The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Eyamba Henshaw finds love at last

    Eyamba Henshaw finds love at last

    Eyamba Henshaw, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished female professionals, has finally found love. Information says she is now married to one of her long-time friends, Henry Ezegwu. For a chartered accountant who obtained her ACCA in the UK as far back as 1981 and followed it up with various white collar jobs, there can hardly be better fortune than this. Everything had looked beautiful for Eyamba except the fact that she could not secure a man after her heart. It was a long, tortuous journey, but she finally found love.

    Ezegwu once caused a stir in the social circle with the rumour that he was dating Omua, the estranged wife of Dr. Tunde Soleye, estranged husband of former Miss Nigeria, Nike Osinowo. Curiously, the rumours were neither denied nor corroborated. Now that he has taken his friendship with Eyamba to a new height with a low-key engagement that would take the prying eyes of the public away from their affairs, all the speculations will hopefully be laid to rest.

    Eyamba is the older sister of Pelebo, wife of Ebitimi Banigo, the Amanyanabo of Okpoama Kingdom, one of the host communities of the multi-billion dollar Brass LNG Project. In her mid-50s, she is currently a director at SLG Limited. She is a former commissioner in charge of technical affairs at the National Pension Commission.

  • Delta honours Madiba at Mandela Garden in Asaba

    Delta honours Madiba at Mandela Garden in Asaba

    Last week, the Consulate of South Africa in Nigeria marked the country’s 20 years of

    freedom and democracy, as well as the Nelson Mandela International Day. A series of events were organised in South Africa and Nigeria to mark the milestone events.

    In Asaba, Delta State capital, a programme was held at the scenic Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees in honour of the late freedom fighter. The Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees was founded in 2013. It was a programme jointly initiated by the Delta State Government and a non-governmental organization (NGO) known as Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE). It is a research, educational and recreational centre that boasts a library, a mini zoo and recreational facilities.

    The celebration in Asaba was jointly organised by the Delta State Government and FADE. At a press briefing, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa, said the main objective of the celebration was to identify with the nations and peoples that stood by South Africans and supported them in the days they were struggling for freedom. He said because Nigeria played an important role in the liberation of the majority of the South African people, it became an obvious choice for the celebrations on the African continent.

    Monaisa observed that Nelson Mandela International Day, a global event, is an evidence of the values and ideals that Mandela exemplified, adding that the consulate “has identified Delta State as one of our key friends with which we would like to share this moment.”

    The ambassador noted that the occasion served to acknowledge and thank the Nigerian citizens for their unwavering support and further strengthen the bilateral relations between both countries.

    Responding to a question, Ambassador Monaisa said his country was already realising the dreams of Nelson Mandela and his peers. He said although the iniquities of apartheid could not be redressed overnight, the South African government has made strides in social programmes, power generation, infrastructure development, health and education, among others.

    He said: “Apartheid has been with us for centuries and we have been free from it and we redress the iniquities of the imbalances that were caused by the apartheid regime. This cannot happen overnight; it becomes a process.

    “But so far, we have achieved a lot towards the dream of Nelson Mandela and his peers who early in our struggle fought very hard to bring us to where we are. Some of them, like he himself, have gone, but we are carrying on the beacon.

    “If you go to South Africa today, it is definitely not the South Africa of 1994. We have addressed a lot of imbalances .We have social programmes to bridge the gap between the haves and the haves not.

    “We have built a lot of schools for the people. We have social grants to take care of the aged, the disabled and the needy, especially abandoned children .We have built electricity and more hospitals in the country.

    “You are aware that South Africa is highly industrialised and therefore generates power, but even then has built more power plants. Many homes, especially the homes of the previously

    disadvantaged, are electrified. A lot of roads have been built, especially to areas which used to be for blacks only.

    “In the area of education, SA is now building three new universities in three provinces which had no universities. Universities used to be concentrated in certain areas, such as Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban. We did not have universities in Northern

    Cape, Umphumalaga. We are really living Mandela’s dream.”

    He said government had tackled crime in South Africa headlong, noting that the crime situation was more of perception than reality. According to him, the media exaggerated the issue of crime in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

    He said: “We demonstrated to the world that what they read in the newspapers and the perception they had were not true…the World Cup came and went without a major incident. People were so free that many decided to stay longer. Some of them came back to buy property in South Africa.”

    Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Festus Okubor, described Nelson Mandela as an icon. He said the state was honoured to host part of the celebrations commemorating South Africa’s 20th anniversary and Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

    He said the honour by the South African consulate speaks volumes about the “concerted efforts of the Delta State Government under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to open up the state to the outside world.”

    He said the event was a statement to the outside world that Delta State is a safe destination. “If Nelson Mandela can live in Delta State, I believe that the peoples of the world should know that Delta State is not only a safe place, but a good place to visit… These are important steps towards attracting investment into the state.”

    The founder of Fight against Desert Encroachment (F.A.D.E), and renowned environmentalist, Mr. Newton Jibunoh, who in partnership with Delta State Government hosted the South African consulate, said he adopted Nelson Mandela as his mentor about 50 year ago. He said his NGO, in concert with the state government in 2013 built the Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees to commemorate the life of sacrifice exemplified by Nelson Mandela.

    “All the 95 trees are doing well and some have even started flowering,” he noted, adding that FADE had partnered with the state government on many environmental issues, including the forest rangers initiative which promotes the culture of gardening among the populace.

    He said that more than 40 per cent of forest resources in the state had been lost as a result of bad farming methods and urbanization, warning that the world would suffer for it, especially in bio-diversity development.

    The highpoint of the occasion was a visit by Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa and his entourage to Madonna School for Children with Needs at Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area. The group donated books, writing materials and T-shirts to the over 193 pupils of the school run by the Catholic Mission.

    The pupils were also entertained with soft drinks in the ceremony that lasted more than two hours.

  • Bode Olajumoke hits 70

    Bode Olajumoke hits 70

    Weeks after staging a wedding ceremony that called out most of Nigeria’s dignitaries from their private corners in honour of his daughter, another joyous moment beckons for Senator Bode Olajumoke. He will not be accompanying another daughter of his to the altar this time around. Rather, the former member of the upper chamber of the National Assembly is marking his advent into the landmark age of 70.

    A philanthropist and humanitarian of global repute, the Ondo State-born legal practitioner decided to bless the humanity by donating a four-bedroom apartment to the Lagos State Scout Council as part of activities marking his 70th birthday. The building, which is sited inside the Baden Powell Training Centre, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, is for the use of Lagos State Disabled and Special Scouts.

    Handling over the building, Olajumoke said he decided to give back to the society, especially to the physically challenged in order to inspire and give them a sense of belonging.

  • Bilikisu Gambari returns to familiar terrain

    Bilikisu Gambari returns to familiar terrain

    Twice she has taken a shot at elective posts, twice she has had to return to the drawing board. Such is the story of one of Kwara State most sociable women, Princess Bilikisu Tinuola Gambari. Her ambition to be the voice of Kwara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly has been dashed twice in 2007 and 2011, no thanks to the overwhelming influence of the Saraki dynasty.

    But Princess Gambari seems to have put the past behind her as she warms up for another take in the Kwara political chess game. The former graduate of American College of Applied Arts, London and Liverpool School of Banking, UK, was in Ilorin recently to oil the political machinery she has been building since 2007.

    How successful her mission turns out to be would be known in a matter of months.

  • My burden as an actor -Nollywood actor Yomi Fash-Lanso

    My burden as an actor -Nollywood actor Yomi Fash-Lanso

    With long years behind him and countless flicks to his credit, smooth-talking actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso can be described as a veteran in the world of make-believe. Fash-Lanso is not only a household name in the Nigerian film industry, his trade has taken him to places where many of his contemporaries can only imagine. KAYODE ALFRED engaged the actor in a conversation and he went down memory lane, narrating his journey into Nollywood, an industry that has raised him to a height that would be the envy of many.

    It is almost a decade since Yomi Fash-Lanso came into full consciousness of movie lovers. That was on account of his role in Jide Kosoko’s film, Omolade. His dream to become an accomplished actor began as a teenager, but that remained firmly in the realm of a dream until he met the late movie director and actor, Lekan Oladipupo, popularly known in the movie world as Lekinson.

    Without Lekinson’s tutelage, Fash-Lanso, perhaps, might have just been another ordinary Nigerian struggling somewhere to make ends meet. He recalled with infectious nostalgia how he embraced theatre through the efforts of Lekinson “after years of tutorials in acting and directing.” He is therefore quick to attribute his success in the trade to the discipline and professionalism he imbibed from the late actor, whose trademark was his peculiar usage of high-faluting words and expressions in films. But for the fact that providence brought him in contact with Lekinson, Fash-Lanso says he would have gone into fashion business, “buying and selling fashionable apparels.”

    But while he appreciates the strides that Nollywood has recorede, Yomi firmly believes that there is still a lot of ground to cover, saying that Nollywood is not yet qualified to be tagged an industry. “It is a pity we are yet to have a film industry in Nigeria,” he laments. “What we have now is what I would call a workplace.”

    He particularly frowns at the division that threatens the sector, especially the Yoruba movie industry where actors and actresses have broken into so many associations lately. According to him, “there is nothing like the Yoruba sector in the film industry in Nigeria. I look forward to the near future when we would have a formidable motion picture association that would represent the interest of all practitioners, irrespective of their geopolitical zones. Then we will have a visible and promising direction,” he said.

    He also bemoans the dearth of well trained professionals in the sector. To him, formal training will always give an aspiring actor the leverage to attain an enviable height among his peers, even though he maintains that the roles of talent and hard work cannot be overemphasised.

    But in a professional world where brand loyalty is vital if one must remain relevant, what has been Yomi’s staying power in an industry that seems to be saturated with brands? Yomi attributes his staying power to the consistency of his brand.

    He said: “The magic of any brand is consistency, which I hold on to strongly. I was able to carve a niche for myself in the industry very early in my professional career, and I remain true to my niche.

    “The movie world is as dynamic as the viewing audience and technology make it. As such, I have continued to be as creative and innovative as I can without losing my identity and niche. I am very mindful of what I do before the camera and my approach to it as a professional.”

    His inspiration comes from events around him and the reading that he does. And if he is faced with a choice between acting and directing, he would opt for the latter.

    Reputed as one of the busiest and most hardworking actors-cum-directors in Nollywood, Yomi does not believe that his celebrity status has any bearing on the way he relates with his family. Rather, his family, which he describes as affectionate, appreciates “where I have been able to place them in the society, even beyond Nigeria, through my profession, and they love me for it.

    “Celebrity status has not succeeded in changing me from the same level-headed Yomi they knew when he was not yet a public figure. Yes, outside the family circle, it is a different ball game because the society expects certain ethos from me when they encounter me but I have tried as much as possible to be my natural self. At the same time, I believe I have been able to record a measure of success by minimising my exposure to the paparazzi.”

    Nollywood has afforded Fash-Lanso all that he is today, but it has also robbed him of one of much of his private life. According to him, his privacy is the price he has had to pay for stardom.

    He said: “Sometimes I just want to be me, but where I’m placed in the society and the world simmers me down a lot. Quite a number of times, I just want to be lost amongst people in joyful frenzy, but again the knowledge that all eyes are on me prevents me from doing that because any idiosyncrasies exhibited by me on such occasions would find their ways into the press the next day. In fact, pictures and tweets of such moments will adorn Nigeria’s blogs and micro-blogs.”

    It is to Fash-Lanso’s credit that many of the graduate actors and actresses the Yoruba movie industry parade today found the courage to venture into the movie world. “With all sense of modesty,” he said, “I can say that I gave so many refined graduates in the industry now the courage to come into the make-believe world through my first major film, Omolade, in 1995. It was produced and directed by Prince Jide Kosoko.

    “The film gave birth to young promising faces in the industry who saw Yomi Fash-Lanso as a model of success because the film was a huge success at the box office that year. And up till today, I still sensitise my co-actors to what we need to do to make it better than we have now.”

    Yomi Fash-Lanso is not only blessed with good looks, he is one of Nigerian actors the opposite sex appreciates the most. This, of course, does not come without a price in the form of pressure and advances. And the actor admits that he has had to employ a measure of level-headedness to live above board in the face of the advances that come his way on a regular basis.

    His words: “I appreciate the compliments wholeheartedly and I have been disciplined enough to draw the lines when the advances come in different forms and guises. The fact that ladies do walk up to me and tell me sweet things shows how much they adore Yomi Fash-Lanso, but I don’t let it get to my head.”

    Fash-Lanso maintains a triangular friendship with two other top practitioners in the movie world, namely Kunle Afolayan and Funso Adeolu. But the fair complexioned actor and movie director says he extends his open arms of fellowship to “anybody that shares the same ideology with me about the profession. Such a person automatically becomes my friend; like Ibrahim Chatta, popularly known as Ojooja.

    “Those two you mentioned earlier are very close to me because we talk passionately about the industry most times we meet, because it is our major.”

    Like many of his colleagues have done in recent years, is there any plan by Fash-Lanso to go into politics soon? He says he does not mind embracing politics, but he expressed his hatred for the dirty nature of the vocation at the moment.

    “With what is flying up and down in the Nigerian politics one will tend to have a rethink. But if sanity and ideology becomes the order in the nearest future, why not?” he said.

    The acceptance hr enjoys in the society has not distracted his attention from his family as he speaks glowingly about his wife and children who, according to him, “are very cute, very loving and affectionate.

    “With regards to my wife, we respect and value each other. We are blessed with kids who are equally loving and understanding. They appreciate the demands of Daddy’s trade, and as such, they make no extra demands that may stretch me beyond my limit. They have been very supportive and the least I can do to reciprocate this is to love and care for them immensely.”

    But how does the busy actor relax?

    “I grab every available opportunity I have to spend quality time with my family, and have massive fun. You know our work takes us away from them most times. At times I relax with my friends in or outside my profession over a drink. At other times, I sit among the elderly and listen to what my ancestors call oro agba (words of the elder).”

    “So, I’m trying hard to give my children love and respect, so that they will in turn share it with the world, because that is what we need to make this world a better place for us all to live in.”

    He has a word for young people who hope to take acting as a career: “Never run away from knowledge. Never see the industry as an all-comer affair. Get trained formally, even if you have the talent or you are discovered in a club, and you will earn your rightful place among star actors.”

  • Half of a Yellow Sun screened in Calabar

    Half of a Yellow Sun screened in Calabar

    It was mostly positive reviews as the movie “Half of a Yellow Sun” was screened in Calabar for its first review in Nigeria yesterday.

    The movie which is based on a civil war novel of same title by Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie was screened at the Film House Cinema, Marina Resort yesterday.Certification of the movie which was initially delayed by the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board is slated to be released on August 1.

    Mr Zac Almeida, a technical director with EbonyLife TV, described the movie as exceptional.

    “It was impeccable. As a TV expert I can tell you that the integration between the old actual footage and new shootings blended perfectly. The directing was good. The story line was fantastic. I have been in Calabar for over two years and I could tell most of the local places the movie was shot. I was impressed,” Almeida said.

    Also Nonso Nwanah said the movie was well done.

    “It was scripting and good editing. Kudos to the director of photography also for a good job.

    “It was a story well told. I would say it is not as good as the novel but it is still excellent. Of course there’s no way it can be exactly the same. But it was an excellent story and well presented,” Nwanah said.

    Branch Manager of Film House Cinema, Glory Okwuoha, said, “I can say the movie is fantastic. It’s a good love story of two sisters caught in the outcome of the Nigerian civil war.

    “The quality is good and we expect it to do well. So we encourage the public to try and see it. It will be open to be shown in all cinemas from August 1.
    Despite having scenes that cut across various cities in the country, the movie was shot in locations on in Calabar, Creek Town and the Studio Tinapa.
  • I’m hale and hearty, says Tracy Morgan

    I’m hale and hearty, says Tracy Morgan

    •Speaks for the first time since accident

    Contrary to the fears being expressed in some quarters about his state of health following his recent involvement in an auto crash on June 7, American comedian, Tracy Morgan, has said that he is hale and hearty.

    “It’s so sad to think that such a horrible thing happened to such a seemingly good-natured man. Every time we see him in the public, he’s telling jokes and acting ridiculous and always making people laugh. But now he has witnessed his dear friend’s death and suffered debilitating injuries. It’s very sad,” said a fan who commented on the Daily Mail site.

    Morgan suffered broken a leg and ribs when the limousine van he was riding in was hit from behind by a Wal-Mart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike.

    His friend, comedian James McNair, was killed in the crash, while he (Morgan) was initially moved to rehabilitation after being hospitalised with broken a leg and broken ribs.

    Fellow comedians, Ardley Fuqua, Jeffrey and Krista Millea, who were passengers in the limo, are named as plaintiffs. Fuqua is also recovering from crash-related injuries.

    The former ’30 Rock’ star, who spoke for the first time since leaving the rehabilitation facility, is suing Wal-Mart for negligence.

    Morgan was said to have thanked a crowd of reporters applauding him outside his New Jersey home, flashing a grin and doing the peace sign to photographers as he left his Cresskill, New Jersey, in a black Lincoln Navigator.

    He said to the crowd: “I’m OK, I feel strong. Love you, thank you very much.”

     

  • My mother introduced my wife to me –Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo

    My mother introduced my wife to me –Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo

    Since he acted in Living in Bondage, Kenneth Okonkwo, famously called Andy, has stayed true to his craft. Though his career once suffered a lull following his crashed marriage and quest for more knowledge, the veteran actor came back bigger and better with Dumebi the Village Girl. Ever since, his profile has been on the rise. In 2013, he was honoured with the AMAA Recognition Award for his contribution to Nollywood.  In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, he talks about his marital life and career, among other things.  

    You come across like a very blunt person, are you?    In my family, they would tell you that if I have a problem with anyone, they can pass judgment once they have heard my own side of the story. Anything you say that is contrary to what I say is a lie. That is the truth and I wouldn’t say anything that will favour me. I will say it just the way it is; and then, I will apologise where necessary. So, that is just the kind of person I am. The truth is the truth. Yes, it may hurt sometimes, but when you tell the truth, you have done your best. Even if someone gets mad at me for saying what I said, he or she will come around. But unfortunately, there are situations in which by the time they come around, you would have moved on.

    It is said that you charge as high as N2m per movie. Could you react to this?

    Well, I wouldn’t want to discuss my fee because you are being unfair to me. You don’t go and ask a civil servant how much he or she is earning. But the fact remains that from Living in Bondage Part 2, I have been earning what I love to earn. It is satisfying; it is just good enough because we are in Nigeria.

    By next month, I will be due to make a movie, Eye of the Eagle, in the United States. It is a very fantastic story and you will fall for it.

    Is it a Nigerian/Hollywood production?

    Yes, Nigerians are involved. Basically, it is by a Nigerian over there and he wants to do a collaboration work with Hollywood. So, that is why we are going to do it there.

    You’re one of the best actors in Nollywood. So, what are those qualities that stand you out?

    Should I not allow you to answer that (Laughs)? If you put it to me, I will say thank you for saying nice things about me. But I think it is basically the grace of God. There is this thing about charisma, which is a gift. I’ve seen a lot of actors and actresses who act very well, but are not being liked. You see, likeability is different from the acting and I think that’s a gift. I think the grace of God contributes a lot to entertainment. You see, before Living in Bondage, Nigerians would not even want to be patient enough to watch a local movie. I went to one video shop and the man had this inscription: “No local video is allowed here”. But immediately Living in Bondage came out, though we didn’t even advertise it, it was like there was an outcry. People were rushing to buy it. And with all due respect, it was the story of my character from beginning to the end. So, you can see the likeability. The real first one that came out was not subtitled. But Hausa and Yoruba people wanted it subtitled because they loved everything about it. So, we had to take it back to subtitle it. Likeability! So, that’s the grace of God, working in its highest form. And I’m grateful to God almighty for that. What can I do?  What can I say? I didn’t contribute anything to the way I look or the way I talk. I didn’t go to any school of Theatre Arts. But I always carry myself into any movie and I am just accepted. That’s the grace of God. Then, do you know the secret of my success? I read a lot, think a lot and work a lot! That’s what Henry Ford told the businessmen who wanted to be successful.

    So, when you are not on screen, what do you do?

    I read a lot and I’m a born-again Christian now. I wasn’t a good guy from birth. So, that helped me also to cut out a lot of frivolities and I keep praying to God that I fall not into temptation. Also, I pray that ladies do not lead me into temptation because the beautiful ones are coming out every day! You don’t just need prayers only, but you need to do the biblical injunction too.

    At what point did you become a born-again Christian?

    It was in 1994. You know, when you think that material things, fame and fortune will make you happy and God deposited all these things in you, yet you are not happy, then, you just know that there is a vacuum.  God must be interested in me. The story of my salvation is determined by the God Almighty. I just knew that truthfully without Him, I can’t do anything.

    Do you have any regrets regarding your past life?

    No! I don’t have any regrets about the things I did. When I was doing them then, I was enjoying it; so, I have no regrets. I thought I was having fun.

    You are very stylish. What informs your style?

    I think by nature, I’m just stylish.

    Though the way you walk is stylish, I think it is not natural…

    The truth is that, if not that people are saying it, and everybody is saying the same thing, I would have argued that it’s not true.  That is the way I’ve always walked from day one. As a matter of fact, at times, I try too hard not to walk that way. But once my mind gets off it, I just return to it.

    You must have a lot of admirers. How do you cope with your female fans? 

    What can I say? I just try to be nice to them.  I relate to some of them as very good friends.

    How do you handle the persistent female fans?

    How are you sure that there are persistent ones (laughs)? Hmm! One of the best things that God made on earth is the woman. There is something about them. They know more than we think. They know the sincerity of your heart. When you’re very honest to them, they will see the real thing God has deposited in them. Some of them may feel hurt when you say no, but they will understand, especially when they know that you mean it and your standard is the same for everybody. And that initial feeling of hurt will transform into big love, respect and truth. When you get your act right with women, you will know that they are the sweetest things on earth. If you start messing with women, you can only have one at a time and eventually it will limit a lot of things for you. But when you’re good to them, without asking for anything in return, you have all of them at a time. Women have a way of contributing to a man’s success, if they know you are genuine. And so, I’m having a very good relationship with them now. But, at the initial stage, it was bumpy. However, it later became beautiful.

    How has marriage helped to stabilise you?

    Since I got married, I have not had carnal knowledge of any other lady. But I have been very close to it. But with Jesus Christ helping me, it has not happened.

    Since when?

    2007.

    What do you love most about her?

    She’s very beautiful and very brilliant. She also understands me. And more importantly, she loves me very well.

    Sorry to take you back, you must be a strong man not to have played ‘side-betting’ since 2007…

    (Cuts in) For what ‘side-betting’ is (pauses)… But you know, as an actor, she understands. I don’t count the ‘peripheral’ thing that we even do publicly, but I mean the real thing.

    Are there not times that you guys act to things and you get some feelings for the person?

    You get used to what you are a professional in. It is like asking a doctor, ‘Don’t you get tickled?’ Doctors are even closer than us.

    Every chance you get, you celebrate your present marriage…

    (Cuts in)The only thing I’m going to say is that this is the real time that I have a privilege to settle down with a woman and marry her. This is really the first time that I can tell you that I settled down in a marriage made for two of us without any third party.  As a human being, I have very soft spot for women. That’s known. I have not brutalised any woman since my adult age and the facts are there. So, anybody telling you that I brutalised anybody is telling you a lie. But I’ve always told people that I am not going to put my neck for my enemy to cut it off. I have said it before and I am saying it again. If you leave at the mercy of your enemy, you are simply making your enemy merciless. So, the mere fact that I have not placed my neck for anybody to cut it off does not mean that I have anything against anybody.

    How do you reconcile the fact that you are born-again and you are divorced?

    I don’t want to go into that. But there is nothing contradictory about it. Any relationship that you get into that is made of more than one person, the destiny of that relationship does not lie in your hands alone. That’s why we are men. We are not God. And I’m not the kind of man who wants to live a lie or live in lie. A lot of people are separated and are doing certain things, but they will come out and pretend they are not doing anything. I know myself. I know the limit of what I can sustain and with my profession. So, I know I can’t stay alone for a long while without really messing up. You know the Bible says that it is not good for a man to be alone.

    So, how do you cope now, since you are always on locations?

    What does it take? If I’m in London and I feel so, I can fly in, see my babe and fly back to location (laughs). At times, I would be on location and after a while, I will scream, ‘Hey! Hey! I just have to go home. I don’t know how my body is feeling.’ I’m that straight forward. I will announce it in the public. And if I don’t run that time, something will happen.

    How did you meet her?

    She is from my place. You know what? This is the truth of how it happened. It was my mother who introduced her to me.  My mother sat down and said to some people: “If there is anybody who should have a problem in his marriage, it should not be this boy. I can vouch that this guy is a Christian and a born-again one.” So, when my mother saw this lady and she knows my ‘spec’, she called me and said she had seen a lady I would marry. My mother is a very fashionable and beautiful woman. I was like, ‘Me?’But she wasn’t aware of it. And I’m like, this one that my mother is talking like this. Then, she started enticing me, telling me about her physical attributes and so on. Then, I got interested. I called her and the rest is history. I talked to her in a manner that she just couldn’t let me go. She has been known in my town as a very decent lady. My mother has eagle eyes; and since I’ve been with her, it’s been bliss.

    But you were not born-again when you were married the first time?

    I was. I got born-again in 1994 and I got married 2000. I can tell you another thing: from the time I got born-again till I got married, I didn’t have a carnal knowledge of any woman. And that’s me. When I am here, I am here. That doesn’t mean I don’t get tempted; I do. But I have told you the secret. When I can’t hold my body, I run away.

     

  • Joselyn Dumas fumes over marriage proposals

    Joselyn Dumas fumes over marriage proposals

    Ghanaian actress, Joselyn Dumas, has said that she is engaged and does not intend to accept any more marriage proposals from her numerous suitors. Adjudged the hottest Ghanaian celebrity in 2012 by 4syte TV, the 33-year-old said she had had enough of reports that she is single and searching for a man to marry.

    Following what she described as “unnecessary harassment”, she took to the social networking site, Facebook, last Friday, to declare that she is “simply” not available.

    “Hi folks, I am not single and searching; so, please, kindly ignore those publications on social media. Those are not exactly my words.

    “For those who have been sending me tons and tons of marriage proposals….sorry, guys, I’m simply not available. Thanks for your understanding. God bless you,” the curvy actress said.

    Earlier in the year, the actress was enmeshed in a controversy when she was nominated as Best Supporting Actress at the Ghana Movie Awards for her role in a movie titled A Northern Affair. Pitched alongside others like Lydia Forson, Lisa Nana Yaa Awuku, Rose Mensah (Kyeiwaa) and Roselyn Ngissah, many, including the director of A Northern Affair, Leila Djansi, felt she should not have been nominated for the award.

    A night before Joselyn Dumas won the award, Djansi took to the social media to express her displeasure over the award categories: “Ghana Movie Awards, what on earth? How can Joselyn Dumas be nominated in supporting actress, when the entire story of A Northern Affair was told from her point of view? If we are going to do something, let us do it right.  We can’t continue like this. Get it together and get it right. GMA is a laudable enterprise, but it needs to grow in the right direction,” she posted.

  • My family went through hell in Liberia: IRETI OSAYEMI

    My family went through hell in Liberia: IRETI OSAYEMI

    COULD you recall the circumstances surrounding your return to Nigeria from Liberia?

    We used to live in Liberia, but had to come back to Nigeria during the Liberian civil war. You can imagine both parents living in Liberia with all their investments there. We came to Nigeria empty-handed, having lost everything to the war. The only thing we had with us when we landed in Nigeria was the Red Cross blanket. We had to start all over again. But it didn’t last for so long. My dad eventually got a job.

    My elder brother, who was into stage performances, told me that since I love actors and actresses, he would take me to where I could meet them. So, he took me to Winnies Hotel in Surulere, Lagos. I was so happy that I was seeing every one of them on a platter of gold. Normally, when one has not met them, one just assumes they are ghosts, angels or people you don’t get to see on a normal day. Then, one day, a production manager was passing by and asked me if I was an actress and I said no. He told me he was looking for a girl like me who could act and I told him I wouldn’t mind being an actress. So, that was how I got my first job in 1999 in the movie titled Cassanova. I continued with the English movies until I met my husband. He was more into the Yoruba movies and soap operas. I got more jobs in the Yoruba movies.

    When did you meet him?

    He was more of a God-sent helper. The first time I met him, I was stranded right in front of his guest house and couldn’t get transportation out of the area. He was like, “Hey! Where are you going?” And I told him I wanted to get out of that area. So, he was like, “Okay, no problem; let me help you.” Lo and behold, he dropped me right in front of my house and we became friends.

    Then, we became lovers; and today, we are husband and wife. He came into my life at the right time. He came almost immediately after I lost my dad, so I see him as a father figure. Initially, I used to tell him that I loved him as much as I loved my father. But as time goes on, I found out that I love him more than I used to love my father. He is a wonderful man. He gives out a helping hand and tells me what to do when I am confused. He is very concerned about me, my career and every step I take in life. He is part of every minute of my life and there is nothing going on in my life that he doesn’t know. He’s just a part of my life.

    At what point did you discover you could act?

    The truth is that I got into acting by accident. Though I always loved watching people act, I never knew I would one day act until the opportunity came. Since then, it has been a wonderful experience.

    We know you’re a professional now. But what was it like at the outset?

    I used to be scared of the camera, but I have out- grown that now. As you rightly said, I’m a professional now. I thank God for my fans who have been there for me all these years. Now, I can say I’m a star, but the fans are the real stars because they are the ones who make us want to put more effort into what we are doing.

    How many movies have you featured in so far?

    I have lost count. It’s over a decade, as you know. I had featured in over 20 English movies before crossing to the Yoruba movie genre. So far, I’ve featured in over 100 movies and TV soaps.

    What do you consider before taking up a script?

    I consider the depth of the story, the director and the cast.

    People say you are amiable and modest…

    If I’m to describe myself, I think those will be my first choice of words. I’m amiable and modest. It’s my upbringing, really. This is who I am. Sometimes when people meet me and try to chat me up and they see that I welcome it, they are surprised. I am who I am by the grace of God and favour that God has given me in the hands of my fans. So, they deserve my attention.

    How would you describe the Nigerian film industry today?

    The Nigerian movie industry has grown. But I like to say Nollywood is still emerging. We are yet to have a structure and that remains the major challenge facing the industry. However, the rate at which we have emerged in recent past is commendable; so, I believe with time we will get there.

    What does style mean to you?

    Let me say, first and foremost, that I do not follow the trend. Style, to me, means being modest and wearing what suits me, irrespective of whether it is a designer or not. I mustn’t wear a designer, if it doesn’t suit me or my body type. Having said that, I love to look good all the time by wearing what suits me.

    What stands you out as an actress and producer?

    I’m a stickler for perfection. I’m passionate about my works and the film industry. I go the extra-mile to achieve perfection in my interpretation of roles. I am very detailed in my productions.

    What do you like about pink colour?

    Pink is my favourite colour.  I love pink because it is feminine.

    How do you unwind?

    I love going to the beach and swimming in a pool. I also go out with my husband and friends when occasion demands it.