Winners Emerge In IMAN Awards 2018

After weeks of voting by the members of the public, winners have emerged in the Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards 2018. The awards event which took place at Mosan-Okunola LCDA Secretariat Multipurpose Hall, Water Bus-Stop, Ipaja Road, Lagos State on the 18th of November was attended by many Islamic music stars and other stakeholders in the industry. Winners at the awards are as follow:

(1) Akeem Ijebulawa Award For Best Male Islamic Artiste: Saoty Arewa

(2) De-Excel Universal Schools Award For Best Female Islamic Artiste:  Iyanghana

(3) Jimlat Award For Best Islamic Music Album: Oyin Ni Temi (Jemila Ope Dudu)

(4)  Ayo Orimolade Award For Best Islamic Music Video: I Miss You Muhammad (Alfamini)

(5) Taofik Lawal Award For Best Islamic Hip Hop Artiste: Hyb Addis

(6) Olabisi Adebajo Award For Face of Islamic Music [Male]: Mumeen Esinogbamilaye

(7) Sulaiman Alawe Award For Face of Islamic Music [Female]: Iyanghana

(8) Akeem Ijebulawa Award For  Best New Male Islamic Artiste: Aridunnu Ayeloyun

(9) Dayo Osinowo Award For Best New Female Islamic Artiste: Ashabi Lady Saoty

(10) Destiny Vision Fashion Designer Award For Most Fashionable Male Islamic Artiste: Saoty Arewa

(11) Destiny Vision Fashion Designer Award For Most Fashionable Female Islamic Artiste: Iyanghana

(12) Alfamini Award For Best Islamic Kid Artiste: Golden Son

(13) Martins Odupitan Award For Best Islamic Artiste in Stage Performance: Ahmad Alawiye

(14) Best Islamic Artiste in Diaspora: Latifa Omo Cairo (Egypt)

(15) Best Popular Tune Adaptation in Islamic Music: Mutiu Akasho (Ajiwere Tune)

(16) The Achievers Islamic Society Award For Best Zhikri Based Islamic Artiste: Ridwan Dosunmu

(17) Best Nashid Artiste: Crescents

(18) Adeyemi Adebayo Foundation Award For Best Islamic Hip Hop Song: Azikiri (Al-Mubarak Kewuyemi)

(19) Fastest Rising Male Islamic Artiste: Mutiu Akasho

(20)Nurat Olagboye Award For Fastest Rising Female Islamic Artiste: Awoko Arewa

(21) Best Islamic Music Collaboration: Aforijin (Obi Rere)

(22) Best Featured Non Islamic Artiste in Islamic Music: Adaradenu Jamaica

(23) Best Islamic Music Video Editor: Saheed Oyeledun

(24) Saheed Ojubanire Award For Best Islamic Music Marketer: Mustoy

(25) Saheed Ojubanire Award For Best Islamic Music Promoter: Okiki

(26) Best Supportive Radio Station to Islamic Music: Faaji f.m. (Lagos)

(27) Akeem Ijebulawa Award For Best Supportive Individual to Islamic Music: MC Oluomo

(28) Best Islamic Music Friendly Broadcaster (Male): Baakini

(29) Best Islamic Music Friendly Broadcaster (Female):  Ewa Islam

(30) Best Supportive Islamic Cleric to Islamic Music: Sheikh Muri n Bariga

(31) Best Reporter of Islamic Music:  Taofik Afolabi

(32) Liz Addiction Award For Best Make-Up Artist in Islamic Music Video Shoot: Aminat Ganiu

(33) Say Zolar Award For Best Camera Handler in Islamic Music Video Shoot: Yomi Tijani

(34) Best Studio Engineer in Islamic Music Production:  Ola Akewusola (Zeal Mark Studio)

(35) Best Islamic Artiste’s Manager: Lukman Abdulsalam (Saoty Arewa)

(36) Taofik Lawal Award For Best Islamic Artiste's Fans' Club Exco: Rufai Baseerat (Iyanghana Fans' Club)

(37)De-Excel Universal Schools Award For Best Islamic Music Producer: Kehinde Oriyomi

(38) Best Islamic Music Video Director: Big Doo

(39) Say Zolar Award For Best Islamic Music Instrumentalist: Ademola Ayeloja

IMAN Awards 2018 Invitation Cards Ready For Pick Up, Organizers Reveal

... Spell Out Modalities For Attendees

The organizers of Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards, Different Stroke Media, have revealed that the invitation cards to the 2018 edition of the awards are ready for pick up at different locations.

According to the team leader of the organizers, Saheed Ojubanire, the invites could be picked up by interested parties at 2 locations in Lagos and 1 location in Abeokuta. " There are 3 pick up points for the invitation cards. We have 2 in Lagos which is either at City People Magazine's office, Charly Boy Bus-stop, Gbagada, or T. Reign Studio, Ajala Road, Agbado-Ijaye. And the pick up point in Abeokuta is Ola Akewusola's Zeal Mark Studio, Ansarudeen Hause, Quarry Road Abeokuta," Ojubanire stated.

He further advised those who would be attending the prestigious awards to be mindful of time as the event would kick-off at 2 P.M. on the dot. " It is important the intended attendees should be aware that we are starting at 2 as stated on the invites. We plan to have about 5 hour event to start at 2 and end at 7. And like every hall, there is a maximum capacity the venue could accommodate sitting, so it is going to be first come "first sit" bases and who ever comes late outside the special guests would have to make do with standing through the course of the event." Ojubanire said frankly.

Ojubanire concluded by saying that all nominees in the competitive award categories, however, have automatic entry into the venue whether they are able to pick up invites or not before Sunday, November 18th, 2018, when the event is taking place. He added that people can call him on 07034570500 to know if they can have alternative ways of picking up the invitation card outside the enumerated pick up points.

IMAN Awards 2018 Voting Ends On Sunday, 11th November

...As Invitation Cards Roll Out

Organizers of Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards, Different Stroke Media (DSM), have revealed that voting in the 2018 edition of the awards which had been ongoing for weeks would end effectively by 11:59 P.M. on Sunday, 11th November, 2018. And the awards proper would be holding on Sunday, 18th November, 2018, at Mosan-Okunola LCDA Secretariat Multiputpose Hall, Water Bus-stop, Ipaja Road, Lagos State.

The invitation cards to the event, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DSM, Saheed Ojubanire, have also started rolling out and interested people could pick up from different locations easiest for them by calling the number: 07034570500. He, however added that, all nominees in the awards have automatic entry into the venue whether they are able to get hold of invites to the event or not before the date.

Ojubanire concluded that, while the voting would end on the above stated date, personalities still willing to endow any category of the awards are still free to do so, as that is still opened till Thursday, 15th Novemeber, 2018, when names of winner would printed on the customized IMAN Award plaques. The phone number given above could also be called for more enquiries on that, the CEO, submitted.

Organizers Put Up IMAN Awards 2018 Categories For Personality Name Endowment

The organizers of Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards, Different Stroke Media (DSM), have put up the award categories for personality name endowment like they did during the 2017 edition of the awards. According to the Chief Executive Officer of DSM, Saheed Ojubanire, the idea of the personality name endowment of the award categories is to make the award project more people participatory. In his words: " we introduced the personality name endowment into the awards last year to make more people participate in the project and write their names in the sand of time in respect of any award category they decide to endow."

How does it work? Ojubanire explained that, " a personality who subscribes to endowing a category of the awards will be attributed to the category by having for instance, instead of just 'Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year,' it would be endowed as 'Saheed Ojubanire Award for Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year' or 'Saheed Ojubanire Award for Best New Female Islamic Artiste of the Year' and so on and so forth. And that is the way it would be inscribed on the plaque and would consequently be reported in all the post award publicity both online and in the traditional media. So, the name of the personality goes everywhere with the award category."

Speaking further, Ojubanire asserted that the personality name endowment comes at a cost which could be discussed via the telephone number : 07034570500 (Voice Call and Whatzapp). "Terms and conditions apply, but all that would be disclosed to interested personaliies when they call for enquiries," Ojubanire added.

Meanwhile, shown below is the way the names of winners at IMAN Awards 2017 were published in the foremost celebrity magazine in Nigeria, City People, with the categories endowed by some personalities highlighted in lemon colour. 

The award event would be taking place on Sunday, November 18th, 2018, at Mosan-Okunola LCDA Multipurpose Hall, Water Bus-stop, Ipaja Road, Lagos, while the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Princess Olabisi Adebajo would be playing the Chief Host to the awards this year.

Breaking: Mosan-Okunola LCDA Lagos To Host IMAN Awards 2018

...As Voting For Nominees Resumes

It is now official that a foremost Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, Mosan-Okunola, would be playing host to Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards 2018! The organizers of the awards, Different Stroke Media (DSM), have revealed. According to a Press Statement signed by their Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Saheed Ojubanire, and sent to this medium, DSM had been in talks with the top hierarchy of the LCDA under the distinguished leadership of an amiable Executive Chairman, Hon. Princess Olabisi Adebajo for sometime and the talks have ultimately been finalized. Hence, the distinguished Executive Chairman would be playing the Chief Host to the awards this year.

Though a Christian, the Executive Chairman according to the statement, would be setting an exemplary standard in Nigeria at the Local Council level that the populace should see themselves as one, regardless of their religious differences and stand together for the progress of the society at large. She was quoted to have opined that, "If Nigeria must progress, we must shun anything that divides us and always embrace everything that unites us. And if we must instil that trait in our people, it is always better from the government at the grassroots because we are the closest to the real people. And I must confess that I am higly impressed that IMAN Award project has been recognising even Christians, who are considered to be contributing their quota to the growth of the Islamic music industry in Nigeria as you, the organizers, have shown from your records since the prestigious awards started. So, we at Mosan-Okunola LCDA are glad to associate with such an initiative."

Meanwhile, according to the statement, the voting process for nominees for the 2018 edition of the awards which was put on hold over a week ago as a result of telephone network problem that was denying people the opportunity to vote for their favourite nominees, has resumed. Members of the public could, with immediate effect, start voting in all the categories of the awards because the network problem had been substantially resolved. " Though there are still some issues with MTN but Airtel has been able to sort out the problem fully. And instead of the just MTN and Airtel which were initially announced as the phone networks to vote with, we have now brought other mobile telephone networks in Nigeria on board to save time. Now people can vote from all networks including Airtel, 9Mobile and Glo, while we expect MTN to sort things out as time goes on." The statement disclosed.

The statement then revealed further that the voting exercise had now been extended till Sunday, November 11th to recover some of the lost time to the telephone network problem and the award event is now slated for Sunday, November 18th, at Mosan-Okunola LCDA Mutipurpose Hall, Water Bus-Stop, Ipaja Road, Lagos. 

The award voting categories, are therefore, as re-presented below with a minor correction on the title of an album released by a female Islamic artiste in the Album of the Year Category which was wrongly referred to as "Suuru" instead of the correct title of "Al-Quran"...

The votes should be sent to a short code: 33811 using all mobile telephone networks in Nigeria (note: MTN is still having issues with their network but all other telephone networks are going through). And the procedure is to type: "IMAN", leave a space, type the serial number of the category you are voting in i.e.: "1", leave a space, and then type the name of your favourite nominee as written on the list and send to 33811. For example: IMAN 1 Dare Melody or IMAN 2 Tope Alabi and send to 33811. 

Below are the nominations for IMAN Awards 2018:

Islamic Music:

(1) Best Male Islamic Artiste: Saoty Arewa, Ere Asalatu, Ahmad Alawiye, Ayeloyun, Ridwan Dosunmu, Ibrahim Labaeka.

(2) Best Female Islamic Artiste: Obi Rere, Ruqoyaah Gawat, Mistura Temi Ni Success, Medinat Barrytide, Iyanghana, Azeezat Otibiya.

(3) Best Islamic Music Album: Oyin Ni Temi (Jemila Ope Dudu), Adua (Ere Asalatu), Igbeyawo (Saoty Arewa), E'Samin (Wasiu As-Sideeq), Al-Quran (Obi Rere), Olohun To Dami (Mutiu Akasho).

(4) Best Islamic Music Video:  Oni Ni (Ere Asalatu), Islam (Saoty Arewa), Kadara Eni (Obi Rere), I Miss You Muhammad (Alfa Mi Ni).

(5) Best Islamic Hip Hop Artiste: Hyb Addis, Lawizzy, Al-Mubarak Kewuyemi, Gentle Malam, Abdulbaasit Allaahu-Ni, Aboki Anobi.

(6) Face of Islamic Music [Male]: Ere Asalatu, Ahmad Alawiye, Ayeloyun, Saoty Arewa, Mumeen Esinogbamilaye, Wasiu As-Siddeeq.

(7) Face of Islamic Music [Female]: Obi Rere, Iyankaola, Omotayebi, Wabilahi Taofeeq, Hafusat As-Sideeq, Iyanghana.

(8) Best New Male Islamic Artiste: Odere Arole Arewa, Oluomo Hamowiy, Aridunnu Ayeloyun, Tajudeen Omo Jeje, Awoko Sheu, Razak Kakaaki.

(9) Best New Female Islamic Artiste: Ashabi Lady Saoty, Balikis Ariyo, Kudirat Ike Anobi, Lateefat Qomorudeen, Halima Ariremako, Modinat Alanu-Omo.

(10) Most Fashionable Male Islamic Artiste: Ahmad Alawiye, Saoty Arewa, Ere Asalatu, Ayeloyun, Amir Cisse, Saheed Aotipoto.

(11) Most Fashionable Female Islamic Artiste: Wabilahi Taofeeq, Queen Seidah Rasheedah, Barry Tide, Iyanghana, Omotayebi, Rukayat Basirimi.

(12) Best Islamic Kid Artiste: Malik Okiki, Sabeeq Eleshinla, Golden Son, Aishat Ayopo.

(13) Best Islamic Artiste in Stage Performance: Mistura Temi Ni Success, Ahmad Alawiye, Omotayebi, Mariam Akiki, Ayeloyun, Ibraheem Labaika.

(14) Best Islamic Artiste in Diaspora: Latifa Omo Cairo (Egypt), Seidah Basirat Subair Olaogun (Dublin), Rodiat Adeboye (Dublin), Tajudeen Olanrewaju Rahman (America), Adhakir Tijani (Mr.Zhikri) (United Kingdom), Sekinat Omidiya (United Kingdom).

(15) Best Popular Tune Adaptation in Islamic Music: Saoty Arewa (Ligali Mukaiba Tune), Jemila Ope Dudu (Bolojo Tune), Kayefi (Apala Tune), Mutiu Akasho (Ajiwere Tune).

(16) Best Zhikri Based Islamic Artiste: Kifayat Jejeniwa, Queen Seidah Rasheedah, Ridwan Dosunmu, Jemila Ope Dudu, Iyanghana, Seidah Ahmowiyah.

(17) Best Nashid Artiste: Crescents, Abdul-Azeez Shakirudeen, Muhammad Abdullah, Husayn Zaguru, Kabir Umar.

(18) Best Islamic Hip Hop Song: Azikiri (Al-Mubarak Kewuyemi), Battlefield (Ibn-Ridoh), Masha Allah (Hyb Addis), Allahu Akbar (Aboki Anobi), Mohammad ( Azakir Atapawiy).

(19) Fastest Rising Male Islamic Artiste: Mutiu Akasho, Hassan Omo Idunnu, Saheed Aotipoto, Kayefi, Onisuru Imotola.

(20) Fastest Rising Female Islamic Artiste: Awoko Arewa, Silifat Talolohun, Golden Kaphy, Ummu Niyass, Saida Fayegbami, Nafisat Eniafe.

(21) Best Islamic Music Collaboration: Aforijin (Obi Rere), Divorce (Saoty Arewa), Ramadan ( Akobi Esan 1), Ramadan (Medinat Barry Tide).

Associated Nominees:

(22) Best Featured Non Islamic Artiste in Islamic Music: Pasuma, Saheed Osupa, Sefiu Alao, Sule Alao Malaika, Taye Currency, Adaradenu Jamaica.

(23) Best Islamic Music Video Editor: Saheed Oyeledun, Michael Oke, Emmanuel Agbozo, Sulaimon Solaja, Aduragba Ahmed.

(24) Best Islamic Music Marketer: Okiki, Golden Point, Epsalum, Mustoy, Abcon Music, Hasolad.

(25) Best Islamic Music Promoter: Golden Point, Okiki, Abcon Music.

(26) Best Supportive Radio Station to Islamic Music: Faaji f.m. (Lagos), Bond f.m. (Lagos), Radio Lagos (Lagos), Family f.m. (Abeokuta), Harmony f.m. (Ilorin).

(27) Best Supportive Individual to Islamic Music: MC Oluomo, Ibraheem Dende, Yusuf Oko-Oloyun, Ajifat.

(28) Best Islamic Music Friendly Broadcaster (Male): Kokoro Alujana, Baakini, Daud Alapotiowo.

(29) Best Islamic Music Friendly Broadcaster (Female):  Ewa Islam, Iya Sunna, Kudirat Ashani Olayinka.

(30) Best Supportive Islamic Cleric to Islamic Music: Sheikh Muri n Bariga, Sheikh Alfulanny Olanrewaju, Sheikh Jamiu Ami Olohun, Sheikh Sakorphy.

(31) Best Reporter of Islamic Music:  Taofik Afolabi, Gbolahan Adetayo, Kazeem Aderohunmu, Samad Kewuyemi.

(32) Best Make-Up Artist in Islamic Music Video Shoot: Dammy Adams, Oluwatosin Adenusi, Joke Kupoluyi, Dayo Samuel, Titilayo Alausa, Aminat Ganiu.

(33) Best Camera Handler in Islamic Music Video Shoot: Adewale Yusuuf, Azeez Luqman, Adisa Lawal, Yomi Tijani.

(34) Best Studio Engineer in Islamic Music Production: T Reign (HXT Sound Studio), Ola Kewusola (Zeemac Sound Studio), Mathew Samuel ( Icon Tune Studio).

(35) Best Islamic Artiste’s Manager: Lukman Abdulsalam (Saoty Arewa), Ore-Ofe Idowu (Ere Asalatu), Babajide Sholu (Ayeloyun), Muritadho Sulaiman (Mistura Temi Ni Success), Ayilara Ajasa (Iyanghana), Odusanya Babatunde (Ruqoyaah Gawat).

(36) Best Islamic Artiste's Fans' Club Exco: Rufai Baseerat (Iyanghana Fans' Club), Mujeedah Omo Imole ( Ruqoyaah Gawat Fans' Club), Sulaimon Owoiya (Saoty Arewa Fans' Club).

(37) Best Islamic Music Producer: Ariyo Producer, Kehinde Oriyomi, Yemi Crownfit, Taiwo Alimi, Issa Alabede, Kazeem Akogba.

(38) Best Islamic Music Video Director: Big Doo, Dare Zaka, Lacadelly, L. Anisere, Big Cass, D. Mayor.

(39) Best Islamic Music Instrumentalist: Ademola Ayeloja, Elegun Akeem, Kanamo Ganiu, Lateef Alao, Wale Oshogbo, Johnson Ayanlowo.

It should be noted that, like it was done in 2017, some new members would be inducted into IMAN Awards 2018 Hall of Fame and that include: Mr. Peter Anayor Okafor (Golden Point), Alhaji Mumeen Damilola (Esinogbamilaye), Alhaja Hafusat As-Sideeq (Ola Fathia), Alhaji Lukmon Babatunde (Eluku @ 40), Mr. Musiliu Sanni ( Mr. Bebe), Mr. Dipo Orishadipe (Big Doo) and Mr. Olatunji Ayinla (T Reign). And it is instructive to add that their induction which would be conducted by Dr. Ambrose Somide, the Managing Director, Radio Services, DAAR Communications Plc., would be regardless of whether those of them nominated in some relevant award categories win it or not.

There would also be presentation of Special Recognition Award to Veleta Fruit Drink as the Most Supportive Fruit Drink Brand to Islamic Music in Nigeria, another to Finger King Small Chops as the Most Supportive Finger Food Brand to Islamic Music in Nigeria, and another to Ijebulawa Garri as the Most Supportive Staple Food Brand to Islamic Music in Nigeria, at the event.

For enquiries, participation or to know the forms of sponsorship available in the awards, Saheed Ojubanire can be reached on: 07034570500 or email: dsmedia1@yahoo.com 

Organizers Put IMAN Awards 2018 Voting On Hold Over Phone Network Problem

Organizers of Islamic Music and Associated Nominees (IMAN) Awards, Different Stroke Media (D.S.M.), in a Press Statement sent to this medium, have put the voting for nominees in all categories of the awards on hold until further notice. This is said to be coming on the heels of telephone network problem which has been denying people the opportunity to vote for their favourite nominees.

According to the statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of D.S.M., Saheed Ojubanire, the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the awards in respect of the outcome of the votes in the long run. " My phone line has been inundate with calls from nominees for the awards complaining that the votes by their fans have been bouncing back since voting was announced to have commenced on October 1st." The statement read in part.

It was further revealed in the statement that the complaint was cross-checked by D.S.M. and was found to be true as, while votes sent via MTN lines were bouncing back, the Airtel votes which seemed to be going were not also getting to the control panel where the votes were supposed to be compiled, which means the votes were hanging. " We immediately communicated the situation to the agency handling our short code and they told us it is a network problem which the telephone service providers are still working to resolve. But since they could not give us a time frame of when the problem would be resolved precisely, we feel it is best we put the voting exercise on hold for the time being." The statement disclosed.

In assuring nominees that everyone of them still have a level playing field to win in any category they are in, the statement added that nobody is at an advantage because nobody's vote has been recorded so far. And before voting would resume, it would be well communicated to everyone to know and tell their fans to begin to vote. But for now, everyone is advised to hold on.

In conclusion, the statement added that nothing is going to change about the already established aspects of the awards such as the nominations, the Hall of Fame designates, but the date for the awards may change depending on how much time is lost to solving the telephone network problem. "We need to give enough time to the voting exercise so that every nominee can gather as much votes as they can before winners would emerge," the statement concluded.

Dimeji Bankole, Former Speaker, House Of Reps, Emerges Ogun ADP Guber Candidate

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole on Saturday emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ogun State ahead of the general elections in 2019.

The returning officer, Chamberlain Amadi, disclosed this at a press conference held at the party secretariat located in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta.

He also said the daughter of late Moshood Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Aderinsola Abiola, won the primary ticket of the party for the House of Representatives for Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency.

Amadi commended the state executive council and members of the party for good conduct before, during and after the congress. And added that the contest was free, fair and credible.

He said,  “I commend the party for the good conduct of the primaries. The election took place in all 20 Local Government Areas, and the 236 wards, with the participation of all delegates.

“The election was peaceful, fair and credible. So by the power conferred on me as the Returning Officer, I hereby declare the former Speaker House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole as the party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, in the forthcoming general elections.”