TMG Divas; Makers of Fabulous Children Cloths in African (Ankara) Fabrics...

 What is your name?

My name is Jokotimi Garba. I am from Lagos state, Badagry to be precise.  

Tell me a bit about yourself (Biography)?

I was born in Oron, Cross River State in the early 80s. My mum is from Cross River while my dad is from Badagry, so I can speak both Calabar and Yoruba Languages very well. I am from a family of 6 and I am third to the last though I lost my younger brother who was the last born some years back at Covenant University. I am married to the most wonderful man from Kwara State with two kids. A boy and a girl.

Educational Background:
I started my education in Cross River, where I attended Abraham Memorial School in Eket. Then, we had move to Lagos, Badagry so I enrolled to continue at Opeyemi Nursery and Primary School, then moved to St Thomas Nursery and Primary School where I obtained my Primary School Certificate. My Secondary Education was in Badagry Grammar School. I got an admitted to Lagos State University(LASU) where I bagged a Diploma in Mass Communication, then I proceeded with a degree programme. So I specialised in Public Relations and Advertising during my degree programme and graduated 2011/2012.

Your Business name?
My Business name is TMG Divas.

How your business started?

We make trendy kid Cloths, Shoes and Accessories in Ankara Fabrics.

How your business started?

I had the flair for fashion but I didn't know how to go about it. During one of our long vacations, our lecturers were on strike for almost a year then I got a job at 'GOP Fashion House' in Yaba. I had one very wonderful Boss; Mrs Temitayo Oyetunji, I learnt a lot of wonderful things from her and my passion for fashion increased.
I love to see my kids look good but most of the cloths I bought for them were from UK or USA and very expensive. There and then, I made up my mind to start up Kids Clothing Line in African fabric but of international standard. That was how TMG Divas started.

Source of inspiration:

My Kids and the environment inspire me.

Future Business Ambitions:

My future business ambition is to make sure that TMG Divas Cloths is in every home in Nigeria and abroad. And to have a place where every kid will want to be. And to make every parent choose an African Fabric over the UK and USA Cloths that they are used to.

Where do you see your business in the future?
TMG Divas will be so big that everyone will want to be associated with that name and everything that has to do with TMG Divas.

Business challenges:

People look down on African Fabrics and I have to convince them that it is different.

Worst/best moments

When one of my major tailors left, I couldn't meet up with peoples demand. Best moment was when I took part in a sales exhibition at Get Arena. The patronage and sales was awesome.

 Advise for people with related minds:

Be Godly! Be determined! Be consistent!

Contacts Information:

TMG Divas, 31 Finance Road, Maple Wood estate, Agege Lagos.
Phone Number: 08038633545.
BBM Pin: 26E9E351.

Meet Michael Whyte; a promising gospel artist.

Today, we are excited to introduce you to one impressive scion of God who believes in excellence. Michael Whyte is one of the select few gospellers who raise the cards above mediocrity.

We got wind of him for close to a week now and from our interaction with him, its sure that this Michael Whyte has got a mind made up for spreading the gospel with excellence above the odds. That, my dear, is an attribute we share and respect.

We had to put Bizzydropz on him so you can get familiar with him. Yes, we intend to premiere some of his very impressive efforts right here on Gospel City Naija but, its wise that you get to know the man before his efforts.

Michael Whyte is a gospel Artist who is notches up in the pro league. He started his music career in the church choir . He is known to have had a big break with the release and success of his gospel hit song titled Ose Baba.

He is a multiple award winner and quite an eclectic gospel singer. This was quite visible in his previously released 14 tracks album which had the soar-away hit, ‘Ose Baba’, on it. The album is a mix of African traditional praise, gospel Hip hop and pop laced with a good tincture of vintage whyte Afro-centric chimes. Indeed, it’s a perfect embodiment of Mr. Whyte’s  eclectic assemblage.

Michael Whyte started singing at a tender age in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke Anu Owode, Opposite Army Barracks. Lagos. He sang in the children, teens, youth and the Sanctuary church choir in his local church. As a youth, he longed for more in his Christian life and also developed his singing abilities while on a quest to know more about God.

 In later years of life, he joined the New Realm Baptist Church, Ojo. While there, the music Director, Pastor Farinde, saw something different in him, took interest and worked with him on his music. This divine opportunity and tutelage helped bring out Michael’s singing gift quite impressively. He was quick to learn and adapt to new trends of singing the gospel through music.

Even with his CAC background, Michael did quite well by adapting seemingly effortlessly to contemporary songs and this he attests to the help of the Holy spirit and his beloved music tutor, Pastor Farinde.

He is graduate of Performing Arts from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state Nigeria. He took his music career to another level while he was in the University and was noted by his department and the university at large. The university provided the much needed environment for him to express God’s gift in him so he took part in so many performances within and outside the university of Ilorin.

 He won multiple awards while in school and this marked  the beginning of an appreciated ministry/career in music for him. The awards he won in school include; Best overall Opera Singer of the department of Performing Arts, Best male Opera Palmist Award, Best Male Vocalist from  In His Presence Awards, Best male Singer High Praise Award, Best Male  Award from the Palmist Awards,  Merit Award (NYSC Bayelsa State 2004), Best Male Vocal Singer (Psalmist Award 2013) to mention but a few. All these he said is to the glory of God.

Michael Whyte has ministered in so many churches and concerts within Lagos and out. He recently launched an album titled ALRIGHT. The album has three Videos; Da News, Alright and his most recent OSE BABA which is full of energetic dance and so on.

Michael Whyte has worked with so many producers 0n his songs as well as on that of others. He has been a back-up vocalist for different artistes for years now. This is his way of sharing and contributing to the ministry of others.

Mr. Whyte is very conscious of his success in God and never stops letting people know he owes it all to God. In between sentences, he openly attests his success to God and says it’s all for God’s glory alone.
He also believes so much in gospel music ministry and never ceases to share his views on the growth and challenges of the genre in Nigeria.

According to him, “Gospel music has gone out of what it was before… However, some of us need to really know why we are doing gospel music. It is when you are sure of your calling as a gospel minister that you  will be ready for the challenges. The truth is that gospel music  is still crawling cos of lack of funding and supports but is still thriving amidst all this.”

Michael Whyte launched his debut Album in April 14, 2013. The album has inspirational songs and  other soulful tracks like Ose Baba, Da News (both gospel dancehall super hits) , No One and Hosanna. For those with strong passion for worship, the tracks “I Worship You´ and ‘Alone You Are’ will provide a perfect spiritual medium to connect with the hosts of heaven.

Though it’s a debut effort, some of his songs have graced the airwaves both at home and in the Diaspora. Da News was released in 2010 and it immediately sizzled the airwaves in local radio and television stations.  It was also a hit song on Kingdom Africa and One gospel  on DSTV. Last year when Alright was released as a single, it featured prominently on One Gospel and Kingdom Africa both on DSTV.

We will be premiering his songs and videos right here on Gospel City Naija. One word though, Michael Whyte goes all out when it comes to his music ministry. He puts in the best for the glory of God. This, we appreciate and pray that other gospellers will cue in on because it sure will bring about some growth in the gospel music scene.

Here are links to his tracks, Michael Whyte is talented and we promise you will not disappointed. http://www.4shared.com/video/0oV7IwDW/michael_whyte_-ose_baba_mp4.html

https://spinlet.com/album/?albumid=2292

CYNTHIA'S DIARY

ABSTRACT 1- THE LETTERS (CYNTHIA’S DIARY)

Wednesday, March 29, 1967. 11:00a.m @ Cynthia’s lodge, St. Peterson city.

CYNTHIA’S REPLY TO FEMI’S LETTER

Once your precious jewelry
So tender as a spurring roselle
With fragrance of a flashy finery

Now dwindled and tattered in savor

With no you to hide and keep safe
No music to inspire an ailing spirit
No dance as sweet as flamenco’s

Here I see ugly times, like shadows from the Isle
Some nightfall that besieged Bimbo in an ugly bamboo-cave
They have hunted and frozen my paths

Now weary and waned, all my soul’s wishes is your comfort

Cynthia Douglas


On the 23rd of March, 1967, Femi had sent the following letter to Cynthia.

‘’Like a fleeting cool breeze, you blew past my feel
Your dark locks swaying with glows, from your scalp down the sides of your face
A face so fascinating; tells of the tales behind your enchantments

Here in our exquisite Isle, my heart tarries in love

Like sweet memories, I reminisce; the La Rioja wine festival
My eyes couldn’t resist a gaze while my lips startled as I sang
We danced in the spirit of Flamenco
And drank at the heart of our moonlight adventures

Now lost and lonely, all my heart’s wishes is to see you soon

Femi Cruz’’

To be continued……….

Composed by Dr Erubu Ayo

The light will still shine....

Unemployment

The youths are on crossroads,

Having bags of degrees,
Going from one No vacancy to another,
Tired, Impatient, Sad and Helpless,

Is the tone of their voices.

From where can they arrange a comfortable livelihood?
To grease their palms, where can they get ducats?

When will the government,

Turn their merciful hearts towards,

The needs of the youths of this country.



Model: Yinka.
Location: Offa rd.
Photographer: Busayo.

One on one with C.E.O Solyx Pix and Technology.

What is your name?

My Names are Oluwaseun Adesola Okikiade.

Tell me a bit about yourself (Biography)?

I am the first born of the family of three boys.

 Am into so many things, but I love music, am a Baptist.

 Am multi talented that I know, always ready to learn new things.

Cool and gentle.

 Educational Background.

My Primary School Education took place in so many Schools, but to mention a few I started from Unilorin Primary School, Standard Primary School e.t.c.

My Secondary Education took place in two Schools, UBGS, Ilorin and GDSS, Adewole, Ilorin. Presently in Unilorin but may pull out soon if God wish so. 

Your Business name.

Sola Technology with a arms Solyz Pix.                                                                             
About your business.

Well, Sola Technology deals with sales and repair of computers,

it arms; Solyz Pix deals with photography and editing

It all started when I finished my computer training in which I had a diploma

in computer maintenance. 

Source of inspiration

God is my only source, am always connected.      

Other business plans in life asides business.

I am planning and praying to have a music studio, I hope to have a film firm,

and a big technology shop. 

Likes.

I love music, I love learning new things every day, I love meeting new people and swimming is a sport I cherish.

Have you ever had business challenges?

Yes oo! So many, I have had instances that I had to pay for a brand new system worth 70 thousand and time I have to buy new motherboard, hmm! so much challenges oo! But, with God by my side, I am always a conqueror.

Worst moments and best moments in life.

Worst moment was when I pulled out all my savings to buy a new laptop for my customer, best moment in life when I gave my life to Jesus. 

Advise for those thinking of dwelling into your kind of business.

Well, it's all about risk, when you start it won’t be sweet and smooth but when you have made a stand, I promise, you'll enjoy it, it's fun. Don’t be afraid, be determined, don’t lose your focus, it all about TIME, YOU WILL MAKE IT.

Contacts Information

Zion Baptist Church, Adewole Housing Estate, Ilorin.

08104005512, 07055711804.

Seunsola20@yahoo.com

Seunsola20@gmail.com