Category: Celebrity

Music Television (MTV) Africa has disclosed that it will join forces with award-winning activist and humanitarian, Eddie Ndopu, to follow his monumental voyage as the first physically disabled person to travel into space.

Ndopu is leading a campaign to deliver a message to the UN General Assembly on behalf of young people, everywhere, who have ever felt excluded by society.

The announcement was made ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. The untitled project will begin production in 2019.

Ndopu, a 27-year-old man from South Africa, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at birth and given a life span of five years. With an advocacy career that spans over a decade, pioneering for rights of disabled young people around the world, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Oxford University, he has defied all odds and now has his sights set on making history in outer space.

“As we pay tribute to Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, I can’t help but think of his profoundly powerful words: ‘it always seems impossible until it is done,’ said Eddie Ndopu.

“With the help of MTV, my campaign to become the first physically disabled person to travel into space is about showing the world, that, with a lot of heart and a bit of human ingenuity, anything is possible.”

Accountant-turned-actress and movie producer, Mosunmola Adeleye, recently released her latest work, ‘Onise’, centred on the issues of young ladies making use of family planning before marriage. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, she speaks on her career, family and other issues.

What is it like being married?

Well, I would say it is entirely a different game from dating. While we were still courting, I did not see a lot of things that have begun to come up now between us. But like the saying goes, we are from different backgrounds and I am learning how to cope with those changes.

There was a time you went off the scene, what happened?

That was after I got married. I had a baby and I had to stay away to cater for him. But now, he is no longer a baby. So I can leave him with a minder and go on set. I can say I am fully back now. You will be seeing more of me and my works too.

What has changed?

A lot. But with the support of my husband, I have been able to blend into the new me,  I mean being married.  I was thinking it will continue like when we were courting- you know going out, catching fun and all that. I really appreciate my husband for being understanding.

How have you been coping with your hubby based abroad?

I have a son now, so the space is not that open. I am not saying that I do not miss his space as my husband because when he comes in, he does not spend much time because of his business over there. But we have managed to balance it and it is working out quite well. A lot of people say actresses do not stay in their husband’s homes, especially those that are married to men abroad. Yes, my husband is based abroad, but any time he is around, I do not joke with his presence.

Even if you offer me one million naira at that time, I will gladly turn it down because he has been away for like six months and I also have been away on set for the sake of money. To me, it does not make sense.

People often complain about actresses being wayward. Has that been your case with your hubby or his family?

(Laughs) Well, I cannot say it does not happen. But in my case, my husband has respect for me. That is because he has been seeing the works that I have been doing and how people have come to appreciate them. One of them is the jingle I did for Ogun State government where I talked about the good work they have been doing, which caught their attention and I was invited and given support for my new project. I was also given the privilege of the governor’s elder brother coming down on set to pray for us  when we started off.

 When did the flair for acting start?

I would say right from my secondary school days. I can remember that people always wanted to watch me recite poems back then. That was how the whole thing started and I continued after my secondary school. Though, after my tertiary institution education, I had to work for a while, but I was not satisfied with what I was doing. So, I had to quit and face my acting career fully.

Since you started, what have been the challenges?

There are lots of them. But the common one is timing. You will want two people on set to play a particular role, but both have their schedules. So, you will have to hold on until they are both available at that time you need them. It is not easy being a producer, but we get on with  every production and it has been a success story so far.

You mentioned your project being a big one, what do you mean by that?

This is a standard movie that is suitable for every member of a family. It is an educative story that deals with the need for child spacing and taking the right decision by seeking medical care when taking such decision. This came into existence when research showed that teens presently use birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. This movie is to let them know that it is not to prevent pregnancy for those that are not married, but prescribed for couples, that is legally married ones.

Is this a personal experience?

No, it actually happened to someone close to me who went to have IUD implanted at a young age to prevent getting pregnant because of her career and the consequence was great. This is a woman who is married and kept the secret away from her husband for five years, before finally opening up when the efforts to have babies became difficult.

This movie is written out of the permission of a close relative, who narrated her story to me. It’s quite unfortunate how some ladies pick their careers ahead of everything else. It is a story that is suitable for families; it will also enlighten a lot of people on the after effects of pills, injections and others that are taken without proper counselling from the professionals. The movie also has the approval of the ministry of health.  It is an awareness project, so it got their approval when it was taken to them.

Do you intend to put this new work online?

I have a marketer. So I will be giving the project to him and it is my belief that it will work out fine. Though, I have some money that is outstanding, but this is not a discouragement, because , for my last movie, I was paid in full. I know the trending thing is online release, but I don’t know if that will be happening with this movie, after the selling in CD. We might have to sit down and discuss that if we have been able to get back our funds of production and profit.

Who are those in this movie?

Funsho Adeolu, Adeniyi Johnson, Seyi Edun, Jaiye Kuti, among others. The reason I picked this set of cast is because I know they can deliver the roles perfectly.

Movie production company, SAF Production, has launched its online and movie streaming platform, mysaftv.com. According to its management, the launch is informed by Nigerians’ need to demand quality and rich heritage production from movie production companies.

The founder of the site, Crey Ahanonu, said  that the need to break the monopoly of Nollywood content cannot be over-stated. In his opinion, the few handling it have over the years diluted the content which invariably corrupted the cultural heritage.

“Our story needs to be told by us and in our language,” he said.

“We are the ones that can tell our stories better, and if we don’t, we will not have true and safe history. Our site is here to protect our heritage and leave history for generations to come.”

He further added that the platform has special programmes for kids.

MYSAFTV’s Lagos Representative, Ugochi ‘Graciouswoman’ Eboh said: “Tapes and compact discs (CD) are quickly becoming obsolete as advancement in media technology now means you can have all the entertainment you want at your fingertips and at a cheaper cost.”

As a means of empowering people living with disability, founders of of Good Hair Ltd, Chioma Ikokwu and Kika Osunde, have partnered with La Mode Magazine to organize a charity event to help bring to reality La Mode Foundation multipurpose center.

The center is to aid skill enhancement, Job recruitment, training and vocational courses for persons living with disabilities.

The fund raising event, tagged ‘Alice In Wonderland Brunch Fundraiser’, is slated for December 23 at Good Hair Ltd, Olubunmi Owa street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The event according to the organizers is to further create awareness on disability issues and rights. The need for individuals and communities to know that persons with disabilities are just like everyone else just living life differently cannot be over emphasized.

Sandar Odigie, the CEO of La Mode Magazine, said that “the partnership will go a long way to bridge the discrimination between persons with disabilities and the society.

“The awareness will further educate individuals and help improve their perception positively about persons living with disabilities and reduce discrimination a great deal.”

Nigerians have been assured of God’s divine turn around provided they adhere to God’s dictates with firm belief and trust in His words and miracles.

This remark was made by Mrs. Modupe Oyeneyin, the team leader and the sponsor of the fifth edition of Foretaste Concert, which held at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Oyeneyin, popularly known as Dupsy by her peers, assured the audience of God’s visitation to her family and other associates, who she invited to the team at its inception.

She pleaded for more of such cooperation to arrest and douse the tension which has enveloped the nation and the world.

While stressing the essence of the continued gospel music concert drive, the gospel artiste pleaded with leaders, especially in government, churches and other areas to form such a formidable synergy to turn around gospel music concerts to a lucrative export drive, as well as to provide job opportunities.

In his contribution, her husband, Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin, who was recently elected National President, Vehicle Tracking Device Operators Association of Nigeria, enjoined people to be religious and contribute their time, thought, talents and resources to others.

Other artistes who performed at the event were Ighiwlyisi Jacobs, Ife Worships, Folabi Nuel, Olumide Iyun and Asatta Allwell Brown.

Notable guests at the event included Gen. Funso Oyeneyin (rtd), an Ondo State APC Chieftain; Gen. Biodun Role (rtd), a Security Consultant; Pastor Pius Bamidele, Regional Pastor, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (Ajah Region); Barr. Sam Nwakohu, prominent Legal Practitioner and Notary Public, Chairman of Mints International Group and past President, Rotary Club of Victoria Island East, Lagos.

•Bisola, Jeff Akoh join line-up

With the aim to promote live music, Monarch Experience has unveiled comedian cum master event compere, Tee A and Lolo Omotunde of Wazobia FM as hosts for the music extravaganza.

The duo of comedian cum master event compere, Tee A and Lolo Omotunde of Wazobia FM have been unveiled as the host and co-host of the night of live music culture extravaganza.

Already confirmed are Fuji maestro, Kwam 1 who will headline the concert, Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters, Queen Salawa Abeni, Bright Chimezie and Gloria Ibru.

Organised by Temple Management Company (TMC), The Monarch Experience Concert is scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 8 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Mark Redguard, Head of Entertainment at TMC, The Monarch Experience has been getting a lot of positive feedback.

“The feedback since we first announced the concert has been awesome,” said Mr. Redguard.

“We have the support of DSTV who are beaming the event live to audiences across Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

“We envision that it has been a busy year for everyone and The Monarch Experience presents the perfect atmosphere for hi-society people to reward themselves with an unforgettable experience.”

Veteran Nollywood actress, Memunah Yahaya, has made a comeback with her debut movie, ‘Clustered Colours’ scheduled to hit the screen on January 25, 2019.

The private screening of the movie which held at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lekki, last Sunday was attended by top celebrities, industry stakeholders as well as the cast and crew.

‘Clustered Colours’ deals with the complexities in marriage institution and what the family goes through at various stages. The movie tells the story of three married couples (including young, middle age and old couples), who won an all-expense paid trip to a resort where they get to spend a whole weekend together. The trip allowed the couples to reel out their past experience that led to so many troubles.

With an infusion of a talkshow by the producer,  the marriages were able to stay ‘bond’. The live show, ‘Still Bonding’ involves an array of guests bringing their experiences to the fore for better tacts and understanding of the marriage institution.

Featuring Memunah Yahaya Abaji, Mary Lazarus, Lucy Ameh, Stan Eze, Emeka Okoye, Paul Adams, and Tunboun Aiyedehin amongst others, the movie was directed by Remi Ibinola. It was shot in Jubilee Chalets in Epe and other locations in Lagos.