PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 10.09.09
The stage is set for the 2009 edition of the MTN Nigerian Music Fest as Skye Bank Plc officially declares support for the musical extravaganza billed for November 21st, 2009 at the Ocean View PlazaVenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. In its typical style of saying ‘Yes’ to everyone’s needs, Skye Bank has approved 31 of its branches across Lagos Metropolis as sales points for tickets in N500, N2000 and N5000 denominations. Ticket purchases can also be made online from SkyeBank through the Nigerian music fest website; www.nigeranmusicfest.com
The branches include Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere; Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island; Ago Palace Way, Okota; Akin Adesola, Victoria Island;Shasha Road, Akowonjo; Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi; Allen Avenue, Ikeja; Amuwo Odofin, Mile 2; Computer Village, Ikeja; Creek Road, Apapa; Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi; Fatai Atere, Mushin and First Avenue, Festac.
Other branches  listed are Glover Road, Ikoyi; Herbert Macaulay, Yaba; Ikeja Plaza, Ikeja; Ayangburin Road, Ikorodu; Mushin Road, Isolo; Itire Road, Surulere; Ikorodu Road, Ketu; Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun; Montgomery Road, Yaba; Niger House, Lagos Island; Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja;  Isheri Ojodu Road,Ogba; Ogudu Road, Ojota; Oniru  Branch,Lekki Exp.way;Opebi, Road Ikeja;Palms Mall Lekki Exp. Way;Nitel Road Satelite Town and Igbobi Road, Shomolu.
MTN Nigerian Music Fest is an innovative musical show that blends old and contemporary stars and icons from diverse musical genres ranging from R&B, Hip Hop, Fuji, Juju, AfroBeat, High Life to Reggae; A fiesta borne out of the quest to recognise and celebrate Nigeria’s own musical excellence.
The Managing Director of Skye Bank Plc., Mr Akinsola Akinfenwa said music is timeless. He maintained that people enjoy music irrespective of generation or the age of the music. Skye Bank has a warm and ageless personality that makes life fun. The Bank strongly believes in the power of music in keeping the human mind and soul youthful and happy all the time.
Mr Kola Oyeyemi, GM, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, commented that Nigerian Music Fest taps into music as a key passion point for all Nigerians and that it also provides a platform for the celebration of Nigeria’s rich musical heritage.
Barely three weeks to the event, Mr. Soni Irabor, the CEO of Ruyi Communications Ltd who initiated the MTN Nigerian Music Fest concept, is confident that the show would be a massive, fun-filled event for all.
Already Nigeria’s frontline musicians such as Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Raskimono, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Oritz Wiliki, Blakky and a host of the younger stars like Faze, Olu Maintain, Weird MC, Timaya, Duncan Mighty, DJ Zeez, J. Martins, African China, Danfo Drivers, Bracket,  Iyanya, and Seun Kuti have declared participation interest.
At the Media Launch held on August 26th, 2009, the executive board of the Performing Musicians of Nigeria (PMAN) led by Mr. Dele Abiodun, gave a formal endorsement and backing to the show.

As the date for the maiden edition of MTN Nigerian Music Fest draws nearer, more and more artistes both old and contemporary are revving up for the show billed to hold on Saturday October 3rd, 2009 at the Main Arena of the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan Lagos.
Nigeria’s Hip-Hop and R&B sensation, Faze is one of the numerous rave making stars billed to perform at the event. Faze who is reputed for his creative abilities on stage, a rare talent for thrilling audience in live performances, has already begun rehearsals. Others warming up for the October musical fiesta include ‘Yahooze’ crooner Olu Maintain, Duncan Mighty, and Weird MC. Older artistes set to set the stage of fire with their back in the day hits include Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Raskimono Oritz Wiliki and Blakky. Several other artistes are thronging Ruyi Communications office for roles in the musical fiesta.
On the 26th August, 2009, MTN and Ruyi Communications Ltd hosted entertainment journalists from various print and electronic media to a formal launch of MTN Nigerian Music Fest, an innovative musical show that blends old and contemporary stars and icons from diverse musical genres ranging from R&B, Hip Hop, Fuji, Juju, AfroBeat, High Life to reggae. MTN Nigerian Music Fest was borne out of the quest to recognise and celebrate Nigeria’s own musical excellence. The Musical Festival in now enjoying Skye Bank’s support.
Commenting on the project, the Managing Director of Skye Bank Plc., Mr Akinsola Akinfenwa said music is timeless. He maintained that People enjoy music irrespective of generation or the age of the music. Skye Bank has a warm and ageless personality that makes life fun. The Bank strongly believes in the power of music in keeping the human mind and soul youthful and happy all the time.
Barely three weeks to the event, Mr. Soni Irabor, the CEO of Ruyi Communications Ltd, who initiated the MTN Nigerian Music Fest concept, is confident that the show would be a massive, fun-filled event for all.

For reggae fans, MTN Nigerian Music Fest has brought out of their recluse Nigeria’s living reggae legends, Oritz Wiliki and Raskimono to perform at the first festival of Nigerian music and stars.
During a visit to Ruyi Communications office in Ikoyi, Oritz Wiliki, the ebullient Chairman of Musical Copyright Association of Nigeria expressed delight at the NMF concept as a long due initiative that will unite Nigerian artistes, their diverse music and fans. He believed a show of this kind has a potential for bridging the gap between the old and young artistes.
‘Aromba Style’ king, Raskinomo who was represented at the NMF media launch held on August 26, 2009 at Planet One, Maryland, by his manager, Kelly, has indicated readiness to relive the reggae excitement of the good old days.
Reggae is one of Nigeria’s favourite genres of music and it will feature prominently along with R&B, Hip Hop, Fuji, Juju, AfroBeat, High Life and Ikwokirikwo.

The Lagos State Police command has assured organisers and participants at the MTN Nigerian Music Fest of maximum security at the event. The Police Commissioner, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, gave the assurance during a visit of the organising team led by Mr Soni Irabor to the Command Head Quarters in Ikeja on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.
As the Nigerian Music Fest date draws nearer, the organising agency Ruyi Communications is leaving no stone unturned in hosting a successful event free of security hiccups. In an effort to beef up security, the firm is not only engaging the services of the best private security firms and making available security gadgets such as ‘walkie-talkie’ for effective communication, the various Police Squads will be solidly on guard at strategic points at the TBS and its adjoining streets.
Ruyi Communication has also continued to hold daily meetings with MTN Nigeria, the event’s title sponsor. ‘Security is a top priority of these meetings’, said Mr. Soni Irabor.

by Soni Irabor

The prevalence of Vesico-Vagina Fistula otherwise known as VVF has become a major concern for Nollywood Star actress, Stephanie Okereke. VVF is known to have affected at least 2 million underaged women in Nigeria. She blames poverty, illiteracy and early marriage, amongst others, for the ailment. She believes these are avoidable reasons and that education and public awareness can drastically reduce the occurrence.

Okereke who is one of the most popular actresses of Nollywood, is a guest of the Soni Irabor Live talk show, on Tuesday, 13 May, 2008, on AIT at 2.30pm Local
Time, 1.30pm, GMT.

Stephanie, opens up on her new deal in a cosmetic company, called L’MAJ, as well as other personal issues on SIL.
 
You can participate in the programme by emailing your questions to her on info@soniiraborlive.com or sms +2347033333300.

by Genevieve Magazine 
 
Lagos, Nigeria – 13 June 2007 – Following the outcry from readers of Genevieve Magazine over an article which seemed to indicate that HIV positive individual should be avoided. Mrs. Betty Irabor today, responded by issuing a statement on the magazine’s website and on various blogs.
In her statement Mrs. Irabor states: “I take full responsibility for my words and actions. I am… ultimately accountable for the contents of my publication”
Mrs. Irabor regretted that the main moral and message of the article (the lamentable fact that Nigerians appear to be insensitive to the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS and the daily prejudice and discrimination that HIV positive people are subjected to) did not emerge in the final edited printed version.
“I had felt that the everyday prejudice faced by people living with HIV/AIDS was an issue” She said. “ I wrote the article to illuminate this issue and it ended up having the opposite effect because of an editorial slip”.
Citing deadline pressure she said: “I did not notice the error until the magazine was on the stands. Genevieve readers are unusually smart, well educated and reassuringly sensitive; and it was obvious that they found the article offensive… I’m not pleased that I’ve been the primary cause of that offence. Even more importantly, I have apologized to Yinka Ekpe (the subject of the article) herself and her husband, and they were kind enough to offer me their forgiveness.”
Addressing the issue of the outpouring of opinion and the deluge of email from Genevieve readers, she said: “One good outcome of my mistake is the overwhelming response of Genevieve readers and the Nigerian public at large, and the clear message that this response sends: people living with HIV/AIDS have advocates in the Nigerian public who care about their plight and are ready to speak up in their defence. Thank you, Nigeria, for taking notice, for chastising me and for teaching us all how to care again.”
Mrs. Betty Irabor is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Genevieve Magazine, Nigeria’s foremost women’s magazine. Genevieve was first published in february, 2003 and has been acclaimed nationwide as one of the most influential publications in the country.
The March 2007 edition featured a cover photo of an HIV positive mother and her HIV negative baby. The controversial current edition of Genevieve features Dr Oby Ezekwesili on the cover and contains a publisher’s note written by Mrs. Irabor about prejudice against HIV positive individuals.
For further details visit http://www.genevievemag.com

The MTN Nigerian Music Fest (NMF) will be held on the 21st of and 28th of November in Lagos and Owerri respectively.

The Nigeria Music Fest is an annual musical EXTRAVAGANZA expressed in a proudly Nigerian manner. NMF will create a platform for music artistes of various genres, cultures and background to perform and promote Nigerian music.

NMF aims to be a truly Nigerian musical experience like no other, where Nigerians will be treated to a whole day of highly creative musical performances, exhibitions, display of top proudly Nigerian brands. NMF will showcase a cross section of contemporary, hip hop, highlife, Juju.

EVENT OBJECTIVE: The event would be a massive, glitzy and memorable four days event in at least four locations; Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kaduna
• Other cities like Kano, Jos, Benin, Ibadan and Calabar are also to be considered
• The event will be beamed live to viewers across Nigeria and abroad on sevral telivision and radio stations such as NTA, AIT, STV,Channel O,Ben TV, MTV Base, Cool FM, Rhythm FM and
many more
• Strategic alliances would be made with media houses such as Thisday, Sun, Punch, and Daily
Trust for media support.
• In view of the fact that the NMF is a 100% free for all Nigerians, it is expected to be a massive event which would require an open air venue.

PROPOSED VENUE:
• Lagos- Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
• Abuja- Eagle Square
• Kaduna- Polo Ground Kaduna
• Enugu- Opara Square