Networking Abuja Style @ the MTN LINK NITE

Hello Abuja,

As promised the MTN Link Nite train berthed at the Lagos hall of the prestigious Transcorp Hilton hotel on the 2nd of July, 2011, it had been long anticipated and it lived up to its billing in every ramification.  

This grand occasion paid host to members of the Abuja business community.

The discussants: Barr. Audu Maikori- CEO Chocolate City; Mrs. Dayo Benjamin Laniyi-CEO DOXA; the very talented artist and entrepreneur Dare Art Alade helped to make it a night to remember. Guests at the event were motivated, encouraged and given various business developmental tips by these exceptional individuals. 

Project fame prodigy Chidinma performed a song to the awe of the audience, her sonorous voice added inspiration and grace to the occasion. This set the stage for the spectacular Darey to give a roof raising performance. Darey had the ladies in the house dancing with him, while the men cheered on. 

The MC for the event Buchi left the audience in stitches with his jokes and wisecracks.

 (buchi in action)

The whole idea behind the MTN Link Nite is to power a platform for young business professionals and entrepreneurs to meet, rub minds and share ideas with people they ordinarily have no access to. It is a platform for networking and linking sharp business minds. 

Eminent personalities such as the former DMD of Total Nig- Engr. Alek Musa; Arch. Frank Evbuomwan Commissioner for Works Edo State and Mr. Gerald Ada Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Investment Promotion have been previous discussants & professionals that have featured on the platform sharing ideas cuts across from business to entertainment, giving tips and generally networking with other invited guests.

Abuja people networked, Prizes were won and 

city crawler was there to witness it all...

It’s been a whirl wind experience; guests from Port Harcourt to Calabar, Benin and now Abuja have all networked and got linked!. The infotainment train moves on, the next stop is Enugu.

pictures from the Event

Lets Keep it REAL.....

The art of human interaction  has evolved tremendously.

Nowadays people exist solely on the web especially on social networks. The art of conversation, communication and substance is going extinct especially among the younger generation. Even relationships, business, casual and romantic have taken on a whole new level. There are people who will never believe they are in a mutually exclusive relationship if their partner doesn’t change his/her status on Facebook or put up their picture on BBM or announce on Twitter that they are now taken. Chat lingo has entered everyday conversations. I have a friend who says LOL when he finds something particularly funny.

Not surprisingly, people are changing their personality to fit their web persona. E.G A shy introvert becomes a choleric bully, but only online. If by chance you meet in person, you wonder if it’s the same person who puts up all those brazen tweets and Facebook updates. 

On the web everybody is intelligent, witty and cool. Every one is a political/social analyst. But that’s easy to be. I call it the ‘cut and paste’ strategy. Go online, get someone else’s’ detailed analysis of a subject and tweet it. Try to engage that same person in a face to face convo about the same issue and you draw blanks. Web brilliance

People don’t call or visit anymore, why should we, when we can just chat. Or why take the trouble to chat if I can just tweet @ you or like an update or picture on FB. My mom’s friend of over 25 years called the other day to check –up. She has been a presence in our lives for as long as I know even before GSM. They kept in touch through the distance and built a rock solid friendship. It’s admirable.

Now friendships and indeed relationships have ended from as little as subliminals and ‘you didn’t retweet my tweet’ or ‘re-broadcast my message’. HA! 

Social skills are dying.

Let me not go on and on, bottom line, let’s begin to communicate better. Yes there is a smiley for every emotion that ever exists but nothing wrong with saying it though. The web is a gift and not a curse; it should supplement effective communication and not be the one and only communication skill or medium we develop. So instead of emailing, make a call or better still visit, I know el cheapo will say emailing is cheaper and easier, lol. And if you are going to say I love you, doing it via the use of a BB DP (blackberry messenger display picture) just doesnt cut it.

Enjoy your weekend folks.

*Air kiss! Air kiss*

Ijeoma Okeagu

MUSIC is Our LAnguage.... Whats playing in Abuja's Ears.....

MUSIC IS OUR LANGUAGE.

No matter your state of mind, music always makes it better.
I find myself working better with music; I find my mood lifted with music. Nothing beats it. Many argue that music is getting worse, well ill say whatever works for you. But for me it gets more beautiful depending on your taste and whom you are listening to.

So I decided to bring a little somethin’ somethin’ for our readers on What’s Hot Right Now. “What’s Playing In Abuja’s Ears, Top 10 Naija (Opinion) and What’s Playing in City Crawler’s Ears (Recommended Listening).

So Whats Playing in Abuja’s Ears?

City crawler spoke to one of Abuja’s finest radio Personality’s, Mr. Benny Ark to find out the top 10 most requested songs on radio. Benny is not only a lover of music but a seasoned On Air host of the Good Morning Nigeria show on Cool FM where he has been jockeying for 6years. According to Benny, Tuface Idibia is the best Nigerian artist right now.
TOP 10
1. Give Me Everything – Pitbull Ft Neyo
2. Man Down – Rihanna
3. Set Rain To The Fire – Adele
4. Party Rock Anthem – Lmfao Ft Lauren
5. Pakuromo – Wizkid
6. Just Cant Get Enough – Black Eye Pea
7. Love Me Love Me – Tiwa Savage
8. Look At Me Now – Chris Brown Ft Busta Rhymes
9. Man Unkind – Tuface Idibai
10. Me and you – bracket.

Mr. Andy Madaki is a UK based young Nigerian who is a music lover. Andy constantly has music playing updates on blackberry messenger and I usually visualize him on the train playing with his pen and note pad with head phones on. Andy recently posted an interesting reply to an article on 234next that put down contemporary Nigerian music (check out his post here http://andytrueword.blogspot.com/2011/07/random-rambling-series-let-music-play.html ). City crawler sought Andys opinion of the top 10 naija songs right now. His take…..

1. Salute – Shank
2. Jooh Oh – Jah Bless Ft Ice Prince
3. Forever – Psquare
4. Angeli – Vector Ft 9ice
5. Wad Up – Wizkid Ft D’prince
6. Attention – 2shot Ft Brymo
7. 5 & 6 – Neato C
8. Superstar – Ice Prince
9. Obianuju – Duncan Mighty
10. Pakuruma - Whizkid

Finally, I am very eclectic in my music choices. I’m not really big on What’s hot. I buy an album, listen to it and pick out my best songs. These songs have had airplay for a while, but if you haven’t heard them yet, I recommend you listen, cos this is what’s Playing in City Crawlers ears right now.

1. Price Tag – Jesse J
2. Windeck – Cabo Snoop
3. Man Down – Rihanna
4. Share My Blessing – Neato C
5. Marry You And Count On Me – Bruno Mars
6. Breath – Superchick (Gospel, Also Check Out Hill Song)
7. Port Harcourt Boy – Duncan Mighty
8. Loke Loke – Mo’cheddah
9. Superstar – Ice Prince
10. Run The World – Beyonce

Leave a comment and Let us know what your top 10 are, who knows, we probably will love it too.          

posted by ijeoma okeagu                                                                                                                                                                                

CITY CRAWLER QUICK TIPS for the RAINY Season

Information gathering, simple concept and I have found a new and very effective tool for getting info. BBM(blackberry messenger statuses). You can tell the people who are sad, happy, in love, broken up and even those that will be calling in sick on Friday morning (due to BYOB Thursday night) from status updates. Recently the common denominator of BB Updates has been ‘Baby Making Weather”. Yep! You guessed right, The Rains Have Come. 

From what I hear, you need a Canoe to live in Lagos. Lucky for us in Abuja, although the rains here are heavy, good planning of the city and adequate drainage goes a long way to make the raining season sane. 

I am enjoying the rain, because the heat was so bad this year, so I decided to put up a post to help you enjoy it too.

CITY CRAWLER Quick Tips.

FOOD: Piping hot always works. Soups (chicken soups, pepper soup, curry soup). You can get great tasting pepper soup at Café 24 or JBs Grill. You can try my favourite soup, Wonton soup at Emperor chopsticks Chinese restaurant, wuse 2.

Hot beverages work too, so you can stop by for a cup of coffee at Dunes Café, Salamanda or any of the fast food Cafes they have the breakfast options.

*avoid eating at roadsides because rainy season allows bacteria grow so food poisoning abound.

DRIVING: in Abuja when it rains it pours, so if you are caught on the high way when the rains come, either you park by the side of the road or turn on your hazard sign, this way other drivers see you and it helps avoid accident.

HEALTH: Sunshine is the main source of VIT D so get a VIT D supplement. It’s not only essential for your health but also helps with your mood.

When Nature decides to keep us indoors and out of its way, you can:

+Cuddle up; share warmth with family, spouse, significant other (if you are single like me, you can make do with a duvet and blanket).

+The networks (GSM and DSTV) are usually down when it rains so you can use that opportunity to catch up on a good book, magazine articles or watch a TV show you haven’t seen before.

+Nap

FASHION TIPS: 

One disadvantage of rainy season is the clothes. Thanks to the cold, mud, puddle and rain, clothes easily get soiled. Raining season is synonymous with raincoats, sweaters, jackets etc. The trick is to make it more exciting.

(more fashion tips for the rainy season next blog)

Most Importantly.............. GET AN UMBRELLA. Available in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes at Wuse Market, Utako Market and all the Major stores and super market around the city. 

by ijeoma okeagu

Networking at its BEST! MTN LINK NITE,BENIN. ABUJA!! You're NEXT

The stage was set for MTN Link Nite on Saturday June 25^th at the aptly located Constantial Hotel, Benin City, Edo State.  The event had in attendance the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Chairman of Oredo LGA, State Government executives and the top brass of the Edo State business community. 

The interactive session was highly intellectual with questions ranging from finance to personal and business development being asked by members of the audience. These questions were ably answered by the discussants- Mr. Frank Evbuomwan (Commissioner for Works-Edo State), Mr. Tony Imadojemu (UBA branch manager), Naeto C and Mr. Osaze Ebueku- Segment Manager-Professionals MTN.

The MC- Basorge Tariah Jnr, an accomplished MC and comedian was in his elements at the event

 regaling the audience with witty jokes, ensuring the purpose of the event (networking) was achieved. Superlative performances by MTN prodigy- Inyanya and Naeto C- the only MC with an Ms.c brought the audience to their feet, dancing and taking pictures and generally having a wonderful time courtesy of MTN, the number one network.

The idea behind the MTN Link Nite was sustained in its usual concept, creating networking opportunities among professionals and entrepreneurs in exciting and unusual ways, providing motivation for the target audience. Exciting, wonderful and valuable prizes were also won by guests; lives were positively touched and enriched by your number one network.

It was infotainment at its best; laughter, music, career tips and advice in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by a wonderful blend of people – a platform that only a brand that truly is in the business of enriching others can prove.

Abuja is next and we roll in on Saturday the 2^nd of July, 2011.  The train will berth at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. Get your invite, stand up, be counted and get Linked.

Powered by MTN.

(More Pictures from the Benin Event)

Follow us and get the juicy details on www.facebook.com/mtnlinknite 

JUNE; FASHION! FASHION!! ABUJA!!!!

Fashion and News are very much alike. Before you blink twice, the hottest People, Trend, Color, Accessories and even Disasters are oh sooo last season. They always say, don’t believe the hype, but how wont we, when it plays out all up in our faces constantly.

So, Kate finally got her real life fairy tale prince charming, William Windsor, in the most talked about wedding of , well my generation and Obama scored his re-election bid by ridding the world(America) of Osama Bin Laden. Ghadaffi is still holding on to Libya and our very own Lucky Jo went from “shoelessness” to Presidency (there’s a story here). It seems calm has returned to the world…. We wish….

There is always something new, yet un discovered lurking around, something buzzing on the internet or trending on social media, waiting to blow our minds. I never like to miss what’s hot, but my business (mostly) is What’s Hot in Abuja.

It seems like the fashion revolution is hitting Abuja big time. It’s impressive. You already know that Abuja is getting more and more attention as being more than just the sit of power. The social, fashion and entertainment scene is on the rise.

Gracing the cover of the Fashion Edition of the 6^th City Crawler magazine is 4 of Abuja’s Hottest models. These 4 young ladies are world class, international standard professional models that can represent Abuja and even Nigeria in any runway in any part of the world. I won’t tell you their names; just give you a little sneak peak.

It’s a full fashion edition and we will be working with the hottest designers, makeup artist, stylist etc in Abuja city.

I am also excited for the 3 fashion events coming up this month, I must admit its overwhelming. More info on this events will come to you soon.

N.B Congratulations to Abuja’s favourite radio girl Miss Doosh on her engagement , City Crawler loves you and wishes you both all the happiness.

Accidentally Gone: A Must Read....

I wonder about private conversations nowadays. You go to a café or a lounge to chill and have a quiet drink and you hear people conversing loudly sometimes even gossiping, with no shame attached. I was privy to a conversation sometime ago; it went something like this;

#Girl with Brazilian hair extension up to her bum: See Asibong forming for me oh, because one mugu bought her ordinary End of Discussion….

#Girl with White BB Torch and Black BB Bold: My sister! See that original loci feeling cool with her fake LV. Mehnnn im getting a car oh. In fact, Asibong has gingered me, definitely tomorrow, let me just call Ken jo.

Well at this point I blank out and different scenarios play out in my mind. I must admit, lady 2 looks like the kind of girl ‘mugus’ buy cars for, well buy pretty much anything for. But what worried me the most about this was, if ken actually bought her a car, can she drive? 

You see, just before the girls started talking loudly, I was going through my blackberry messenger recent updates and enlarging pictures when I saw the picture of the latest victim of a car crash. Young, handsome and promising young fellow prematurely plucked. For some reason, this dude thought that all he needed to get from point A to point B was just to jump into his daddy’s car and move. He has seen his mates driving and he thought ‘what the hell’…. I’ll learn on the ‘drive’. To cut a long story short, he lost control and collided with another speeding car. The End. People will dedicate their bb status and DPs for a while but soon……. All because you don’t want anyone to form for you, okay. 

More and more young people are losing their lives to motor accidents and due to no one’s fault but their own. The need to show off, the need to race with friends. I assure you that blackberry message can wait till you park or till you reach a traffic light. How did you learn how to drive? Can you read the street signs? Are you constantly dodging that black & yellow van? 

We are a distracted generation, constantly on the move, but driving especially in Abuja with the deceptively clear and smooth roads and traffic lights, one little distraction and hmmmmmm. 

Ok, let’s say you are a fantastic driver; you have been driving since you could walk, well then, is your car in order? You are too busy right? Afterall the car never give u wahala and that your mechanic na ole…. Ok, well at least change your tires when due, a burst tire can land you under the bridge. Fix your lights before someone runs into you and says ohpps I didn’t see you there (LOL). Not funny I know.

RIP to all those we have lost, take this seriously people so that the only time you trend on twitter or on people’s status and display pictures will be on your birthday.

I.J Okeagu