The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Ooni loses mother-in-law

    Ooni loses mother-in-law

    But for the death of Chief (Mrs.) Flora Olamide Harold-Sodipo, the month of July would have ended on a high note for Olori Oladunni Sijuwade, the beautiful wife of His Royal Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11, the Ooni of Ife. Her mother, Chief (Mrs.) Flora Olamide Harold- Sodipo, kissed the world goodbye on Thursday, July 24, in Lagos.

    Mama Harold-Sodipo (née Adefope), who bestrode Nigerian social landscape like a colossus, died at the ripe age of 92. She lived a fulfilled life, as she nurtured many souls to greatness. Olori Ladun, aged 58, the only female of three children, has been distraught since the death of her darling mother. She has been the more inconsolable in that she shared an uncommon bond with her mother, with whom she also shared a striking resemblance.

    Despite the fact that she was weak during her last days, Mama remained sharp and witty until death called. She was survived by Adedapo Harold-Sodipo; Olori Ladun Sijuwade and Adebayo Harold-Sodipo, many grandchildren and a great grandchild.

  • AWKA: A capital city in race to catch up with others

    AWKA: A capital city in race to catch up with others

    Before the present Anambra State was carved out from the old one by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida administration in 1991, Awka, the capital city, compared favourably with Okigwe and Orlu, two communities in Imo State. But while the two Imo communities have experienced massive transformation into cities as a result of the infrastructural developments they have witnessed from different administrations in the state, Awka which was made the capital of the new Anambra State 23 years ago remains more like a rural community.

    Awka, the capital of a state that prides itself as the light of the nation, is still yearning for development more than two decades after. The city, located in the heart of Igboland, boasts a population of more than half a million people. Strategically, it is located midway between two major Igbo cities of Onitsha and Enugu with a temperature that hovers between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.

    The town is reputed as the home to blacksmiths who are mostly responsible for the crafting of Dane guns hoes, cutlasses and other implements that make agriculture to thrive in Igboland. In time past, Awka was made up of many sub-communities. Today, they have all blended into one and divided into Awka North and South local government areas.

    However, it still preserves its traditional systems of governance with Ozo titled men often consulted for village and community issues, with a traditional ruler, Eze-Uzu, as the helmsman. One good feature of Awka is its accommodating spirit for visitors. Residents, however, do not compromise on business deals, particularly when they concern rent. An indigene of the town and State Coordinator of Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Comrade Obi Ochije, attributed this to the high cost of building materials in the area.

    Ochije wants the state government to begin construction of low cost houses in the city for workers to enjoy reduced rent in the area. He recalled that the city was regarded as “home for all” in the good old days because of its accommodating nature. Furthermore, he wants the state government to dualise the narrow Dike Street in the city for easy flow of traffic.

    Awka has 33 major villages and attracts people from other states. It has a significant number of immigrants from Northern Nigeria and the West. It was during the administration of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju that the town, which hitherto was concentrated in a particular area, began to extend towards the popular Aroma and Government House, among others.

    Accommodation for government workers and business people has been a major problem in the city with a legion of people competing for few houses. The administrations of Mbadinuju and former Governor Chris Ngige made possible the construction of a few estates, including Ngozika on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Others estates in the city include Iyiagu, located behind government house; Udoka; Ahocol Phase 1; Rockland and Abuja , all situated along the Onitsha-Enugu Express way. There are also the Isiagu 1, 000 housing units located along Agu-Awka and Esther Obiakor Housing Estate.

    Some of the estates were developed during the administration of Peter Obi, who failed to provide accommodation for workers in the state; an oversight Governor Willie Obiano seeks to correct by delving into the construction of same to appease the workers.  Obiano is also determined to open up the capital city with the construction of three flyovers from Amawbia to Amasea communities.

    The city has two major marketsEke-Awka and Amenyiwhere the inhabitants buy the different goods they need on a daily basis. Interestingly, the city, though not as large as other cities, does not have any amusement centre or playground. Residents make use of school playgrounds and some private keep fit centers to keep fit.

    The thriving businesses in the city are cyber cafes and restaurants, which are found in every nook and cranny. Workers and business people sit at different joints to while away time, while some of them drink themselves to stupor each day.

    The location of higher institutions in the state, especially in Awka, has made the town livelier with students from Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Anambra State University storming the city in search of greener pastures. Other students from Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe and Paul University in Awka also throng the city in search of fun.

    The influx of politicians to the city has also caused supermarkets, pharmacy and gift shops to thrive in the town.

    However, night life is almost zero because of criminal activities which have held the state hostage in recent years. This is unlike Lagos, Enugu and other major cities where life is in full throttle for most part of the night.

    Happily Governor Willie Obiano has vowed to make the state uncomfortable for criminals, by inaugurating Operation Nkpochapu with a joint taskforce comprising the military, the police and other para-military outfits, to flush out hoodlums from the state

    There are some major eateries in the city where businessmen, students and politicians wine and dine with their better halves or friends. The eateries include Macdons, Trillers, Be-joy, Crunchies, Chuckies, Pallx, Mr. Bigs and Tetrazzini, among others.

    There are also big hotels that attract visitors from Asaba in Delta State, Enugu, Imo and other surrounding states. They include Geogold Hotels, Finotel, Crescent Spring and J’Burg Hotels.  Others are Barn Hill, Irish Gardens, Palos Verdes, Queens Suites Parkonia, Golffin, Old English, Stanford Bridge, White view, Hotel Lamitel, de-Limit, Cheleku, Sun-city, Tracy, Choice, the Benjamins and King David.

    Despite its small nature, the city lacks good road network, which has been a major cause of friction between the residents and past and present governments.

    Former governor, Peter Obi, is only credited with the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Junction. Even the contract for the bridge was said to have been awarded by the Ngige administration, which Obi initially abandoned because of the cost.

    During a visit to the city last week, Dr Aminu Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said he was disappointed with the level of development in the city. Ahmed said the impression he had of the city in the media was different from what he saw during his visit.

    But the people are hopeful that the city would get a facelift under the leadership of Chief Willie Obiano. Obiano has planned to begin massive infrastructural development in Awka with roads as his major attention, including the ones abandoned by Obi

    If well planned by the government, Awka would be a beauty to behold. But for now, there is little cause for cheer.

  • Palmchat: Love at first post

    Palmchat: Love at first post

    They say love comes to those who believe it and if anything, love is homecoming on Palmchat social platform as many young and honest seekers are connecting to someone true. The active user rate of Palmchat has soared in five years as more people are using the apps instant messaging and online dating capacities to connect to people around the world.

    Ronke, a 21 year old undergraduate says: “I am not afraid to connect with people I don’t know on Palmchat because I am careful to only engage people within close proximity and in areas that I am acquainted using the Look-Around custom feature. It’s kinda like a binocular; so I chat up someone I can see and trace…I’m comfortable with that”

    The Look-Around feature of the Palmchatis not the only feature driving the hits on Palmchat; the Shake-Shake is also driving engagement amongst the young people.

    “The fact that whenever you shake your phone with the Shake-Shake activated, you will connect to someone or peopledoing the same thing (shaking) as you, near or hundreds of miles away from you on other parts of the world is simply fascinating” says AdemolaIdowu, a Marketing Consultant.

    The Palmchat platform is also highly incentivize with free gift being made available to users most of the times. For instance, during the Brazil 2014 World Cup a lot of free gifts were given out to Palmchat users who participated on the Predict and win promo; from airtime vouchers to HD LED display TVs.

    “Ladies enjoyed the level of experience which Palmchat offered in partnership with some of the most exquisite lounges in Lagos mainland for the Palmchat Ladies Night Out campaign which ran for weeks. The Miss Nigeria 2014 contest is running now on Palmchat and we see lots of Nigerian ladies participating on the platform. The excitements thatPalmchat always bring with promises of gifts help drive engagement on the platform” says MounirBoukali; the Head, Public Relations, TRANSSION Holdings.

    So in whatever way you might wish to define love; be who you might meet or what you might win, Palmchat makes you simply engage love actively.Palmchat is Nigeria’s trending social platform with over 5,000 daily sign ups and 95% active user rate. It is truly love at first post!

     

     

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  • I MET FRANCIS, MY HUBBY ON PALMCHAT (PART 2)

    I MET FRANCIS, MY HUBBY ON PALMCHAT (PART 2)

    So like I mentioned I work as a Human Resource Manager and well my name is Bimpe Ajayi-and don’t even ask ‘cause I’m not telling you how old I am. Anyways, because my job entails managing people, I had to devise a ways to maintain a steady two-way communication with my staff (…trust me, emails and intranet don’t always work these days). I use instant messaging mobile apps a lot; any of the platforms that my staff members are active, I use it. Be it the Whatsapps, 2gos, BBMs, Wechats and I must say Palmchat (…will tell you why in a moment).

    Instant messages are hard to resist (ladies you know now); once that beep comes in, you just kind of pick up your phone and reply almost without thinking. So my staff can’t resist infos or notices etc I send across to them through these platforms. As for Palmchat, I developed a personal attachment to the platform. Remember when I said I was stuck in traffic running late to work and had a marathon presentation to make to my boss?

    I drifted mentally into a two-minute or so daydream; where I saw myself in the arms of my new found love, Francis dancing to the slow rhythms being played by a high life band at La Tropicana resort. He was about kissing me; slowly closing in like on a Close Up TV commercial when…’honk, honk’ the car behind me shattered my daydream and threw me right back into reality. I am actually in a stupid traffic and heading late to work for a presentation which I hope will go down well. I picked up my phone and sent Francis a ‘Hi dear’ on Palmchat and of course he replied almost instant with ‘sweetie I stuck in traffic…bumper to bumper’

    It is funny how I so clicked with Francis, I met this sweet guy on Palmchat and sometimes it feels impossible. I didn’t say it, but why I was running late to work that Wednesday was because I spent such a good, good time with Francis the night before (hey, not quite what you are thinking…not yet). It was close of work and I wasn’t minding sitting out a little while before embracing my mattress, so I chatted up Francis on Palmchat and told him to meet me at Radisson Blue. That was to be our second real meeting; you know, face to face not online. Our first real date was at the Leisure Mall, Adeniran Ogunsanya street Surulere and it wasn’t a bad one except that, you know, I didn’t know what to expect and quite honestly, stuffs were running through my mind like: ‘I hope I am not making a stupid mistake leaving my house to meet some guy I don’t know?…. I hope the mall is safe and nobody will be stalking me or something? And I am buying my drink, no free drinks…thanks’. With all that going through my mind, our conversation was kind of stale; it lacked energy and was completely cautious but all the same, I could tell he was a sincere guy. Like when he blushed (he has such cute dimples on his cheeks by the wayJ) and said that our meeting was his first blind date, I could tell it was not only his first blind date but his first date…and guess what happened next? (…seriously I can’t believe that I am living my fantasy)

     

     

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  • Ibadan agog for Itunu Awe special

    Ibadan agog for Itunu Awe special

    Fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, is set to thrill his numerous Oganla family, fans and other music lovers in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State to a special Ed-el Fitri celebration on Tuesday, July 29, at Sablak Events Centre, Sanyo Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Pasuma, who will headline the event being organised by ADK Links Ventures, said he is poised to give his fans the best to celebrate the successful completion of Ramadan.

    It will also feature Taiye Currency (Apesin Oganla), Tiri Leather and fast-rising Tungba exponent, Femo Lancaster.

    Speaking on the show, Adeniyi Kazeem, CEO, ADK Links Ventures, said his organisation had put everything in place to ensure that music fans have a memorable Itunu Awe celebration.

    “Adequate security has been put in place with all the artistes. Pasuma has also promised to make the day one to relish for so long in the ancient city and its environs,” Kazeem said.

  • Kunle Afolayan celebrated in Auteuring Nollywood

    Kunle Afolayan celebrated in Auteuring Nollywood

    Come Thursday, July 31, the book, Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, will be unveiled at the Agip Recital hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

    The book, which examines the highpoints of Kunle Afolayan’s award-winning film, The Figurine, is a collection of scholarly essays devoted to the work of a single Nigerian film director.

    Already, stakeholders in the motion picture industry, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), have expressed support for the publication.  Also, industry stakeholders like the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) are among those that have identified with the project.

    The Managing Director of the NFC, Dr. Danjuma Dadu, said: Auteuring Nollywood was a welcome addition to the body of knowledge on film discourse in Nigeria.

    Both Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Dr. Ikechukwu Obianya, Director, Nollywood Study Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, will be reviewing the book at the public presentation.

    Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, a former Minister of National Planning and a respected patriarch of the arts, will chair the ceremony designed to be one of Nollywood’s greatest moments.

    Contributors to the book include: Dr. Sola Osofisan, Dr. Dele Layiwola, Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, Jane Thorburn, Matthew H. Brown, Gideon Tanimonure, A.G.A Bello, Foluke Ogunleye and Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi.

    An ‘Afterword’ on “Neo-Nollywood and its Other” by the prolific scholar, Dr. Onookome Okome, is also provided in the book, in addition to a series of interviews with key actors and technicians that featured in the film.

    Kunle Afolayan is one of the two AMAA ambassadors selected to celebrate AMAA’s 10th anniversary throughout this year. His elder brother, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, a lecturer at the Philosophy Department of the University of Ibadan, edited the 455-page book.

  • Omoni Oboli lambasts critics

    Omoni Oboli lambasts critics

    Actress and movie producer, Omoni Oboli, recently made her directorial debut with the movie, Being Mrs Elliot.

    But as questions are being asked about her credibility as a movie director, the thespian has disclosed that she did not jump into an unfamiliar field without seeking adequate knowledge.

    “Not only have I picked up on-the-field experience, I also went to one of the best film schools in the world, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) to learn directing specifically. My lecturers were impressed with my project and I remain one of the few female practitioners in the industry who have gone to the school. If my years of experience and NYFA education don’t qualify me, I wonder what will. For those who know about movie and those who have taste for good movie, Being Mrs Elliott will more than impress,” she said through her publicist.

    Being Mrs Elliott is the story of a successful married woman, who is torn between two worlds after a life-changing incident. She finds out that the best life has to offer is not necessarily things, but moments.

    The movie opened the Nollywood Week Film Festival in Paris recently and got 11 nominations at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) in California, USA.

  • Help! I’m dying–Nollywood actress: Omotunde Ogundimu

    Help! I’m dying–Nollywood actress: Omotunde Ogundimu

    For some time now, popular Yoruba actress, Omotunde Ogundimu, has been off the movie scene. But if you think she has found another passion, then, you are wrong. At the moment, the mother of three is battling a debilitating ailment that has since removed the shine from her acting career. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, she ventilates her pains and hope, among other issues.

    You seldom appear in movies these days. So, what really is responsible for this?

    I have been ill.

    So, how do you feel now?

    I am still very weak. I was at the clinic and the doctor revealed that, even if I have the money readily available, I can’t undergo the surgery now because I have lost so much blood. So, I was given some drugs to help boost the blood back to the level it should be.

    Which hospital is that?

    It is called Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo, Ibafo, Ogun State.

    What is the nature of the ailment?

    My period comes like 10 to15 days; then, it will stop and come again. I menstruate twice in a month. I noticed it last year before my husband passed away. Anytime we had intercourse, I would always bleed. I took it for something else, so I didn’t really pay attention to it. But when he became sick and we couldn’t have intercourse any more, it (the bleeding) stopped. Then, I didn’t have time to study it at that period too.

    But what I noticed is that my menstrual circle changed, so I would menstruate twice in a month with very heavy flow. So, at that time, I just felt it was one of the signs of menopause because I am way above 40. But last year, I had to go to the hospital to complain and the doctor said I had fibroid, even before the tests and scan were conducted. When the scan was done, it was discovered that the fibroid was fully grown in my womb.

    You said during the period your husband was sick, you were not having intercourse. But were you having the heavy flow at that time?

    Then, it was normal. But the only time it became abnormal was when we had intercourse, so I thought I was approaching my period.

    What do you think is exactly wrong with you? Don’t you think it might be a spiritual problem?

    No; I don’t think so. You can only say something is spiritual when you don’t get a solution to your problem. But in my own case, I have been able to find out what the problem is and the remedy. Every woman has fibroid, but it is only when it is overgrown that it becomes a problem that needs to be attended to. When it started, I had people who shared their own experiences with me and I was directed to the hospital.

    So, how have you been coping, financially?

    Well, I am presently in Ibafo, Ogun State, which is close to my home town. When my husband passed away, my family asked me to come back home, so as not to be left alone in Lagos, where I don’t have anybody. So, I came home and rented an apartment. But my children are in one of the boarding schools in Lagos. I didn’t want to change their school.

    Whenever they are on vacation, they come here and we spend time together. Sending them to one of the best schools in Lagos is part of my huge financial commitments. But I am glad that I can do that for them because I want them to have the kind of education that I didn’t have.

    With your state of health, you definitely need some help. Is anyone living with you?

    Some of my siblings do come over to help. But most of them are married and I cannot force them to come and stay with me. So, whenever they volunteer to come, I am always glad to have them around. If not that it went online, nobody knew I was sick. I am a very quite person.

    Why did you have to make the ailment hidden for this long without going public with it?

    I am just a private person and I just felt I could raise the money and go for the surgery before anybody could know that I was sick.

    I don’t go to functions anymore because of the state of my body now-I am so lean.  Nobody will see me without asking what is wrong with me. Even the last time I was on location, many of my colleagues felt I was dieting and they complained that it was too serious.

    As a crossover actress and one who is popular in both the Yoruba and English sectors of Nollywood, one would expect that you would have a lot of people coming around you.

    As I said, the news just got online some days ago and I have been receiving calls from every one of them, promising to do something in any way they can. Most of them didn’t know I was sick and the news going online has drawn their attention to my plight. I also got a call from the AGN president, Ibinabo Fiberesima, asking me to send my details and home address; she promised that they will visit me.

    How much do you need to undergo the surgery?

    N500,000.

    Are you sure the N500, 000 you are requesting for is just for the operation?

    I pray the money will be enough. The actual money for the surgery is N350, 000. But I just feel I’ll need some money for my upkeep till I am able to stand on my feet and get back to work. That is the reason I summed up the whole money to N500, 000.

    But do you think you need as much as that to undergo a fibroid operation?

    Yes, that is true. But it is a private hospital and for someone like me to come out and say I need N350, 000, people will say I should be able to afford such an amount of money because I am an actress. But people do not know what I have been doing all the while. I have single-handedly been training my three kids and I have been struggling to ensure they go to the higher institution, which I did not attend.

    Also, the treatment and drugs that I have been taking have cost me a lot of money. Right now, I don’t have any other business I am doing apart from my acting career. I was hoping I would be able to save some money and set up a business. But all that is on hold now.

    Does that mean your in-laws were not in support of the union?

    The circumstances that surrounded my husband’s death are best known to them. He was married to five wives and he died at the age of 41.  After his death, they sold one of his property in Abeokuta and shared the money among us his wives and gave a whole building to my children. After that, no calls to even ask about the welfare of their children.

    What is your position among the wives?

    I am the second wife.

    Didn’t you know he was married?

    I never intended to go into the marriage. But sometimes in life, some things take place that you do not plan. You know when you are in love with a man, you believe everything he tells you. When we were courting, he only told me he had someone that bore him a child. When I was pregnant with my first child, he took me home to meet his father, who asked me if he had told me about my senior (the first wife); so, that was when I knew.

    I didn’t understand what he was saying until he told me that the man I wanted to get married to already had a wife and a child living with him. I left and told him I was going for abortion. But he went to my mum in Ibafo to inform her about my decision and she came down with him to Iyana Ipaja that same day to plead with me. He knew I am the only child of my mother and that she was already looking forward to having grandchildren. That was how I found myself in a polygamous home. And then, I was working as a clearing and forward agency at NAHCO, Ikeja, Lagos.  I had my own apartment, so he was always at my place. But he was a lovely man and a good man. He took care of me. But you know, when there are so many women involved, it is a different story.

    Is it that you do not have friends in the industry because you said none has paid you a visit?

    (Laughs) That was before! You know, it is said that no matter the multitude, there will always be a disagreement. But at the moment, I am not fighting anybody. So, I have been receiving calls and prayers from most of them, promising to come and pay me a visit. Most of them didn’t know I was sick. As I said, I am a very private person.

    We have had cases of stars seeking help from the public. So, is it that you people do not save for the rainy days?

    I understand what you are saying. But in my own case, I have been managing on my own all the while without asking anybody for assistance. But the truth of the matter is that the money we are paid here is nothing to write home about. It is all about helping your colleague, when he or she wants to shoot a movie. So, it is whatever the person has that you will collect. All the stories they tell about some people collecting N600, 000 for a roles are lies.

    But most of you live flamboyantly; so, where do they get the money from?

    I don’t know o! I only know about myself, my sister. Yes, some of them earn well and are into other businesses. As I said earlier, if I get back on my feet and start working, I will get something else doing aside my acting career.  Some make money from the movies they produce, especially if the movies sell well.

    Having been in the industry for over a decade now, what can you say about your experience as a producer?

    I have done three movies: Temidun, Origun Meta and Abiamo Toto. I would have produced another one, but I don’t want to produce any movie that will be below the name and standard that I have been able to build for myself over the years. But my first three were hits in the market. That was when movies still had values. What we have now are marketers who always complain about low sales.

    And I can proudly say I was able to make good use of the proceeds from those movies. I opened a wholesale wine shop, but that is history now because that was where I was collecting money when my husband fell sick. And you know how business is, once you don’t add more to it, it will collapse.

    I learnt Tope Alabi brought you into the movie industry. Why have you not sought her assistance?

    We were in the dance group, Sunny Wonders Performing Group, before she left. We were into dramas and stage plays. But after a while, we met again and I stayed with her at her parents’ home, which was not far from my uncle’s house where I was living then. But when we met, she started telling me about finding my way into the Yoruba movie industry, instead of wasting my time with the group that promised to take us abroad to perform. That was how she introduced me to Alade Aromire Group. But I don’t have her contact and that is the reason I have not been able to reach her for assistance.

    I am someone who does not like to bother people. Sometimes, when you expect help from a particular person, you might end up being disappointed. And at the end of the day, you will feel bad. That is the reason I don’t like telling people about what is happening to me. I am a fighter, if not for the fact that Mr. Idris Bello of Shybellmedia got in touch with me and asked what was wrong. I told him I was sick and he came visiting the next day.

    When he saw me, he told me not to keep mute on the issue. He said I should let people know about my state of health, stressing that those who would come to my aid will do and those who will talk will talk.  I told him they would say, ‘Is she not an actress? Why wouldn’t she be able to afford such an amount? And he told me that I have my life to live.

  • Nigerian films excite at Durban Film Festival

    Nigerian films excite at Durban Film Festival

    THREE movies by Nigerian filmmakers are among the huge line-up of screening at the ongoing Durban International Film Festival.

    Although the big one, Half of a Yellow Sun, had aroused interest based on huge publicity and its affiliation with the British Film Institute (BFI), B for Boy by Chika Anadu and Gone Too Far by Bola Agbaje also made interesting outing with their thought-provoking themes.

    Half of a Yellow Sun, which will be released in Nigeria on August 1, was sold out during its first showing last Friday at Suncoast, one of the several venues dedicated to screenings at the festival. The movie, a feature directorial debut by Nigerian/British playwright, Biyi Bandele, has continued to generate interest, going by its account of the Nigerian civil war, as re-enacted in Chimamanda Adichie’s book from which it was adapted.

    B for Boy, on the other hand, is the also the feature film debut of a burgeoning filmmaker, whose shorts films AVA, was listed in the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. The film explores the phenomenal desperation for a male child among Igbo men in Eastern Nigeria, and how vulnerable a character like 38-year-old Amaka played by Uche Uwadili becomes in the hands of her mother-in-law.

    The fever pitch is the threats and sense of insecurity in the marriage, where the man could opt for another woman.

    The practice, as portrayed by Anadu in this movie, leaves no option of adoption, and one can only tell what woes will betide a childless woman in such tradition.

    Although a regular Nollywood storyline, it comes across as news to the diverse audience at the festival.

    Bola Agbaje’s film, Gone Too Far, is a fully BFI-sponsored movie, and so goes the credit  never portrayed as a Nigerian film.

    A British film by Nigerians, Gone Too Far, explores racial disparity among blacks in a white man’s land.

    Directed by Destiny Ekharaga, the film features British-Nigerian teenager Yemi (Malachi Kirby) who is ashamed to let his peers know that his just-arrived, socks-and-sandals-wearing Nigerian brother Ikudayisi (OC Ukeje) is his biological brother.

    The underlining message in the comic film climaxes with an exposé of the folly of denying one’s identity in a bid to feel British among fellow Africans, even when the British don’t see them as one of their own.

    Another remarkable presence of Nigeria at DIFF is the AfriNolly Showcase, a short film collection by a mobile application company that also grooms young African filmmakers through cash prize competition. The company is run by Mr. Chike Maduegbuna and his wife, who were both in attendance at DIFF.

  • ‘What I benefitted from Joke Silva’

    ‘What I benefitted from Joke Silva’

    Her name might not ring a bell, but any Nollywood movie buff will recognise Tunbosun Aiyedehin’s acting talent in such productions as Champions of Our Time, 30 Days, Two Brides and A Baby and Lekki Wives. Indeed, she is a delight in movies. OVWE MEDEME recently met her on the set of a short film, A Day with Death, where she talked about life as an actress, among other issues.

    How did your journey as an actress start?

    I have been acting for over 10 years now. I have acted in Champions of Our Time, 30 Days, Two Brides and A Baby and Lekki Wives. I have also been a part of the stage production titled Heartbeat by Tosin Otudeko. He has run it for two seasons and I must say we have had a large and appreciable audience.

    Why did you choose to be an actress?

    I don’t know. I probably didn’t look at the negative side of it. It is something I have done forever, as far back as my primary school days. It just grew up with me. It went with me to the secondary school and then it played along with me to the university. And for a God-given reason, I won the Best Actress of the Year for two years, in a row, in the university. It was honestly just a plaything when I joined a theatre group in my department. For some good reasons, I got recognised. I honestly wanted to go in for Theatre Arts. I remember hearing some funny comments like: “You want to go and spend four years of your life jumping on stage?” So, I switched courses and I decided to do what I thought was viable, something commercial. So, I studied Business Administration and specialised in marketing. Having gone through that stint of drama on the campus, I think that just pushed me on. I got to meet Uncle Olu Jacobs by the stroke of luck. He told me to talk to his wife because she needed somebody for something she was working on at that time.

    How did that influence your career?

    I saw aunty Joke and it was an avenue to meet the right kind of persons who could push one to that spot that one desires. Gradually, one door just opened after the other. Being with aunty Joke was a training ground because I was actually going through pure office work. But in-between, there were some little opportunities here and there. I must say I got pretty good remarks. I just kept focusing on that place I wanted to go to. I honestly didn’t realise at that time that there were two sides to life. There is always a positive and the negative side to all things. I didn’t look at it that way at all. It is a passion.

    Are you at your destination yet?

    Oh, no! I am not there. I see a very bright light somewhere. I see it and I have told myself a lot of things. I have heard a lot of things. I just keep telling myself, ‘Nothing good comes easy. Hang in there and you will get there.’

    Where is there?

    That point where the fame, the glamour and the name get to the viewers and they say, ‘Oh, I know her’. But you see, it is not about getting there with mediocrity. But it is getting there and thumping your chest and saying, ‘Yes, I worked to get there; I deserve to be there.’ And you know that God pushed you to that point. Honestly, there is nothing one can do, if God doesn’t have a hand in it. You can gamble and do all sorts and it may be short-lived. But if God has a hand in it, you will get to that point.

    Would you say you have been given the recognition you deserve?

    At this point in time, I must say something. We are many on this platform. We are of a humungous number on this platform. So, I think being distinct is what would make you get there. As I said earlier, I have heard a few comments and I pick stuff from those comments. So, I know those things to do, in order to push myself to that point where I can say the recognition is around the corner. But because of the population, you have to earn it seriously. You could earn it using those means that the others said they used. But I am sorry; at this point in time of my life, I have learnt something. I have become ‘Belgium’; so, there is nothing ‘tear rubber’ about me. It won’t work. I am just working; I am happy doing what I do and I will get to that point of recognition.

    Do you feel threatened by the surge of talents in the industry?

    I do not feel threatened. I have too much confidence in myself. I am extremely proud of who I am right now. I am glad I have the type of training I had. I am glad with where I started from. Acting-wise, I am sure that there is no door I want to open that I cannot kick opened with my legs.

    Given that you studied Business Administration, did you seek any formal training in acting?

    Honestly, I didn’t. I sought more formal education in speech. Speech had actually started with me from my primary training. It was part of the syllabus. It just went on; and finally, I got attached to the right person who, as I said, just made it easy to go on. The first thing aunty Joke said, when I was going to get the job, was that she liked the way I spoke. So, that just went on. Of course, as an individual, you don’t just sit down; you have to train yourself. That was how acting came about. It was a natural thing.

    What role are you playing in this production, A Day with Death?

    I played a character called Margaret, a very wily old woman.

    Was it easy adjusting to that character?

    When I read the script initially, it looked like a piece of cake. But I knew at the back of my mind that it wasn’t going to be an easy shoot. I looked at the character from the beginning to the end. She just seemed to be the one who was going to blab English Language all through. She is either talking to someone or doing monologues. And I told myself that this is a mouthful for a character. I have always had this thing at the back of my mind that if it does not involve nudity, if it does not involve anything X-rated, if it just for us to speak English and play out a character, I ask for grace to pull it through. So, I saw it and I said, ‘Ok. It is a lot of work, but I will push it.”

    How would you describe your experience on the set?

    I thank God for the hardworking crew and the director. Honestly, you don’t want to know where I have been. I thank God for my colleagues. If you don’t have a strong cast that can push at your tempo, it really draws you back. With all of that synergy coming from both ends, sailing through was fun.  It was like an energetic role. I must commend my darling character, Kulapo, again. She knew where to just put that extra hand in for me.

    What is the most challenging role you have played?

    It probably would be this one. It initially used to be where I played the wife to a chief judge in the movie, 30 Days, where his character was assassinated in the presence of the family. You know what reaction a wife would give to that when one sees her husband being murdered in her presence. It used to be that, but I must say that Margaret in A Day with Death was a challenge. I actually heard that my director wanted to shoot a scene in the rain. But God, in His infinite mercy, did not allow the rain to fall. It was a merciful something (laughs).

    For you, what is the next big thing?

    That is my little secret. I don’t want to give it away. I never wanted to give it away and I don’t think I want to do that now. I just want to keep that in my own shell.