Wednesday 24 February 2010

THISDAY Nigeria-At-50 Awards In Abuja


Who says we can't throw F*** Off Events, Award Shows & Concerts ? Who says we can't turn a Monster Event around in 1 month? Who says this country needs more outside influence to enhance our brand? No one....Oh it's only me then! Should have got me and my team involved Guys.....even in the planning alone!

Although the Event was a Landmark in Events I felt a little disappointed in the fact that if the brains behind this project had been able to meet earlier, plan more meticulously, rehearse more in depth and follow a set and unified plan this would have been one of the GREATEST Events put together anywhere in the world in 2010. Although I felt it was a success it was only a Landmark Event in my eyes.

Verily I say, I was truly gulpy & honoured to be amongst the likes of our 1st President Seun Shagari ( Great speech by the way Sir!) , Super Magnate Dangote, Property Developer Chief Hope Harriman ( Dear Uncle & Ex Business Partner Of my Father Dr Ben Epega) , Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr & Olorogun Oskar Ibru. But I couln't help but have the sense or feeling that attendees President Bush Jnr & Prime Minister Blair were making a undertoned mockery of our Great Nation in one way or another by being there. No sooner had Presidendent Bush finished his Pepper Soup were the Secret Service Bods signalled "Wheels Up" and they were off on their private jet back to Texas without as much as an adieu- See the video.

The true respect must go to newspaper genius & magnate Nnduka Obaigbena of "THIS DAY" who managed to step in and take control of the proceedings whilst steering it once more at the right pace and in the right direction. Where did they find that half Naija- halfYankee Presenter who couldn't even pronouce President Oluṣẹgun Mathew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbasanjọ . Nice but dim girl - no such thing as LUCK it's L.U.C.K.......practise makes perfect!



Notwithstanding I must give a standing ovation once again to the enigma that is Condi Rice , for her resounding speech, and the This DayTeam ( Fauzi, Nadya & Helen especially) for putting together a better than average event under such pressure and with such security loose cannons. Lots of people getting paid far too much for doing nothing though....

I must say though:

Who else dares to take Nigeria to the forefront of media? Who else dares to bring such International Dignitries to Aso Rock or Ajegunle. Who else can cuss such men to their faces and laugh? Do I have any takers ? Well until we do I would like to say "Nice One THISDAY & Guru Nnduka" - Thanks for putting Abuja once again on the World Map for better news headlines than corruption & lack of emphathy.
More grease to your elbow! Nigeria For Nigerians By Nigerians....!!!!

Geoerge Bush Jnr on his way out.....



Condi mixing it up.....

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Digital Art vs Chips Art - Vitali V In Nigeria Exhibiting Fela Kuti











Whilst preparing for my marketing roadshow return to Nigeria in Feb & March I was approached by Client & Artist Vitali V to help him do a feasibility study into the capability of getting a sponsor to help organise a Digital Art Exhibition in my beloved Motherland.

A Russian Ukrainian exhibiting Digital Art in Nigeria whilst teaching this new style to budding Nigeria Artists - Great I thought! But who's going to sponsor it?

I left him working on an Iconic Chip Art of the Legend that is Fela Kuti

Well we shall see ......Any takers for SPONSORSHIP IN MAY 2010: greaty link up to Russian business. Contact me on baba@emc3.eu if so :-)


See his inspirational work :

http://vitaliv.info/ or http://vitaliv.co.uk/

Aim: To develop a growing appreciation for the artist and his works within the local art market and to provide a ground for interaction between his approach to art and local artist.

VitaliV digital Images is an exhibition designed to promote the artists artwork in Nigeria and to launch his works in Africa at the same time as in Europe.
This will be the artist´s first exhibition in Africa and also the first exhibition of its kind in the continent.

The project seeks to promote the artist´s new approach to art to motivate and to educate local artists about the medium as well as to increase awareness within investors and art enthusiasts about digital art and its endless abilities.
LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE RUSSIAN MARKET ?
Contact me on Baba@emc3.eu

2010 Fauzi The Fantastic




Through life one meets many people both good and bad. Through life one meets many souls both old and new. But in earnest one meets such few great minds that can change the way one thinks and the way ideas ,( especially) in Media, are channeled. One such Artist is Fauzi Fahm. Some may say I am bioust but the truth is as it is. Working as Creative Director for newspaper magnet Nnduka Obaigbena he is what we in Nigeria today need to emulate. His vision, creativity, accountability and humility far out-weigh mere mortals whose Bank Accounts have more Zeros after a prime number than you and I have fingers.



Accompanying his Guru & Boss from Lagos to New York for the PR Campaign ARISE Fashion Show :http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/arisemagazine/42269/ - Fauzi was de-toured by Private Jet to London to create and edit pictures that were to become posters of Nigeria's Great Leaders & Tigers for the "This Day Nigeria-at-50 Awards" . Thankfully,I too played a small part in this campaign by printing these Posters for this memorable show set in Abuja on the 21st Feb 2010.

72 painstaking hours of creativity, photoshop & editing c. 72 Posters of the likes of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr( oil baron, bank executive and telecoms magnate, who was voted Nigeria’s most outstanding business personality in the last 50 years by THISDAY readers), Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Paschal Dozie, Olorogun Michael Ibru, Subomi Balogun, Dear Uncle Chief Hope Harriman were amongst other great men and 1 woman ( should have been more Guys) whom are too numerous too name here - Mission Accomplished !

Good work fellow - hope all this is appreciated by he whom most counts in your world......


I believe, the winds of change must swell up to become a hurricane that sweeps through the corridors of power likened to cleansing of King Augeas' stables by Hercules.

Nigeria's sons and daughters similar to Fauzi are the natural resources we as a Great Nation cannot neglect or forgo!




Money is important but so is Intergrity, Accountability, Hardwork, Mainteinance, Creativity, Saving and Sharing - that's how you increase a Nation's NNP!
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan of the Rivers State like partly I - we look to you fine Sir!

2010 From Marylebone to Kensal Rise Strolling To The Grove

Moving to Kensal Rise ( named by Vogue as the Hippest area around) now
allows me the luxury of strolling to work where each early morning I catch the Queen's Horse Guard on their way back from their morning training and exercise......damn I love this city !

2010 The Spencer Kennedy Experience - Punk, Electro & Rock Music!


Feeling a tad down my cousin Koya & good friends Abi, Abi, Francesa & Leigh invited me to dinner before going to see our muchacho Spencer Kennedy ( & the Earthlight Boogie Band) perform one of his ear drum busting beautiful gigs. Being that it was to be on a Wednesday at the Shoreditch House's Biscuit Tin room : I was sure it was going to be overscribed. Although far and away from my usual Central & West side stomping grounds I decided to step out and take the Tube East. Being a member of the zany Soho House group it was an easy drift away from usual Electric club in Portobello to be amongst the Shoreditch Silhouettes.

Fine wine was drunk in uplifting company . Another pleasant surprise was a visit from my buddy that is the Creative Genius Fauzi Abdulaziz Fahm from Lagos via New York Fashion Week where he had just finished a show for his Boss "This Day" Group's ARISE Magazine ( More about him later) .

After a veritable dinner of succulent prawns, fresh tilapia and juicy tomatoes we all ventured downstairs to the Tin and din that is the beautiful sound of the Spencer Kennedy Experience. 2 Bassists, a Muppet Showesque drummer and his dolcic tones helped lift my mood to better heights. Wander when this kid's going get signed and released ? Reckon he doesn't need the big boys thanks to the web. Just a bit of money to catapult him passed the likes of Lilly Allen online.

WATCH THIS SPACE !

2010 Maison Du Chien- "Bratwursts & Burlesque Shows"

I always like to keep my ear to the ground in London especially for Clubs that give you a lot more for a lot less cost. So when my Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove Trendy Friend Simone & her Husband JR invited me 2 Thursdays ago to a edgy underground Members nite called "Maison Du Chien" at the Bumpkin i swiftly took up their offer. They explained it to be a night of exotic cocktails, unique individuals, avant garde quotations, French poodles & Berlinesque dancers.

I thought mmmm...." French poodles" - let's find out what this is all about. Upon arriving I bumped into some affable Frenchies I used to work with that I hadn't seen for 12 years. The night galloped on when I met some larger than life freedom fighting Ecuadorians, closely followed by flawed literary intellectuals, over-reacting actors, Ladies in suits & berets, Gents in flowery dresses, depressed musicians and Sienna Miller. Oh and not a French dog in sight........

Always refreshing to meet new people who still have a zest for life, love and extravaganza the way I do. Conversations turned from Karl Lagerfeld, The Bloodless Revolution, Mugabe's outdated moustache & barbarism to Zim along with the multiple flavours of Ben and Jerry Ice Creams " Mmm....How do they make them so good?"

Not for the School niters - the show didn't commence till well after 11pm for which we were promised an illustration of "égalité et fraternité" German stylee. Something for the Boys & something for the Girls! As bizarre as it seemed at the time both genders were not disappointed nor where those in our company that sat on the fence. Thanks for the dance shows Gunter & Helena ...... see you when I'm back .

Helena's Show



Gunter's Show

Tuesday 16 February 2010

LONDON FASHION WEEK LOOMS BUT MCQUEEN WILL NEVER FADE AWAY!

An ode to Alexander McQueen - shame you had to go monsieur : that was not really your decision to make!

So as LFW looms it takes me back to yesteryear when we , Stef and I, produced a great Fashion Show for the inspirational Artist Vitali V http://vitaliv.co.uk/

See here for the SHOW - http://www.ftv.com/fashion/page.php?P=3391&id=104815

Meanwhile here's to you monsieur Mcqueen:

Death Be Not Proud by John Donne

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

So long .............RIP

Monday 8 February 2010

A morsel of the video pending from ReMark's Production Genius Andrew Mckee

Still reeling from Switzerland.

More to follow ..........