IBADAN'S HOTTEST SHOWBIZ EVENT, ORIENTAL AWARDS, HOLDS FEB. 11

Oriental Entertainments is an integrated entertainment and events management outfit with an established track record in Night Clubbing, Corporate Promotion, and Special Events.

The outfit has variously been described as the precursor of vibrant entertainment and the heartbeat of Oyo State social life. The Oriental Nite Club, located at Kokodome Ibadan, is the most patronised club in Oyo State. The patrons- an exciting mix of students, young executives and business people - are from all over the South-West region.

Oriental Entertainments is responsible for organising the annual grand and hugely successful Oriental Awards. The Oriental Awards started in the year 2000 with an impressive and well attended show tagged the Gulder-Oriental Awards. The event attracted a robust mix of students, young executives, journalists and a few political bigwigs. It was an evening of relaxing entertainment as there were several side shows and performances. The diverse classes of people in attendance also presented an unusual opportunity for promoting business.

The Awards, expanding over the years in scope and target, has since grown to become a major event in South-West Nigeria. Whilst still fully focused on the tertiary institutions, the target crowd of the Awards has now expanded to include corporate businesses and other organizations within the same zone. The introduction of the internet as a means of voting has also brought about heightened interest and interactive participation.

"In keeping with our tradition of making each event better than the last, we have introduced some new features for the upcoming awards. They include: "Awardees from more tertiary institutions, corporate bodies from within and outside Ibadan. New external categories like Best Nigerian Artiste, Best Restaurant, Best Magazine, etc.

"For the first time, the voting system for the next Awards will be exclusively internet based," said Bankole Fagbemi, the CEO of the awards.