The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Former Project Fame winner, Olawale, to release debut album

    AS the anticipation for Almost Famous, the debut album of MTN Project Fame Season 6 winner, Olawale, reaches its climax, the singer has dropped another single titled Get It.

    Olawale, a student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, was just a regular guy before he emerged winner of the MTN Project Fame 6. “I never thought of getting the form. It was during the ASUU strike that I went for the contest. My friend advised me to go for the competition, instead of singing every time in the room. So, I would say the strike was a blessing in disguise.”

  • Utere family wins Maltina Dance All 8

    Utere family wins Maltina Dance All 8

    IN a show filled with suspense, drama and excitement, the Utere family, from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, was crowned winner of the 8th edition of the dance reality TV show, Maltina Dance All, last weekend at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The grand finale saw the Uteres going home with the star prize of N10 million after securing the largest number of votes in the keenly contested competition.

    The show, which is reputed for promoting family values, bonding and happiness, is sponsored by Maltina, a premium malt drink from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    Apart from the grand prize of N10 million, the Utere family also earned the title of Nigeria’s number one dance family, while the Uzodinma family, who claimed second position, went home with N3milion.  The Odigie family, who came third, was rewarded with N1million.  The four families that made it to the grand finale competed in two dance styles: Rhythm of Naija and Hip-hop.

    Speaking at the event, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Mr. Adewole Adedeji, stated that the competition had been very effective in audience engagement.

    “The MDA platform has been sustained over the past eight years because we are a consumer-centric organisation. We will continue to invest in the things that create positive experiences for consumers to connect with one another and with our brand. The reason we have sustained it this far is majorly because it connects with consumers,” he said.

    Celebrating the victory, Wilfred Utere, on behalf of the family, said: “It is so overwhelming to be crowned winners tonight. We have really worked hard to be here today. I want to thank all those who have supported us all the way. I want to also thank Maltina for giving us a platform to showcase our talents and to also be rewarded with this huge amount of money.”

  • Stop putting corrupt people in positions of power -9ice

    Stop putting corrupt people in positions of power -9ice

    It came as a pleasant surprise of sorts when Nigerian music star, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, publicly declared his interest in politics. Although many initially took it with a pinch of salt, the Gongo Aso crooner seems to be committed to his political ambition more than anyone can imagine. 9ice, whose music has been on the decline for some time, spells out the details of his manifesto, among other issues, during an interaction with some journalists, including DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI. 

    WHEN did you specifically join party politics?

    I have been into party politics for quite some time now. I am a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). So, certainly, I will be contesting under the platform of the APC. In fact, I have been a member the APC for some years now.

    What then is your manifesto?

    My manifesto revolves around what I call CARE, and all my plans are programmed under it. We have already identified the pressing needs of our people and have decided to make sure that those needs are properly tackled; and by the grace of God, we will solve them before any other thing. You and I know the importance of education, so we will be awarding scholarships to brilliant students, starting from the primary, secondary up to the university level.

    Our CARE initiative will take care of that: care for the less privileged in our society, care for the elderly, health care, community care, care for pregnant women, care for the widows and so on. In fact, we have a total package under CARE. We also have good programmes for agriculture because food business is a very serious business. No matter what you give people, if they are still hungry, they will curse you.

    So, we are going back to agriculture to provide food and employment for our people. We also have what we call ‘You must work’, which is also in our programme. This is specially designed to create employment for our teeming youths. I have said it before that if the youth are gainfully engaged, they will never get involved in criminal activities, they will not have the time for violence and they will not become political thugs. So, we want to make sure that our youths are gainfully engaged. This is the only way our society will be protected and conducive for everyone. So, my manifesto is very simple: Care or We Care, whichever one you choose, will go a long way. If you care for the people, you care for the society.

    Listening to you say all these sounds interesting, but how are you sure you will not go back on your words, if you eventually win?

    This is one of the main reasons I want to represent my people at the House of Reps. You see, if there must be any change, then, the people who need the change and are ready for it must rise and make the change possible. We must not continue sitting at the corner to criticize all the time. There are times to talk and times to walk. Evil, they say, persists where good men choose to remain silent.

    We must never abandon our country for people who have been failing us all these years and expect that things will just change miraculously. We can no longer abandon our society for those who don’t care to continue to toss our lives as they like. No, it doesn’t work that way. It is our responsibility to be involved in the welfare and development of our country and we must not sit at a corner and expect miracles to happen. So, we must make that change possible.

    You are based in Lagos, so how well do you know the people of the constituency you seek to represent in the House of Reps?

    I am from Ogbomosho and the blood runs in my veins. Aside that, there is hardly any week I don’t visit home. I spend as much time as I spend in Lagos in Ogbomosho and Ibadan. I visit home regularly and I also interact with my people very well. People have been trooping in and out, pledging their support for me. If I had not been coming home regularly, this would not happen. People have been showing support since I declared my intentions to contest.  From the way we relate, you can see that I am not a stranger to them and they are not strangers to me. We are brothers, friends and family. I have never abandoned my people and they have never abandoned me.

    You said people have been trooping in and out, but don’t you think they are only interested in what they can grab?

    Yes, you might be right about people looking out to see what they can get. But as you can see for yourself, we don’t share money or rice and beans. We don’t play the politics of money or that of the stomach. No, we don’t do that; we are not part of those who have deliberately impoverished the people so they can take advantage of them during elections. We are not part of those who have deliberately refused to provide jobs for the youths so that they would be available for them as political thugs during elections.

    We play what we call the politics of intellect. We go to the people directly and convince them on the reasons a change is necessary; why it must no longer be business as usual; why they must not sell their conscience for rice and beans and why they must not sell their votes for money, no matter how much.  The money will finish within few days, so what happens next? They will now have to wait for another four years before they come back again to do the same thing. No way! How long must we continue with all that? We need change and that change is now! We must all join hands to make change possible, including being good citizens.

    What is your view on corruption in Nigeria and what do you think should be done to curtail it?

    Corruption, as you and I know, is a very serious problem in Nigeria. You will agree with me that corruption is one of the main reasons we have not been able to fulfill our potentials as a nation, even with all our natural and human resources.

    Now, one question we must all ask ourselves is: what is corruption and who is corrupt? You see, these questions are very important because we may never be able to fight corruption, if we can’t define corruption and who is corrupt. Corruption has eaten deep into the soul of this country and from the way I see it, we must acknowledge the fact that there is corruption before we can fight it. Starting from the top man down to the man at the bottom, corruption has become our norm.

    So, what do you suggest as the way forward?

    I think I have already answered that. But if you want me to go a bit further, then, I will say before you can stop corruption, you must first stop corrupt people from being in positions of leadership and you must stop them from being in positions of authority, where they can have access to our treasury. If you give fish to Mr. Rat to look after for you, what do you expect him to do with it? Surely, he will not look after the fish, but he will eat it, including the one you did not put under his care. It is the nature of Mr. Rat to steal fish and eat fish.

    The bottom line is: don’t put a corrupt person in charge of your money because the money will develop wings. So, what is most important is to give opportunities to those who have the passion for the job to do it and allow only those who have the interest of the masses at heart to do the job.

    That is the only way we can tackle the issue of corruption in this country. Nigeria is 54 years old, but we are still battling instability of light, bad roads, bad welfare of the citizens, corruption etc. So, how do we move forward? If you collect money from politicians before you vote, I am sorry you have sold your future. Your destiny is in your hands.

  • Data Okorodudu Returns

    Data Okorodudu Returns

    Data Okorodudu made what sports analysts would call a cameo appearance at an event in Lagos recently, and from what was seen of her, the amiable woman appeared to have come to terms with the reality of her life as a widow. Her once mournful mien had given way to a cheerful disposition, a development that gladdened the hearts of her friends and acquaintances at the occasion.

    Since Jeye, her husband and Chairman of Adata Group, died a few years ago, Data had recoiled into her shell. Jeye had succumbed to death after a long battle with leukemia. Data’s spirited efforts to save him from the jaws of death were abortive. Impressively, she is holding firm in the midst of one of life’s scariest moments.

  • Gbenga Daniel, Titi Oseni’s husband shun 50th birthday

    Gbenga Daniel, Titi Oseni’s husband shun 50th birthday

    Former Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Titi Oseni, celebrated her 50th birthday in Lagos penultimate Friday. It was a high-octane event that brought to the fore the social relevance of a woman who had moved from business to the highly volatile politics of Ogun State before she reverted to private business.

    The thanksgiving service was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, King’s Court, Ikeja, Lagos, while the reception and dinner sessions took place at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The black tie event was classy and lived up to its billing. Bigwigs from the political and corporate sectors were there to celebrate the urbane first Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly.

    But the absence of two men who supposedly played key roles in Titi’s rise to prominence was conspicuous. The absence of her husband, Kunle Oseni, seemed to reinforce the rumour that all had not been well with their 24-year-old marriage. There were reports to the effect that their marriage experienced a strain during Titi’s political sojourn in Ogun State. But Titi, who had her tenure as Speaker truncated with impeachment, once rebuffed the rumour as a figment of the imagination of some wicked rumour mongers. The absence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who was instrumental to the rise of Titi to political prominence, also fuelled speculation that the two might have fallen apart.

  • I didn’t relocate abroad out of frustration —Nollywood star Sola Sobowale

    I didn’t relocate abroad out of frustration —Nollywood star Sola Sobowale

    By all standards, Sola Sobowale is a quintessential actor. Her great acting skill accounts for why she enjoys a large following today.  About 12 years ago, she took a major step when she relocated abroad so as to be close to her children. Typical of an average entertainer, she has had her own fair share of controversies, since she literally hugged fame. BABATUNDE SULAIMAN recently caught up with her in Ibadan,Oyo State, where she spoke on a number of diverse issues. 

    WHAT is the thematic preoccupation of your new movie, Bo se ye ko ri?

    I will just tell you the synopsis of the movie. It is a story about a woman who is self-centred. The movie is also to promote family values, which are lacking today in Nigeria.

    What really inspired the movie?

    It is life in England as well as the children and mothers abroad.  Everybody is chasing money and nobody is interested in good character or good behaviour. Everybody seems to be in a kind of rat race to make money. Some are ready to do anything to make money, and this is what is killing everybody now. I don’t know where Nigeria will be In 10 years’ time.

    Who directed the movie?

    It was directed by Lasun Ray. Having said this, I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world that the Lasun Ray of today is no more the Lasun Ray of old. He has actually gone back to school to learn directing. So, I will say Kudos to him because he knows his onions.

    Why the choice of Lasun Ray?

    It is because he knows his onions.  He was born into it and he is so passionate about his job.

    Where was the movie shot?

    It was shot in Ajah, Lagos.

    It means you have been around for a while?

    I have been around for about a month.

    But why have you been keeping a low profile?

    Well, it is because I am not a noise maker.

    It appears you only come home whenever you want to promote a new movie?

    I come home when I want to showcase good things in my country and I come home when I have a mission to accomplish in my country.

    Could you recall the challenge you had while shooting the movie?

    It was a fantastic experience because the crew and cast worked like one big family, so there wasn’t any problem. It was a team job and we all believed in what we were doing; so, there wasn’t any problem.

    Could you mention some of the stars in the movie?

    Akin Lewis, Mama Awero, whom I fondly call Mama Awero, Ayo Badmus and Ngozi Nwosu, among others.

    When was the last time you produced a movie before this new one?

    I am coming up with a soap opera very soon. The full season was shot here in Nigeria five months ago; so, very soon, it will begin to be aired. It is called Nectar, which means something sweet. Everything in life is nectar.  So, wherever you are, Nectar is going to touch you.  I am a mother and I promote family values. So, this again, is all you will see in Nectar.

    You seem to be involved more in production nowadays than acting. Is it that acting is not financially rewarding anymore?

    It is not a matter of money now, but I am a crusader. It is not that I am striving to make any name for myself now. But the question is: who has benefitted from the name I have made? So, I am going to use that name that God has given me to turn the lives of people around and to make people know their right from wrong.

    These days, people are so much interested in money and that is the root of the wahala in Nigeria. I am not acting to say, ‘Oh, I am wearing good shoes and so on.’ No! That is not why I am in acting.  I am rather using my name to showcase and promote morals; I am using my name also to tell people that no matter what you do, you will reap it. If your foundation is not solid, whatever you build on it will crumble.  When I grow old, I want to be remembered for the good things I did and not for any other thing.

    Do you have any plans to return to Nigeria permanently?

    This is my country; I love my country; I believe in my country and this is where I will live and die.

    But you have been away for so long?

    Yes, I left about 12 years ago because of my children.

    At that time, did you envisage that you were going to stay this long?

    Yes. Before then, I had only sent my children abroad. But as a good mother, I later decided to join them because I want to give them a good foundation. Glory be to God now, they are big girls and they are all graduates.

    So, now that they are graduates, why are you not thinking of coming home?

    But are you talking with me in Nigeria now.

    Yes, but I know you will still go back?

    Do you know what is in my mind? Anyway, I will be coming back home very soon.

    When you left over a decade ago, it was rumoured that you left due to frustration. How will you react to this?

    If they say I relocated due to frustration, I don’t care. That is their problem. At least, you can see me now. So, my question to you is: do I look like anyone who is frustrated?

    No. But were you ever bothered about the reports?

    Let anyone say whatever he or she likes.

    You were even quoted as saying that you were slaving in London…

    Look, you can write anything you like because you are entitled to your own opinion.

    Let me explain …

    (Cuts in)You see, I am not going to say it is true and I am not going to say it is not. All I know is that you are now seeing Sola Shobowale. So, what do you see?  A beautiful, gorgeously dressed woman and happy woman. Seeing is believing, isn’t it? So, if they want to say they caught me in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking and even cut my hands, I don’t care. That is their problem.

    If they say I am married to 10 different men, I don’t care either. That is their cup of tea. When I am good in the presence of my Lord and I am a good ambassador of my family, then, the rest is history. I am a very strong woman.

    Could you expatiate?

    I don’t give a damn; wahala yin ni yen.

    But they are your fans and they are interested in what is happening to you?

    My fans won’t ever say anything bad about me. Immediately I came in, you saw my fans rushing towards me because they wanted to greet me. They are always very happy to see me and they love me. You are also my fans; otherwise, you would not want to interview me. It is written that some would like you, while some others would not.

    Is it true that you work as a social worker abroad?

    You want to know what I do in England? If you want to know, just jump on a plane to London and then come and see me where I work. If I tell you what I do now, it is still a story.

    You have always avoided talking about your husband…

    (Cuts in) Do you want to marry me?

    So, why are you asking me about my husband? What is your business with my husband? My family is my family. Finish!

    What has acting done for you?

    Fantastic! If there is reincarnation, I will still want to come back as an actress.

    Have you picked up any movie role since you returned to Nigeria?

    How can I be in two places at the same time?

    But you have been around for over a month and I am sure some producers would have been dangling scripts in your face?

    How can I be in two places at the same time? I came last month, shot a movie and edited it. Now, I am beginning to show the movie. So, where do I have time to do anything else?  Until I am done with all this, I can’t be in any other production.

    What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?

    My philosophy of life is give and take. You can’t keep receiving without giving. Also, you do unto others as you want others to do unto you.

    Has any experienced moved you to tears?

    Yes, it is the deaths of my father and mother.

    What will you like to correct in Nollywood?

    I want us to be like Americans and produce films like Americans. I want the government to intervene in the nation’s movie industry and I want to see improvement in sales of our movies.

    You come across as easily predictable in some of your movies, making people think you are typecast?

    I am just hearing that from you, for the first time. It means people who say this don’t watch my movies.

    What defines your style?

    Simplicity and whatever fits me well.

  • AIRTEL TRACE MUSIC STAR: In search of ‘hidden’ singing talents

    ONE of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operators, Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with Trace, an international music video channel, on Wednesday, launched a new music competition tagged ‘Airtel Trace Music Star’, a mobile device song contest designed to empower Nigerian youths and create a robust platform for them to achieve their dreams of becoming superstars.

    The competition, which will take place in 15 African countries, is a mobile song contest which allows contestants to audition from their phones, with one national winner in each country, who will have the honour of performing at the Pan African music competition.

    Earlier, the organisers, at a media unveiling, had said that the contestants could participate by recording their songs with an Airtel line, using a short code, adding that they would be aided by an interactive forum in multi-lingual languages, including English and Pidgin.

    The Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, said: “Airtel is delighted to be associated with Trace in bringing excitement and providing entertainment opportunities for our teeming customers, especially youths and the music lovers. This initiative is geared towards supporting and nurturing talents of Nigerian youths. In the next few weeks, we will unveil the biggest platform for Nigerians to express their singing talents through their mobile phones from the comfort of any location they choose.

    The Managing Director, Trace Anglophone Africa, Sam Onyemeluke, further stressed that “We are tremendously excited about this pan African partnership with Airtel. Trace is dedicated to African youths and this ground-breaking competition is a great step towards our joint goal of empowering African youth”.

    As a pan-African initiative, the Airtel Trace music competition is designed to hold simultaneously in other African countries, where Airtel operates. The winners from each participating country will then compete in a televised pan-African grand finale, where the African champion will win a trip to the USA to be mentored by megastar, Akon, for a period of two weeks, in addition to a professional music video and a record deal with Universal Music.

    International singer and music producer Akon, according to reports, has also announced that he is the new ambassador of the Airtel Trace Music Star, in a YouTube video.

    According to him, “You want to be in a position where you are one of the people they look for to be a part of projects like this; and you know I built my career from giving opportunities to others, so this was the perfect match. I’ve been more of a mentor and producer, while playing the role that I think is necessary to influence other kids to be a part of what we are doing and also be a part of giving other people opportunity.

    I think when you get to a certain level, you are a role model, whether you like it or not; it’s not choice anymore, it’s the life we chose and what we signed up for. I know some people want to distance themselves from being a role model, but once you become successful, you are a role model.”

  • Tunde Ogbeha celebrates wife at 60

    Tunde Ogbeha celebrates wife at 60

    Last Saturday, Senator Tunde Ogbeha kept politics aside to throw a lavish birthday party for his darling wife, Esther Tunde-Ogbeha. It was one event that brought old and new friends of the Ogbehas under one roof to celebrate a woman who has been like a pillar to the Kogi State politician.

    Tunde Ogbeha has always spoken of his wife in glowing terms, and he used the occasion of her 60th birthday to show how appreciative of her he has always been. The thanksgiving service was held at the Church of Resurrection on Victoria Island, Lagos. It was followed with a grand reception at the Civic Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, also on Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a parade of politicians drawn from the two leading political parties in Nigeria, the PDP and the APC.

    The Kogi State Government was represented by a high-powered delegation. The PDP chieftain enjoys a cult-like following in Kogi State, particularly in his Yoruba-speaking Okun area. The Chairman of Confluence Cable Network clocked 67 years on September 1.

  • Ini Edo confirms divorce

    Ini Edo confirms divorce

    Ini Edo has confirmed rumours flying about her separation from husband of five years, Philip Ehiagwina on her Twitter handle.

    download (1)download

     

    I asked for a divorce from my my ex husband cos of lots of irreconcilable differences.i never cheated on my husband.
    — Ini Edo (@ini4phil) October 2, 2014

    There is a conscious n malicious attempt at tarnishing my image.this whole saga is familiar let’s not forget de past.thanks n God bless
    — Ini Edo (@ini4phil) October 2, 2014

    Philip is an American based business man. The pair got married in Houston, February 2009.

  • Its Kunle Afolayan’s birthday

    Its Kunle Afolayan’s birthday

    We celebrate with award winning director/actor Kunle Afolayan who is another year older today.

    Kunle followed in his father’s footstep  Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan (Ade-Love) and pursued acting after  working in a bank for a brief period. 

    Kunle Afolayan’s claim to fame was his role as Aresejabata in Saworoide has since created many popular titles himself like:  Irapada, The Figurine: Araromire, Phone Swap and more recently October 1.

    His movies have won several awards like The Figurine which won five major awards in the African Film Academy. His movie, Phone Swap also won the Public Choice Award and premiered in France at the first edition of Nollywood Week Paris.