Film  

Boosting youths talent through new platform

By Margaret Mwantok

10 April 2016   |   2:19 am

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Last Sunday, no doubts, will remain green in the minds of music lovers, who thronged the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, as they were treated to the best of highlife, hip-hop and R&B music.

Daddy Fresh performing

Last Sunday, no doubts, will remain green in the minds of music lovers, who thronged the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, as they were treated to the best of highlife, hip-hop and R&B music.

Tagged Music Plus Concert, the eagerly awaited event, which was sponsored by Nonphil International Limited and Diplomatic OPJ, provided opportunity for young talents to be born and discovered. The show also celebrated the country’s armed forces currently fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

At the inaugural event, movie was the stress, and the effort of that edition yielded the flick, Turning Table. Directed by Nonso Emekaekwe, it featured Segun Arinze, Toyin Aimakhu, Rachael Oniga, Eve Esin, Frederick Leonard, Alhaji Okunu, Kelvin Books and some upcoming artists. It was no surprise this year that organisers of the show focused on another genre of the performing arts, music. They had reasons for so doing: music has a lasting impact on the society. It speaks a universal language. And over the years, it has been used for variety of purposes, though many of such uses have been forgotten. For instance, sailors, field workers, slaves and soldiers, to increase their productivity, used work chants. Musical rhythms create patterns of organisation and controlled movement for activities.

Though, the show started late, it provided the fun and excitement that everybody, who turned out crave for. On stage to create rhythms for the night were artistes such as, Daddy Showkey, Sound Sultan, Orits Wiliki, Kcee, Harrysong and Daddy Fresh.

Upcoming artistes were not left out, as they were equally given opportunity to shine. Among those who performed were Jennifer Eliogu, Oma, Biona and Dr. Cross. The

Ozzy Bosco

young and talented Ozzy Bosco, a nine year old, was given a standing ovation after his performance. Ozzy Bosco is a recipient of the Youngest African Entertainer of the Year Award by the Classic Africa Merit Award 2012 (CAMA). He is the youngest African entertainer to be signed Brand Ambassador by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Tigo Milk (CWAY Food & Beverages).

But it was not just a night of music, comedians such as, Shaggy, Mr Melody and MC Shakara equally had chance to wow guests with hilarious jokes and ribaldry.

Organisers had envisioned that the show would be instrumental to promoting peace in the North, and also, that part of the proceeds would be donated to victims of the insurgency.

In the words of the Chief Executive Officer of Nonphil International, Akin, “the event was packaged to create the platform, where entertainment can contribute to the socio-economic challenges of the country and the world at large.”

Wiliki had even said a few weeks ago, when he endorsed the show, “Music Plus Nigeria was going to take the Nigerian entertainment industry to another level, as it is aimed at giving back hope to displaced individuals in the Northeast.”

For Emekaekwue, Diplomatic OPJ of Wazobia fm and Nonphil international will also — under the directive of the Nigerian Armed Forces — visit camps of internally displaced persons in company of local and international artistes to make presentation to them and drum up support for government’s efforts.

He further disclosed that the visit would be aired on television, radio and would be featured on the dailies, both national and international. Furthermore, top entertainment websites in Nigeria would have it posted on their platforms.