Daily Independent (Lagos)
Franka Nwusulor And Terh Agbedeh
23 October 2008
All is set for the performance by the Jamaican-born reggae sensation, Sean Kingston, in the country this weekend. Kingston is set to feature in a world-class concert tagged Beautiful World With Sean Kingston on the stable of Virtual Xchange and the T-Merrit Group. The event which is sponsored by Skye Bank, Nokia and Hart2hart Foundation, U.S.A, will have Hot Fm, Abuja, Silverbird and Rhythm 93.7 Fm, Lagos, as media partners.
The concert which is billed to hold in Abuja and Lagos on October 24 and 26 at the Eagle Square and the Expo Centre respectively, will feature Sean Kingston alongside Gotti (from the R-Kelly stable) and other reputable Nigerian artistes like Channel O award winner, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Naeto Chikwe a.k.a. Naeto C; Durella and new kid on the block, Bigiano.
Kingston, the 17 year-old Miami-born, artiste, is not just a new face in popular music; he has in fact accomplished the rare task of creating a new genre where rap, reggae, pop, doo-wop and remarkable songwriting combine in to something totally refreshing. And in Sean's family roots, which cite Jamaican legendary producer Jack Ruby as his grandfather, and you have one of the most exciting reggae debut. Recently signed to Epic Records, his released single Beautiful Girls has currently reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and topped the UK Singles Chart. That Sean is good is undisputed, However, the concern by Nigerians is if he does not go the way of most American artistes who keep failing to show up in Africa for their shows. It would be recalled that American-born popular soul singer, Anita Baker, disappointed scores of Nigerian high profile personalities and members of the international community, who converged in Lagos on Saturday August 30, 2008, to watch her live performance. We are not insinuating anything, but Sean himself had also failed to turn up in Accra, Ghana, for a performance earlier in the year. The singer was scheduled to perform last July 19 together with Fat Joe as part of the country's 48th Republican celebrations at the Accra International Conference Centre but failed to turn up. According to a report in the July 26th edition of The Mirror, Sean's inability to perform was due to a failure to take his yellow fever jabs prior to the trip.
For failing to honour his part of the contract with the event organisers, Exclusive Vista Entertainment (XVE), Mr Mike Oquaye Jnr., the Director of Legal Affairs of XVE says they are suing Sean Kingston.
"We are going to sue him through the courts in New York, for breach of contract"
Oquaye explained that, "contracts are meant to prevent unforeseen eventualities and it was up to Sean Kingston's goodwill to honour his obligation. And we want the public to be aware that as Ghana is a part of the global village, we want to use our legal stability to enforce international contracts, hence our preparedness to take this action."
He added: "if Kingston wanted to cancel the contract, he could have done so in writing and presented it 30 days prior to the show. Again, he should have returned in full any payment made to him to that effect, which he did not do either, but waited until two days before the D-day to withdraw. He can also choose to settle the matter out of court for the necessary compensation to be effected."
Recalling the initial anxieties and disappointments that characterised the show when Sean refused to turn up, he said XVE had to fly down Omarion, another American artiste to stand in for Sean.
Despite this sad tradition from American artists, the organisers of Beautiful World With Sean Kingston Show, have assured that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to make the concert hitch-free and a runway success.
Whichever way the Kingston deal goes, Lagos remains an interesting place for residents and visitors as well. Each day, the city, one of the most populous in the world, welcomes people from all walks of life. While some of these visitors remain, some leave with memories they would not trade for anything. Some others make it a point of duty to return.
Wiz Kudowor, a Ghanaian painter, falls into the last category. Ten years ago, he came to Lagos for the very first time for an exhibition at Signature Gallery, Ikoyi. It was a successful outing and he has since had a followership in Nigeria. That must be why he has been looking forward to another exhibition in Lagos. That dream has come true as Vetiva Capital Management Limited is bringing Kudowor to Lagos for an exhibition of his paintings at Suite XVIII, 62, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, in what he said would be "the most elaborate exhibition ever in any African country."
The artistes, while speaking to our reporter said he's humbled that the company footing the bill for his trip to Lagos found his work worthy.
"I will like to thank Vetiva for pulling all the works to bring me to Lagos. I am humbled by the fact that Vetiva thinks my work is worthy enough to be shared and enjoyed with the generality of Nigerians. I know this partnership will be beneficial to both parties but especially it will boost my image on the Nigerian artistic landscape immensely," he said.
Kudowor says he is aware that the Nigerian artistic environment is rich and diverse, and he does not expect anything different. He is keen "on seeing what new directions have popped up since I was last in Nigeria. I do have some overview of the artistic landscape of Nigeria because we belong to the same region and interact with other artists from Nigeria often."
Kudowor will be coming to Nigeria with "an open-mind and art that is also open-ended in terms of its appreciation. Art that will encourage artistic dialogue at every level and art that has at its core a passionate input in its evolution."
As an artist, exhibiting in Lagos, Kudowor said he is familiar with Nigerian artistes and their works, and that he has been in contact with many of them in Ghana and elsewhere.
The exhibition opens from tomorrow Saturday, October 25, to Wednesday, October 29, 2008.
Also this weekend, in a bid to promote and market West Africa to other regions in Africa and the rest of the world, Africa Travel Quarterly (ATQ), the organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market has slated its annual 4th edition of Akwaaba Travel Market for October 24 to 25, 2008, in Lagos, Nigeria. Akwaaba an Akan word for 'welcome' is a general language spoken in two countries in the region, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. This expo derives its name from the language because of the mission and vision of the travel market.
Akwaaba Travel Market is one of the West African expos that touch all the sectors of tourism. Since October 2005, travel and tour promoters have met in Lagos, Nigeria to do business in Africa's biggest market with 250 million people.
The theme of the exhibition, according to Ikechi Uko, Chief Executive Officer of Akwaaba Travel Market, just back from a visit to Gambia for the recently concluded 9th edition of International Root Homecoming Festival in Banjul is The 21st Century Hotel.
The first day is scheduled to be the Hospitality Forum Day. It is a workshop for hotels, hotel owners and hotel promoters with hotel equipments exhibition. Day two is set aside for Seminar to deliberate on impact of aviation on tourism and travel in Africa, the importance of technology in tourism and travel, the role of airports in the development of tourism and travel with the main event, Akwaaba exhibition by airlines, hotels, resorts, destinations and others.
The market expo will be rounded off with Africa Travel Awards Dinner with Boat Cruise. Exhibitors include airlines, hotels, tourism boards, IT suppliers, tour operators, travel agents, car rentals, national parks, resort and more. Participants' stands chances to win free air tickets, free weekend stay and other prizes at Akwaaba.
Meanwhile, for those in the music world, fans and friends of the popular DJ, Boombastic, have been invited for an all night grove at Planet One, Maryland today. The party is to celebrate the birthday of DJ Boombastic. All artists, from D'Banj to DJ Jimmy Jatt and the whole lots of Naija rave of the moments are expected in the house.
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