Lagos — Akon, the African star, from Senegal, who is shinning so brightly on the world music stage returns to Nigeria for his second musical performance. His first appearance here was made possible by Mr. Solomon Arueya's Westside Music.

This second visit to Nigeria is under the auspices of Nigeria Breweries Plc organizers of the annual Star Mega Jam. The last time he was here to perform at the Oceanview garden of Eko Hotel, Akon lost his wrist watch when he went too deep into the crowd in a show of affection and love. However, the wristwatch was alter found; showing that it was not a deliberate attempt to disposess him of a valued personal effect.

For Akon who is always proud of his Senegalese heritage and talks about it openly, Nigeria is also a home of sorts. He is always making a show of displaying the Senegalese flag anywhere he goes. At the last World Cup in Germany where the Mountain Lions of Senegal was one of the teams that represented Africa, Akon was in the Senegalese fans zone cheering his home team on.

His co-traveller on this trip, Ladies Love Cool J is coming to Nigeria for the first time.

If the optimism expressed by the two international music acts coming for this year's edition of Star Mega Jam, LL Cool J and AKON is anything to go by, then this year's edition is bound to rock the Nigerian entertainment scene for a long while.

According to LL Cool J, he is looking forward to being in Nigeria for the 2006 Star Mega Jam. "I'm hoping to see a lot of girls because the Ladies Love Cool J. I promise a phenomenal show and I look forward to the shows in Lagos and Benin City.

NB Plc has fallen in love with Benin City as venue for its landmark events. Benin City was the venue of this year's Gulder Ultimate Search reality TV show. It has received the nod again to host another major event on the NB Plc calendar.

For AKON, he can't wait to get back to Africa and perform his new hits for the fans, especially "smack that" that has now gone tripple platinum. He said he is particularly looking forward to performing at Star Mega Jam because the atmosphere is always wild and the people are always treated to star studded performance. "I know Africa has the best people and I can't wait to release Konvict Clothing out there, this tour will go down in history see you soon" He said.

Both LL Cool J and AKON are the International artistes headlining the seventh edition of Star Mega Jam holding this year in Lagos and Benin on December 15 and 16th respectively.

The duo would be featuring alongside 13 top Nigerian musical stars at the seventh edition of the concert holding this year in Lagos and Benin.The parade of Nigerian Artistes includes P-Square, D'Banj, Weird MC, Ruggedman, Mode 9, and Star Quest winners KC Presh and D'Accord.

Others are African China, Muma Gee, Tony Tetuila, Daddy Showkey, Tony One-week and Obesere.

Star Mega Jam made its debut in 2000 and has within six years become a brand on its own. It has been a strong vehicle for sharing the unique brightness that only Star delivers and showcasing the best music talents that the country has to offer.

STAR MEGA JAM, is an annual music concert which features international artiste/artistes alongside the best of Nigerian artistes.

In 2000, its maiden year, it featured Makossa exponent AWILO LOGOMBA. This was followed in 2001 with the performance of Grammy award winner, SHAGGY. The 2002 edition featured the American artiste, also a Grammy award winner,

This year's edition promises to be very exciting given the array of stars on parade and watertight security planned. According to Mr Chuma Igwe, Corporate Communications Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc Security arrangements like witnessed last year would be watertight and professionally executed. He assured that all the venues will be professionally lit and secured.