TU-FACE IDIBIA'S 10 YEARS ANNIVESSARY+MANDELA CONCERT IN NY+FACE OF AFRICA

It was a blast, you know, so much music and comedy and dance as Nigeria's finest musician, Tu_face Idibia celebrated his 10 years in music...it seemed like yesterday but believe it or not, the dude is 10 years old in the industry and not an achievement that comes by a hair pull from the nostril.

Ok, enjoy the pictures from the event!

‘Mandela Day’ concert in New York rocks the world

Zain Telecommunications once again proudly sponsored the ‘Mandela Day’ to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday. The star-studded extravaganza, held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on July 18, attracted a global television audience of over 1 billion.

It was an evening that was about much more than music and paying tribute to one of the world’s most beloved leaders. July 18, Mandela’s birthday, has been designated Mandela Day, a global call-to-action for people to recognize their individual power to make a difference and help change the world around them for the better. Those who wish to take part are encouraged to commit 67 minutes – representing the 67 years Mr. Mandela spent fighting for humanitarian issues – of their time to make an imprint on their community and make the world a better place.

The New York concert, which raised funds for his charitable foundations, was endorsed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a delegation of UN Ambassadors from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

“Nelson Mandela is a living embodiment of the highest values of the United Nations. His commitment to a democratic, multi-racial South Africa; his steadfast pursuit of justice; his willingness to reconcile with those who persecuted him most are just some of the hallmarks of a remarkable man,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the event. “Nelson Mandela has made a lasting imprint on our lives. May we all continue to benefit from his wisdom, his good works and good humor for many years to come.”

France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, made a rare concert appearance, headlining an A-list celebrity cast that came to support to Mandela’s cause. It included Former US President Bill Clinton, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and actors Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Sharon Stone,and Susan Sarandon as well as the Italian rock legend, Zucchero.

The event brought together the biggest names in music from the US and Africa to perform under the banner of Mandela Day. The African contingent included Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Chris Chameleon, Freshly Ground, Emmanuel Jal, Loyiso, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswa Mazwai, and Susanna Owiyo who ’opened’ the first Mandela Day concert.

Other international artists included Dave Stewart and friends, Queen Latifah, Josh Groban, TLC, Cyndi Lauper, Jesse McCartney and Grammy Award winners Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Wyclef Jean. All artists shared the stage and performances with the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The concert was the culmination of a week-long series of events in New York City in celebration of the first-ever Mandela Day. The activities include a Ralph Applebaum designed exhibition of Mr. Mandela’s life and the work of his many 46664 ambassadors –named after Mandela’s Robben Island prison number – as well as the gala fund-raising dinner.

FACE OF AFRICA REVAMPED

M-Net’s star-making model search, Face of Africa, is back after the gorgeous Ghanaian, Kate Tachie-Menson, strode into the spotlight on her second attempt in the series, and walked away as the newest African catwalk sensation last year.

Now entering its 8th season, M-Net has announced the legendary search has metamorphosed from a four-part special into a dynamic 14-episode television series. “Our audiences love the Face of Africa story,” says M-Net Africa Director Biola Adekanbi.

Kate, with her determination to succeed, and her incredible will to follow her dream, embodies the spirit of Face of Africa. She is a true example of the appeal of the project, of its ability to change lives positively and this is what viewers are so enthusiastic about seeing. They want to see it all, the continental search, the transformations, the successes, the ultimate triumph. So M-Net has invested in a longer series, to let the Face of Africa story be told in its entirety, to let our audiences join the search and live the process.”

The prizes for the new season includes 50,000 USD and a modeling contract with O Model Africa, which is helmed by the first Face of Africa winner, Oluchi Onweagba.
M-Net has also revealed that the Face of Africa 2009 Finale will be held in Nigeria, in February 2010.

Entry is open to any woman who is a citizen of a sub-Saharan country and is between the ages of 17 and 24. The minimum height requirement is 1.72m, the maximum hip measurement is 96cm and entrants should not have an existing modeling contract. The deadline for online entries is August 28, 2009.

Aspiring entrants should enter online at the Face of Africa website