The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Sally Mbanefo’s travail

    Sally Mbanefo’s travail

    Since the appointment of Mrs. Sally Unwuche Mbanefo as Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, the light skinned beauty has not known a moment of peace. Her assumption of office has been enmeshed in controversy. Sally finds herself constantly trying to claw out of one controversy or the other.

    At the onset of each week, she faces a fresh trouble. According to her detractors, rather than strive to promote and market tourism, the elegant Director General has seized her lofty status as an opportunity to market herself as a model for the tourism industry, downplaying the true purpose of her office.

    To worsen the already worrisome situation, workers of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation have been on strike for weeks now, vowing to continue with the industrial action until Mrs. Mbanefo is removed from office. She is, however, said to be managing the situation.

  • ‘We have the expertise to manufacture processing machines in Nigeria’

    ‘We have the expertise to manufacture processing machines in Nigeria’

    Nigerian-born Kenneth Yellowe would undoubtedly rank among the most dynamic businessmen currently operating on the African continent. Growing up, young Yellowe always had the vision of contributing in a big way to the economy of his nation.

    And true to his dream, he founded Global Energy Group, an international oil and gas holding company, in 1994. Comprising Global Energy Inc., Global Gas and Refining Limited and Global Energy USA Inc, Yellowe’s company currently operates from Houston, Texas.

    Yellowe’s vision for a better nation is buoyed by the memory of his childhood, which he said, continues to rekindle his interest to invest in the country. “When I was a child in school, the city of Kano was once an important industrial city in the country.  Today, majority of those industries have disappeared, resulting in unemployment, poverty and hopelessness.”

    Global Gas & Refining Ltd., the result of Yellowe’s vision for his country, became the first indigenous and independent gas processing, LPG producer and marketing company in the country.

    Speaking on his decision to invest in the nation’s economy, he said: “I am a Nigerian who believes in the potential and promise of this country.”

    Yellowe’s company currently has an existing gas processing agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources of Nigeria for the construction of infrastructure and supply of natural gas to his company for the Eastern Gas Grid.

    The oil and gas businessman is, however, not happy with the way business is practised in Nigeria. “In a free-market economy, the government should not be the driver for the energy and power businesses. The role of government is to establish the enabling environment, policies and institutions, whereby an entrepreneur, such as me, can create an indigenous natural gas business which serves the needs of the people in Nigeria.

    “There is tremendous power when a normal individual such as me can create a company from the ground up, approach a major energy company, such as Shell, Chevron, or Exxon, or a Nigerian indigenous energy company and conduct business through transporting, liquefying, barging, piping and trucking gas which will serve as power for other Nigerian businesses and consumers.

    “The desire for the Nigerian entrepreneur to conduct business successfully should not be dependent upon which political party is in power, or who occupies a certain office. What they need is the support and cooperation of government, not an individual or party in power, but rather need the support of the institution itself.  The most successful businesses, governments and organizations are institutions which survive whether or not their founders are alive or belong to the ages.”

    In 1998, his company, Global, successfully negotiated and executed its first gas agreement with Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited of Nigeria for the supply and processing of associated gas from their Cawthorne channel oil and gas fields.

    According to him, Global’s gas processing agreements and operations are capable of producing enough pipeline quality gas to add about 1000 megawatts (MW) of power to the country’s grid and produce over 400,000 metric tons (MT) of Liquid Petroleum Gas, also known as LPG (cooking gas) per annum. “We have the capacity to completely satisfy Nigeria’s current annual LPG consumption and eliminate importation of LPG into the country.”

    Yellowe puts the blame for the poor state of the nation’s economy at the doorstep of business practice which he said is abnormal. “The main focus of business is to grow the pie of opportunity, whereas the main focus of government should be to create the conditions which facilitate this growth. In any society, when the line for businesses is longer at federal offices for government largesse than it is at banks in order to get loans, the growth is not real or sustainable.

    “At that point, these so-called companies focus more on a $2 billion-dollar contract from the government rather than creating $2 billion dollars of wealth generated from free enterprise.

    “A business, which has to approach the government for a contract rather than a bank to borrow money, is not a bona fide business. These businesses are ill-equipped to function as businesses in the truest sense of capitalism. It is to correct some of the assumptions that Nigerians cannot do these things that I decided to invest here in my country of birth, Nigeria.”

    The Global Gas & Refining Ltd’s boss also blames the failure of multi-nationals companies, operating in the country for some of the problems Nigerians are going through.

    He cited the failure of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd to fulfil an agreement between both companies, a joint-venture, where Global would process Shell-supplied gas for domestic consumption, benefitting the people of Nigeria, as one of the reasons for the shortfall in gas supply for Nigerian homes.

    “During the days of colonialism, many European corporations built infrastructure, such as railroads and there were tracks focused, not on delivering value into the heart of Africa; they were only focused on getting products to the coast to export for European consumption. These companies could care less about the development of the indigenous people as long as they could create an export market.

    “How is this situation different now?  Unlike multinational oil companies that only focus on exporting gas from a country that imports most of its fuel needs, I am fighting and committed to ensuring that young student who dreams of being a doctor has a chance.

    “I am fighting to make sure that young tech entrepreneur doesn’t have his systems go down right when he is executing on the biggest tech contract of his life.  What that young student needs, what that young tech entrepreneur needs and what I need is simple: the federal government must enforce the rules of law to which both IOCs and indigenous companies committed to in a contractual agreement. Shell, for instance, would never try to do something like this in the United States, England, or the Netherlands where they are headquartered.

    “Shell can be compared to a farmer who has hungry children and yet sells every crop he produces on the international market.  In this case, 170 million people don’t have adequate power, and the country is barely producing about 4000 megawatts of power.  Had Shell honoured the contract they signed with Global, Global would have been able to deliver an affordable supply of gas for power applications to energise human potential in this beautiful country.”

    Driven by his passion for a better Nigeria, Yellowe said his company invested more than 300 million dollars in the project. However, his investment is being allowed to lie in waste because of the delay in the project’s execution.

    Speaking of his experience, Yellowe told The Nation that it is an experience no businessman would wish to find himself in.

    “This is the most horrible experience. This is really a very sad situation for Global or any business venture to find themselves in because we have investors, shareholders, banks, hundreds of employees, host communities and other stakeholders who have invested time, money and efforts in a project of this magnitude only to have their investment frustrated in this manner. Our investment in the project is in excess of $300 million dollars of capital invested in real infrastructure and capital expenditures.

    “It is hoped that the Nigerian government can intervene in the interest of the public because Global was directly impacting the lives of everyday Nigerians. The government should protect the business interests of Global because we are truly committed to making a difference in this country. We need the government to make sure investors who summon the courage to build Nigeria are protected and rewarded.”

    Aside from the bad experience with international partners, Yellowe’s company had also had a nasty experience in the hands of Niger Delta militants. The militants attacked the 68 million-dollar storage vessel belonging to the company.

    Lamenting the attack, he said: “Actually, our storage vessel, the FPSO, was retrofitted in Singapore and sailed to Nigeria for our gas project.

    “But due to the insecurity in the region, on July 25, 2008, the vessel was attacked by hoodlums, claiming to be militants. They went aboard our vessel, took eight of our expatriates hostage, and even shot some of the experts in the process.  The incident was reported on CNN when it happened.

    This is compounded by the fact that Global had no gas supply from Shell. We were left with no other choice, but to shut down operations and eventually abandon the facilities. After we abandoned the vessel, the miscreants climbed aboard the vessel and completely looted everything of value on the vessel and vandalized the entire ship.”

    Yellowe is particularly angry with the attitude of the Niger Delta militants. If he ever thought that being from the Niger Delta would guarantee him and his company security, the attack on the vessel proved him wrong.

    “Their lack of humanity is beyond me. This project was established by one of their own, a Niger Delta son, who decided to return home with a passion and a promise to help empower people and bring economic development to the region.

    “These people now walk about as nouveau riche in society, even participating in politics and enjoying direct access to the corridors of power in the government. This is shameful! This vessel was one of the largest LPG carriers and the only FPSO of its kind in the world with a fractionation plant onboard to refine natural gas liquids.  Global was left with no other choice but to scrap the vessel.”

    Despite his experience, he remains optimistic that the future is bright for his company. “I still have faith that everything will work out just fine at the end for Global because natural gas is truly the fuel of Nigeria’s economic renaissance. There is enormous benefit in utilizing Nigeria’s gas for the benefit of the country and Nigerian people.

    “If we are able to process gas to increase our power production in the country, I am confident Nigerians will drive the economic growth of this blessed nation. Nigerians are very industrious, innovative and dynamic. All the domestic gas consumer needs is a sustainable and inexpensive energy to enable them build industries around a reliable power sector.”

    Asked what would have been, if his company were in operation, Yellowe smiled, looked into what seemed a future only him could see, and said: “ If Global was operating, we would be the largest producer of cooking gas in this country, as we were before we shut down. Nigerians would be paying 1/3 of what they are currently paying to buy cooking gas. That extra 66% spent on cooking gas could be used to save money, pay down debt or build a business. As it is now, everyday people still cut down trees and burn kerosene and other sources of energy which are harmful to both themselves and the environment.

    “Our neighbours are now leaving us behind. Senegal now consumes almost triple the LPG than Nigeria consumes per capita. Why can’t we just do what is right?”

    Speaking on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Yellowe attributed part of the problems being experienced in the country’s petroleum industry to the allocation of oil blocks to people who are not knowledgeable in petroleum matters.

    “Quite frankly, the PIB, like any other policy, is a great help to Nigerians, but based on where we are right now in terms of our development as a people, I do not think that Nigerians are ready for the PIB at this point. In situations where individuals with no experience in the oil and gas industry are awarded huge oil blocks, with huge reserves and shockingly don’t even know where these oil blocks are located, and someone with the stroke of a pen awards an oil block; creating instant billionaires, something is wrong.

    “The PIB will lead to more of this type of corruption, and there will be more public assets which people in government may likely give to their influential friends. These people will not reinvest in the country. Instead, they will buy private jets and villas.     They ship their families abroad and send their children to the most expensive schools abroad. Meanwhile, our institutions of learning are in such deplorable condition. The resources must benefit the people and build the country, not a well-connected individual.”

  • Bruce Jenner puts the breaks on his TV show

    Bruce Jenner puts the breaks on his TV show

    The TV show documenting the transition into a woman has been stopped by Bruce Jenner woman following his involvement in a fatal car crash.

    The former Olympian, 65, has reportedly put a hold on the shooting of the reality series and has no plans to continue anytime soon after the four car pile-up in Los Angeles which resulted in the death of his neighbor Kim Howe, earlier this month.

    A source told Radar Online: “There is no timetable for when Bruce will resume filming the docu-series.

    “Obviously, it’s not the priority right now, given the severity of the situation that Bruce is facing. From a public relations standpoint, it would also be in very poor taste to be filming a reality show after Bruce was involved in the crash.”

    It is also thought the Keeping up with the Kardashians star is putting his gender reassignment surgery on hold in the wake of the accident.

    The source added: “Everything in Bruce’s life is on hold right now, and it will likely remain that way until the police investigation is completed.”

    Bruce is recently said to have told officers there was no way he could’ve avoided the collision because the driver in front of him slammed on their breaks.

    The reality TV star also released a statement about the crash and vowed to cooperate with the police investigation.

    He said: “My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident.

    “It is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them. I will continue to cooperate in every way possible.”

    It is reported Los Angeles Police have since obtained video footage from an MTA bus of the crash which will help them uncover the cause of the fatal collision but are yet to comment on their findings.

  • Leke Alder is over the moon

    Leke Alder is over the moon

    It is universally acknowledged that there is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful wife, especially in the act of bringing immeasurable happiness to the man she adores. Leke Alder, the Brand, Strategy and Policy consultant, constantly delights in the joy of having a good wife who is far more precious than jewels. As the PR guru turned a year older on Monday, February 23, he got engrossed in sheer bliss as his wife recreated a starry-eyed scene from a romance movie. She garbed herself in the loveliest of outfits and surprised her man with birthday cards and a breathtaking cake, artistically decorated to make Leke fall in love with her even more.

    Leke met his wife, Morenikeji Popoola, a Corporate Brand Manager and Executive, four years after his first marriage went sour. It was love at first sight between the two and they hurriedly tied the knot in a private, but elegant wedding in Lagos. Ever since, Leke has continued to live in a bubble of marital bliss, glowing like a teenager experiencing love for the first time. His birthday was also made extra special when his staff pleasantly surprised him with another beautiful cake.

    Alder is the Founder and Principal of Alder Consulting, an ideas and branding corporation with offices in Lagos and London. He has consulted on policy, politics and business at the highest level. He has also consulted on policy formulation for the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Ministries of Information & Communication, Education, Foreign Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals Development, among others.

  • Get some sleep, fan tells Davido

    Get some sleep, fan tells Davido

    The Ebola scare might be gone, but Nigerian hip hop superstar, David Adeleke, aka Davido, is not letting it slide. The singer, on Thursday morning, hit the social network with a photograph of himself holding a poster on which is boldly written, #AfricaAgainstEbola.

    However, a fan of the artiste who simply goes by the name, Charlzani is more bothered about the messenger than the message. “@davidoofficial U gotta try as much as possible to get sufficient sleep bro.. Ur eyes tell a lot #concerned,” he replied.

    Last year, Davido sparked criticism when he visited Abidjan, Ivory Coast for a show and shared photos of himself flanked by soldiers via social media. He captured the photogttaph, “Protected!! 0 EBOLA!!”

    Fans of the star lashed out at him for the caption, with a good number of them saying it was insensitive.

  • Lagos designer makes acting debut

    Lagos designer makes acting debut

    LANKY Lagos designer, Tope Osibajo, aka Naija Edition, has joined the fast-growing Nollywood industry, making his debut in a movie titled Femo, produced by rising producer, Biola Suleiman, popularly known as Semo.

    Femo tells the story of a young handsome man who sleeps with women for money, but they all end up with different experiences.

    When asked if he has abandoned fashion designing for film making, he said: “Not at all. I am just trying my best to see if I can succeed as an actor and I must say I enjoyed it. I am praying it comes out good and I will surely continue but, abandoning fashion designing is a no-no.”

    Given his good looks, one wonders if women are not the allure for his acting desire. But Oshibe, as he is fondly called said, “You know you are indirectly calling me a gigolo but no problem, women are not the reason. Let’s just say, I have come to the realisation that the saddest thing in life is wasted talents.”

    Speaking on the challenges of the fashion industry and how he hopes to combine the two, the dreadlocks artiste said, “The biggest challenge I am facing in the fashion industry is funding and loyalty because you finish training tailors to expand your business and then they run off after few months. On how I will combine the two, I am sure planning will fix that.”

    Oshibe, who has designed clothes for the likes of Desmond Elliot and 2Face stars alongside Aina Gold and Biola Suleiman among others in Femo.

  • I can act nude –Nollyood actor John Njamah

    I can act nude –Nollyood actor John Njamah

    Eccentric actor John Njamah is definitely not new in the Nigerian movie industry. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL,he explains why he doesn’t identify with Nollywood, his fear for the teething cinema culture in Nigeria, what has kept him out of the limelight, what love means to him and his plans for the future.  

    As one of the popular characters in Fuji House of Commotion, what vacuum do you think the death of Amaka Igwe has created?

    I would say we were just about getting into the next level of taking television content, directing, filmmaking and production to the next level. She had serious plans and she just acquired her license to run a Television station. You can imagine the vacuum now that she’s gone. Not to say that the TV station is rested but it’s going to affect it a big deal. So, yes, that vacuum is going to be there because I was preparing myself to working for her. We had things to do, all mapped out, all planned out.

    What were you doing before she discovered you for the role of Rabiu, which you played in Fuji House of Commotion?

    First and foremost, I started acting at a very tender age. And then I got into stage. It was during one of my stage productions that she saw me and she decided this is the guy I want to play the character. But she didn’t say it then. And you know Checkmate was running then and I said to myself,’I want to be in Checkmate.’ I liked what Checkmate was all about. A few weeks later, I got a call.

    Now, it wasn’t a call because there was no GSM at that time. They sent somebody over to my place with a slip and I needed to sign on that slip as proof that I got it. I remember I just finished from a stage performance at Ajegunle. I got home and I saw the slip in the evening. I just had to go to Ikorodu that same day because the slip indicated that I showed up that same day. I had to go. Okay, I went to Ikorodu. It was my first time. I didn’t know my way around there. So, I had to sleep in the police station. The next morning, I went to Checkmate Village as it was called and I saw the producer, I saw the director and they were like ‘where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you all day yesterday.’ I told them my story and they were like,’okay,’ and that was how I got the role. Now Fuji House was formed out of Checkmate. We decided it was strong enough to pull it out.

    Entertainment All 28-2-2015.Then, I already had a strong understanding with Amaka Igwe. I was understudying her. I was usually her assistant. I was the unit director and that was how we started Fuji House. Then, at a point in time in our lives, so to speak, she dumped Fuji House on me to direct. She was travelling to Holland and she said, ‘John I want you to direct the next 13 episode of Fuji House. I’m going to Holland.’She asked, ‘is it a problem?’And I said ‘no’ and that was how I started directing Fuji House. Well, from then on, we started doing things together. We did Solitaire. We did a few other things together.

    You were that guy (Rabiu) every girl wanted to associate with. How did that make you feel? Were you carried away at some point?

    I wasn’t still a big deal even though a lot of people still refer to it now. Did I get carried away? I don’t think I got carried away. I had a mind-set and I had a direction. I think I was warned at an early stage by my uncle. He saw it coming and he told me where my career was heading and I needed to be mindful of certain things. I think that stuck with me. And I don’t think I have even arrived yet. I’m still searching for that space, so to speak.

    There used to be the Njamah dynasty in the Nigeria movie industry but for long now, yourself, Aquila, and Empress have been busy doing other things apart from movie business?

    One word for it; I think it’s just growth. We’ve grown. Aquila and Empress have found themselves in a few other businesses. But, of course they are very much in the entertainment business. We have a huge plan to come together and produce one film. That plan has been on for the past two years now. But that time to come together and do it is really very difficult because if I’m in Lagos, Empress might be in London; Aquila might be in South Africa. It’s not been easy over the past two years to get us together but that plan is still on. Let’s look at this year. You never can tell.

    What’s up with your Colorbar Media 707?

    For 2015, I have a few commission jobs lined-up, three to be precise. And then, I’m trying to get them over with so that I can concentrate on my work as John. And I’m hoping on a feature and a collabo between me, my friends in Kenya and South Africa. That’s going to be a big one. We have a few things all planned for Colorbar Media. Colorbar Media is pretty much a new company, launched in 2007. But I’ve been doing other people’s work. For example, Tinsel got me in 2008. I worked with Tinsel for about two years. CBS got me for another two years. It’s been commission job, year-in-year-out.

    Seem like directing has got a better part of you than acting. What do you like about directing?

    Well, over the years, I like to accept challenges as they come. And I think directing affords me that challenge. Now, let me brag a bit here. Acting is part of me.  Like I said I’m bragging. It comes very easy to me. But the scripts are not forthcoming. The scripts that I want to do are not forthcoming. I just finished one three days ago called Breathless. Nice script and they said it was really for me.

    Artistes are no longer waiting for the right script but they are producing theirs…

    I’m trying to get back into the acting business. I’ve pencilled down a few friends that I know are very particular about quality. So, I’m going to try to marry my acting and my directing this year. Honestly, it’s difficult. The scripts are not there anymore. It takes you how many years to build a name and it can take you one movie to kill it. I don’t want the abeg, abeg, come and help us to do this movie. No, those times have passed.

    We have an influx of Ghanaian actors playing lead roles in Nollywood. Is it that we no longer have fine boys in Nollywood with fantastic talent?

    I can’t answer that because it differs from one producer to another. How it affects me is different from how it affects the other person. For me, I can’t be bothered if you suit my character regardless of where you are from. I don’t like working with superstars. I like working with actors. If you term yourself a superstar, no, you won’t work with me. But if you want to work with me as an artiste and you suit the character you will work with me.

    Gone are those days where you say he has a market face or she doesn’t have a market face. It has never worked for me and it will never work for me. I just finished a job for Mo’ Abudu, Ebonylife. We were not particular about a market face or no market face. I used fantastic sets of actors and it worked for me.

    Concerning the Ghanaian influx, what if? So be it! If they are good, they are good. They get the job. If they don’t have competitors here, so be it.

    Are you saying that Nigerian actors are not good?

    They are good. Where are they? And I always say this: every actor has a market value. If you expend your market value before your time, so be it. What is happening now is the fact that we have same people being recycled over and over again. I don’t want to mention names but it’s just like one long series in different titles and they call them movies. But then again, if you go to the cinema and you see four films, chances are one person will be in three movies. I want change.

    Are you saying you turn down movie roles because of stereotypes?

    I don’t turn down movie roles because of stereotypes. I turn down movie roles because of the content. Not all roles are meant for every actor. Sometimes, you can read a particular role and know it’s not just for you. Forget the fact that you are an actor, don’t squeeze yourself into it. It’s like you’re round and a hole is square you can’t enter. Like I said, you have a market value as an actor; I mean some of us started winning awards with our seventh or eighth movies. And some people have done over 50, not even a nomination.  What does that tell you?

    How are you taking advantage of the cinema?

    We want to welcome the cinema culture, but I’m afraid it is getting all…if you know what I mean. Now, all sort of (movies) are being shown in the cinema. It’s a bother for me right now.

    Valentine’s Day was a few days ago, who was the lucky girl that got a gift from you?

    When you are loved you are loved. I love a few persons and so many people love me. I was asked this question sometimes back and I said any day can be Val for me and my Val. But for the fact that everybody wants to celebrate Val, you have to go by the book. I was at home all day. I choose to. I called a few friends over and we saw a few movies and we had drinks, chocolates and all of that. I made a few calls within and outside the country to my siblings, cousins; nephews and I wished them well.

    Where was your woman in all of these?

    She was not in town. But she was the first I called. They say, ‘It’s Val, so I called. Is it true?’ And she said yes (laughs).

    You sound like you are not a romantic?

    Will a romantic person identify the fact that he or she is romantic? I don’t think so. I’m particular about romance. I can’t say I’m romantic.

    What is the most romantic thing you’ve had to do on a Valentine’s Day?

    I think it was way back in school, when I was in Ife, when I was really affected by the Valentine’s bug. When giving your girl chocolate, cake and all that was a big deal. What I did, I got a courier – we had couriers then in school, messengers so to speak – to give my Val then her cake and chocolate at a particular time and her teddy bear as well was white, I think. That’s about the biggest I’ve done, not just because I wanted to do it, but it felt right to do. And it felt good. We were quite a pair.

    What’s your dream role?

    I don’t particularly have a dream role. If it affords me that challenge and it’s good content-wise, it is good for me. I don’t say it must be this or it must be that. I don’t do that. For example in Breathless, I was a Ghanaian driver, a driver to Bimbo Manuel. It felt good. That’s the reason the writer felt John would do this and I read the script. It was nice. It was different.

    If you were to choose your Nollywood parents, who will they be?

    Hahaha… I have two women that I think would play my mother very well. And that’s Joke Silver and Tosan Ugbehen. I have worked with Tosan before and I have worked with Joke Silver before. I worked with Tosan years back when I was still with Chuck Mike, a creative artiste. And we did Fences together. She played my mother. It was a fantastic production. We were black Americans. And I’ve actually directed her. So I like her a lot.

    Joke too, I’ve worked with and she sorts of looks like somebody that can be my mother’s younger sister. She has our looks and she speaks almost like us.

    But my father, I don’t know. I can’t find them.  A Norbert Young can be my father. An RMD can. Basically, I can only think of those two.

    How far can you go to interpret a romantic scene?

    Oh, I will do my research very well. I can go the extreme; people who know me know that I’m that kind of person. To get it right, I can go the extreme.

    So you can act stark nude?

    Yes I can do that. I know that that one might just be your headline. It’s a job and it has to be done right. So I can go to the extreme to play my role, be it romance, and be it any role. I’m that kind of person. It has to be done right. Even in my directing, I have a way of making my artistes do it right and do it realistically. I always advise them to be true to life which is my key.

    A lot has been said to be going on in Nollywood. There is a trend going on now, where artistes pay producers to feature in a movie. What’s your thought about Nollywood?

    One word is stupid. I don’t think you want me to start to explain how stupid it is. It is outright, blatantly stupid. It is a stupid idea. And that is why I don’t relate with such kind of person. That’s why if you’ve seen over the years you can’t particularly say that John is Nollywood. And I say this with all authority; I am not a Nollywood filmmaker. I am a Nigerian filmmaker.

    I was in South Africa two years back. And I went with a few of my works and this woman, she was from France. She came to stand and she asked me Njamah, are you sure these works are from Nollywood. And I said they are not from Nollywood. I’m a Nigerian filmmaker.  She was like, ‘you confuse me now. Nollywood, Nigeria,are they not the same thing. I said, ‘no ma, they are not the same thing.  But you will like what you see.’ She said ‘fantastic!’ And she bought a few works for me.

    You are one of the eligible bachelors in Nollywood. You’ve been too long in the industry to be single. Why hasn’t any woman snatched you?

    Haa they have snatched me. In fact, my life has not been the same since I’ve been snatched. This life that I’m living is not my own. Madam will soon call right now (asking) that ‘really are you okay! You didn’t call me.’

    So when are you walking her down the aisle?

    Very soon. All things being equal, it should be this year.

    What is the attraction?

    I think it’s the intellect, one. And she’s beautiful. It’s a bit of everything. She just suits the part in this movie of life that we are about to embark on. She is the lead female and I’m the lead male. And God is the director. God is directing the affair. And it’s a romantic comedy.

    How do you love to unwind?

    I watch a lot of movies. I hang out with my friends. And when I say my friends, I have crazy friends. And all we do is eat, watch a movie, drink and gist.

  • Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede turns motivational speaker

    Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede turns motivational speaker

    When Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede retired as the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, it was an unspoken assumption that the accomplished business leader, who contributed immensely to the financial institution, will simply relax and not lift a finger while savouring the fruit of his labour.

    Surprisingly, Aigboje has refused the comfort of retirement and has delved into many sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including the power sector and insurance. At the last quarter of 2014, he was appointed President of the National Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This was after his retirement as GMD of Access Bank in 2013. The entrepreneur is in no way allowing retirement to slow him down. And in a surprising turn of events, Aigboje has metamorphosed into a motivational speaker. Few days ago, he had his audience eating out of the palms of his hands, as he mesmerised all as the speaker at the Women in Management, Business & Public Service (Wimbiz) 2015 Annual Lecture at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.

    Aigboje’s distinguished banking career has spanned over two decades, of which 10 years were spent at GTB (Guaranty Trust Bank Plc) where he resigned as Executive Director in March 2002. As a successful banker and entrepreneur, Aig-Imoukhuede makes a perfect motivational speaker, revealing the secret of his success.

  • Any man I intimidate is Not man Enough –Nollywood diva Lisa Omorodion

    Any man I intimidate is Not man Enough –Nollywood diva Lisa Omorodion

    Less than a year in the movie industry, socialite-turned-Nollywood actress Lisa Henry Omorodion has already taken her chance as a producer. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the big, bold and beautiful actress and First Cut producer speaks up on her foray into the world of make believe and what it was like, working with Chico Ejiro, the director of the movie and opens up on her wealthy family background, relationship and passion for acting

    You recently celebrated your weight loss on the internet but seeing you seated here, nothing seems to have changed about your looks. What happened?

    Well, I travelled and I ate. Food is very sweet but I’m working on it again.

    Does your weight affect your acting career in anyway?

    It doesn’t limit me as an actress. Yes, there is a role that I might be required to play and that I will need to lose weight. But for now, I have been working like this and it’s not been a problem. Right now, I’m wearing something very big, so I look big, right?

    But personally, do you feel proud being a plus size?

    It’s not a problem but I will want to lose weight. I’ve always wanted to lose weight. Being a plus size is not a problem because I can carry myself. I’m beautiful, so it’s not a problem for me but health wise, I would need to cut down on my weight.

    Despite your short foray into acting your name already rings a bell. Why did it take you this long to realise you wanted to act?

    Entertainment All 28-2-2015.I’ve always wanted to act. First, my parents wanted me to do something professional. So I read Economics at the University of Lagos. It was after my degree that I was given the freedom to go ahead and do whatever I wanted to do. So now, I’m going to do my masters at the New York Film Academy. I’m going for production, filmmaking to enable me have more experience in movie making.

    You come from an affluent family. Will your background stop you from taking certain roles?

    No way. I want to start from the grassroots, meaning that I can play a market woman, village girl. Whatever the role may be, I will deliver. Give it to me and I will kill it. I don’t want people to see me as that girl from a wealthy home. I want to be like everyone else. I want people to see me for my talent, what I can bring to the table acting-wise.

    What is your take on romantic roles that will involve you exposing your body?

    Expose my body, no. I’m from a responsible family. And my family would not want to see my legs on screen. I can kiss but that’s how far I can go. I can’t do the bum-diggiddy on set. I have to keep that restriction because of my family name and the respect I have for my parents.

    You have also debuted as producer in no time. Don’t you think it’s rather too early? And who are your mentors?

    I wanted to come up big and I wanted to do a movie that can showcase my talent, a movie that shows different sides of me. So, seeing me in that light, you will know this one has talent but when you are doing little ones here and there, although I appreciate them, but people won’t really see you. They won’t appreciate what you can bring to the table.

    So I wanted to do something that I was going to be the main character so you can really see for a long time and see what I can do. Talking about my mentor production- wise, I have Chico Ejiro as a mentor, Obi Emelonye, Elvis Chucks. These people have taught me what I know today. I’ve been with these people, related with them and they’ve encouraged me. They’ve given me the backing that I need. I think with those people I have no problem. They see that I’m determined and I’m on the right track, that’s why they encourage me so much. I have the guts to do whatever I am doing today because I have these people behind me.

    There is a saying that if you don’t start something, you will never start. When you can go up there why do you have to start from the bottom? When you can easily just go up there and then work your way through bit and pieces, why not? That’s the way I see life. If you can do one production and then learn your mistakes from there why don’t you just do it? And I’ve learnt a lot from the job. There couldn’t be a better way to learn than being there and doing it myself. And now that I have that experience, I’m going to do my masters at New York Film Academy.

    Despite the backing of these producers you’ve mentioned. What were the fears you had to deal with?

    Of course, I had the fear of,’will people like my movie? Will people appreciate me? Will people respect my views? Will people see me as I am and not that rich girl?’ So I had fears. I had doubts. I had insecurities but today I can stand and tell you all those insecurities have gone. The kind of confidence I have now has been built over time. What I have heard, what I’ve been through, what I’ve learnt, has contributed to the person I am today. And I can stand and tell you that I am confident. I know where I am going and I’m going to get there.

    Your movie is going to be hitting the cinema in a few days, do you have butterflies?

    There are two sides to it, some people will like it. Some people will hate it. It’s life. Not everyone will like me. Not everyone will like my film. They will criticize, but as time goes on I will get better. Your first production will not be the best. The next one will be better and the next after it will be better and it keeps going. This is my best shot as at last year. I watched the movie and I have seen the things I could have done differently but I’m proud of what I did. I’m proud of bringing it out and want people to watch it. I want people to watch me. I know they will love it.

    Acting is just something you started not too long. Does your position as a director in an oil firm sometimes intimidate producers and directors to the point that it affects the way they relate with you or the kind of role that you get?

    I try as much as possible to hide my identity. When I go out, I use Lisa Henry so you don’t have to google Lisa Henry Omorodion and see it there. But I’m a small girl in this industry; I am telling all the veterans out there I’m here to work with you, not to take over. I’m here to learn from you and to work under you.

    Even if I do my own production, I don’t expect anyone to be intimidated by me because I’m young. I know that it can be intimidating to some people considering where I am coming from but I don’t expect that because I’m telling them right now, I dey hail o. I’m humble and I’m looking up to you all – the directors, producers – that have been the there before me. I give them the respect that is due to them.

    Talking about fees, how much can they offer you? Why are you really doing this when you have everything going for you as a director in an Oil firm?

    I am doing this because I love acting. I have the passion for it. I’m doing this because I love what I do. I come alive when I’m on set. So whatever you can afford, whatever you can pay me, pay me. Of course, if I get bigger they will pay me more. But for now, I want them to see that best in me. Use me because I have the talent and whatever they can afford to pay me I will accept.

    Acting has its own gains and pains. Are prepared for the scandals that come with the job?

    Well, I have no skeleton in my cupboard. I have nothing to hide. What people will criticize is what they see. People will talk based on what they see, what they hear, so I expect nothing less than what is out there. The normal,’who is she with? Who is she dating?’ It’s normal. When stories start to come out, I will tackle it as they come. I can’t tell you this is what I will do until stories actually start coming out.

    Your first movie, First Cut, what informed your choice of cast?

    For First Cut, I couldn’t have picked a better cast. MonalisaChinda, Joseph Benjamin, Bobby Obodo, Ekedi Temple – they were perfect. They interpreted their roles dutifully. They gave it their best. And I’m thankful for their support. Till today, they give me support, they give me the backing and they will be there at the premiere. I’m grateful basically for their input on this project. Without them there won’t have been a First Cut.

    What plans do you have for the movie?

    It will be out on Africa Magic. It will be on Iroko TV. It will out on DVD very soon, so everyone can watch it.

    Do you see yourself breaking-even with this movie?

    Well, you can never make money from your first production because you will learn a lot from it. Dem say who no go there no know.

    What are the lessons you have learnt from this production?

    I have learnt a lot of lessons from this production. I have made mistakes that I can never make again. Now, I know what it takes to do a movie, how much it takes to do a movie and how to go about it. So, I think my next production is going to be so bad. One of the lessons that I learnt is that time is money. On set, the one minute wasted is your one naira being wasted.

    Some people have said you are hungry for fame and that’s why you came into Nollywood…

    I’m sorry if they mistake my determination with being hungry for fame. I’m determined. People can read it differently. I know what I want. I know where I am going. Is that supposed to be a problem? No! Because I spell it out and I say this is who I am. This is where I am going to, people see it differently, everybody has their views but for me, it is called determination. I’m not hungry for fame because even before First Cut, I was famous. Before I started acting, I was famous. I was a socialite. But now, I’m trying to take it to the next level by not just being a socialite but also being productive and because I have the talent, that’s why I am here.

    Chico Ejiro directed your debut movie. As a first-time producer what was it like working with him?

    Chico Ejiro is a family friend. So, any problem I had, I just tell him, ‘uncle this is not what I want o. please lets change it.’ The good thing about it is I could communicate with him. That is the best part. If you can communicate with the person, whatever thing you don’t like, you can always tell him.

    Who are those you look forward to working with in the industry?

    All the best in the industry. I can’t really say I look forward to working with this particular person because I really want to work with everyone.

    What are your plans for 2015? And what is your New Year resolution?

    I don’t have a New Year resolution. I just want to be a better person.

    What are those things you’d like to change about you?

    As funny as it may sound, I have a bad habit of not picking my calls. So, this New Year I decided I will be available. I will be accessible to people, email, phone calls, whichever way. I juggle two things and I have expectations at work, so that’s why I most times don’t pick up my calls but that’s going to change.

    What is the difference between Lisa the director and Lisa the actress?

    Lisa the director in the office – I have elder siblings that are above me that control me sort of, that I look up to and work under. They dictate what I do. Lisa the actress – full wings, I’m free as a bird.

    Do you have your low moments because you seem like a happy-go-lucky person?

    If I’m tired, if I’m exhausted I’m just the other person. That’s the only thing that puts me down. Apart from that, nothing can put me down. Not even what people say can put me down. Your views about me cannot put me down. What people say about me cannot put me down because I know who I am. And I know what I stand for. The only thing that can put me down is if I’m supposed to do something for my family and I don’t do it and they call me and scold me. Yes, that can put me down. My family are my biggest critic. They correct me when I’m wrong and I listen to them. And they are the ones that shaped me into what I am today.

    What can make you freak out in a relationship?

    Lies. I hate lies. I hate people who can build a storey building with their mouth. I like honest people who do honest work, who live an honest life. Nobody is perfect. I’m not looking for a perfect man. But he has to be honest.

    Do you get ‘toasted’ with all your ‘big girl’ status?

    People do call me, people do email me, and people add me on BBM. I don’t feel I should intimidate any man. If I intimidate you as a man then you are not man enough. I shouldn’t intimidate you.

    How do you handle the guys that come to date you for your money?

    As a sensible girl you should know them. You should know the ones that are lying because they want your money. You should know the ones that are true to you. Like I said, I try to hide my identity. And my parents are very traditional; they live by the books and they are very coded. So I try to live that coded lifestyle.

    In the past, I have had such experience. You know its starts from friendship but once talk about money starts, I take off. I ain’tgoing to foot your bills for what? We’ve gat to take care of me because I’m a girl. I won’t spend on a man. No, I won’t. You talk about money and I would take off.

    Can you date a man from a humble family background?

    Yes, of course, when I see the potential in the guy. Not everybody that’s rich today came from a rich home. So, you can’t judge based on someone’s background. When you see a guy, you will know someone that is hard working. You will know someone that’s struggling to be somebody. So I key into that. He doesn’t have to be rich. He just has to have potential. He has to have that drive.

    What do you like in a man?

    I like my man to be loving, honest and understanding. He must be someone that’s focus. I’m a very focused person. I can’t be with a man that’s not focused.

  • Solid star drops new single, ‘be strong’

    Solid star drops new single, ‘be strong’

    Cashing in on the mood of the country as it gears up for general elections, Achievas Entertainment artiste, Solidstar, has released a new song titled Be Strong. In his typical style and unique use of language, the artiste encourages Nigerians to believe in themselves and be strong.

    “See Nigeria na my country, I no go lie my brother… Plenty money dey but dem hide am for agbada. When plenty people are crying, dying, chai they gat no food to eat, no place to sleep. Everywhere dey hot, people no fit live in peace. No place to work. Me I must to talk. It is very obvious but still yet, I no send,” the artiste croons.

    A slow tempo song, Be Strong is a fine blend of reggae and hip hop. Solidstar also encourages people not to “let the situation start to make you joko (sit put).”

    Real name Joshua Iniyezo, the artiste is a Nigerian Hip hop, R&B, dancehall, afro-pop singer, producer and songwriter. He sings in English, Pidgin English and other Nigerian languages. He came into limelight after the release of his hit single, One in a Million which features international superstar, 2Face idibia.

    The artiste’s new song is produced by Lil Prince.