Showbiz

Cardi B Gave Nigeria More During her Visit

Published

6 years ago

12/12/2019

By Ighoyota Samuel

Last week, the entertainment industry in Nigeria was agog with presence of American hip-hop artiste, Cardi B. She is the acclaimed best female rap artiste in the world.

Cardi B, who is in a relationship with Offset (one of the guys from the group called MIGOS), who has his roots in the Africa, took the opportunity to explore all she could lay her hands on during the visit.

Although, it must have cost a fortune inviting her for a show in Nigeria, but Nigerians saw a different scenario compare with what they were used to especially when foreign artistes are invited to the country (the norm was from the airport to the show and back to the airport), but Cardi B gave Nigeria more.

Firstly, Cardi B, being a world music icon, commands millions of followers on social media and also, she is a major influencer in the music industry worldwide. The first thing she did was to do a cover of one of the best songs that has ever come of Nigeria by a local act, Davido’s Fall.

She released a remix of the song on all of her social media handles, telling the world of the abundance of talents in Nigeria. This was not part of the plans by the organisers, but she did that absolutely free.

The importance of this is, it will open a new market for the Nigerian music market internationally as many international artistes will be interested in featuring the Nigerian artistes, thereby further showcasing the Nigerian Afro beat to the world

Secondly, Cardi B went on to give a thumb up to the different delicacies in Nigeria. She was very interested in tasting the Nigerian jollof rice, which is mostly compared with its Ghanaian counterpart despite originating from Senegal. The American rapper uploaded a live video of the local food on her social media handles.

This has a lot of impact on our tourism industry as most foreign tourists, who are scared of visiting the many tourist centres in Nigeria, because of the kind of food and other reasons, will be rest assured that the country’s food is one of the best as attested to by Cardi B.

Also, she visited an orphanage home in Nigeria and was amazed by the philanthropic nature of Nigerians that she wouldn’t have believed if she was told because the world has a different perception about Nigerians and the country, no thanks to the media analogy of the country.

She quickly debunked the misconception as she claims Nigerians have been good to her. Also, she was taken on a tour of the country’s centre of excellence (Lagos State) where she was amazed by the different designs by Zenith Bank of Nigeria. She was so pleased that she took and uploaded pictures of the designs of Zenith Bank, giving the financial institution a dose of free publicity.

She also went clubbing at one of the best clubs in the city where she was so impressed that she started spraying cash on the dancers. One of the eyewitnesses said the money she spent that night should be over N5 million. The most interesting thing about the clubbing was the fact that as the Disk Jockey was playing the best of Nigerian songs, she was seen dancing with the Nigerian artistes and uploading their photos which is a way of showcasing them to the world.

One of the greatest surprises was when Davido gifted her champagne, she thanked the music act, but she insisted that she’s okay with the Nigerian Guinness stout (free advertisement for Guinness Nigeria). She, however, attested to the fact the Nigerian stout was good as she only took one bottle and that got her knocked (intoxicated) her.

In summary, Cardi B did well in showcasing our cultural heritage to the world and this will help the tourism industry as she did more of publicity for the country than what the organisers of the show bargained for.

Showbiz

MTF’s Best Graduating Student Winner Achimugu Begins New York Film Academy NYFA Journey

Published

5 days ago

19/12/2025

Business Post Contributor

Winner Achimugu, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student 2024, has embarked on a six-week scholarship at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA). This achievement not only celebrates her exceptional talent and dedication but also reinforces MTF’s commitment to nurturing world-class African filmmakers ready to make their mark on the global stage.

Since its inception, MTF has been more than just a training ground; it’s a launchpad for African storytellers. Alumni from the academy have consistently demonstrated excellence, with films and projects winning awards, receiving grants, and gaining international recognition. Notable projects include 2070, which clinched Best Short Film at the African SDGs Film Festival, and Isekonu, a Zee World short film, officially selected for the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025 and nominated for Best Student Film at the Bayelsa International Film Festival.

These achievements reflect MTF’s ethos of equipping young filmmakers with both the technical skills and creative vision necessary to succeed, both locally and internationally.

The 2024 Best Graduating Student, Winner Achimugu, distinguished herself among her peers with a combination of talent, dedication, and storytelling finesse. Her selection for the NYFA scholarship is a testament to her hard work and to the quality of mentorship and training at MTF.

Through this program, she will engage in intensive workshops, hands-on training, and industry exposure that promise to elevate her craft. The scholarship is not just an award, it is a bridge connecting African storytelling to global cinematic opportunities, embodying MTF’s brand promise of fostering talent that transcends borders.

This scholarship opens new avenues for growth, offering exposure to international techniques, networks, and collaborative experiences that could define the trajectory of her career. For MTF, it’s a validation of its mission: cultivating a generation of filmmakers whose creativity, vision, and impact will resonate far beyond Africa.

As this journey unfolds, it reinforces the message that African cinema is on the rise, powered by storytellers who are ready to take their place on the world stage. With MTF alumni leading the way, the future of African filmmaking looks brighter than ever.

Showbiz

Quickteller Celebrates African Creativity in Lagos With InsomniaQ

Published

1 week ago

16/12/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.

This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.

Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.

The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.

It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.

The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.

More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.

“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.

“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.

“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.

Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.

InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.

Showbiz

Oyindamola Timothy, Steve Adeyemo, Others Win Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0

Published

1 week ago

15/12/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.

They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.

The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.

The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.

This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.

“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.

“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.

“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.

As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.

An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.