre-civil war innocence that
Nigeria lost in the midst of bloodshed and untold
hardships also played out in human relationships,
thereby threatening the 'One Nigeria' dream. This
necessitated the need to create an avenue for both
human, cultural and geographic exchange. The
scheme also aims to inculcate in Nigeria’s youths
the spirit of selfless service to the community,
irrespective of their social, ethnic or religious
affiliations...
Gidi Culture Festival is a strong advocate of the
NYSC scheme; with a strong belief that youth
empowerment is key to the development of the
society. It understands that a society must invest in
its youth in order to position itself for advancement.
As the cliché goes, 'they are the leaders for
tomorrow'.
The Road to Gidi Culture Festival kicked off with
a free concert at the Lagos State NYSC Camp in
November last year.
"The Gidi Culture Festival is all about empowering
the youth as well as ensuring that entertainment is
affordable and accessible to the youth" said Chin
Okeke, Founder of Eclipse Live.
The show provided unknown artistes such
as Uchman an opportunity to showcase their music
to a crowd of over 3000 people, as well as sharing a
stage with upcoming acts such as Nedu, Flowsick,
Blink, Tesh Carter and Sammy. The exposure that
these young artists got from theGidi Culture Festival
initiative has helped to foster their careers and has
created more exposure for them in the music and
entertainment space.
‘We are looking forward to organising a similar
concert after the success that we had last year.”
Okeke said. “ It is important that we carry on
engaging with the youth through the power of music
and reminding them of their responsibilities to their
communities and the society as a whole”.
The Gidi Culture Festival itself is scheduled to take
place in March 2014, with a line-up that boasts
some of Nigeria's hottest young musical talents in
the industry.
The NYSC scheme remains a key development
initiative in Nigeria, with the ultimate goal of
establishing a united, strong and self reliant nation.
To the NYSC March campers in Lagos, are you
ready for the fun?
Blessing Patrick is one of the fast-rising actresses
in Nollywood. She talks about her life as an actress,
model and fashion designer.
My name is Blessingn
Patrick. I’m an actress from
Cross River State. I studied
Sociology and Anthropology
at the Enugu State University
of Science and Technology. I
joined Nollywood through a
friend who was also
passionate about acting. I
used to accompany her to
locations as well as movie
auditions. Then people were trying to discourage
me. Particularly, my parents were objecting to it,
saying “You can’t go into acting because you need
to go to school”. But despite their objection, I was
still going to locations with my friend. There and
then, I made my contacts and later, returned to
school. Professionally, I started acting in 2011. The
first person that gave me my first role was Solomon
Akpete, popularly known as Solo Amaco. And the
movie was called “Daughters of Eve” featuring
Mercy Johnson and Majid Michel. I have also done
other movies including “Sexy Vampires”,
“Masquerade Dancers”, “Midwifes”, “Tears of a
Holy” “Heart, Kings’ Bed”, “My World”, “Enter the
Place” and so on.
So far, it has been a worthwhile experience. It is
said that nothing good comes easily.But I give God
all the glory. Things have been working out
according to God’s plan. There was this moment in
my career when I did the movie titled, ‘King’s Bed’. I
had a lot of experiences on that set. I had to do
what is not really me. Though I’m still looking
forward to taking up a very challenging role in a
movie. I’ve done a couple of movies, but I’m yet to
do any movie that has really challenged me to the
extreme. I don’t have any regrets doing what I’m
doing today.
In the course of pursuing my career in acting, I
have won a couple of awards. Among them were
the City People Best New Actress of the Year Award
2013( English), Best New Actress of the Year at the
Nigeria Media Nite Out Award 2013 and Gbedu
Recognition Award. I feel so blessed that God is
really with me , watching over me and supporting
my efforts. Winning these awards and getting all
these recognitions meant a lot of things to me.
My parents were initially not in support of my
becoming an actress. But they don’t have a choice
because this is what I love to do. I can’t do anything
that has nothing to do with entertainment. They
realised that I have also given them what they
wanted. My movies are quite inspiring. When they
watch them, they are happy for me. As an actress, I
look up to God in the first place. I also look up to so
many stars like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita
Dominic and Joke Silva. I want to act alongside
Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic and Omotola Jalade
Ekeinde.
Besides acting, I also write. I’m the Editor of Infinity
Fashion and Style Magazine as well as a model. I
hope to go into movie production soon. If I wasn’t
acting,I’d be a fashion designer. Combining acting,
modelling and fashion designing is not a problem for
me. This is because they are things I love doing, I
just try to strike a balance. When I was a little girl, I
used to watch movies a lot. I knew I was going to
end up becoming an actress. I can fit into any role
because that is what makes me an actress,
provided I will not be required to go nude.I am
passionate about my job as an actress. Acting is
my hobby.
My childhood was memorable because l started
doing what my mates were not doing at the time. I
was always with my mother who was a great
fashion designer and I practically learnt all that l
needed to know about fashion designing from her.
in fact, my mother made it compulsory for me to
learn how to handle a sewing machine when l was
growing up. Perhaps, she knew that she won’t be
with me for too long. She left me with a legacy and
today, I am who I am because of her.
When it comes to style, I dress the way I want to be
addressed. My style is me. I have a sweet and
lovely shape. At least, that is what people say. But I
believe what sells me is the finger of God in my life.
It is by God’s grace and hard work that I have been
able to attain the height that I have reached today
and I hope to be a shining example to the young
ones.
Tiwa Savage and her husband, Tunji Balogun loved
up on a boat in Dubai...
This is a casting call from Chineze Anyaene, the
award winning Director and Producer of the multi
award winning movie ‘IJE: The Journey’.
Xandria Productions is now scouting for Male and
females actors for an upcoming drama - mystery
TV Series created and to be directed by Chineze
Anyaene. With over 200 characters, this is an
opportunity for individuals with interest, skill or
talent in acting to showcase themselves.
Continue..
This opportunity is not only limited to Cast but is
also open to production crew. For information on
character breakdown, crew positions,
submissions and audition locations, visit
www.hgsseries.com
You will be required to come along with a hard
copy 8x10 headshot not overly photoshopped with
basic information behind. Please NOTE that this is
a condition for auditions.
So if you have been looking to get into the movie
industry, here's a chance! Auditions will hold in
Lagos (Jan 24th &25 th), Abuja (Feb 6th) and Enugu
(Feb 8 th)
Twitter:@hgstv
Facebook: Twww.facebook.com/HGStv
www.hgsseries.com
Tel: 08093575546
This is a casting call from Chineze Anyaene, the
award winning Director and Producer of the multi
award winning movie ‘IJE: The Journey’.
Xandria Productions is now scouting for Male and
females actors for an upcoming drama - mystery
TV Series created and to be directed by Chineze
Anyaene. With over 200 characters, this is an
opportunity for individuals with interest, skill or
talent in acting to showcase themselves.
Continue..
This opportunity is not only limited to Cast but is
also open to production crew. For information on
character breakdown, crew positions,
submissions and audition locations, visit
www.hgsseries.com
You will be required to come along with a hard
copy 8x10 headshot not overly photoshopped with
basic information behind. Please NOTE that this is
a condition for auditions.
So if you have been looking to get into the movie
industry, here's a chance! Auditions will hold in
Lagos (Jan 24th &25 th), Abuja (Feb 6th) and Enugu
(Feb 8 th)
Twitter:@hgstv
Facebook: Twww.facebook.com/HGStv
www.hgsseries.com
Tel: 08093575546
Many were stunned to see Wizkid's name absent
from the 2013 Headies nomination list.But the
superstar doesn't care about that.NotjustOk
published a story on it and Wizkid retweeted the
post and said "My fans see and appreciate all the
work,,that's enough awards to last me a life time!"
See tweets below...
