The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Francis Ogboro Lies low

    Not only time is fleeting; fame too is as Francis Ogboro seems to have proved. The President of Nigeria Polo and multi-millionaire business man is one of Nigeria’s most enduring socialites, having graced the Nigerian social scene for decades. And this has made his disappearance from the social scene all the more puzzling. The more the media have tried to beam their searchlight on him, the more elusive he has become.

    Ogboro, a close friend of the nation’s former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, was once a great force on the social scene. It, therefore, remains a mystery that he has chosen to distance himself from it. Some reports say the businessman has been extremely busy trying to fix the k-leg his business developed sometime last year.

    The last time he made an appearance at a notable social event was at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Yenagoa Polo Club in Bayelsa State in March 2014. Chief Ogoro has recoiled into his shell since then.

  • Ajimobi’s daughters steal show at campaign rally

    Ajimobi’s daughters steal show at campaign rally

    Political campaign took another dimension at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, as the beautiful daughters of the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, stormed the venue of their father’s re-election campaign uniformly dressed in traditional attires that bore the picture of their father and canvassing support for his governorship ambition.

    Pursuing his re-election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajimobi hopes to floor his opponents in the upcoming election through the noble means. Demonstrating solid support for him are his children, led by eldest daughter, Bisola Kola-Daisi. They literally stole the show as they waved their brooms, the symbol of the APC.

    Besides being a successful government functionary, Ajimobi is reputed as a doting father who does not hesitate to give his children the best he can afford.

  • ‘I haven’t met a man more caring than my husband’

    ‘I haven’t met a man more caring than my husband’

    What was your initial reaction when you heard that your husband was going to be nominated as All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate?

    My initial reaction was that of apprehension.

    Why?

    Because I knew I would have to share him with others, I mean political associates, official functions and all the likes. And I would rather have him to myself alone. So, that was my initial reaction.

    So, how were you able to overcome that?

    I guess I realised that the handwriting was always on the wall; that this was what he is being prepared for. If you look at what he has done over the years, you will realise that the Lord was preparing him for a time like that. I realised and remembered that. That put my fears aside and I told myself I had to allow the Lord do what He wants to do with him.

    I shouldn’t be selfish but release him to accomplish for Nigeria what God has been putting in his heart. His works, like I said, over the years and his experiences in public life have all pointed to the fact that he is a man for a season like this.

    So, are you comfortable so far?

    With what?

    With how the campaigns have gone so far and how the APC is moving on?

    Comfortable is not a word you can use at this point, considering what the nation is right now. But in terms of the campaign, yes, things are being done in a noble way. Things are different from what they used to be in the past. I believe that things will take a turn for the best for this nation.

    Do you believe he is up to the task ahead?

    I don’t think I am in the best position to answer that (laughter). But I think he is the best man in the whole world. One thing I can say is that we have been married for the past 25 years and every day, I get to respect him the more. He is very kind and lovely. I have never met a man more caring than he is. He is the most caring person I have met.

    There are things Nigerians don’t know about him that only you can tell us about. What are some of these things?

    Well, I will just say he is a lovely and kind man. He loves to a fault. He cares a lot. His life is all about caring and giving. When he was Attorney-General of Lagos, he proved that over and over again. Our church currently runs two free schools through his initiatives because we are interested in people.

    One has run for a year and the other one just started. In the school, there is no tuition, registration or any fee. They are entirely free. They don’t pay for books, stationeries, uniforms or feeding. One of the schools is in Obanikoro, while the other is in Okota in Lagos.

    We also run a soup kitchen in the church that we run now and the one we ran before. The soup kitchen provides food for the students every day. No child gets to the schools except he or she is poor. So, these are some of the many things he does for people to show his love.

    Won’t these stop if he gets elected as Vice President?

    Not at all. If you know my husband, he is a thorough and meticulous person. He doesn’t get into something until he has figured everything out. What will happen is that he would be able to do more as a Vice President on a larger scale.

    The ones that he is going now, he has structures in place to handle them whether he is around or not. They are not just about him because other members of the church contribute. He has people everywhere running stuff that are from his heart.

    I believe if he is elected, he will have more opportunities and platform to do much more for the people.

    As a very private woman, how are you preparing for life as a public figure?

    Honestly, I can’t tell. There is nothing I am doing or intend to do. I just trust God for grace. I am in His hands and I believe He won’t take me there and leave me stranded. I am just in His hands for whatever He wants to do with me.

    Your book, They call me Mama, details your activities with street urchins in Lagos Island. What on earth was driving you to have anything to do with such people?

    (Pauses) I don’t even know how to answer that question. That was just my life at that time. That was my own expression at that time. I am really thrilled I could reach those people in many parts of Lagos. When we started, they started introducing us to their friends in other parts of Lagos.

    They were really my family members at that time and for me, Under Bridge was the safest place in Lagos. I felt so safe there that you couldn’t just move any close to me once I was there. The boys loved me so much they wouldn’t allow even a fly come close to me. For me, it was the safest place in Lagos.

    Do you still get to see or meet some of those boys?

    Of course, I do. For the book presentation, I asked two of them to come so that people could see what we have done. One of them just got married in Benin and introduced his girlfriend to me before they married. He is now such a gentleman. He couldn’t even talk the way he used to before. The other one we took under the bridge at 11. Today, he has graduated on scholarship. We had many of such transformation stories coming from these boys. They were good guys who only found themselves in situations they couldn’t help and I am glad God used us to lift them up.

    When they finally realised who you are, how did they feel?

    Well, they just knew I was their mama, someone who cares so much about them. They didn’t know my background or husband’s status in the society. I was only giving them lunch, releasing them from police stations and visiting them in prisons.

    So, I was just someone who loved them. Then, one day, one of them came across a newspaper cutting of a picture we took during the presentation of a book written in my husband’s honour when he left as Attorney-General. The function was at Muson Centre. So, one of them saw the picture and they couldn’t get to believe it was me.

    That Sunday, they showed me the newspaper and wanted to know if it was me. I had to persuade them that yes it was me but it has not changed anything. Immediately, they started feeling uncomfortable and I assured them that I care for them, regardless of the differences in our status. Until then, they just called and saw me as mama, a church pastor that they could talk to and run to with any challenge or trouble.

    Supposing you become the First Lady to the Vice President, what new initiatives will you bring to the office?

    There is no office of First Lady to the Vice President.

    But you will be playing some roles, won’t you?

    The only role I will play is to look after my family, especially my husband, so that he can concentrate and do the works committed to him. That, to me, is the only assignment expected of me. There is nothing more. As long as I can help my husband to do a good job for the nation as a mother and wife, I am done.

    What is happening to your legal practice?

    I studied law but never practised. Studying law helped me to understand my husband’s stories and cases when he returns home.

    How can you convince an ordinary, average woman out there that your husband is deserving of her vote and those of her family members?

    All I will just say is that he won’t let them down. He is a good, caring man. If he could take care of me well at a personal level, he will look after women more than well if he is elected.

    If he succeeds in becoming Vice President, what do you imagine will happen to Nigeria?

    I sincerely believe there will be a great turnaround. He will do Nigeria and Nigerians good. He will change things and will never cheat or shortchange them.

    Do you believe he will win this election?

    I believe so with all of my heart.

    Not minding he is contesting against the incumbents?

    Yes, not minding that. I believe change is coming and Nigerians will witness it through the APC.

    How is your typical, average day like lately?

    I don’t have an average day because what I want to do determines how the day runs. I have now two shelters for battered women and victims of sexual abuses. One is on the Island and the other on the Mainland.

    It is a non-governmental organisation called Women’s Helping Hands and we get to hear heart-breaking stories. One is that of a woman whose husband held down and battered with hot iron. She was so scary when we saw her.

  • Poju Oyemade’s new wife unveiled

    Poju Oyemade’s new wife unveiled

    When the Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, Poju Oyemade, hinted in October last year that he was ready to leave bachelorhood and walk down the aisle, many people became desperate to see the woman that had captured the heart of the motivational speaker. As Poju Oyemade chose to keep the identity of his bride shrouded in secrecy, the zeal to uncover her heightened. Not even his church members could tell who the mystery lady was.

    But after much ado, his bride-to-be has been revealed. On Saturday, January 7, 2015, the dynamic pastor walked down the aisle with Toyin Fajuigbe, a media personality and gospel musician. Toyin Fajj, as she is popularly called, is the founder/chief executive officer of Story Teller Media, a media outfit with interests in production and presentation of media contents across various platforms (electronic and print).

    It would seem that Poju Oyemade’s long wait was not in vain after all. Toyin is a beautiful, dark-complexioned woman with an enchanting smile, impressive resume and a tongue armed with kind words. Her career as a radio presenter started in UNILAG FM 2004 while she was a student of Mass Communication. She joined Mo Abudu’s Inspire Africa Limited after her NYSC and worked as a producer on the talk show, Moments with Mo.

    She has also worked with M-net, Storm 360, and Ndani TV. She also attended New York Film Academy / Del York International in the United States. Toyin put her film making skills to practice in 2014 by producing and directing a documentary film titled Unbroken: The John Sumonu Story, which was nominated for the best documentary at the 2014 Abuja International Film Festival. She released her first single in May 2014. It is titled ‘Holy Spirit I Welcome You’ and was produced by Olumide Iyun.

    It is not much of a surprise that her husband-to-be chose to make their wedding a private affair since he has always been known to be highly reserved.

  • Doxy takes shots at Olamide in new single

    Doxy takes shots at Olamide in new single

    HE might be new to the Nigerian music industry, but budding rapper and freestylist, Dolapo Oyatomi Junior, aka Doxy says that he is ready to run with the big guns. He made this known in his new track titled Baby, in which he takes shots at indigenous rappers, Olamide and Phyno.

    Explaining the rationale behind the move, the young artiste said that Olamide and Phyno, two artistes he respects so much in the rap game “are just too good and I want to rap just like them, but the truth is that Doxy can’t be Olamide or Phyno, just like Olamide can’t be Phyno and Phyno can’t be Olamide,” he said.

    The song, Baby, according to the artiste, is all about everyone minding their business because people are gifted differently. He noted that this is one of the laws in the music industry, just like his previous track, My Business.

    “Only a deep rap artiste can understand the whole words. The chorus, “I love you, hun Baby, I never wanna let you go,” means loving the gift God has given me and I will never let it go due to the love I have for it. God has given me a gift just as He has given Olamide, Phyno and other great artistes. I have to make good use of it.I know I’m different. I would love to work with both artistes. I also look forward to working with the likes of MI, Vector, Ice-Prince, Don Jazzy, D Banj, Banky W, Praiz, Davido, Wizkid, Samklef, Reminisce and other great artistes.

  • OMG, Etisalat set stage for Nigerian Idol 5

    OPTIMA Media Group (OMG), the Nigerian Idol franchise owners and Etisalat Nigeria, Nigerian Idol lead sponsor, have unveiled the season five of leading TV reality show, Nigerian Idol.

    Speaking at the media launch in Lagos, the Executive Director of OMG, Mrs Ugochi Pedro, noted that the reality show has become a leading talent hunt platform that is providing opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.

    “For five years running, we have been on this interesting journey of changing lives and helping people achieve life dreams,” she said. “The key thing for us is to see these discovered talents become the real stars they are designed to be. We are taking this commitment to a new level this season. Nigerians can expect many exciting moments ahead.”

    Mrs Pedro enjoined young Nigerians to hop on the Nigerian Idol platform to showcase their musical talents on a global stage.

    Also speaking, Mr Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, described this edition of the Nigerian Idol as “a season of differentiation” that will be raising the bar in every aspect of the show.

    Nigerian Idol is in its fifth season after a successful debut in 2010 won by Yeka Onka. In the following years which saw the emergence of Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zebili Evelyn (Evelle) as winners, the reality show has grown in popularity and followership. It is the only music TV reality show in Nigeria with a global appeal that currently cuts across 46 countries.

    Meanwhile, the three celebrity judges unveiled for the season are Afrobeat star, Dede Mabiaku, Vocalist, Yinka Davies and R’n’B crooner, Dare ‘Art’ Alade. The trio have featured in these roles in past editions.

    In a related development, Collins Tadeniawo emerged the season five Press Idol after winning a Karaoke-style singing competition exclusive to members of the press. He was awarded a cash prize of $1000.

    The eventual winner of the Nigerian Idol goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million and some high-end devices. Auditions have held in Benin and Port Harcourt. Other centres to follow suit are Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos.

  • ‘How late comedian, Gbenga Adeboye influenced my comedy’

    ‘How late comedian, Gbenga Adeboye influenced my comedy’

    Standup comedian, Ahmed Ayoade, aka Baba Onikoko (GCFR) was named Best OAP award, put together by Top Naija Music Awards in Lagos, recently. As someone who believes so much in little beginnings, there is no doubt that his humility and passion for the profession has earned him so much credibility in the broadcast industry. In this interview with FAMUYIWA DAMILARE, he talked about his challenges in the industry and how they are being managed.

    ON your social media platform, there is an acronym most people are not familiar with (GCFR). What does it mean?

    The GCFR is something I woke-up one day and was like, since Nigeria give Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to citizens; it dawned on me that as a brand that should be well reckoned with, I really need my own payoff. So, I chose GCFR, meaning God Came First Remember.

    How relevant is this payoff to your personality and profession?

    The thing is that, some people develop likeness for you with a particular thing that you might be aware or unaware of. There was a time someone saw my Twitter handle and was like who is this person? She decided to follow me and she was keeping in touch, just because of the GCFR title, I later explained to her why that was added to my name.

    What is your view about comedy?

    In terms of comedy, even the health practitioners recommend comedy programmes to some patients. Because it is health-wise when you laugh, and for me, every facet of human life is comic, but some people don’t just have this kind of comic charisma and that is bad. As a normal person, you might just have this character of making people laugh, but when it comes to professionalism, you might not be able; if you can just imagine yourself facing over 5000 crowd and you are shouldered with the responsibility of making them happy, it takes only a professional to do that.

    You are usually masked as an old man on your programme, how did you come about the concept?

    I have been asked this question over and over. I started this when I was much younger, I listen to professional comedians like Gbenga Adeboye, aka Funwontan; he was amazing. Looking at the Nollywood industry, there are quite a number of people that are young and do this same thing. I was just like if this people can do it, I can also do amazingly in this aspect. To be sincere, I never thought that this same concept could bring me to where I am today, but today, I’m so grateful that, this same thing really brought me to the limelight.

    How long have you been into comedy, professionally?

    That was in 2012. And I’m this kind of person that so much believes in little beginnings. I started out by attending local programmes, taking up jobs as Master of Ceremonies, etc. But now, at least I have some things I can point at professionally. I have my own programme on air and many more.

    How have people been reacting to what you do?

    So far, we give God the glory. We’ve been encouraged and criticized. The fact is that people are showing love to me on a daily basis. Even when we are not getting it right, they make us realise that this thing isn’t meant to be done and we too adjust, because we are all working towards perfection.

    People say most of your presentations are based on societal issues. How true is that?

    That is quite true, and the reason it is like that is because I believe it’s a good thing to update your audience, you have to be their eye opener, you make awareness of certain things they never intend to discover at that point.

    How do you come up with your comic ideas?

    Basically, I derive my comic ideas from whatever I encounter on daily basis. Sometimes you might ask something from someone, and the person’s reply might just be a dope thing, and if that thing can be well arranged professionally, it becomes comedy. But I can also say my comic ideas are being taken from the ‘street’.

    But coming up with a comic idea might sometimes be ironic. What you think is comic to you, might sometimes not go well with your audience, how do you react to that?

    As a comedian, your expectation is high on every joke you make, as you expect people to laugh. To be honest here, when people don’t laugh to your jokes, it’s like they don’t appreciate your thing and you feel like it’s a stab on your professionalism because you’ve disappointed quite a number of people. But one shouldn’t see it that way. When that happens to me, I feel there is a room for improvement.

    Being an OAP at Rainbow FM, can you tell the most challenging moments you have experienced on air, and how you were able to manage that?

    We are three in number that handle the programme, are we are well reckoned with at Rainbow  FM. But there was a particular day we ought to have our programme as usual, but one of my colleagues wasn’t available because she took ill, while the second person went for an official assignment, and we thought he would return early. I was to go on air as an old man alone for the first time, but I was amazed at my performance, because I never pictured what I’m capable of doing sometimes.

    Who is your role model, and how has he/she contributed to your success?

    He is late now, I chose Gbenga Adeboye. Till now, I still make references to the works he has done, and that has been helping me in this field. I also won’t do without mentioning Akin Akindele.

    Do you have any project you would like to disclose to us?

    Yes, I have a project I’m working on, but we can’t talk about that now until it is a done deal. I know for sure that my fans out there like surprises, and wouldn’t disappoint them this time.

  • Jonathan’s supporters take concert to varsities

    A group, Goodluck/Sambo 2015 Initiative (GS2I),  is planning to rally support for the PDP presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, by staging a series of concerts in some Nigerian universities.

    They said 16 universities have been picked for the concert, including University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), University of Jos and University of Benin.

    Leader of the group, Ikenna Chidoka, said that 15 popular Disc Jockeys, led by Cool FM’s D.J TTB, have been selected to thrill the crowd.

    Tagged Goodluck/Sambo 2005 Rave, Chidoka, said that the show, which will also feature some comedians, will be used to sensitise the youths on the need to eschew violence, in the forthcoming elections.

    He said: “It is quite obvious that we support the Goodluck/Sambo ticket, but not only will we be telling youths to vote for continuity due to how well the Jonathan  administration has done in the area of youth empowerment, we will also preach the message of non-violence.

    “Already we are reaching out to young people on the social media on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag#gsr2015 on Twitter, to say we don’t have to fight each other because we have preferred candidates. We should not allow ourselves to be used to cause harm; rather we should allow our votes do the talking.”

  • Etisalat Flash Fiction 2014 Top 3 announced

    NIGERIA’S fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, has announced the top three writers in the Flash Fiction Category of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature. The shortlisted writers and their works are Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto, I saved my Marriage; Irabor Justin Ikhide, These Words I Do Not Speak and Neemah Komba, Setting Babu on Fire.

    According to Enitan Denloye, the Director, Brand and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, ‘in today’s fast-paced world, communication is right at our finger tips through the use of smart devices; phones, tablets and the likes and people prefer to consume information on-the-go and in small bits. The flash-fiction category therefore seeks to marry these concepts, thus providing added value to mobile device users across Africa.’

    The winning author will receive a cash prize of £1,000, a high-end device, with his or her published e-book promoted online and via digital media platforms. The two runners up, will each receive a cash sum of £500 and a smart device for their literary efforts.

  • Where is Okey Nwosu?

    Like the early morning dew which disappears at the rising of the sun, Okey Nwosu has been missing from public glare for some time. But while nothing is being heard about him at the moment, it will take decades for his memory to fade away from the minds of many Nigerians who were witnesses to his travails as a former MD of First Inland Bank.

    For years, Nwosu was involved in a battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after he was accused of mismanaging the sum of N10.9 billion belonging to Finbank. This consequently made him a major victim of negative publicity and a regular face in court. Towards the tail end of last year, he heaved a sigh of relief after the Court of Appeal in Lagos ended his ordeal by striking out the charges against him and declaring him a free man.

    But it would seem that Nwosu has decided to enjoy his freedom in isolation. Nothing has been heard of him and it appears he has retired to the four walls of his home, finding solace in the intimacy of his immediate family.