Showbiz
Fashion Designer Tasks FG on FX Stability, Says 2024 Will be Good for Business
By Bon Peters
A Port Harcourt-based fashion designer, Ms Angela Wells, has said she’s optimistic 2024 would be a good year for business, though she tasked the federal government to redouble its efforts to ensure stability in the foreign exchange (FX) market.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of her annual event tagged Shop and Chop in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital recently, Ms Wells maintained that 2023 was a turbulent year for business, noting that it was by the grace of God that many entrepreneurs survived.
On the reason behind such assertion, the fashion expert noted that the exchange rate was not stable, insisting that the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should redouble efforts to ensure that naira is strengthened.
“Those of us who deal in imported materials for our attires did not find it funny in 2023. A situation you will wake up and your supplier tells you Dollars today is exchanging for N1,000 or above, only what you do is to struggle to survive,” she said.
“In a situation where you have already agreed with your customers on the price and quality of the materials, you would still have to design according to agreement and specifications despite the increase in the purchasing of the materials for the work,” Ms Wells added.
Ms Wells is the chairman and chief executive of Precise Look International, a fashion-designing business concern. She hails from the Ugwunagbo local government area of Abia State and runs one of the exquisite traditional fashion shops in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
She said her thrust for organizing an annual fashion show was to draw the attention of the state government to the need for fashion tourism, insisting that such can attract more revenue to the state government and generate employment for the youth even as she called on people of the same vision for collaboration for fashion exhibition in Rivers state.
It would be recalled that the event, which featured a fashion exhibition, masquerade displays, and high-life music, attracted many persons from all walks of life.
The programme offered participants a 50 per cent discount on every traditional attire purchased, free food for every buyer, gifts for all the children, and others.
Giving a historical account of her business, Ms Wells said she started her business in 2000 with the N10,000 she saved from the sale of oranges.
“It was in the year 2000, here in Oruworukwu, Rivers State, that I started this business with only N10,000 which I saved from the sale of oranges.
“I was pushing wheelbarrow around, hawking traditional dresses and others but today, when I look back and see what I have achieved so far, it is only God that I give all the glory,” she recounted.
On the challenges faced during her early stages, she said, “It wasn’t easy for me, a young girl hawking dresses in a wheelbarrow, and you know, my customers were mainly men, most of them who patronized me would always want to go down with me, but in all these, I was able to overcome because I was focused, committed and resilient.”
On the get-rich-quick syndrome in society at the moment, especially among young girls who depend on selling their bodies for money, Ms Wells admonished them to learn a trade to sustain themselves.
“If I can survive with N10,000 then, you can also survive no matter the amount you use in starting the business, I assure you determination is the key,” she emphasised.
Looking into the 2024 business climate, Ms Wells noted that though it would not be rosy at the beginning, “this year will be better than last year.”
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.
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.
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.
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