THISDAY NEWSPAPERS TEMPORARILY SHUTDOWN!

 

PRINCE NDUKA OBAIGBENA, Publisher ThisDay Newpapers & Arise Magazine

It's not the best of times presently at one of the best Newspaper companies in Nigeria. As we speak or better still, as this report is coming out, the management of ThisDay Newspapers are doing all that's possible to try to negotiate with the staff union of the company, who are the cause of the shutdown. 

Major reason for the temporary shutdown from our investigation, is the prolong non-payment of staff members salaries owed for several months (Some say it's just for 3 months, others argue it might be longer than that). So when the aggrieved staff members couldn't cope no more with unfulfilled promises of we would soon pay, they resorted to industrial action culminating in the shutting down of production at the award winning newspaper company headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. 

According to our investigations, the company has temporarily shifted operational base to the Protea Hotel, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos since Wednesday, May 8, 2013, where key staffers are temporarily working from, so that the readers wouldn't miss getting their regular dose, ThisDay style. We hear printing is been done at Jimoh Ibrahim's Mirror Newspapers. According to unconfirmed reports, the staff union members nearly had a confrontation with the chairman of the company in the person of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, with many vowing to manhandle him if he had appeared. 

We don't know how soon the present cul-de-sac would be sorted out. But as soon as progress is made we would inform our readers. 

ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK SET FOR SA?

OZWALD BOATENG AT THE 2012 EDITION

CURRENT COVER OF ARISE MAGAZINE

If all goes well as planned, barring any last minute change of mind, there is the possibility that this year's edition of the famous Arise Magazine Fashion Week, which seem to have made its home in Lagos, Nigeria might be held in Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa next. 

Knowing the boss of Arise Magazine, Prince Nduka Obaigbena very well, he would want to make sure that the brand becomes the preferred brand in Africa, when it comes to fashion weeks, so we are sure this particular move is part of the steps he has decided to take to show the world, that ARISE has no rival in the continent and it's not just a Nigeria thing, but for the whole continent. 

The last 2 editions of the Fashion week, were unprecedented successes, with hundreds of top fashion label participating. It was one event that helped to shift attention on Nigeria in a very positive way, now with the unconfirmed report that it might be moving to the fashion capital of Africa, somewhere in SA either Joburg or Cape town, it might be the much needed statement to say to the world again ''Africa Arise, let's take over the world''. 

The next few days should confirm for certain, if SA is it or not. Also, unconfirmed snippets also says that London, UK would also feel the invasion of the Arise brand this year also. When and where, we do not know yet, but we would make sure to give you the heads up as things unfold. 

Stay tuned. 

ANOTHER BIG ONE FOR NDUKA OBAIGBENA AS ARISE Media Launches Global TV Network

GLOBAL LAUNCH OF ARISE NEWS

PRINCE NDUKA OBAIGBENA

 After two days of test broadcasting, a 24-hour international TV news operation set to rival existing giants in the global market will ‘soft launch’ today, February 4, 2013, broadcasting from its main News Centres in London, New York, Johannesburg and Lagos.

ARISE NEWS, will have a strong African footprint and serve undeserved communities in the USA and other parts of the world, supported by a further eight bureaux around the globe stretching from Beijing to Rio de Janeiro.

A sister channel, ARISE 360, which will be entertainment-based with fashion, music sport and pay per view films, will start broadcasting toward the end of this year.


MORE AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE

KERRY WASHINGTON COVERS THE NEW ARISE

ARISE - the award-winning bi-monthly glossy magazine - kicks off 2013 with an EXCLUSIVE interview with Hollywood's hottest female actress KERRY WASHINGTON - the star of Quentin Tarantino's latest blockbuster, "Django Unchained" and the US TV hit drama, "Scandal".

Also featured inside - ARISE celebrates KOFI ANNAN's achievements in global health and development. ARISE also gets up-close-and-personal with Vogue Italia’s Editor-in-Chief FRANCA SOZZANI.

ARISE catches up with musicians TREY SONGZ, M.I.A and TALIB KWELI; there's also the hottest fashion and beauty trends and much, much more.

Issue 18 of ARISE is out now worldwide in all leading outlets - Don't miss out!

For further information about ARISE and stockist information, visit www.ariselive.com

TYRA BANKS COVERS ARISE MAGAZINE

Tyra Banks is the next cover of Arise International Magazine. The ex-Supermodel and mogul at 38 years old still looks stunning any day. The new edition also features the top 100 women, the Heroines helping to shape Africa in all their areas of influence. Some of those top hundred are top designers Deola Sagoe, Folake Folarin-Coker, Lisa Folawiyo, Ayo Obe, Genevieve Nnaji, Oluchi Orlandi, Sophie Okonedo, Liya Kebede and others. 

In the edition Tyra revealed a lot more about herself- 

Guilty pleasure?
 
Popping pimples! 

Favourite word?
 
Smize. It was an accident so that's why I like it. I created this word because for years on Top Model I'd say smile with your eyes, smile with your eyes. I’m always watching myself, because I watch it [the show] more than the average person as I’m in the editing bay, and I'd be like ‘This is so long’ and one day I was like ‘smize!’
What gives me satisfaction is I've been in a restaurant totally incognito in the corner and there's a group of girls who don't know I'm there and they’re like 'Let’s take a group picture... smize!' And I'm like 'Oh my gosh'. I'm proud of that word. 

Life philosophy? 
 
Have tunnel vision but do not forget your personal life. I'm all about teaching people to go for your goals, work extra hard, tunnel vision, tunnel vision. Now I say have tunnel vision but don't forget your personal life. Now I talk to them about not forgetting your friends; yes you have to sacrifice but don't forget your family, don’t forget if you want to have children. I waited too late for all of that. So I feel it's important to have the balance, and I'm learning that now.
Earliest fashion memory?
 
Me sitting on the edge of the bath tub while my mother beats her face [i.e. puts on a tonne of make-up]. That's where I learnt to be a drag queen – from my mother. She likes a lot of make-up and I like a lot.

MBFW:ARISE MAGAZINE PRESENTS AFRICAN ICONS-NEW YORK SPRING 2013-PART 1

The Fabulous 5 chosen at the end of Arise Fashion Week, Lagos 2012 showcased at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Arise Magazine Presents African Icons, in New York, 2 days ago. They all showcased their Spring 2013 collection to everyone's delight. Truth be said, it was a wonderful showing by all of them. Curiously we were on the lookout to see one of the lucky models-Imade Ogbewi chosen to come to New York at the Arise Fashion Week, Lagos 2012, but we didn't see her at all. What could have happened? This would have been a very big boost for her modelling career. Any ways that didn't take away from the excitement of the showcase for us. We commend the 5 designers for putting up a glorious showcase.

TIFFANY AMBER-
No doubt this brand has matured over the years. No wonder it has become one of the sign posts of the best that could come out of Africa. There's always this fluidity and gorgeous femininity in Folake Folarin-Coker's designs. Her gorgeous outfits are always so wearable; you could take them off the catwalk and just pop them on and go. Her showcase 2 days ago, was another winner. Kudos!

 MORE PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. CLICK ON READ MORE

MISS UNIVERSE LEILA LOPES COVERS MAXIM PORTUGAL

We would not stop marveling at the overwhelming beauty of the current Miss Universe Angolan native- Leila Lopes. We believe very strongly that she's one of the most naturally beautiful women in the whole Universe and therefore deserves her crown. 

The gorgeous one showed just how sexy she can be in a very sexy photo-shoot for the June /July 2012 edition of Maxim Portugal, donning several beautiful swimsuits and bikinis, looking as stunning as ever. 

She was recently in Ghana for 2 days on a quick visit. We hope she’ll come to Nigeria too someday soon. She’s always a delight to behold. Check her out. 

MAXIM PORTUGAL COVER

WELCOME TO CLAN'S WORLD AT AMFW 2012

When the 1^st 3 models came out, the first thought that came to mind was Waoh! It was evident by the time the 7^th model came out, that the designer behind the label or brand had a great mind; the cuts were clean, classy, elegant and very well finished. By the time the brand name came on the monitor- showing CLAN every one immediately knew it had something to do with Deola Sagoe.
It was evidently obvious the Designer was an extension of the beloved and award-winning Designer.

Many were of the opinion; that it was Deola’s influence, but her daughter’s showcase. The name CLAN seems to say it all- United under a common chieftain, bearing the same surname, a relative.  So like Mother, like daughter can just sum it all up. So if truly at her young age, she could come up with such a sophisticated collection, then Africa and the world at large had better get ready for an outstanding talent in the making.

AMFW 2012- OUT AND ABOUT ON DAY 2- WHEN THE FASHION SHOW REALLY BEGAN

EKU EDEWOR,TIWA SAVAGE & JUMAI SHABA

EKU & JUMAI

TIWA SAVAGE

TIWA

LILIAN UNACHUKWU

The fashion show could not start as scheduled on the 1st day as previously planned because of some technical hitches that had been solved by the next day. The schedule for the weeklong event had to be adjusted, as those who couldn't showcase before had to now be fitted into the other days making it a much tighter showcase per remaining days.

As usual, earnest work began as early in the morning of each day as possible, designers had to do last minute fittings, models had to wear the clothes so that what could easily be adjusted was sorted out, make-up had to start as early as possible, hairstylist were at hand to make sure all was in the right place.

The backstage was like a crazy house, with many models packed in, designers and their stylists, numerous aides doing this and that, it was a beehive of activity so as to be able to deliver the best at least.

We were everywhere to cover all the proceedings at the same time on the prowl to catch any fashionistas going about either on the red carpet or even inside the tents just before the shows were to start.

Like we will continually say, we agree that there were many things that could have been done better, we agree also that the shows could have also started more on time than they did, we agree that we thought the organizers might have taken up more than they could easily chew in the numbers of designers that participated at the fashion week-77 in all. We think a more reduced numbers of designers would have been more manageable. But all in all, we must commend the organizers for trying their best at delivering a world class show. Many might have tried comparing the show to the LFW or the Mercedes Benz NYFW or even the Paris Fashion Week, all these shows have been on for several numbers of years and they still encounter little hitches here and there, but one major thing is that they enjoy unbelievable supports from their communities, also there are things we would spend extra ordinary amount of resources on here, that are standards in those countries.

So let’s celebrate our own, in our own special way, slowly and gradually we would get there and by God's grace we would learn from our little mistakes and we would one day deliver the best that is comparable to any in any parts of the world. One way or the other the Arise showcase brought good attention to Africa whether anyone likes it or not.  Enjoy our photo-splash!!!!!

DESIGNER-JOHN KAVEKE & FRIEND

MILLEN MAGESA

OUT & ABOUT AT THE AMFW 2012- WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE 1ST DAY

Waoh!!!!, This year's edition of the Arise Magazine Fashion Week 2012, has come and gone and the memories of all the happenstances and the showcase would linger on for many days, weeks and months till the next event in 2013.

We are not quite sure yet, if the next edition of the fashion week (2013) would be in Lagos, as we hear that many are already bidding for it to come to them- Cape Town etc, but wherever it may hold, we are sure it would be a much better event than the out gone one. This was a great success though.

For the designers that showcased-77 in all, an unprecedented number at that, it was a platform to either showcase their extraordinary talent and launch them towards unprecedented success, while for a few of them, it was obvious they still needed to fine-tune those talents as their showcase showed they still needed a bit of mentoring and maturing.

At the end of it all, the organizers of the event- ARISE MAGAZINE under the able leadership of Prince Nduka Obaigbena- the one and only Duke of Journalism must be commended for doing their best, in spite of all they had to overcome to bring to all a great event or fashion week. It’s not an easy thing to put together events of this caliber where nearly everything that should be standard had to be provided, most importantly-POWER (Electricity).

The first day of the event could not happen because of some technical hitches, also the Nigerian models nearly held the organizers to ransom over payment disparity (they thought the amount to be paid the international models against theirs was totally out of order), but thank God for the quick thinking intervention of some, the revolt was quickly nipped in the bud and the instigators were quietly weeded out. It’s better not to dwell on the little hitches here and there during the fashion week, but better to talk about the many good points of the fashion week and those were too numerous to mention, and we will try our best to touch on as many as possible.

In this report, we are showcasing a bit of the backstage preparation- make-up, hair and fittings, some pictures of some fashionistas on the red-carpet and generally out and about everywhere on the day that should have been the 1st day of the fashion week.

Enjoy!!!

CHANTELLE UNACHUKWU

ISOKEN OGIEMWONYI & WONU ODUNSI

PLAYBOY MODEL-TISHA MARIE

TOYIN LAWANI OF ELAGANTE

FATIMA GARBA & LATASHA NGWUBE OF VANGUARD ALLURE

HAUWA & HELEN JENNINGS EDITOR OF ARISE MAGAZINE

PHUNAFRIQUE'S FUNKE & FRIEND