Thursday 24 March 2016

Events to attend in Nigeria this Easter Holiday


Another holiday beckons, who are we not embrace it. Easter is a sacred period on the Christian calendar, held in honour of the victory of Christ over death and his resurrection. A celebration of life, a time to share and create memories with family and friends.
I’m sure you all know by now that Nigerians don’t carry last when it comes to holidays, a free day is synonymous with chilling as they seize every opportunity to be merry and have fun.
While there are Christians throughout the country, majority live in the southern part of the nation. Hence, a livelier time for feasting in the south. A few tips have been put together to ensure a fun filled Easter celebration, areas like Surulere, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikeja are the places to chill, as there will be a lot going on in those areas this season.
Here is a list of some of the top events this season!

1.       AY Live:
The show has become the biggest comedy concert in Nigeria pulling in people from all spheres of life. If you are up for a good laugh and won’t mind seeing a number of celebrities in one place, the AY Live on Easter Sunday Comedy show is perfect for you. The 2016 edition of the show has been tagged the ‘The Happy Ever Laughter’ edition, scheduled to hold at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. We hope it lives up to expectation!

2.       Easter Grill and Cookout plus Bazaar:
Here is an opportunity for the residents of Abuja to have fun this Easter holiday as Insidetrack in collaboration with Hangoutz Garden have put together a cook out on Saturday, the 26th of March 2016 between the hours of 10am to 5pm. Artworks, African novelty items and various accessories will be on display, activities ranging from bingo games to karaoke will also be organized. Music will be full blast as you enjoy grills, cakes, pastries and assorted dishes.

3.       Gidi Fest 2016:
The renowned festival is Africa’s Biggest Beach Festival, holding at Eko Atlantic on March 26th. This concert is bringing together some of the biggest artistes and Djs in Nigeria. Artistes like Davido, Phyno, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Adekunle Gold, Ycee, Koker and Lola Rae. Get your groove on at this year’s big Easter jam.

4.       Easter Blast:
The music, dance and comedy show was tagged Easter Blast, scheduled to hold at the Martino Multipurpose Hall in Ikeja. Oritse Femi, Lil Kesh, the shoki crooner and comedy artistes like Gordons, Akpos and others will be there to thrill fun seekers and definitely make your Easter break worth it.

5.       Kennis Music Easter Fiesta:
The 18th Edition of the annual Easter Fiesta will be held at the Queens Park, Elegushi Beach, Lekki on Easter Sunday. It promises to be fun packed all the way as artistes like 2face, Oritse Femi, Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, CDQ, Eedris Abdulkareem, Joe El and many more would be performing.

Happy Holiday!

Friday 18 March 2016

Top destinations in North Africa


Many would often associate North Africa with Arabic violence and unrest but in reality the extreme north of the African continent is a veritable wonderland of vast deserts, spectacular architecture and a rich infusion of African, Middle East and Mediterranean culture. Enjoy the exotic influence of a new world, from the dusty deserts of Algeria to the thrill of the seeing the spectacular Pyramid of Giza, there is really no end to the fun and excitement that awaits your visit.
I strongly advise that you take a trip to North Africa for your next vacation with family and friends, a perfect respite from the crowd and traffic jam in Lagos.
To help narrow down your choices and ease off the task of having to search for an ideal destination, a list of the top cities to visit has been curated to help you decide.

1.       Cairo:
The name Cairo conjures up images of ancient monuments, exotic Arabian bazaars and a glimpse of humanity’s first civilization. Take a trip to see the great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx in the company of an archaeologist or watch as the pyramid comes to life with a lit brilliance at night. From modern shopping complexes to traditional souks like the lively Khan el Khalili bazaar, a visit to the market provides an opportunity to get souvenirs and enjoy local cuisine. Remember to check out the renowned Egyptian Museum and nearby archaeological treasures of the Valley of Kings, where Egypt’s Pharaohs were laid to rest, see the Saqqara and Memphis or enjoy a dining cruise on River Nile before taking the day off.

2.       Tunis:
Tunis serves as the centre of Tunisian culture, home to Bardo National Museum, the most important archaeological museum in Maghreb and holds one of the richest collection of Roman mosaic in the world. Delve into the history of Tunis through the ages and enjoy an experience that takes you into a new a realm. From Moorish treks to Mediterranean cruises, the city has something for everyone.

3.       Marrakech:
Marrakech is a treasure drove of archaeological wonders, architectural masterpieces and a rich culture. Enjoy a refreshing bargain at its traditional market, the Jemma el Fnaa, a square known as an important centre of trade and a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit Marrakech Museum, the ancient mosques and some the palaces built by Moroccan kings.

4.       Alexandria:
The history of Alexandria is richly on display through its architectural wonders. The Light House of Alexandria and the Royal Library of Alexandria are some of the wonders of the ancient world while the Alexandria National Museum offers a chronological tour through history with about 1,800 artifacts from the Ancient, Coptic, Greco-Roman and Islamic periods in Egypt.

5.       Casablanca:
Explore the architectural wonder of Hassan II mosque, one of the world’s largest mosque, built to commemorate the 60th birthday of King Hassan II or enjoy a tram ride from the United Nation’s place through Marche Central de Casablanca to get a taste of the old culture. Stroll through a maze of narrow alleys in Old Medina, a virtual evidence of pre 20th century Casablanca.


Disclaimer: Ensure you check with local authorities or the embassy for travel for warnings and advice before setting out.

Friday 11 March 2016

The Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award 2016


All eyes were on undoubtedly on the entertainment industry last Saturday night, 6th of March, 2016 as the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island located in Lagos played host to a throng of television stars and starlets.  The Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award has evolved into one of Africa’s most prestigious movie award held in celebration and recognition of the people with outstanding performance and those who have made remarkable contribution in the film and television industry.
An overwhelming number extending to about 2,500 entries from across Africa competed for 26 categories and as one would expect, the red carpet moment was one of the major highlights of the evening. Celebrities brought their couture game on for the event and many looks caused quite a stir across various social media platforms. Minnie Dlamini, a South African beauty took up hosting duties alongside IK Osakioduwa. Shirley Frimpong Manso from Ghana took home the award for the ‘Best Picture Editor’ category.

Stephanie Linus stole the show in a green ensemble designed by renowned Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo, as her movie ‘Dry’ won the coveted category for the best overall movie. Genevieve Nnaji can do no wrong as regards style, the ‘Road to Yesterday’ star was spotted in a dazzling FnR dress and her movie won the award for the Best West African Movie.

Other winners like Adesua Etomi who won the award for the Best Actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Funke Akindele did not fail to wow us with their outfits. The men were not left out as Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, veteran Actor Ricahrd Mofe Damijo, Mike Ezuruonye, Chris Attoh amongst others looked all shades of dapper on the red carpet.


Many would note that the AMVCA is gradually evolving into the most important film and television award in Africa.

Friday 4 March 2016

Beirut: The Paris of the Middle East

When many think of an ideal destination for a family vacation, after enduring the hassle and stress of living and working in Lagos. Holidaying in the Middle East is often relegated to the far end of the subconscious, they think camels, desserts and keffiyeh are the only things to see.
It is will be a big shame if you miss out on experiencing the beauty and charm of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. A popular destination for international tourist, here is your chance to delve into its beauty and culture while you find out for yourself why it is regarded as the Paris of the Middle East.
Sightseeing:
This city is flanked by several architectural masterpieces and archaeological wonders. For tourists with an inclination to exploring historic sites, Beirut is the place to be. The Beirut Central District is made up an architectural mix of French Architecture, Venetican Gothic architecture with a mix of Ottoman and Arabesque architecture. You will find several old mosques and churches as well as ruins of the Roman era, the Corniche Beirut is also another popular attraction, Gemmayzeh stands as the artistic Bohemian quarter of Beirut. You can easily pace around the newly constructed Zaitunay Bay esplanade and take in the view of magnificent private yachts secured offshore which attests to the surging wealth of Beirut.
Café Culture:
Just like Paris, Beirut practices an outdoor cafe culture and part of the experience of visiting this city is sitting outside while you relish the simple pleasures of life like sipping a hot beverage while watching the hustle and bustle of the street pass you by.
Enjoying the rhythm of urban life as you simply relax and reflect is one of the pleasures that the city offers.
Chic Fashion:
The shopping culture of the Lebanese is impeccable as they know to be stylish and trendy. Home to high end stores, visit the stylish neighborhoods of Ashrafeh and Verdun where you will find several chic people. Souk el Barghout offers the best to shoppers, you can get everything ranging from designer shoes to traditional caftans.

Nightlife:
Party buffs will find the nightlife in Beirut fun packed, visit some of the glamorous nightclubs and bars. Dress impeccably while at it as locals are known to be very stylish.

The city’s mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean culture will leave you captivated. I can totally predict you swooning over this beautiful city and thinking of revisiting.