BUSINESS REALITY SHOW:DRAGON'S DEN KICKS OFF LAST NIGHT ON TV...PLUS FACES OF THOSE WHO ARE READY TO STAKE THEIR MILLIONS FOR A GOOD BUSINESS IDEA

Hey folks, whats been happening to you all??? my end has been tight..i mean its been fun, hectic and also interesting...its few days to STYLE NIGHT and all hands and attention is being diverted there...just to make sure that you guys have a wonderful time when you come for the event. Till now, i am still finding some of the things that promise to make STYLE NIGHT amazing as surprising.Just when we were wondering that we might not be able to pull up to the event our target crowd, mostly 'top Nigerian celebs', we get the shock of our 'life's' with calls from left, right and center from top Nigerian celebs and personalities requesting for not just one but two and more invites to attend the show, and it could not have been better, Soundcity is handling Red carpet...Well. right now, i can only say to all the companies that were holding us to ransom that, style night has been a success without them, even though they had all the opportunity on a platter of gold.
It just might not come to them again...anyway...i have so much news for you today...so..while you are preparing to attend the biggest event this weekend, take some time out to savor the rest of your week...see you guys on Sunday...thats if i don't get to sit infront of my computer again till then.
Kisses

BUSINESS REALITY SHOW:DRAGON'S DEN KICKS OFF LAST NIGHT ON TV...PLUS FACES OF THOSE WHO ARE READY TO STAKE THEIR MILLIONS FOR A GOOD BUSINESS IDEA

The premiere episode of Dragons’ Den Nigeria commenced on a very promising premise. The den had come alive as a Mecca where good business ideas meet great opportunities. The presenter, Nwaji Jibunoh captured the feeling that would permeate this episode in his introduction, “when the entrepreneurs come into the den, they can ask for as much money as they like but in order to convince the dragons to part with their hard-earned cash, they must be willing to answer some tough questions (and defend their business proposals)…also, the pitchers must get the exact amount they are asking for or they leave the den with nothing…”
From his picturesque prologue, Nwaji proceeded to introduce the dragons through an exciting montage; a beautifully captured show of business savvy and material opulence in yachts, luxury cars, and expansive offices; creating an appetite for success in the would-be entrepreneur. The dragons were doing big business, living the good life, and loving it!

Below is the profile of the panel of business people who are ready to stake their millions for a wonderful business idea. They form the panel.

John Momoh is a household name in the broadcast media industry in Nigeria and indeed the world; in his early 50s, John Momoh has more than 30 years experience in the media business…he rose from the humble ranks of radio and TV presenter, reporter, news anchor, and news editor for the Nigerian Television Authority - the biggest broadcast network in Africa to occupying an enviable position as the owner of Channels Television, a burgeoning broadcast media outfit respected terrestrially and internationally. He is well-travelled. His analyses of any proposed business provides aspiring entrepreneurs with an itinerary for attaining great heights in business. He reeks with the aura of a motivational speaker-challenging and inspiring any young mind by the virtue of his meteoric rise through the ladders of a highly politicized industry. John is a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences based in New York, U.S.A and his Television station, was the first in Nigeria, to be nominated for an international recognition under UNICEF’s entry for the International Children's Day of Broadcasting.


2) Ibukun Awosika is a daring entrepreneur who ventured into the furniture business, a sector hitherto controlled by the masculine gender, but being a woman in the furniture business did not deter her from establishing The Chair Center Ltd., a company that is now valued at over a billion naira. She was graduated from the Chemistry department at the University of Ife, and began her career as a showroom manager. In 2006, she established the Furniture Manufacturers’ Mart in Ikeja, Lagos.
Based on the effective management of her firms, she was appointed the MD/CEO of Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd, a joint-venture company she promoted with Sokoa S.A of France, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, The Chair Centre Ltd, and some local investors after the ban on importation of furniture by the federal government of Nigeria in 2005. Ibukun Awosika is a God-fearing business woman, whose calling has been to impact upon business persons the ethics of conducting business based on the word of God. Her motherly persona resonates in her analyses of the business ideas presented by aspiring entrepreneurs on the show. Ibukun Awosika is the current Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ). And in the den, she believes that numbers must always add up in order to attract an investment.


3) British descendant Chris Parkes is a brand name in the marketing communications industry with over 35 years experience in the African advertising environment. He spent eight years in the UK with top agencies and had his own partnership in London, where his clients included American Express International Dollar Card & TC’s, MasterCard, Securicor Granley, and Browning. Chris Parkes spent fifteen years in South Africa with Lintas and then ran his own business, working on Levers, Standard Bank, SAA, SAR, Allied, KFC and Kimberley Clarke. Later he moved to Madagascar where he set up an ad agency, an import export company and finally a billboard company for a South African agency. He has over eleven years experience in Nigeria, six of them building Tequila from scratch to become one of the largest BTL (Below-the-line) company’s through his management. A new generation entrepreneur, with a fresh approach to emerging business challenges. Chris Parkes has amassed so much wealth and success by positioning his advertising company as a company devoted to providing unequalled and unrivalled leveraging platforms for its clients to reach the core of their target, and generate great revenue from doing so. He is very persuasive, and upholds the virtue of compelling and convincing persuasion. When you meet him-be sure to observe the cardinal rules of advertising. Chris Parkes is the managing director of Chris Parkes Marketing Solutions with operational base in Lagos.

4) Femi Tejuoso is a prince whose last name inspires awe and respect for the business savvy associated with his lineage. Let’s say he inherited a well-seasoned ability to make fortunes. Young and successful, with a background in engineering, and an expanding experiential resume in investment and portfolio management, Femi Tejuoso represents the new breed of African entrepreneurship with many business pies on his dining table. Femi Tejuoso is an operating partner for Helios Investment, partner of a private equity firm with over 600million under management in investments across the African continent. He currently serves on the board of Directors of Helios Towers Nigeria Ltd and is a member of the National Council of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Vice Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of MAN. Femi Tejuoso also holds executive membership in both the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Business Management.


5) Alex Amosu is a digital age entrepreneur who became a multi-millionaire at the age of 24 for a mobile-phone driven technology presented on a platform of entertainment. His passion for music and I.T encapsulated in a synergy of wealth and prominence made possible by his dexterity in running a cutting edge 21st century mobile-technology service delivery company. He has appeared in several TV shows including, GMTV, Channel 4’s Flash documentary, an interview on Ruby Wax’s daytime programme and BBC2 Documentary “Mind of a Millionaire” accompanied with a published book. Alex Amosu is an exponent of inter-personal skills, upholding the belief that your product or idea is only as good as your personality. Alex Amosu is considered Britain’s first ringtone millionaire. He is famous in the den for his eloquent and witty remarks.

AFTER GOD, IT WAS MOM-OBA GOAL

The remains of Alhaja Monsurat Martins has been committed to mother earth.Sympathizers trooped in to pay their last respect to Alhaja Monsurat Martins, who passed on last Thursday at the age of 62.
Overwhelmed by compassion, the former Inter Milan, player 'Oba Goal' could not hold back tears as he cried all through when the remains of his mother was being buried at the Victoria Garden Cemetery (VGC) in Lekki, Lagos, in the presence of all her children.

Martins described his mother as a precious jewel, whose death came too sudden. He said he never expected that his mother would die now because she was sound and hearty.
Alhaja Monsurat Martins died in tragic circumstances in the early hours of Thursday morning while fleeing her Lagos apartment after a petrol tanker burst into flames near the popular Orile Iganmu Bus Stop where her home is situated.

Condolence messages had continued to troop in like torrents both from home and abroad since Alhaja’s demise on Thursday morning. Apart from his friends in Europe, football pundits across the country had continued to pay their last respect to Martins’ mother even before she was lowered to the grave last Friday.

Meanwhile, Martins former club, Inter Milan, had sent their condolence to their former striker, asking him to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

The 23-year-old scored 28 goals in 88 appearances for the Nerazzurri between 2002 and 2006, before his €15million move to Newcastle.

REV. OKOTIE ADOPTS AY, THE COMEDIAN

Dandy man of God and the head pastor of the Household of God Church, Rev. Kris Okotie did two unique things on the occasion of his recently held 50th birthday celebrations. First, was the ‘unveiling’ and introduction of his would be pretty wife, Stephanie, a divorcee mother of three to church members and invited quests. As if that was not enough, the preacher turned politician went ahead to declare on the pulpit that he had adopted fast rising comedian Ayo Makun, famously known as AY, as his first son. The public announcement further elicited huge applause from those present at the occasion. However, our concern is that more than a month after the declaration, the cerebral comedian and compere, whose AY show, has been rated one of the best watched on TV, is yet to change his surname to reflect his new status. Meanwhile, some hoodlums recently burgled his wife’s car and left it thoroughly vandalized.

Yes, yes, yes, Finally..........its goin' down in Pennsylvania
YINKA AYEFELE PERFORMS LIVE in Philadelphia on 30th AUGUST 2008.

Online Ticket is $50 – advance
VIP is $80 and Couples $150 - advance

VENUE:
ALFIES
Inside Blue Grass Shopping Center
by Roosevelt Blvd & Welsh Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19114

TIME:
7pm - 2am (prompt)