Boris Kodjoe brings Ziami to Ghana+First Annual African Competition+Tinsel season 2+Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze in Joburg

Folks, Nigeria is 10 years old as a democratic nation, can you bat that? small small we don dey grow o!... but the question that someone asked me today, a friend from Gambia was, how do we quantify our achievement as we celebrate 10 years of our democrazy.

I throw that question to you guys, do you think there is really a cause to be celebrated 10 years down the line of our nation's democracy?

While you ponder over it, here are some 'news off the wire'.

Boris Kodjoe brings Ziami home to Ghana
Exopa Model Agency International has left nothing to chance in order to ensure that this year’s Ghana Fashion Weekend turns heads in the fashion world. This year, joining the numerous fashion designers from Ghana and across Africa would be Ghanaian-German Hollywood actor, Boris Kodjoe. The ‘Soul Food’ star will get the chance to showcase his Ziami clothing line to Ghanaians for the first time and also use the opportunity to find out more about his father’s home country.

As part of a special BET feature on Boris Kodjoe, the network will also be in Ghana to trace his Ghanaian heritage as well as to cover the Ghana Fashion Week. Boris is excited about taking part in the fashion week and returning home with such huge attention on him. An exclusive welcome party will be held in his honor and, in a video message, Boris welcomes everyone in the world of fashion to the Ghana Fashion Week.

The 4-day event will be a blend of Modelling Shows and Fashion Exhibitions, which will run concurrently at the Accra International Conference Center from July 1st - 4th, 2009. Ghana Fashion Weekend will be held under the auspices of the ministries of Tourism and Trade and Industry, under the theme: “Harnessing Creative Talents within Africa”. The fashion show is expected to bring together different designers from within Africa, Europe and America. It is aimed at giving exposure to unknown fashion designers as well as giving the creative industry a chance to showcase their works in a form of exhibition.

Ibrahim Sima, Chief Executive Officer of Exopa Model Agency, says the event promises to deliver color, style, glamour and splendour. He says that it would feature 30 designers from all over the world and 100 Exopa Models, 40 of which would come from Germany, UK, France, Venezuela and the United States.

THE VIDEO MESSAGE

First Annual African Competition
The summer is here and the D.C, Maryland, Virginia area has begun again with its series of booming activities to keep you going all the way till September. This Saturday May 30th, the 1st Annual African Fashion Competition (AAFC) will take place at Zanzibar on the D.C Waterfront from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Set up by Bisi Entertainment & Talent Group in collaboration with Jules Management & Consulting, the event is anticipated to be the beginning of a new tradition for the area residents to be part of.

AAFC event will be a presentation that will feature the showcase of aspiring models and the works of a number of designers both eligible for a grand prize. Designers will especially be judged based on quality, originality and use of African print. The showcase will include a range of clothing from ready to wear, high fashion to haute couture. It is also promised to be accompanied by great food and wine.

For all you Project Runway fans, don’t miss out because Liberian designer and AAFC Judge member, Korto Momolu will be in the house to help choose the winners as well as showcase her incredible wears at the event. The competition will result in the cash award of $1500 for best designer and $1000 for best model. Ticket sales are available here for $30. Pre-sale ticket holders will have free pass to after party soiree at the SkyClub at the top of Zanzibar hosted by the wonderful Ms. Korto.

Tinsel season 2 looking even more intriguing
After captivating viewers across Africa with the first season of the intriguing and well-crafted Nigerian-Ghanaian star-studded production, M-NET is gearing up for the launch of season two of the glamourous soap opera TINSEL. With season one running 65 episodes and screening twice a week on M-Net, season two will offer even more to viewers. Now running an impressive 156 episodes, TINSEL will be screened three times a week, every Monday to Wednesday at 21.00 CAT from June 1.

As season two gets underway, audiences can tune in for more of the intrigue, romance and drama that made season one a firm favourite with fans.

Returning to TINSEL in season two are the talented cast – Victor Olaotan (Fred), Gideon Okeke (Philip), Omar Shariff Captan (Reginald), Uzo Egeeonu (Amaka), Matilda Obaseki (Angela), Chris Attoh (Kwame), Kunle Coker (Ziggy), Gbenro Ajibade (Soji), Iyke Okechukwu (Chuks) and Damilola Adegbite (Telema) and introducing Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi as Brenda.

The series is a must watch!

Hakeem Kae-Kazim gets dream role on 24'

Nigerian-born, English-raised South African actor/producer Hakeem Kae-Kazim certainly gained international recognition for his role as Georges Rutaganda in Hotel Rwanda in 2004 and he continues to be on the rise.

After being turned down several times by the hit US action drama series 24, the producers finally found the perfect role for Hakeem in the upcoming season of the show. Hakeem is in currently in South Africa shooting the prequel for the season.

Nigerian movie stars Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze in Joburg

THE OR TAMBO International Airport was abuzz yesterday when Nigerian film stars Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze landed. The two actors – who are adored by millions locally – were received by screaming women and a large crowd of Nigerians living in South Africa. Both stars wore black hats and carried Blackberry cellphones. The tiny actors are stars of popular “Nollywood” movies such as Baby Police. The police had been called by the organizers who struggled to control the crowd that pushed to get a photo of their favorite actors. In less than a minute, the two diminutive film stars disappeared and police escorted them to a Nissan Navara. The crowd stood outside demanding to see the stars but police and organizers decided it was best to leave. The pair are in the country for a comedy show called Laugh Unlimited that takes place at Wembley Arena on Saturday. This is the first visit by the pair to South Africa. Among other entertainers on the bill will be L’vovo Derrango, Kelly Khumalo and Ashifa Shabba. Right people, thats the news off the wire for today, 'ama see you larer'!