16:Xisten Events CEO, Smith Oseghale, has debunked the long-held belief that entertainment professionals can only thrive in Lagos. Speaking on the industry’s growth, Oseghale asserted that the immense potential in Nigeria’s population allows practitioners to flourish anywhere in the country.
While Lagos remains a powerhouse for the industry, Oseghale emphasized that social media and growing regional markets have made it possible for stars to be discovered and thrive in cities like Benin, Warri, and Abuja.
He highlighted the success of shows like Edwardo Untamed and MC Edo Pikin Undiluted as proof that entertainment knows no boundaries.
With major upcoming events like King Zina set for January, 16: Xisten Events is leading the charge for a nationwide entertainment revolution.

While noting the immense infrastructure and support the industry gets in Lagos, Oseghale
Indicated that everybody do not need to relate to the former capital to contribute their quota in the sector.

He said the industry must be diversified to promote excellence and professionalism to satisfy the entertainment needs of millions of Nigerians living in different regions.

According to him, the large population of Nigeria is of immense advantage to anybody to benefit from in any business venture hence the notion of moving to Lagos as surest way to become a star is not totally correct.

While applauding the role Lagos plays in the growth and development of different sectors of the entertainment industry like music, movies, comedy, dance, event manage, among others, he pointed out that stars over the years have been discovered in other parts of the country.

The 16: Xisten CEO, who said the world has become a global village with the emergence of various social media platforms insisted that “such insinuations are no longer entirely true but just a figment of the imaginations of a few naysayers”.

“As the sky is wide enough to contain the millions of birds, so is the industry wide enough to contain practitioners irrespective of the location they play in”.

“Our population is one of our biggest strengths as a nation and if we can explore the huge market inherent, then we will know that with the right strategy, we can thrive in Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Lokoja, Benin, Owerri, Oshogo or Illorin”.

The young entrepreneur, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and a Master Degree in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Benin, maintained that all the shows he has produced in Benin, Abuja, Warri and other cities are testaments that a true professional can blossom anywhere.

According to him, “I just produced a massively successful event Edwardo Untamed on October 1st which is an annual show held in Benin City. “That event also made its debut in Abuja in February this year and we are working assiduously to replicate the second edition in Abuja in 2025”.

“Most of the shows we have produced as thoroughbred professionals is testament that entertainment can break boundaries anywhere”.

“Over the past few years, 16: Xisten Events have produced some of the biggest shows particularly in South-South part of the country including but not limited to Maleke Unchanged, MC Edo Pikin Undiluted, Just Comedy with Funny P, Medica Live among many others”.

“Our Company has other shows coming up this year but we are currently finalizing plans for a major one coming up in January and that one is King Zina”.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

NATIONAL Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Kogi State Polytechnic chapter, has commissioned a newly constructed Relaxation Centre and named it after the Rector of the institution, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman.

A statement from the polytechnic, signed by Mrs Uredo Omale, Director, Public Relations and Protocol said the “Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman Relaxation Centre” was so named to honour the Rector in recognition of his visionary leadership.

Comrade Kuburat Adekunle, NAKOSS President, said the relaxation centre was built to provide a conducive environment for students to relax and study.

She added that it was named after the Rector as “a mark of honour for his visionary leadership, tireless commitment, and invaluable contributions to the institution’s growth and development.”

Kuburat highlighted the Association’s notable achievements under her leadership in the Polytechnic to include, the replacement of whiteboards in Halls M2, A2, R1, R3, and the Computer Science Hall.

Others are the renovation of signboards showcasing the Institution’s values, provision of solar streetlights at the Itakpe campus, and the erection of the students’ Relaxation Centre.

She expressed her gratitude to the Polytechnic Management and NAKOSS Executive members for their collaborative efforts in bringing the project to fruition.

The Rector, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr Samuel Taiwo Olowo, commended the NAKOSS President and her Executive for their visionary leadership and commitment to leaving a lasting legacy.

He also eulogized the NAKOSS Patron and Matron, Engr Abdullahi Ayni Adamu and Dr (Mrs) Ayodele Oluwakemi respectively for their invaluable support and guidance, which collectively led to the achievement of the feat.

The Rector also lauded NAKOSS leadership for the prudent management of resources, a trait which must have been inspired by the his exemplary financial management, which has earned him several awards.

He congratulated the Association’s leadership for the feats, and praised their hard work, dedication, and vision that made the commissioning of the Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman Relaxation Centre a reality.

The Principal Officers of the Polytechnic, in their goodwill messages, unanimously urged successive administrations of NAKOSS to build upon the laid legacy of remarkable achievements.

They also commended the President for exemplary leadership, value addition, and earning Management’s applause, which they noted, would endure long after her tenure.

Highlights of the commissioning ceremony was the official decoration of the Patron and Matron and an award of honour to the Dean, Directorate of Students’ Services, Dr John Aliyu in recognition of their invaluable support, commitment, and guidance to the Association. (Ends)

Modalities for a Global African Music upscale are set with Nigeria taking part in a round table meeting with organizers of the Grammy Awards, Recording Academy, and four other countries

The meeting which took place on Tuesday at the Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda is aimed at elevating the vibrant music and culture of Africa to take to the global stage.

The steering committee consisting of Ministers of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy of Kenya, Rwanda, a delegation from South Africa representing the Ministry in South Africa, the CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, and representatives of Afrexim bank and the Recording Academy, resolved to advance the creative industries across the continent and support the diverse artistic heritage.

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa in her remarks said that Africa is the future of the music industry boom.
Special adviser to the minister on media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze quoted the minister to have indicatef that Nigeria is diversifying from oil to music, culture and entertainment which will fetch the country, $100b by 2030.

Musawa also urged on member countries to support one another and embrace the African music project which will not only serve as a platform for global economic expansion but also as a tool for national reconciliation, unity and progress in Africa’s entertainment industry.

“I must salute our Afrobeat superstars as their globalization and emergence into global pop culture has brought the Grammies to Africa. I will first thank the legends of the Nigerian Music industry that brought us here; Burna Boy, WIzkid, Don Jazzy, Dbanj, Davido, P-Square, 2Face, Asake, Tiwa Savage, and others too numerous to mention.

“Nigeria was invited to this meeting by the Recording Academy following the global success of Nigeria’s afrobeats movement. As Africans, we are the future. We are undeniable and have a voice which must be used to propel the unity and progress of not only Africans but the black race all over the world.

“The music industry provides alternative source of revenue for Nigeria as well as other African countries, thus reducing dependency on traditional sectors like oil. The Nigerian music industry is enjoyed across Africa and the globe, providing employment opportunities for millions of young people in Africa, while promoting the African culture and generating foreign currency to the country’s gdp.

“We have a responsibility to use this collaboration with the Recording Academy and all the founding members, to give Africa the strength and identity they have always yearned for. The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed me to ensure that we create an enabling environment for this collaboration to thrive and to see how can all work together as equal partners”.

The steering committee discussed issues affecting the African music industry including Intellectual Property Rights, Piracy, and poor funding.

Member countries also committed to supporting economic policies for creative industries which involve working with governments and policymakers to create favorable environments for artists and creators.
This they said will foster a cohesive Pan-African vision for the music industry, promoting intellectual property rights and creative innovation, facilitating artistic mobility of music creators through unhindered access to performance venues across continents, access to global opportunities through joint programs and cross collaborations.
This is to ensure that African creators share their talents on the world stage as well as provision of educational resources, training and global elevation of African music and cultural excellence.

Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Recording Academy’s Chair, Tammy Hurt, the CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr., Co-President Panos A. Panay, and the Special Advisor to the CEO and President of the Recording Academy Joe Phelan.
Others include the Minister of Youth and Arts in Rwanda, Hon. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, Minister of Sports and Culture in Kenya Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Acting Minister of Sports, Art, Tsholofelo Lejaka who represented the Ministry from South Africa and the representative of Afrexim Bank Temwa Gondwe.

The Recording Academy had earlier announced agreements with Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa to extend its efforts to support music creators on a global scale.
Nigeria embraces this vision of partnering with other creative minds on the continent, to explore advanced strategies and roadmaps aimed at promoting the country’s talents through world-stage performances.