The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Sony Hack: Man claims threat against CNN was prank

    Sony Hack: Man claims threat against CNN was prank

    Tennessee man has said that a purported message from the group that hacked Sony Pictures, threatening CNN, was a prank.

    Interestingly, David Garrett Jr., who has written articles about Homeland security for Examiner, has taken credit for the message, which multiple news outlets picked up Wednesday. The message, posted anonymously on Pastebin, led people to believe the group Guardians of Peace would target CNN and anchor Wolf Blitzer.

    News organisations reported that the FBI issued a bulletin warning that news organisations might be targeted by the hackers, though it is unclear if the bulletin was related to the threat against CNN.

    In a series of tweets, as first reported by Mediaite, Garrett said the message was a prank.

    He also posted a screenshot from a now-deleted Dec. 20 Facebook post in which he apparently talked about posting to Pastebin.

    On the Facebook account from the above screenshot, he elaborated: “See, what I did was, I took the message CNN claimed the hackers posted on pastebin. And there was no proof it was them,” Garrett wrote. “So I took it and replaced every mention of FBI with CNN, as a joke. And then, of course, I had to add Wolf Blitzer or it wouldn’t be complete. Then all these so-called ‘journalists’ don’t get my humour.”

    The Sony hack, which began on November 24, last year, leaked sensitive personal and business information about thousands of employees.

    In response to reports the FBI had issued a bulletin warning news organisations could be targeted,  The FBI National Press Office said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, “As part of our ongoing public-private partnerships, the FBI and DHS routinely share information with the private sector and law enforcement community. The FBI and DHS are not aware of any specific credible information indicating a threat to entertainment or news organisations; however, out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to disseminate relevant information observed during the course of our investigations.”

  • All set for Heaven’s Hell premiere

    All set for Heaven’s Hell premiere

    After about two years of being in the works, Heaven’s Hell, a psychological drama, set in Lagos, will premiere on Friday, January 23, producers have announced.

    According to the producers of the movie, the new flick is out to effect a change in the African movie industry, with a message supporting the fight against woman and child violence.

    Written by Tenyin Ikpe Etim, Uyai Ikpe Etim and Katung Musa Aduwak, Heaven’s Hell tells the story of two housewives and best friends; the loquacious and miserable Alice Henshaw, the pleasant and compliant Tsola Aliu and their husbands, the affluent and kind Edward Henshaw and the egotistical and brilliant Jeff Aliu, whose lives are held together by rock-solid friendship and unwavering love, yet laced by betrayal, deceit and a lurking darkness.

    Among the artistes featured in the movie are Nse Ikpe Etim, Bimbo Akintola, Damilola Adegbite, OC Ukeje, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Chet Anekwe, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Jacobs, Gideon Okeke, Treasure Obasi, Bimbo Manuel, Wole Coker, Waje as well as Sarah Majekodumi.

    The Nigerian and foreign partners of the flick include One-O-Eight Media, BGL Asset Management Company Limited, Hashtag Media House and Del-York International.

    The movie is directed by Katung Musa Aduwak and co-produced by Katung and Tenyin Ikpe Etim.

  • Nigerian artistes who pulled their weight in 2014

    Nigerian artistes who pulled their weight in 2014

    As a pointer to the fact that Nigerian music artistes ruled their game and dominated the global music scene last year, the organisers of the prestigious Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards announced 10 nominees in its Best African Act, five of which were Nigerians.

    Like every other industry, music in Nigeria is getting more competitive by the day and after all the dust has settled, it ends up as a win-some-lose-some situation. But by their very nature, artistes come and go and while some lived up to the expectations of their fans, others fell short by not a few points.

    While some argue that receiving awards is not a confirmation of an artiste’s talent, one cannot deny the fact that it not only serves as an acknowledgement of success, it also recognises an artiste’s other qualities which include ability, struggle for excellence and reputation. Below are some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes who stood out among their peers in 2014.

    DAVIDO: “I’m only 21 years old and I’m living my dream.” With those words Nigerian hip hop artiste, Davido received his Mtv Africa Music Awards (MAMA). Going by the number of sold out shows he embarked on in the European, African and American capital towns, attracting millions of spectators during his shows; it is safe to say that David Adeleke, aka Davido won the admiration of his fans last year.

    His cache of awards last year brimmed over earning him, not just respect but also envy in some quarters.

    Some of the awards received (which he says numbers 22) include; Best International Act Africa (BET); Best Male Artiste in West Africa, Artiste of the Year’ and Song of the Year (AFRIMA); Song of the Year and Artiste of the Year (Headies); Artist of the Year, Best Male (MAMA); Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year (HiphopTv Awards); African Artiste of the Year (Ghana Music Award) among numerous others.

    To add to his achievements, his song, Aye ranks with Say Yes by the trio of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and William, former Destiny Child, as the most viewed video on YouTube with more than 8 million views.

    Tiwa Savage

    With the year almost marred by tales of a failed marriage that is barely a year old, Mavin’s First Lady Tiwa Savage also reaped a bountiful harvest of awards. She draws her strength on the fact that some of her biggest nominations were international awards. That includes MOBO which she eventually didn’t receive.

    Like her counterpart, Davido, she took home the Best Female award at this year’s edition of MAMA. She also registered her presence at the Chanel O Music Video Award, clinching the Most Gifted Female at the ceremony.

    She dedicated her MAMA award to her husband, stating; “I just want to thank God, fans, 323 Entertainment, my label, Mavin my producer and boss, Don Jazzy and finally, I want to say thank you to the most handsome and amazing husband in the whole wide world, TeeBillz who has put so much to make our story a success thank you and I love you very much.”

    In her kitty also are the R&B Artiste of the Year and Female Artist of the year awards (Nigeria Entertainment Award) and Artiste of the Year Female Award (City People Awards) among others.

     Oritse Femi

    By all standards, his hit-song, Double Wahala can be called the anthem of the year. Gigs were not complete without Oritse Femi’s presence, whether to entertain or just as a guest. This artiste can best be described as one of the wonders from the entertainment scene this year. Though he is yet to prove to his fans that his’ is a case of a one-hit-wonder, the artiste is still basking on the success and recognition the song, Double Wahala has and is still garnering him.

    Among his list of awards this year are Best Music of the Year Award (City People Awards); Best Street-Hop Artiste (Hip-hop TV awards); Best Afrobeat Video (NMVA) as well as Hottest Song of the Year and Best Indigenous Artiste of the Year (NEA).

     Flavour

    Gradually, as a highlife artiste, Flavour N’abania has come to establish himself as a darling of music lovers, especially since the release of the video of his wedding themed song, Ada Ada. To his credit, the artiste has been pulling his weight in the Nigerian music scene.

    He was the biggest winner of this year’s edition of the Nigerian Music Video Awards carting home four categories; best Indigenous Concept, Best use of Costumes, Best Highlife Video and the overall, Video of the Year.

    He also won the Best Video of the Year 2014- Flavour, the Best Traditional Artist 2014 at this year’s African Music Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) as well as the Best Live Act (MAMA) last year. These are among other awards he bagged in the course of the year.

    Kcee

    His’ can best be described as a story of resilience. After going under, following the split of his group, Kcee Presh, Kingsley Okonkwo buoyed back to life last year with the song, Limpopo. Limpopo was a huge success but to prove that it was no fluke, he quickly followed it with other hits like Pull Over, Ogadinma among others.

    His award pool this year shows that his stay in the music scene is far from over. With his song, Pull Over tying the Hottest Single of the Year category with Davido’s Aye at this year’s NEA, Kcee can be said to have had a good year. He also bagged the Song of the Year 2014 (AFRIMMA) and Hip Hop World Revelation (Hip Hop TV awards). Kcee also won the Most Gifted Duo for his song, Pull Over which features one of Nigeria’s best-selling artists, Wizkid.

  • Talents to watch in 2015

    Talents to watch in 2015

    At last, the world has said goodbye to 2014. But just like in every sphere of life, the music industry has thrown up amazing talents last year. The works by some of these singers, we believe will continue to rule the air waves in 2015.

    PATORANKING: This dance hall artiste is perhaps the biggest prospect witnessed in the Nigerian music sphere in 2014, when he recorded and released his single, Alubarika ft Timaya.

    The success of Alubarika was soon followed by another smash hit single, Girlie o, which later featured Tiwa Savage in the remix. Patoranking soon found his way to music lovers’ hearts, both home and abroad, as they kept demanding for more. Interestingly, he gave a double response to their yearnings with Early Momo and Happy Day. With a unique voice that brings life to any reggae dance hall beat, he jumps on, couple with his uncanny ability to ink lyrics that cut across demographics, as well as the multiple collaborations he has had the previous year.  2015 will surely give this young star a listening ear.

    YEMI ALADE

    In showbiz, it is said that sex sells, and if this is so, then Yemi Alade has no fear to aim high in 2015.

    A look at the songstress on stage, one will clearly see a sexy vocalist, dancer and an all-round entertainer who blossomed in 2014 and who is ready to take her game to the next level.

    For years, after emerging winner at Peak Talent hunt, Yemi struggled to find her rhythm until she found a blend of high life and Makosa with which she delivered  intoxicating tracks such as Johnnie and kissing, produced by Sele Bobo.

    With her reported hard work, captivating voice, her breathtaking dance steps, the singer may be one of the queens that will rule Nigerian music in 2015

    CYNTHIA MORGAN

    There seems to be a direct connection between Cythia’s change of skin complexion and her fortunes in the music industry. Before travelling to the United States, the dark-skinned singer did burst into the music scene, featuring in Jhybo’s Run their mouth, upon her return from the U.S., Cynthia wasted no time in making a statement with the release of Break my heart, and soon followed it up with the release of Am Taken. Signed to North Side Records, a label owned by P-Square’s elder brother and manager, Jude Okoye, Cynthia, it appears, will not lack the necessary muscle to race up the ladder in the music scene in 2015, giving her great understanding of reggae dance hall and her flexibility of singing and rapping effortlessly.

    HARRYSONG SONG

    Success for Five Star Music act, Harrysong, looks as certain as the rising of the morning sun, giving his talents as a music producer, multi  instrumentalist and vocalist.

    For years, Harrysong looked the under achiever in the Nigerian music industry but that tagged soon changed when he wrote the ground-breaking hit single Limpopo for KC.  Harrysong further enhanced his status as an authentic talent when he recorded the hit caller tune-Mandela for telecommunications company, MTN, as tribute to the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela.

    The successes of the aforementioned coupled with the release of Better Pikin and Kolombo   are likely to impact Harrysong musical fortunes in 2015.

    ORITSE FEMI

    Going by the popular saying that ‘everything has got its time and season’, Oritse Femi’s journey into music has been filled with twists and turns. He has always been a constant figure in the scene, but his songs have always been minor hits up until the period he released Better for every man, a song that touched  the core of human existence and hence the popularity of the track. He soon followed that up with Fela Anikulapo’s inspired track Double Wahala. After this, the story changed for the better for the artiste who soon began rocking music stages across the world.

    The confidence he has drawn from his recent success will definitely serve as a spring board for Oritse Femi to do bigger things next year.

  • I cant date a man who is broke

    I cant date a man who is broke

    Nollywood actress, model and TV presenter, Nancy Isime, might be relatively new to the Nigerian movie scene, but according to her, hard work is her recipe for success. She speaks to OVWE MEDEME on her journey into acting and life as a model, among other issues

    Give us an overview of yourself and how you got into the acting world

    I am a model and an ex beauty queen. I am still modelling. I started out with a TV drama series called Echoes. That was my very first gig. Last year, I was in a couple of movies. Some of them are yet to come out but I started acting from modelling. I was doing runway modelling then and a director on one of the runway shows was going to do the TV series called Echoes, so he saw me and suggested that I come read a script for the drama. I wasn’t too into it but I went for the reading and I got the role.

    From there, it just kept going. From the comments I am getting and from the referrals and commendations, I would say I have done well. Also, I am a TV presenter. I present a show called The Squeeze which is a gossip show. I also present a show called What’s Hot. It is a technology show. I also covered back stage on MTN Project Fame season 7.

    Is it right to say acting stole you away from modelling?

    If I still get modelling projects, I still go for it but acting is something that has caught my interest. There is something I have always said. I don’t want to be stagnant in life, I want to go out there and explore my options. I modelled for a while, I was a beauty queen at first. I won the Miss Valentine International pageant in 2009. Even before then, I was a model but my career in modelling took off from there. After that, I started doing fashion shows. I did quite a lot of fashion shoots and also commercial modelling. But when it came to acting, I found it really interesting and very challenging but I still model. I won’t say acting took me away from modelling.

    Professionally, how long have you been acting?

    I did Echoes sometime around 2011 and then I went off the scene for a while. You can rightly say that professionally, I went into acting from last year when I did Heaven on Ebony Life TV. If you want to count from Echoes, it would be from 2011. But mind you, after we filmed Echoes, it didn’t start showing till last year as well; so it is safe to say I started acting from last year.

     In summary, how would you say your acting career has been?

    It has been awesome. I happen to work with very talented people. I have worked with quite a number of big names including John Njamah. I just finished a job with him.  So far so good. It has been awesome to be able to work with people who have been in the industry for a while, people who have been acting way longer than I have. So I can say it has been going on very well.

    What was your first experience on set like?

    I was really nervous. At a point, I forgot how to speak English (laughs). I didn’t know what was going on. The director kept on saying ‘Nancy, calm down.’ I would still give it up to him. His name is Gibson. He is a Ghanaian director and he nurtured me. He told me that I was doing great. As soon as I caught on, I could speak up. When I started, really, I couldn’t speak up. I was so scared that my voice sounded somehow. I used to speak on such low tones. I was so nervous working with really big people. Echoes had a lot of stars.

     So far, what has been your low moments?

    None, really. All I can say is that it is really challenging being an actress. When you are on set, no one cares if you are down or anything. They just want you to come and deliver a job, whether it is an emotional scene or a very violent scene. All they know is that you should come on set and do what you can.

    For now, there has been no major low moment. It is just that I have had very challenging times and anybody who is in the industry will tell you that most directors are extremely strict and they can appear harsh but that is just for your own good. I hope I never have those low moments, but there are times when I get home, I just drop my bag and say no more because sometimes you have to shoot for as long as 17 hours a day.

     How far are you willing to go to rub shoulders with the big names in the industry?

    I am a total believer in hard work, in persistence and in being focused. The highest I can go is to get to work, be the best I can be and bring out the best in me each time I’m on set. I don’t believe in doing several takes. I believe in bringing out the best in the very first take. What I just need to do to get higher in the game is to be the best, to work really hard and to stay focused and to just make sure that I do what I am supposed to do on set and give my producers and directors their money’s worth and not waste anybody’s time. All I’m just trying to say is, I just make sure I bring out the best in me, make sure I connect with the crowd and can give the audience what they want to watch.

    What does being a model entail?

    First and foremost, you need to have the body. Also, you need to be patient enough to go for auditions, stand on queues and also have the heart to take disappointments. People think modelling is so easy but it is not. You have to stand on a long queue, get auditioned, get picked sometimes or get dropped at other times.

    It is all about the ability to always try and to keep coming back until you get your big break. In Nigeria, modelling is not as it is in the western countries where you get your big break and that is it. Here, you can get your big break and still go back down, so it is very imperative that you get your big break and continue to work hard and continue to come back for more. Just be hungry because when you stay hungry and when you stay focused, you keep coming back for more. Make sure you look good and presentable all the time because you have to represent brands, so you have to look the part.

    How true is the notion that modelling rakes in big money?

    The fashion world hasn’t really gotten there if you ask me, but the commercial world is definitely there. For example, if you get to model for multinational brands, it brings a lot of money compared to the fashion industry which has been stagnant for a while. There is money in the modelling business but you need to have a big break for that.

     Compared to acting, which pays more?

    For now, I can’t say. Because in acting, I am not yet in a place where I can start to receive all the big bucks. I just basically started a year or two years ago. I cannot be expecting to get paid as much as people like Mercy Johnson and Genevieve Nnaji but trust me, there is a lot of money in acting but that depends on the stage you are in. I believe someday, I will get to the stage where I can say it pays too much. For now, it takes care of my bills. It pays moderately but if I am to compare it to modelling, I can’t really say. But as I said, some modelling just pay small cash; some bring in the big cash.

    Would you date a broke guy who is jobless?

    Let me put it this way, I would date an ambitious guy and ambitious guys are never really broke, they are never jobless. They are guys who are so industrious, guys who would go out there to do everything they can to make money for themselves. I say this because I want the best for anybody that I am in a relationship with, be it a friend, my family member or a boyfriend.

    In the case of a boyfriend, I believe any man who is broke and jobless really has no business being in a relationship. I say this because it actually takes away from your focus as a man. As a struggling man, you should sit down and focus on your goals, unless you want to be poor forever. If you know you want to be rich, there is a stage you have to pass through. If you can pass through the stage of working hard, putting yourself out there to make sure you are comfortable, at least you can now go out there and find a relationship.

    You don’t even have to go out there and look for a relationship. They will come to you. That way, you can now start to make your choice. But if you are a man who is pursuing girls up and down in the name of ‘I am broke, please love me,’ I don’t think it is necessary, I don’t think it is worth it. Coming back to me, I cannot date a man who is broke. I can only date a man who is ambitious, who is focused and who is hardworking. You can’t be hardworking and jobless. Those two do not come together. I work too hard to want to sit down with a jobless man. I only can date a man who can inspire me to be better. So we both can work hard to get to where we want in life. But when you are jobless and you are calling my phone 24/7, then I have a problem with that.

     Are you in a relationship?

    That I can’t answer (laughs).

     Is it that you are wary about having an interference between your career and your relationship?

    No, I don’t see myself having any interference whether I say I have a boyfriend or not. I just like to keep some things personal for my own sake, for personal reasons. It has nothing to do with the job. There are married people in the industry, so if it doesn’t affect them, it shouldn’t affect me. I would rather keep that personal.

     Can you let us into your educational background?

    I did my diploma at the University of Lagos where I studied Social Work. It was a two-year course, but I haven’t gone for my BSc. I rounded that up last year. For now, I am still working with the diploma.

     Why Social Work?

    I do love social works. It is something that, if push comes to shove tomorrow, I would love to practice it. I love social works and the fact that it enables me be there for humanity, to be able to give and just help people in general. Later on, I intend to go for my BSc in the same field.

  • Nigerian Idol 5 underway

    Nigerian Idol 5 underway

    FOREMOST Nigerian franchise owners, Optima Media Group, have announced their readiness for the 5th edition of music reality show, Nigerian Idol.

    The show is in partnership with Telecommunications Company, Etisalat Nigeria and carbonated drink, Pepsi, with other sponsors such as Payporte and Dabur Herbal.

    The organisers said in a statement that the unveiling of the annual music TV reality show is billed to hold in the first week of this year, at a venue to be announced later, in Lagos.

    According to the statement, the unveiling will also feature the public presentation of the three-man panel of celebrity judges for the show and modalities, including procedures for participation in addition to the offer of opportunity for a press idol to emerge through an on-the-spot singing competition. This, they say, will reward the top performer of the day with a prize of USD1000.

    Group Managing Director of Optima Media Group, Rotimi Pedro, expressed delight in the potential of the platform to offer talented Nigerian youths with flair for music, the unique opportunity to express themselves on a global stage while creating a career path for themselves.

    “We are delighted to be able to create the right and unique platforms across different fields for Nigerians to take advantage of and maximise their potential. We have successfully done this over the years on a global stage as the Idol franchise provides. Our further commitment is to work with more partners in achieving this,” he said.

    According to Pedro, the winner of the show will get N7. 5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a phone, an iPod, a recording deal with Universal Music Company and a brand new SUV car. The first runner up, he said, will also get N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, phone and iPod, while the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, phone and an iPod. In addition, each of the finalists from 4th to 10th place will also receive N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, phone and an iPod each.

    Expected to perform during the course of the reality show, are past winners such as Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Evelle.

    For the show which begins in March, auditions are expected to hold between January and February across five Nigerian cities, including Benin City, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos.

  • Celebrities state their New Year resolutions

    Celebrities state their New Year resolutions

    At the turn of every New Year, most people all over the world take stock and re-examine their lives, celebrities inclusive. MERCY MICHAEL met some entertainers who spoke about their New Year resolutions   

    ORITSE FEMI – Music artiste

    To ensure all the packages I have planned for my people get to them.

    TIMI DAKOLO – Music artiste

    My New Year resolution is pretty simple; to stop working harder and start working smarter and to also get closer to God.

    BRYMO  – Music artiste

    To keep going against mediocrity in the music industry. Secondly, to work first and let success find me.

    SILVIA EDEM -Nollywood actress

    It is my belief that the New Year will be great; that it will bring about me doing great, big budget movies and making headlines, but all these desire can only be granted by God, hence my New Year resolution is to be more prayerful.

    OJB JEZREEL – Music producer

    My New Year resolution is to stay focused and do what I have been known for, you know as an entertainer we also get carried away with showing off, I want to do less of that. I want to keep it really simple. And the most important thing is to ensure my album is released by 2015.

    EFE OMOREGBE- Artiste relations manager

    I want to pay a bit more attention to myself. For years, I have been caring for others except me. So, in 2015, I will pay attention to me.

    ESSENCE – Singer

    I don’t do that at all, but if I were to make one, I would say it is to make more money.

    ALARIWO – Singer

    I want to get closer to God. A lot of people are singing rubbish and making money, but I will never join the bandwagon. In terms of work, there will be an album from me next year.

    SHOLA FAJOBI- Showbiz entrepreneur

    One New Year resolution I don’t want to make is about my smoking habit, because I have not been able to keep to it for over 10 years. But I know it has to do with will power and I pray God help me with all my desires this year.

    BIODUN KUPOLUYI- Publisher

    To be more hard-working and re-dedicate my life to doing good for man, my nation and my calling. I will also ensure that I vote in the coming elections in order to make a change, so that we can get out of this mess we are in. My weight is one thing I must also work.

  • ‘I want to act in movies,’ says BBA’s Tayo

    ‘I want to act in movies,’ says BBA’s Tayo

    Nigeria’s representative in the just-concluded Big Brother Hotshots was in Lagos recently. Fielding questions from journalists, the model, who came second place in the reality show, said the love he is getting from fans is enough victory. VICTOR AKANDE was there. 

    WHAT is this rumour about Warri billionaire, Ayiri Emami, compensating you with USD350, 000?

    (Laughs) You just went straight to the money aspect. I do not have an answer for that yet, but very soon, there will be a confirmation.

    Now that the show is over, what is the next thing for you?

    Television has always been my home. I will love to stay around and still be able to entertain people, Africa and the world. I would say I am an element of entertainment and I want to give the best of my ability to the world. I will like to thank every Nigerian that has supported me and shown me love, I really appreciate it.

    While in the house, you were so concerned about the disparity among housemates from different regions of Africa, does this confirm your fears now, especially after losing the USD 300,000 prize money?

    While in the house, I kept telling people not to watch the show on sentiments. I wanted a situation where people wouldn’t vote based on East, West or Southern Africa but on the basis of our individual personality. However, since I came out of the house, I haven’t met one person who told me that I am not the winner. There is a Yoruba adage that says, when you go out looking for money, and you find honour on your way, you will need to go back home because even if you get the money, honour is what you will use it to buy. Since I got back home, every Nigerian has been proud of me, so I am a winner.

    If you had another chance to go back to the Big Brother house, what would you do differently?

    When I got into the house, the song I wanted to perform first at the opening was Dbanj’s song, On top of the word. One of my favourite punch lines from the song was, “looking back now, there’s no regret, looking forward, there’s no regret, I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I could, I’m stronger now…” There is nothing I would have changed. I did my best, I was myself, maybe sometimes I made a few mistakes, and there is no perfect person in this world. I made my mistake, but I fixed them and made sure I did not repeat them. So, I would say there is nothing to change about what I did in the house.

    What is your relationship with supermodel, Tamar?

    If you go on Facebook, Instagram or ask any model in South Africa, they will tell you that, as professional models from Nigeria, we see ourselves as siblings, and we have been relating like that for years. I have been in South Africa since 2008; Tamar cooks for us and treats all of us like brothers and sisters.

    So I will say Tamar is like my sister and she has proved it over the years, same way that I have proved to be her brother. I have a woman who has a son for me and she is in my house right now, and she has no problem with my intimacy with Tamar. And right now, I have decided to make her my manager because she is someone who can handle someone like me.

    Your passion for Yoruba language and culture was obvious while in the house; have you thought of acting in the Yoruba film industry?

    I am a Yoruba man, I can speak it anywhere and anytime. I am very comfortable speaking my dialect. One of the movie producers that I have been looking forward to work with, is Kunle Afolayan and I fell in love with him when he played the role of Aresejabata in Saworoide. He speaks Yoruba in the movie and today, he is one of the respected men in the film industry. I want to act movies; in fact I would even act Hausa if they teach me. But you could also see me act English movies with Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah and many others, so I am not limited to speaking Yoruba alone.

    You are based in South Africa; do you intend to return to Nigeria any time soon?

    Nigeria is my home. Last year, I came to Nigeria for four months; I’m trying to relocate to Nigeria. I came back home to hustle and asked what I could do to establish me, but it did not work out. But I’m back home now, and I have a brand and I can beat my chest that my people are ready to welcome me, and for your information, I already have somewhere in Lekki.

    When Idris was declared winner of Big Brother Hotshots, what was the first thing that went through your mind?

    You see, when we were all in school, we all knew who the best students in the class were, and when someone who was the best student scored 70, we would say, haba, this person should score like 90.  Idris himself knows I won, but he only got the money. When we got on stage and were shown the highlights, I saw myself and I was laughing. In fact, everybody was entertained. The way people cheered when they heard my name assured me that I was winning already, so when Idris’s name was mentioned, I was shocked. For a while, I thought IK, the show’s host, was joking with me.

    Like Uti made a return trip to the house back then, would you mind to go back to the house if the opportunity arises?

    Did Uti come as far as I came the first time? No, he didn’t. I don’t think Uti got as much love as I got the first time either. But I wouldn’t want to go back in there. When I was doing an interview in South Africa, one of the officials tried to mention it, but I said no, I don’t have three months to sacrifice anymore.

    Do you think you were cheated?

    Well, yes. But I don’t feel it anymore because people are not allowing me to feel it. It got to a point that the show became regional. Getting on the internet, a lady had commented on a Facebook page commending Lilian’s picture, but she added that she would never vote for West Africa again, so it wasn’t against Nigeria, it was against West Africa. While in the house, Ella of Uganda and Franklin from Rwanda used to plead to East Africa to vote for them, and they would tell me to forget the game, since West Africa has won before, so I started fighting against it.

    I started campaigning during my diary sessions with Big Brother, telling people to vote for facts and not region. I said this at a press conference in South Africa that when we are abroad, we say we are all Africans, but when we are in Africa, we start to say we are East Africans or Southern Africans; we should all be united. It means people are not loyal to the game, they were just voting for their citizens and not for who entertained them the most.

    Who cheated you, the Southern Africans, Eastern Africans who voted based on sentiments, or the organisers of the show.

    I have expressed it the best way I could, but as I said, I am not sitting on that anymore. My future is bright.

    You became very emotional towards the end of the show, complaining and drinking. What was the reason for this?

    Did you see that they urinated in my bottle of drink? How can I be happy with people like that? I told Big Brother that the people I was with in the house during the last few days were the actual people against me.

    At a point, I just kept to myself and sat down in one corner because I did not want to disgrace my own country. Big Brother used to say that if you are not in the house, you cannot understand how it feels. People were seeing psychologists every week, but I didn’t see any. Big Brother asked me if the last week in the house could jeopardise my winning the mega prize and that’s why you are watching yourself. And I said to him, I was sorry if I was being selfish by protecting my image and chances of winning, but that I wanted him to know that my best interest was entertaining Africa all the time, so I would go out there and play with everybody, but if they frustrate me or try to start a fight, I would want Africa to agree with me that it wasn’t my fault. Immediately I got out of the house, I implored them to let us all come together, joke together and be united.

     Did Uti influence your interest in the show?

    No, he didn’t. I came to Nigeria for the audition because I wanted to take part in the show. Actually, the first Big Brother audition I went for was in 2009 and I have been trying my luck since then.

  • Adunni Bankole dies on daughter’s wedding day

    Adunni Bankole dies on daughter’s wedding day

    Chief (Mrs) Adunni Omotayo Bankole, popular society matriarch, is dead. The wife of Ogun State popular politician, Chief Olayiwola Alani Bankole, and step mother of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Saburi Bankole, reportedly died at 6:05am on Saturday, at her mother’s residence in Maryland, Lagos State, after a protracted battle with a heart-related illness. She died, just few hours before the commencement of the wedding ceremony of her her second daughter, Mopelola Zeenat, barely three months to her 56th birthday (March 29). During Mopelola’s Introduction ceremony, Bankole had been sick for over a month before her death came calling. So severe was the ailment that she could not be part of the preparation for the wedding ceremony. It was gathered that Bankole was rushed to the hospital last week, and had been in a coma for the last five days. Three years ago, precisely in September 2011, the affable society matriarch suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Lagos State UniversityTeaching Hospital, Ikeja (Lasuth). She was revived after being put under watch closely monitored for several hours in the Lasuth’s Intensive Care Unit. of LASUTH. The wedding between Mopelola and her fiancé, Sharafadeen Oluwafemi Jatto, was held today at The Events Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. Mopelola, a graduate of the University of Lagos, is a senior staff at Skye Bank in Abuja, while her husband, Olufemi works at First Bank, Abuja. In attendance at the wedding was her step-son, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his father, Chief Alani Bankole, and the bride’s grandmother. Shortly after the traditional wedding, the bride’s father, Chief Alani Bankole went round to thank guests and quietly took his leave accompanied to his car by Dimeji, who returned to the wedding hall for the reception. Shocked by the news, some friends of the late society matriarch, were in pensive mood. Fondly called Iyalode or Chief Mrs by her teeming admirers and loved ones, Bankole, a foremost businesswoman with a chain of stores, such as Sublime Group, formerly on Opebi Street, and later, Ogba Retail market, Ikeja, Lagos, hailed from Owu, Ogun State. She married a First Republic politician, Chief Alani Bankole, the Oluwo Iporo and Asipa of Egbaland and the father of Dimeji Bankole. She is blessed with four children – Toyin, Mopelola, Layiwola Jnr and Adesola, and a grandson, Sultan. The first of her parents’ children, Bankole is survived by her 79-year old mother and many siblings.

  • Susan Hart-Kuku savours marital bliss

    Susan Hart-kuku is currently relishing blissful matrimony, savouring every minute of her garden-fresh union and basking in the glory of being an elegant consort of the renowned Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

    The stunning winner of the MBGN 1994 is currently glowing and carrying on with a contagious glow found only among fulfilled society ladies, having found love in the hands of her heartthrob, Olorogun Kuku. The Rivers State-born former beauty queen seems to be swimming in the moments of her life with her affluent husband.

    Ever since the couple announced their union as husband and wife, they have been joined like Siamese twins and have maintained that they have never felt contrite about their coming together. To prove their pliable and unshakeable love for each other, they have been touring the world together, enjoying every moment of their marriage as if everyday is honeymoon.