Due to the pandemic, entertainers and Nigerians alike have had to adjust to a mainly indoors lifestyle. However, in swift adaptation, most events have now moved to the virtual sphere. We compiled a top ten list of virtual functions that were the most talked about, made headlines and created social buzz this month.

Here are the top events we loved:

10. Skillbase: Starting A Successful Business From Scratch

This event was brought to the public by PiggyVest, and this edition showcased entrepreneurs who built thriving businesses and brands in Nigeria. The panellists shared their experience and knowledge on how to “Start a successful business from scratch”.⁣ The speakers included Olagoke Balogun, CEO/Founder So Fresh, Bunmi George, Founder Shredder Gang, and Anny Robert, Celebrity Photographer.

 

9. Beauty Fest Africa

The Beauty Fest Africa is a platform where experts come together to speak on diverse fields relating to the beauty industry and to share solutions to the problems in the African Beauty Community. This year’s conference was virtual and explored the Role of Self Development & Consistency in Beauty, Innovation and the Beauty Business, Brand Story Telling, and so much more. Our very own make-up YouTuber, Dimma Umeh represented Nigeria on the panel and gave insightful contributions to the discussion. 

 

 

8. NotjustokVS

With thousands of people stuck at home, the versus challenges have become a big hit amongst the general populace. Here, artistes are paired together in a face-off where their best songs are played, and a winner is determined. Notjustok held several virtual challenges on Fridays; the 7th edition had Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade going head to head. Subsequent episodes had top Nigerian Afro Dancehall artistes in a face-off with Hip Hop artists. 

 

7. The Phyllion Tech Conference

The Phyllion Tech Conference was a 1-Day technology panel discussion; that held conversations on the consciousness of African business owners, the tech ecosystem, stakeholders and how technology can be utilised to survive. The session panels featured house-hold names in the tech industry such as the General Managing Director CMC Connect, Yomi-Badejo-Okusanya, President, African Public Relations Association (APRA), Ayeni Adekunle, Group CEO, Black House Media Group, Ophylia Temi Ibekwe, Founder Phyllion & Partners, Emmanuel Asika, Channel Head, Hewlett Packard Central Africa, Tomiwa Aladekomo of Big Cabal (Techcabal & Zikoko), and many others. The tech conference delved into what the future of technology held for us in these delicate times.

 

6. Digital Lagos Party

The live-stream party, an initiative of the Lagos State Government,  was tagged ‘Digital Lagos Party’  and held on Friday, July 10 in the evening. Dj Jimmy Jatt, alongside DJ Conel, entertained viewers at the first Lagos State entertainment show since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

5. WSICE 2020 Virtual Exhibition Celebrating Wole Soyinka At 86

The annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) 2020 Programme switched to the virtual space this year due to the global COVID- 19 pandemic the world is currently experiencing. The virtual exhibition was tagged ‘Timeless Memories; The Humanity of WS’ and aimed to celebrate the life and legacy of Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka. The Virtual Exhibition featured illustrative works, some from the previous year’s exhibition and was held on the WSICE Website. 

 

4. MTN’s Virtual Drug Convo

Telecommunication company, MTN sponsored a virtual event geared at tackling conversations about substance abuse amongst Nigerian Youths in a conference titled ‘Drug Convos’ on June 26. The event was organised in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and featured a discussion with personalities like actresses Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Ini Edo; Senior Lecturer and Consultant Psychiatrist Yewande Oshodi; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation Odunayo Sanya and others. 

One of the highpoints of the discussion moderated by social commentator, Japheth Omojuwa, was when Nollywood stars, Ini Edo and Dakore Egbuson-Akande shared their encounters with drug addicts and traffickers.

 

3. Exceeding Grace in Uncertain Times

For the first time, the House On The Rock (HOTR) Church hosted its Annual Word Conference exclusively online. The 7th edition conference was themed ‘Exceeding Grace In Uncertain Times’, and was designed to “equip Believers with the richer concepts of God’s grace on how to thrive in this season of uncertainty.” Guests and ministers included Travis Greene, T.D Jakes, Dr Creflo Dollar and many more.

 

2. Global worship concert

The Global Worship Concert took place in honour of late philanthropist,  Ibidunni Ighodalo on her 40th posthumous birthday. Over 29 artistes gathered online to celebrate the generous woman such as Ron Kenoly, Tope Alabi, TY Bello, Sammy Okposo and many more. The praise singers across the country came together to worship God on behalf of the late pastor’s wife alongside family, friends and well-wishers. The concert held live on Facebook, YouTube, among other platforms.

 

1. Make Music Lagos 2020

Make Music Lagos 2020, hosted by L’avenida Multipurpose Centre,  featured a week of exhilarating, and breathtaking virtual festivities. The line-up for the duration of the event was the Learn to Play events, Learn to DJ events, Home Studio events, Music Business Conference; My Song Is Your Song, DJ Online Party, and the Live From Home Concerts. The Virtual Shutdown Concert Premiered on YouTube, featuring breathtaking performances by Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, Khemmiesings, Evelle, Alternate Sound, Tim Godfrey, The Cavemen, Banke and Chike.