Omu Resort has scored another first in wildlife conservation and captive breeding.
The resort located at Bogije, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State recorded the landmark achievement with the recent delivery of two Zebras to the resort.
With the arrival of the Zebras, Omu Resort officially becomes one of only a small number of zoos in Africa to have the zebras grace it’s facility.
The black and white stripped Zebras thus increase the numbers of animals in the zoo section of the resort.
Speaking on the achievement, Moji Ibhaze, General Manager of Omu Resort said: “Omu Resort has always been first.
“I will say that its a big achievement for us and we are happy to have the Zebras as an addition to the other animals we have in our zoo.
“We are trying to promote conservation and captive breeding. We are thus extremely proud of the landmark recorded.”
Further, Ibhaze said that Omu Resort is proud to be the pioneer of a sea world, adding that a visit to Omu Resort’s sea world would avail visitors a collection of fishes that are peculiar to Nigerian waters.
“If you visit our sea world, you will see how we keep our fishes in wall aquariums and they are all indegenous to Nigerian waters, none is imported.”
Ibhaze reinstated Omu Resort’s commitment to wildlife, adding that the resort intends to bring in more animals especially endangered ones.
According to her, the resort is working with Professor (Mrs) Morenikeji of the University of Ibadan towards achieving the dream.
“Our Eland has also arrived even as we expect two Girrafes in the next 8 weeks. Space is also currently under development to receive our elephants.
Meanwhile, Happiness Michael, a staff of the resort has stated that the arrival of the Zebras will be a business ace.
According to her, “Ordinarily, when people come into the zoo section of the resort, they settle for the feeding of the lions as their premium experience. After seeing the lions, they ask us what else do you have? I tell them that we have several other animals and they are indeed happy to see them. Now, i can tell them that we have taken delivery of two Zebras. That will definitely put some smile on their faces this Easter period.”
Winners have emerged at the Heritage Bank Plc, ‘YNSPYRE’ Cream Platform Promo held in Abuja.
CREAM Platform, Nigeria’s premiere creative reward platform officially kicked off its partnership with Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE Initiative with the commencement of the CREAM Monthly draws on Friday – March 26th 2021, rewarding subscribers who dialed the *745*463# code, with lots of cash and other prizes.
The CREAM YNSPYRE Draw proper started off on a great note with random picking of numbers electronically and with some never-to-be-forgotten moments producing 5 winners who went home with the sum of N200, 000 each as well as a pledge by D’Banj to fully support their businesses and passion in a call session from D’banj to the lucky winners.
Recently, Heritage Bank doled out the sum of N1million to Damilola Adeyemi, a winner of an online giveaway competition to celebrate the bank’s product, Ynspyre ambassador, D’banj, which heralds launching of the Ynspyre Account set aside for talented young Nigerians in the different spectrum of the creative and entertainment industry.
At the draw held on Friday in Abuja, five winners were chosen from a pool of Heritage Bank’s customers that are currently on the Cream Platform and subscribers who dialed the *745*463# code for transactions.
The Cream Platform is chaired by popular Nigerian musician D-Banj (real name Oladapo Oyebanjo).
The event was attended by the Heritage Bank Regional Executive, Abuja and North, Mr George Okoh-Oboh; popular Nollywood Actress Tonto Dikeh; popular musician Mr Easi (real name Isaiah Ediae) and other top officials of the bank.
Speaking at the event, Okoh-Oboh described the partnership between Heritage Bank and Cream Platform as a game changer for the creative industry in Nigeria.
He said, “It’s been a smooth journey and the Bank has also set aside certain funds for the creative industry because we believe that is needed to support our youths.
“And so what we have done is to be able to put this out there so that we can select very talented youths working with D-Banj and once they meet certain criteria, we will be able to lend across to them as a bank.
“So the funds have already been set out and waiting this launch which we are having today. So it’s quite an interesting story for the bank and it’s a great day for us today.
In his comments at the draw, D-Banj who was physically present at the event, said that the Cream Platform has built a strong reputation for producing some of the brightest talents in the country over the last couple of years.
He said the purpose of the platform was to have a creative hub for Africa where people can upload their contents, be discovered and get funding support from Heritage Bank.
He said the platform would enable Nigerians discover their talents in areas such as entertainment, entrepreneurship, music, arts and other areas in the creative industry value chain.
He expressed optimism that the creative industry, if properly harnessed, has the potentials to reduce the level of unemployment in the country, boost wealth creation for the people and help the country generate the much needed foreign exchange.
He noted that with the creative industry accounting for one of the highest exports from Nigeria, time has come for operators in the sector to be supported with the finances.
He said, “This year will make it five years that the platform was launched and our main aim is to create a gateway to the creative hub of Africa. With so much talent in the country and the hub in the continent, we saw it as a platform for people to have that access to become whatsoever you desire.
“And it’s no news that Heritage Bank is our partner to provide the access and financial help that you will need.
The creative industry is one of the biggest exports in the last three years now whether you are looking at music, fashion, movies. But we need that financial help, that financial backing.
“So for a long time, we have been discussing with Heritage Bank to see how we can get the funds and get that help to the people.
“And today is going to be the first time that we are actually rewarding the customers. Heritage Bank went further to help us create the ‘YNSPYRE’ Product.
“This product is for the youths and the creative industry to help ease access to funding contents uploaded on the Cream Platform.”
In her comments, Dikeh urged D-Banj and the Bank to create more awareness about the product to enable many people to take advantage of the initiative.
She said as an advocate of youth empowerment, the initiative would help to harness the potentials if the youths and stimulate the much needed development of the creative industry.
Some of those that won at the digital draw such as Blessing (An Entreprenuer), Justice Isaac Precious (A footballer and musician) and John (A Caterer) expressed joy for emerging winners.
They also commended the bank and D-Banj for the coming up with the initiative.
“Hip-hop from the beginning has always been aspirational,” Jay-Z said in 2010 when Forbes got a ringside seat to the rapper’s first meeting in Omaha with billionaire investor Warren Buffett. “It always broke that notion that an artist can’t think about money as well.”
More than a decade later, the rapper-turned-billionaire is showing exactly what he means: In his second major deal in as many weeks, Jay-Z inked a deal to sell a majority stake in music streaming company Tidal to Jack Dorsey’s mobile payment company Square for $297 million. The transaction valued the company at about $450 million—$150 million more than Forbes’ 2019 estimate. Forbes figures he netted out $149 million in cash and stock—and got a board seat—after buying back 33% of Tidal from T-Mobile earlier this week and then selling that and the third he already owned. Tidal’s “artist shareholders” will continue to have a stake in the company, and Jay-Z will own a small percentage, as well.
This comes a week after he sold half of his Armand de Brignac champagne to LVMH in a deal that valued the luxury liquor company at about $640 million.
The two deals helped lift the fortune of hip-hop’s first billionaire to $1.4 billion, up from $1 billion.
It’s just the start. His diverse and growing business includes the remaining 50% stake in the $300-per-bottle Armand de Brignac, as well as D’Usse cognac and a collection of less-sexy startups including insurance startup Ethos and salad chain Sweetgreen. He also owns a chunk of his own music, shares multiple multi-million dollar mansions with his wife Beyoncé and has a growing art collection.
In 2005 he laid down the now prophetic lyric, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
Here’s how it breaks down:
Cash and Investments: $425 million
Jay-Z has been singing about the importance of spending money wisely for years—and he’s done just that, pouring a good portion of his $760 million estimated earnings (pretax) into investments. His holdings include stakes in Uber and now Square, as well as in private companies like salad chain Sweetgreen, insurance startup Ethos and SpaceX. His next likely big win: Oatmilk company Oatly is expected to IPO this year and is reportedly seeking a $10 billion valuation. He invested an undisclosed amount in July 2020.
Armand de Brignac: $320 million
Last week, Jay-Z announced he was selling half of his champagne company, also known as Ace of Spades, to luxury house LVMH’s Moët Hennessy. Forbes estimates that the deal valued the gold-bottled bubbly brand at $640 million—or more than double its estimated value in 2019 and even more than the “half a B” Jay-Z himself rapped about on Meek Mill’s 2018 song “What’s Free.”
Roc Nation: $140 million
Jay-Z’s joint-venture with Live Nation was founded in 2008 and is a full-service entertainment company serving some of the biggest names in the biz, from musicians Rihanna and Alicia Keys to athletes Kyrie Irving and CC Sabathia. The company is responsible for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Made in America music festival and even has a publishing deal with Random House. While the pandemic has slowed the company’s live-touring business, it was growing steadily prior to Covid-19.
D’Usse: $120 million
A partnership with liquor giant Bacardi, Jay-Z’s cognac launched in 2012. While it typically retails for a reasonable $30 per bottle, fifty rare bottles—including a diamond-shaped crystal decanter—are currently at auction at Sotheby’s for an estimated price tag of $24,000 to $75,000 each.
Music Catalog: $95 million
With multiples for music catalogs on the rise, Jay-Z’s library of nearly 300 songs is worth $20 million more now than it was two years ago, and thanks to a series of smart negotiations, he owns both the publishing rights and master recordings to his music.
Art Collection: $70 million
A fan of Jean-Michel Basquiat—he raps about having one in his kitchen on his song“Picasso Baby” and reportedly spent $4.5 million on one in 2013—Jay-Z’s impressive art collection also features works by Damian Hirst, David Hammons and Richard Prince. He sees the collection as an investment. As he sang on “The Story of O.J.”: “I bought some artwork for one million, Two years later, that shit worth two million, Few years later, that shit worth eight million, I can’t wait to give this shit to my children.”
Real Estate: $50 million
Jay-Z and Beyoncé picked up two homes in 2017 after giving birth to their twins: an $88 million Bel Air mansion and $26 million East Hamptons spread. The Los Angeles home is already worth $5 million more than the purchase price. Proving that the couple is, in fact, human, they still have a mortgage on the home. He also still owns his Tribeca penthouse bachelor pad that he bought in 2004 for $6.85 million.
Drake has fuelled rumours he had an affair with reality star Kim Kardashian in lyrics from his latest single – and fans are going wild on social media. The Canadian rapper, 34, appeared to throw shade at fellow musician Kanye in his new track Wants and Needs, amid the couple’s ongoing divorce.
Seemingly referencing Kanye, 43, in the song, he states in the lyrics: “Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us.”
Both rappers have butted heads in the past, with their feud going all the way back to 2018. And it appears Drake has taken it one step further this time with his most recent cryptic lyrics.
He doesn’t appear to mention Kim’s name in the song, but that didn’t stop fans speculating about the rumoured ‘affair’ on Twitter.
One wrote: “I think drake was alluding to his affair with Kim.”
“Is drake trying to say he f***ed kim k I’m dead,” a second shared.
“Lmaoo, I know @kanyewest just heard that verse on @Drake new song bruh. @KimKardashian had a lil entanglement,” a third commented.
And a fourth penned: “WHY WONT DRAKE JUST TELL US WHAT HIM AND KIM K HAVE DONE??????? LMAOOOOOOOOOO”
The new song was launched as part of Drake’s new EP Scary Hours 2. It comes after the rapper hinted he had a fling with KUWTK star Kim in the past, on his 2018 song In My Feelings.
“Kiki, do you love me?” he repeatedly asks, with fans at the time questioning if it was about her as the superstar’s sisters call her Kiki by nickname. He also pushed it further by rapping in the song Can’t Take a Joke about getting an ‘UberX to Hidden Hills’ to ‘give me somethin’ I can feel’.
It seemed Drake was mocking the fact he lived close to Kim and Kanye in their private Calabasas estate.
However Kanye set the record straight at the time, firing back at the rapper in an Instagram video.
He said: “The fact that there’s people making rumors or thinking you f**ked my wife and you’re not saying nothing and you’re carrying it like that, that don’t sit well with my spirit.”
The estranged couple are getting divorced after nearly seven years of marriage. Kim filed for divorce from the father of her four children late last month, and it’s claimed she is taking it ‘day by day’ to end their marriage amicably.
Since her rep confirmed the news, Kim has been carrying on as normal by sharing saucy snaps on Instagram while juggling looking after their kids and building her business empire.
The Mirror has contacted Kim, Kanye and Drake’s representatives for comment.
Omobolanle Onifade Boluwatife is the delectable producer of the award winning movie, The Wizard. The beautiful actress cum Realtor is definitely the next big thing in the movie industry as she is currently a regular face on the screen in the series Elenini.
Born and need in the ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, she had her primary and secondary education there before proceeding to the Polytechnic Ibadan in 2015 for her National Diploma as an Estate Surveyor and Valuation. And currently doing her HND in same institution.
Responding to her sojourn into Nollywood she said it all began from the church.
“My acting history started when I was still a very young child in the church, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH. Because I love to work for GOD and love to get noticed and also love to display my talent for people to see and love me.
When I noticed my passion for acting, I proceeded to a acting school( GOSHEN UNIVERSAL_academia) which is the academic institute of Oreofe films and theatre productions company Nigeria . In year 2010, I
was certified in theatre and films production in year 2012
Professionally, I started to chase my career in Nollywood in 2015 when I joined BWEALTH FILMS PRODUCTION owned by a Yoruba actress Biola Adekunle in Abeokuta.”
The sexy actress became a producer when she produced her own movie known as The Wizard in 2019. It was Premiered in 2020 on YouTube via Libra TV channel.
“My first production was THE WIZARD. It talks about a young child with a special power from birth”.
According to her, her mentors are Dr Oreofe Williams , Miss Bola Solate ,Mrs Ojo Judith , Bello GBolagade and her late father, Onifade Adekunle.
Interestingly, aside acting she is also a realtor and works for the popular Adron homes and property. She joined them in 2017 at Ibadan as their Business Manager in Real Estate and has won awards of best staff countless number of times and has a lot of client cabals.
Confessing her winning strategies, she said faith in God, dedication and self development have been her winning ways.
Germany-based filmmaker, Pius Okaba, is currently on location for the shoot of his new feature film, Eastside Berlin. He maintained that the world is focused on African entertainment and there are opportunities to tell stories from the perspective of the people.
He said, “My objective is to promote the afro-cosmopolitan culture in Berlin (Germany’s capital), and to create an opportunity for people of colour to tell their own stories.
“Berlin is among the most diverse cities in Europe, with people from various walks of life, but the afro-culture is going through a phase of cultural appreciation. If you walk the streets of Berlin, you would hear afrobeat music and you would smell the aroma of African spices from a distance. There has been a cultural shift, and right now, Africa is in focus.”
He added that the film would focus on the movement of the afro cultural community by tapping into aspects that shape their daily existence, such as music, cuisine, fashion, art and interracial relationships.
Okaba, who started his career as a model, stated that certain experiences in his childhood shaped him into who he is now. He said, “As a child, I engaged in various sporting activities. I played football and also trained as a boxer. Football was to socialise with friends, while boxing was to protect me from bullies. I was also very entrepreneurial as a child.”
He highlighted the challenges he faces shooting a feature film during a pandemic. “It has been challenging trying to wrap this film because of the lockdown and health restrictions; we had to cut down from a 73 man crew to 20 crew member, and most of the film locations were fussed to shut down. However, working with German prolific DOP (Director of Photography) Andreas Reuther, my line producer -Therese Stern and Nigerian German-based Production Manager, Emmanuel Titus, makes my life easier shooting during a lockdown with lots of uncertainty about when life will resume normalcy.”
Nigerian singer, David “Davido” Adeleke, has been able to maintain his hold on Nigerian ranked on the 2020 Instagram Rich List, Davido is currently ranked 47 is above fellow Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage ranked 61, Yemi Alade (64), Actress Funke Akindele (66) before 67 ranked Ayo “Wizkid” Balogun. The report is an annual released by London-based Instagram tool scheduling firm, Hooper HQ, has five Nigerian celebrities in the top 100 ranking – three singers, one actress and UK based Nigerian rapper Olajide Olatunji popularly known as KSI who is ranked 74.
For the first time in many years Kylie Jenner was pushed to number 2 by Actor and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson (Rock) who is grossing over $1million per post as against Kylie $986k, Juventus footballer and the most followed man on Instagram is in distance 3rd with his $889k per post page.
The Instagram Rich List is made up of celebrities who monetise their followers and influence by promoting goods and services of known and unknown brands across the world. Hooper HQ compiled a list of top brand influencers across the world. Social media platforms have grown to become one of the most popular marketing tools for brands across the world. These companies have been able to reach more people without the aid of traditional media – television, radio, and newspaper. According to a Facebook research conducted, 83% of Instagram users discover new products and services on Instagram.
Hooper HQ’s list discloses how much Instagram’s top celebrities and influencers are making through the platform. The list shows that the number of an individual’s followers doesn’t necessarily determine how brands value the person’s posts.
According to Hooper HQ, Davido earns $91,100 (N34.7m) per post, he is however second in Africa behind Egyptian and Liverpool footballer, Mohammad Salah, who is ranked 34 with $180,000 per post with his 39 million followers against Davido’s 17.1 million followers.
Just like the popular saying that, we are all political animal. This notion is what best describes gospel singer, Lanre Teriba, who is popularly known as Atorise as he picked interest in Politics. According to information gathered, Lanre Teriba registered his membership today as a member of All Progressive Political Party APC.
LTEE as Lanre is fondly called registered at ward 01 Ayigbami isara Remo North LG, his home town.
It was scooped that, the talented singer has been nursing the ambition to serve his people for a very long time and he feels 2023 is the best time for him to give back to the people.
Atorise in his words enjoined all sons and daughters of Remo Land to go into politics because there will not be excuse for any failed individual in Politics and we all have to participate in the Future of this country saying “enough of failed leaders, 2023 will not be business as usual.” The young man concluded
Vertigo Africa is fast becoming a moving train for the social mind. A platform for both young and old around the world enjoy the best in entertainment, yet unlike other platform members can socialize directly with friends as well as their favorite Artist.
Vertigo Africa is the only platform that offers legal music sharing from the world biggest music platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. Because the music members streams are credited directly to the artist Vertigo Africa members are generating revenues and increased international ranking for their favorite artist. Additionally, Vertigo Africa members can chat directly with artist, producers, DJ’s and music engineers.
The platform offers opportunity to stream, socialize and enjoy playlist from a vast array of global celebrities.
Recently Vertigo Africa welcome one of Nollywood finest Amb. Saidi Balogun to the Lekki phase 1 office to sign a memorandum of understanding (M O U)
Recall the Saidi who is from oja ‘ba in the ancient brown roof city of Ibadan, had a musical album. The album featured the likes of Pasuma, Malaika, Adex Alabule and the late Father U turn on the album titled Fuji Gyration.
After a meeting with the Vertigo Africa team Balogun declared the platform as the best he has ever seen, thus urging his co entertainers to take advantage of the platform with all its innovative features .
In the same vein, the Vertigo Africa’s team urges all entertainer both establish and upcoming to join this evolutionary platform now for it is truly the best platform monetization and worldwide exposer.
https://www.vertigoafrica.com/
Dave Chappelle has tested positive for coronavirus amid a multi-night standup residency in Austin, Texas.
A representative told TMZ that the veteran comedian is currently in quarantine and is experiencing no symptoms. Nevertheless, he has canceled all of his remaining shows scheduled at Austin concert venue Stubb’s.
Chappelle launched the 10-date residency at Stubb’s last week and had been scheduled to perform there through this weekend. Several of the shows featured Joe Rogan as a co-headliner.
Because of social distancing requirements, no individual seats were sold to the shows. Instead, attendees had to purchase a table of four, six, or eight seats. Upon entry into the event, attendees received a rapid COVID-19 antigen test and were asked to wear face masks at all times.
Prior to testing positive for COVID-19, Chappelle was photographed backstage with Rogan, Elon Musk, Grimes, and restaurateur C.K. Chin. In another photo, he posed alongside Musk, Grimes, and comedians Michelle Wolf, Ron White, and Donnell Rawlings. No one was wearing a mask in either photo.
Grimes herself recently battled coronavirus. On January 9th, she confirmed her positive diagnosis in an Instagram Story, writing, “Finally got COVID, but weirdly enjoying the DayQuil fever dream … 2021.”
