The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Idris Elba releases Mandela tribute album

    Idris Elba releases Mandela tribute album

    British actor, Idris Elba, who portrayed Mandela in the 2013 film, Long Walk to Freedom, has released an album in honour of the late South African president and activist.

    Titled Idris Elba Presents: Mi Mandela, the album showcases the best of South Africa’s emerging talents, features music that are influenced by various South African musical traditions.

    Reports have it that majority of the album was written while Elba, who also moonlights as a Disc Jockey, was filming Long Walk to Freedom, in Johannesburg.

    The work is said to be part of what Elba hopes will be ‘character albums’ based on various roles he has played, although, as with Mi Mandela, Elba is unlikely to sing on most of the tracks.

    “Mi Mandela is part of a series of albums that I’m going to make called character pieces, character albums,” Elba said in an interview with NME. “I take the character that I played and sort of explain the journey playing him, and the journey of the character, in music. What would he have listened to, what might have influenced him, what influenced me as an actor … This suddenly becomes these new songs, these new ways to write songs and express emotion attached to a character.”

    Elba has recently been under much media scrutiny after it was revealed that Sony has been considering him as the next James Bond, following the hacking of Sony students.

    The idea was met with mixed reactions. While Rapper Kanye West loved the idea, telling The Sun that casting Elba as James Bond would be ‘visionary’,  others were more critical, with radio show host Rush Limbaugh insisting that Elba can’t be James Bond ‘because he’s black’.

    Elba himself took a lighter approach to the ‘controversy’, by tweeting a picture of himself looking a little disheveled with the caption ‘isn’t 007 supposed to be handsome? Glad you think I’ve got a shot! Happy New Year people.’

    In a 2011 interview, he said that while he would certainly consider the role, he did not want to be ‘the black James Bond’.

    “Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond, and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond, so if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond,’ he stated.

  • Obesere’s son floats record label

    Obesere’s son floats record label

    Son of self-styled Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, has taken a bold step to float a new record label called R-Entertainment, giving reasons he doesn’t want to follow the same genre as his father.

    Lekan, who is based in Dublin, said he desire to have a different identity from the acclaimed Paramount King of Fuji.

    “I don’t want to play Fuji music because my great grand dad was a Fuji musician. My dad too is a Fuji musician. And a lot of people don’t know that two of my father’s brothers are into Fuji music as well,” he said.

    The young lad arrived Nigeria recently with two acts on his label; rap artiste, Abiodun Azeez, aka Beezy and Hip-hop sensation, Akinyemi Akintoye, known as Sajan.

    Speaking of the mission of R-Entertainment in the Nigeria music scene, he said, “I started R-Entertainment two years ago. It is about promoting music in Africa. I have been collaborating with top promoters in Dublin. I was part of the team that brought Wizkid, Davido and others from Nigeria. I just felt it is about time I come back home to add value to what we have now. And by so doing, we are going to be promoting a couple of singles from the two acts on the label. Beezy is a rapper, and already, he has a single titled Pawon, produced by TJ, while Sajan is a hip-hop artist. He too has a single titled Soyoyo. These two singles we shall be releasing officially on Nigerian radio stations from next week,” he revealed.

    On R-Entertainment, his sojourn in Dublin and how he met his two signees, Lekan said: “The label started in 2013 in Dublin after I did my first club show for which I brought an artiste from the UK. I just wanted to test the waters with that show, and it turned out to be a successful show. I continued with the club shows in Dublin, but I didn’t just want to stay glued to that platform.  So I decided to think out of the box; everyone knows my dad is a musician, and I didn’t want to sing. At that point, I decided to sign my first artiste, Beezy. We did a couple of stuffs and I thought that since I have a rapper, it would make sense to get a singer as well. I then decided to bring Sajan on board. Together we’ve done a lot of works in Dublin. So we then decided it is about time to come back to Nigeria where we came from and contribute our quota to the music industry.

  • David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o for two Hollywood films

    David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o for two Hollywood films

    Nigerian-British actor, David Oyelowo and Oscar-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o will be sharing close ties this year, with plans to play together in two Hollywood films.

    According to earlier reports, Oyelowo and Nyong’o are attached to Americanah, another exciting literature by Chimamanda Adichie, which is being adapted into a movie.

    With Americana still in the works, both stars are also said to be in talks with the producers of Disney’s The Queen of Katwe, a story about a young girl from the slums of Uganda who, with the help of her coach, becomes a chess prodigy.

    Mira Nair is expected to direct the film from a script by William Wheeler, who also penned the screenplay for Nair’s previous film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

    The story is based on an ESPN Magazine article and the 2012 book The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster, both by Tim Crothers.

    Oyelowo, who is traveling the awards circuit this season with his lead role as Martin Luther King Jr. in Paramount’s Selma, will play the coach, Robert Katende, while Nyong’o takes on the role of the child’s mother, Harriet Mutesi.

    The actor has played supporting roles in the films Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Middle of Nowhere, Lincoln, and garnered praise for portraying Louis Gaines in The Butler.

    Since winning the Oscar for her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave, Nyong’o has booked work on one of the most hotly sought after projects in Hollywood: Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens. She will also voice a character in Disney’s The Jungle Book.

  • Denrele Edun ditches old look

    Denrele Edun ditches old look

    TV show host, Derenle Edun seems to have dumped his scanty signature hair style, sky-high boots and other features for a saner look. The on-air-personality changed his looks for an appearance on EbonyLife TV recently, in a move that surprised his fans.

    The eccentric entertainer is known for his unconventional style, usually sporting biker jackets, loads of jewelry, bobby pins, sky-high boots and eclectic hairdo.

    Interestingly, Denrele looked every inch a gentleman in jean, blazer and laced shoes with matching belts. He even offered his signature smile, revealing his real dashing looks.

    This is not the first time Derenle would be appearing normal; in November last year, he traded his eccentric appearance for a dapper look when he made the cover of Complete Fashion Magazine. The entertainer was decked in a formal look, complete with polka dot tie and diamante brooch, losing the crazy attitude, shoes and clothes.

  • Artistes advise Nigerian youths on elections

    Artistes advise Nigerian youths on elections

    While most Nollywood actors and filmmakers have pitched their tents with some candidates for the coming elections, other artistes appear neutral, as they have come together to urge Nigerians to explore their fundamental human rights by coming out en mass to vote.

    Spearheaded by advocacy group, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, the artistes, in a series of short videos, directed by Body Lawson and posted on the internet, are encouraging young Nigerians to not only register and vote, but also ensure their votes are protected.

    “So you registered to vote. You should be very proud. Because that card you hold in your hand has the power to change this nation one vote at a time. So, it’s very simple; select, vote and protect,” says songstress and photographer, TY Bello.

    Pop artiste, 2Face Idibia also reaches out to a wider audience with vernacular, saying; “I go register, I go select carefully, I go vote wisely, I go protect my vote. I be 2Face Idiibia. You sef go out there; register, select, vote, protect. 2Baba say so.”

    On the other hand, Nollywood actress, Ufuoma Ejenbor called on voters not to be swayed by electioneering promises. “They would hold rallies, they always do. That’s fine. But let’s not get carried away with the singing and dancing. Let us get hold of their manifesto. Let us understand their individual plan for every sector of the economy. Let us read it, be knowledgeable of it and balance it out with reality. Enough is Enough,” she advised.

    EiE is also organising a Presidential and Governorship election debate series called The Peoples’ Debate, in partnership with GenVoices, Gemstone and the Nigerian Global Shapers Hubs (Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Ibadan & Kano).

  • Charles Okeke plans big for son’s wedding

    Billionaire businessman, Charles Okeke, is brimming with joy as he watches his son transform into a man. He is currently preoccupied with preparations for an elaborate wedding for one of his sons, Nnanyelu.

    On December 27 last year, Nnewi, Anambra State witnessed the convergence of business tycoons as the owner of Gabros Football and elder brother of Innoson Group CEO, , Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, became an in-law to the respected Nnewi billionaire businessman Chief Charles Okeke via the union of their children, Chinelo and Nnanyelu.

    The engagement ceremony was held at Gabriel Chukwuma’s edifice. Hard currencies rained ss the love birds began a life time journey that has its foundation rooted in opulence. Stunning Chinelo is the CEO of Neospears Beauty Home in Lagos State while her dashing beau is a graduate of Covenant University and a transportation expert. Their white wedding is scheduled to hold in Lagos on February 7.

  • Still the graceful Bisi Fayemi

    With an air of sophistication, a graceful carriage and the intellect of an erudite, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is looking more graceful than ever even without the garb of a first lady. At 51, the writer, activist and feminist looks like an amazon in her prime.

    After months of rigourous campaign in Ekiti State, the former first lady of Ekiti State turned up at the late Sesan Ogunro’s one year remembrance in the company of her husband, looking as if she was fresh from vacation. Although the outcome of the June 21 governorship election did not favour her husband, the duo seemed unfazed and Bisi especially looked dashing in the arms of her hubby.

    On several occasions, Dr. Fayemi had complained that the campaign for re-election as the governor of Ekiti State was energy sapping. The campaign, which his wife was actively involved in, took them to every nook and cranny of the state.

    Mrs Bisi Fayemi is the co-founder of African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) which supports the works of organisations engaged in promoting women’s rights in Africa. She is one of the most vocal women’s rights activists and thinkers on the African continent.

  • Amazing world of Sijibomi Ogundele

    Endowed with the kind of wealth that transforms an ordinary man to the realm of kings, Sijibomi Ogundele has developed extraordinary ability to enjoy the pleasures of life to the limits. Only a few years ago, he was knee-deep in obscurity, struggling to make a name for himself and striving to enjoy a modicum of recognition. Today, the 33-year-old founder and principal partner of Sujimoto Group of Companies is currently one of the most talked about dudes in the Lagos social space.

    The productivity of his conglomerate, which deals in real estate, finance and energy, has placed him in the league of top African business tycoons within an impressively short space of time. With his great wealth comes an influence that transcends continental boarders. His firm is said to have offices in Accra, Dubai, Paris, Madrid, Riyadh and a few other capital cities around the world.

    Arguably Nigeria’s youngest billionaire, Sijibomi is said to own a Petek Phillipe Timepiece worth over N23 million. The articulate magnate who captains Sujimotors and Constructions didn’t achieve success by mere chance; he climbed the ladder of success through perseverance and hard work. He hails not from a notable background and was not born with a silver spoon, but his astounding wealth has caused many to wonder how he achieved what even elderly ones only dream of.

    The self-assured businessman, who has a working knowledge of local and international property market, exudes the kind of intelligence that has helped him to build a business empire that sprawls beyond the shores of Africa. He reportedly said he had taken it upon himself to bridge the gap in the provision of quality and affordable buildings comparable to those in modern cities and towns like Cape Town, Monte Carlo, and Miami.

    Sujimoto, as he is popularly called, primarily dreams of revolutionising Nigeria’s real estate sector. He strongly believes that Nigeria has what it takes to compete with Dubai in that regard.

  • Rosemary Osula plots her return

    Rosemary Osula plots her return

    Edo-born beauty, Rosemary Osula, was once a prosperous business woman and socialite who wined and dined with the leaders of the nation. Her influence grew in leaps and bounds until she was caught in the web of controversies and countless visits to the courtrooms and her romance with fame screeched to a halt. She has since recoiled into her shell.

    But it is said that no condition is permanent. After many years of her sojourn in oblivion and solitary life within the four walls of her palatial Abuja home, the fair complexioned woman is gradually worming her way back into the mainstream of the Nigeria social scene.

    In the heyday of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Osula was more than notable on account of her bosom relationship with Mrs. Maryam Abacha and the entire Abacha family, Osula’s influence was borderless and she became the darling of Nigerians who needed one favour or the other from the Abacha family.

    The intelligent beauty made the most of the opportunity, but death had other plans. Abacha died suddenly and presidential power changed hands. Like a deflated balloon, Osula began to lose all she had acquired and the struggle for relevance began all over again. She also became a regular face in the courtroom where she desperately tried to salvage her properties but ultimately lost them because she allegedly failed to repay some loans that were granted to her.

    But a silver lining emerged behind the cloud when the Ijebu politician and money bag, Kashamu Buruji, stepped into her life. Unfortunately, their whirlwind affair did not last for long before it ended on a controversial note. However, the top businesswoman is gradually making a re-entry into the social scene as she has started fraternising with those that call the shots.

  • Stella Okoli loses husband

    These are harrowing times in the household of Stella Okoli. The respected Dame and founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals lost her husband to the cold hands of death after a protracted illness.

    Barrister Nnaemeka Okoli gave up the ghost a few weeks ago at the age of 71 and was laid to rest in his country home in Imo State after a service of songs was held in his honour at the Muson Centre in Lagos. In honour of a life well spent, a commendation service was also organised for him at St. John’s Anglican Transformed Church, Falomo,n Lagos.

    On January 3, 2015, a funeral service was held for him at St. Joseph Parish, Arondizuogu, Imo State. When a few years ago Stella lost her son, Chike, she appeared inconsolable and it was as if she was ready to give up on everything. However, the healing power of time helped her to recover from the irreparable loss and she ultimately established the Chike Okoli Foundation in 2006 to fight disease and poverty.

    Although Stella and her late husband had had a strained relationship since 2000 due to some ‘irreconcilable differences’, she nevertheless looked after him when his health experienced a downward slope in 2004 after he was diagnosed of lung cancer and he had to regularly visit the UK for chemotherapy.