Lightup Concepts

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 26: Co-founder of Transparency International Obiageli Ezekwesili attends 2016 Time 100 Gala, Time’s Most Influential People In The World red carpet at Jazz At Lincoln Center at the Times Warner Center on April 26, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Time) The  2016 TIME 100 Gala  held last night, Tuesday 26 th  of April at th Time Warner Center in New York City. The event was attended by Time Magazine’s most influential people of the year including  Obiageli Ezekwesili, Donald Trump, Nicki Minaj, Padma Lakshmi, Jenji Kohan, Mia Farrow, Dylan Farrow, Gayle King, Ariana Grande, Caitlyn Jenner, Melania Trump, Wendi Deng, Gina Rodriquez, Lewis Hamilton  and more.

Nse looks stunning in this new shoot for jewelry line, Nichole by Haguanna. More photos after the cut...

Flavour  opened up to  Hip TV  about why he hasn’t gotten married yet. The musician has two daughters the public knows about. He said marriage is not good for musician’s careers. BN TV transcribed the interview for people who don’t have data, or just want to read.

On Wednesday, the president of Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III revealed that both him and boxer Manny Pacquiao were on the hit list of Muslim extremist group, Abu Sayyaf, the same group that beheaded a Canadian hostage earlier this week. The president revealed that the group has made plans to assassinate him and they allegedly even "hatched plots to kidnap Pacquiao or one of his children." Manny, expressed shock today at the President's claim that the Islamic militants planned to kidnap him or one of his kids. He said he had no idea until the president announced it but has now taking serious security measures to keep him and his  family safe. He also called out the president for not informing him about the plot before going public.

When you hear of, or see boundary-pushing designer brands in Africa, the countries that usually come to mind are South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria; but never Senegal. Senegal would usually not even come anywhere close to your top 20 picks. But like the Biblical phrase, you might ask ‘ what good comes out of Senegal’? Enter— Tongoro — a contemporary Dakar based affordable ethical designer brand. For Spring Summer 2016, the brand’s collection is one filled with some of this season’s biggest trends –  vibrant prints (polka and tie & dye in this case), culottes, belle sleeves that extends to the pant hem, off shoulder, pin stripes, fringe. Even more interestingly, waistline and shoulder ruching among many others. At the same time, this trendy collection is quite timeless with the laid back chic silhouettes and cuts that run through the entire collection.

Last week, The Legendary International RnB superstar,  2Face  was announced as the brand ambassador for premium liqueur brand Campari, at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), which was held at the Landmark Events Centre, Oniru, Lagos. 2Face has now released new photos as ambassador. The announcement took place with some of the most important names in Nigerian entertainment in attendance including  D’Banj ,  Banky W ,  Falz ,  Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye ,  Ayo Animashaun ,  Funke Bucknor-Obruthe ,  Gbenga Adeyinka ,  Ubi Franklin ,  Joice Ize-Iyamu ,  Praise Adejo ,  Kelechi Amadi-Obi , amongst others. Commenting on Campari’s signing of 2Face, Marketing Manager,  Brian Munro Ltd ,  Abayomi Ajao  said, “We are very proud to announce this deal with a wonderful gentleman who is a great brand in his own right. We were particular about partnering with 2Face because he embodies the values that the Camp...

The guys at  Forbes recently published a list of 30 promising young entrepreneurs in Africa  in 2016. The list covers people from different backgrounds, taking great strides in their various fields of expertise. What makes them stand out is their consistency, and the amazing stories behind their innovative ventures. Simbarashe Mhuriro , Zimbabwean Founder, OurSun Energy (Private) Ltd 31-year-old Simbarashe Mhuriro founded Oxygen Africa in 2009 as an investment advisory company to help facilitate foreign investors in Zimbabwe. In 2013, Oxygen Africa partnered with Swiss-based Meeco Group, a renewable energy company, to establish Oursun Energy Zimbabwe – a joint venture Independent Power Producer that specializes in the development, building, owning, and operating of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) energy projects in Zimbabwe. OurSun Energy has raised $7 million and is currently developing two 5MW grid-connected solar plants in Zimbabwe. Ntombenhle Khathwane , Swazi ...

Nicki Minaj who appeared on one of the six TIME 100 covers this year shared some of her photos at the TIME 100 Gala - a celebration of TIME's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, on Tuesday. Nicki went to the event with  Givenchy's Artistic Director- Riccardo Tisci. She captioned one of the photos. Nicki Minaj is the only female rapper to grace the cover of TIME MAGAZINE other than Lauryn Hill.

This is a press statement from EFCC. Justice Ibrahim Buba of Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday convicted 20 persons for illegal dealing and storage of petroleum products. The convicts are Adesunloye Fani-Kayode, Captain Daniel Lebile, Ala Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye and Kayode Ireti. Others Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy and Godwin Oputeh, MV Long Island and their companies Afa Global Impex Services Limited and GFL Marine Service Limited.

Singer Akon visited Nigeria's Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed in New York yesterday April 22nd. They discussed the Great Green wall project, a pan-African proposal to “green” the continent from west to east in order to battle desertification. 

Raving songstress Seyi Shay releases the visuals to her smash single "Pack and Go" featuring Olamide off the album "Seyi or Shay". This is her second video released in 2016, it was shot by prolific video director Meji Alabi for J Films in Lagos with captivating visuals, amazing props and costumes. Possibly one of the biggest collaborations in 2016, the two heavyweights team up to make the street anthem Pack and Go, a song which condemns horrible acts such as infidelity & domestic violence.

Young Nigerian designer and owner of  Mademoiselle Aglaia ,  Mariam Afolabi  just released a new ready-to-wear collection called FRIDA. The collection was inspired by one of Mexico’s greatest icons,  Frida Kahlo , a female Artist who was known for her influence in arts. She was well known for her unique fashion style as was displayed in her self-portraits.

International musical sensation, Tuface Idibia and popular movie actress & producer Stephanie Okereke- Linus have joined forces with the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum NYPF in their fight to grow more indigenous entrepreneurs and encourage the culture of self-reliance among young Nigerians. As part of their commitment to the NYPF, the newly signed Brand Ambassadors will participate in NYPF events that connect entrepreneurs at home and abroad, lend their voices to projects that stimulate a start-up culture in Nigeria and also harness their own ideas and experiences to the NYPF goal which is to develop the next generation of Entrepreneurs through easy access to capital for innovative ideas and education.

Bukky Wright's son is now an American Air Force Officer. She shared photos of Eniola & wrote, 'I Love you Son' & 'Am so proud of my son as an American air force officer'.

Actress Omotola Ekeinde, football legend Jay Jay Okocha & British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright attended the Queen Elizabeth II 90th birthday party held in Lagos, April 21. Also in attendance was Chief Mrs Opral Benson and many others.  See more photos after the cut..

American fashion designer  Christian Siriano  is best known for his whimsical and show-stopping designs, from fantasy evening gowns and cocktail dresses to tailored sportswear, to intricately detailed shoes and accessories. The designers spring/summer 2017 bridal collection plays with colour, style and fabric – fusing his new twist on old school designs. The collection offers a range of dresses for all modern brides, from a playful, sweet pink ombre ball gown to exotic mini white dresses and then chiffon and lace a-line and sheath dresses with a creative pant suit to end. The models all wore their hair in a chic Hollywood style – side part with curls, to enhance the beaded collars & deep necklines. The soft metallic silver embroidery element on sleeves and shoulders was also an amazing finishing touch.

British designer  Jenny Packham  is, as always, beautiful, breezy and Bohemian chic. Her bridal collection is for the chill, whimsical bride, with a touch of luxury – the embroidery on some pieces is truly spectacular. She also infused 2016 trends like the cape, while staying true to her sweet aesthetic with floral and star-shaped beading.

Lebanese-Italian fashion designer  Tony Ward  Spring/Summer 2017 bridal collection is a runway of romance. His latest collection for world-renowned  Kleinfeld  bridal store in New York. His designs play with sheer and embroidered lace and exude femininity and sensuality.

A new clothing brand is born! After a press day on Saturday,  87Origins  has released it’s first ever collection with a look book to whet your appetites and give us closet envy. Hear more from the brand – 87Origins is an online fashion & lifestyle brand. Born in 2016, based in Lagos Nigeria, our aim is very simple: We want to make modern & sophisticated garments accessible to everyone who enjoys wearing stunning clothes as much as we love creating them. We want to put the excitement back into your wardrobe, we care about what we do, but always strive to do better. Our products are detail driven wardrobe stables that will make getting dressed an effortless process. 87Origins is the business of making great designs accessible therefore we don’t follow the traditional retail culture of high mark-ups for good quality clothing. As a brand our culture is to make the customers a priority at every level of our company.

Lisa Folawiyo, Keturah King and Zina Anumudu On the 15th of April 2016,  The Fashion Business Series  ( FBS ) opened it doors to private sector practitioners, textile companies, retailers, & manufacturers, fashion retailers, luxury fashion brands, designers, and fashion entrepreneurs, to facilitate conversations to position the fashion industry as a significant contributor to the nation’s GDP. Hosted by  Style House Files , founders,  Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week  and sponsored by  PAL Pensions  and the  Nigerian Export Promotion Council  ( NEPC ), the Fashion Business Series served as a forum for exchanging ideas, networking and exploring strategies to grow the industry.

Sam Smith  and his new svelte look are in the new Fall/Winter 2015 Men’s campaign for  Balenciaga . With the Hashtag – #BalXSamSmith, the black & white images were shot by photographer,  Josh Olins  with a video of the 23-year old British singer striking haunting poses walking towards the camera and holding Balenciaga pieces. He unveiled an image of the campaign to his over 3.2 Million followers on Instagram captioning it – “ Ladies and gentlemen. The time has come for my first ever collaboration with a fashion house. You ready? ” “ So honoured and ecstatic to announce my collaboration with @BALENCIAGA on the upcoming autumn/winter menswear collection! You’ll be able to see my full campaign very soon. So happy. “ The campaign also came with a short 15 seconds video;

Co-ed designer brand  Bankole Thomas’s  crisp Fall/Winter 2016 collection is an interesting work in progress; especially when looking at the collection from the not so great styling. Otherwise, attention is paid to premium tailoring and fit. Definitely something interesting for the eyes and wardrobe perhaps? Speaking on the inspiration behind the collection, the designer credits  “ active living, frenzied urban lifestyle and architecture”  as some of the inspiration behind the collection.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry hosted the President and First Lady of United States, Barack and Michele Obama for dinner at Kensington Palace. Before dinner, Prince George had the opportunity to meet the President and First Lady.  More photos after the cut...

What if you could get useful answers to questions about your health from real doctors in less than 15 minutes without going to a hospital and queuing for hours? Kangpe  gives you access to quality health advice from over 500 qualified and verified doctors, who are always available to answer your questions 24/7. No one will ask for your name, so your privacy is guaranteed and you will never feel uncomfortable asking questions that you may be too embarrassed to ask in a hospital. Questions only cost N200 and users can pay with their bank cards or airtime recharge cards directly on the website. Visit  www.kangpe.com  to get access to our Doctors or download the Andriod App (Kangpe) from the playstore by clicking this link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kangpe

Makeup Ghana  was launched at its maiden event, “ Makeup Ghana Connects ” on the 25th and 26th of March 2016 at the  La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The event was opened by  Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie  the Deputy Minister For Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts with Ghanaian singer  Becca  in attendance. Becca and Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie

The management of the University if Lagos, UNILAG has re-opened the school which was shut down recently due to students protests of poor electricity and fuel scarcity. According to a statement by the management, academic activities should resume on Monday, May 2nd 2016, and examinations will commence on May 9th.

We love how everyone is jumping on the fitness train. What we thought was a “trend” has fast become a lifestyle in Nigeria and it is truly amazing. Last year comedian  Lepacious   Bose  showed off her new amazing figure and had some inspiring words to say to people who were looking to lose weight as well and now in a recent interview she explains what kick started her fitness journey in the first place.

Even though Prince seemed to have known that he may be dying, it doesn't look like he left a will behind, he started writing his memoir, he wrote up to 58 pages but no will. If that is the case, the vast fortune he amassed over the course of his music career will likely to go to his only sister, 55 year old. Tyka Nelson stands to be awarded Prince's estate under Minnesota state law as his closest living relative. Minnesota law states that if an unmarried person who doesn't have kids dies without a will, the parents, grandparents, and siblings of that person stand to inherit their wealth, though that can be contested in court under certain circumstances. Prince's parents, John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw, are both dead and Tyka is his only sibling.  However, after Prince's parents divorced, they both remarried and had kids. His father John had three daughters and two sons from his marriage to Vivian Nelson while his mum remarried and gave birth to two so...

Collapsed Building A building collapse in Maigatari Local Government area of Jigawa state has claimed the lives of five children of the same family. Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Jigawa State Command,  DSP Abdul Jibril , explained that three of the deceased died instantly at about 1 AM whereas two others died in Maigatari hospital.

Eight members of a family were all shot to death in what appeared to be "execution-style killings" Friday across four different locations in Pike County, Ohio, according to police authorities.  The victims were seven adults and one 16-year-old found in three homes on the same road. Some of the victims appeared to have been killed in their sleep early this morning and were found shot to death in their beds,  Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said at a news conference on Friday afternoon.

US  President Barack Obama  and his wife First Lady  Michelle Obama  landed by helicopter at Windsor Castle for a private lunch with  Queen Elizabeth II  and Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh on April 22, 2016. Barack and Michelle are currently on a brief visit to the UK where they will have lunch with HM Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and dinner with  Prince William  and his wife  Catherine , Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace. Pres. Obama will also visit 10 Downing Street on Friday afternoon where he is to hold a joint press conference with British Prime Minister  David   Cameron  and is expected to make his case for the UK to remain inside the European Union. WINDSOR, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: The Presidential Marine 1 helicopter departs Windsor Castle on April 22, 2016 in Windsor, England. The President and his wife are currently on a brief visit to the UK where they will have lunch with HM Queen Elizabeth II...

These photos of U.S  President Barack Obama  and First Lady  Michelle Obama having a talk with  Prince   George  while he’s in his bathrobe at the Kensington Palace are too cute – and they’ve been trending. The moment was captured yesterday during Barack & Michelle Obama’s visit to the UK where they attended lunch with HM  Queen Elizabeth II  at Windsor Castle and later dinner with  Prince   William  and his wife  Catherine , Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge greet US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they dine at Kensington Palace on April 22, 2016 in London, England.

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