The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Top celebs gather for Encomium

    Top celebs gather for Encomium

    Top society magazine, Encomium, held its annual White Gig at Yard 158 in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, December 22.

    The event, which started with a red carpet at 5pm, was attended by the upper crust in the entertainment industry.

    Anchored by renowned TV broadcaster Yemi Shodimu, the guests were treated to a great show.

    Interestingly, the highpoint of this year’s event was the celebration of the Afrobeat icon, Femi Kuti, for his nomination at the January 26 Grammy Awards, in the United States.

    It was, indeed, an honour well deserving for the son of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, as his resume was read to the admiration of fans and guests.

    For his contributions, achievements and influence, locally and globally, Femi was honoured with an award by the CEO of Global Excellence, Mayor Akinpelu.

    The audience couldn’t contain their emotions, especially when Femi recounted how Akinpelu had stood by him in his early musical years.

    According to him, the honour meant more, especially because it was from Mayor. “This award is so precious to me because it is coming from someone who knew how I started. At a time when nobody wanted to listen to me and nobody believed in me, he was there for me, supporting me in my career. Even my family didn’t believe in my career. One of them told me I should forget about becoming a musician and that I should rather go and become a fisherman. It is an honour, Sir, to get this from you,” he said.

    During the question-and-answer session, he explained why people think he’s arrogant. According to him, “I prefer to stay at home, which is the truth, except when I am out performing. But that is not to say that I am arrogant. No, I am not. I have done music with budding artistes, who never even thought I would give them audience. Some even think I will charge so much, but I don’t even collect money from them. Someone like Wizkid was surprised when I agreed to feature on his song and I didn’t collect any money from him. Not that I have their kind of money; but for me, it is a way of giving back.”

    Some of the celebrities at the event were Julius Agwu, Kunle Afolayan, Chico Ejiro, Joy Ejiro, Funsho Adeolu and wife, Liz Anjorin, Iyabo Ojo, Aisha Ibrahim, Lepa Shandy, Foluke Daramola-Salako, Kayode Salako, Yaw, Rugged man, Lilian Amah and Doris Simeon, among others.

  • Calabar Carnival Queen emerges

    Calabar Carnival Queen emerges

    EIGHTEEN-year-old Miss Nancy Olive Asisagbeonhi of the Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State has emerged the 2013 Calabar Carnival Queen.

    Asisagbeonhi, a 200-level student of Chemistry, beat 29 others to clinch the tiara.

    She earned the star prize of Hyundai Saloon car and N2 million.

    According to the organisers, the beauty queen from Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State is the new Face of Tourism, Ambassador of Goodwill and spokesperson for Mother Against Child Abandonment (MACA).

    Crested as Miss Mary Slessor, Asisagbeonhi’s feat was contested by Miss Old Residency, who became the first runner-up, winning N500, 000. The second runner-up, Miss WAPI, did not also go home empty-handed, as she got N250, 000.

    The queen was crowned by her predecessor, Miss Sophia Chidinma Dije, and decorated by the initiator of the pageant and wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke.

    Dije, who advised her successor to be focused, recalled meeting several personalities during her reign as the Face of MACA.

    She said she visited secondary schools to discuss premarital sex and abstinence.

    Dije said she participated in the Trinidad and Tobago carnival and the Calabar Festival.

    Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke said the pageant was close to her heart because she promised God that she would use it to provide succour to abandoned children.

    She said over the years the winners had taken the message to young boys and girls across the state.

    Mrs. Imoke assured that money donated at the ceremony would be used for the upkeep of inmates at the Destiny Child Centre.

    The 2013 queen promised to uphold the ethics of her new status and use her position to represent the pageant effectively.

  • Frank Edoho remarries

    Frank Edoho remarries

    After several months of speculation, TV presenter and ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ host Frank Edoho has married his girlfriend, Sandra Onyenenecheya.

    The popular TV personality was in Arochukwu, Abia State on December 18 for the traditional ceremony.

    The couple were said to have lodged in a hotel called “Brick House” and left the following morning.

    His celebrated marriage with Katherine Obiang, his ex-wife and mother of three, collapsed on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

    The ex-NTA/ Classic FM presenter was quoted to have said in an interview that “they should never have married”.

    However, the news of his marriage to Sandra didn’t come as a surprise to many, particularly because of their whirlwind romance in the past years.

  • Desmond Elliot joins Labour Party

    Desmond Elliot joins Labour Party

    To many of his fans, it was a pleasant surprise of sorts when the news broke that their movie idol, Desmond Elliot, has embraced politics.

    But this is no joke at all, as the hugely talented actor and producer has signified his intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 under the Labour Party, LP.

    For those who have been following his stories with unalloyed interest, the main reason for wanting to dump acting for politics-even if temporarily- is to be an agent of change. And he has always used available opportunities to express his intention.

    Elliot gave indication about his interest recently in some of his BB messages.

    He was quoted to have said: “Well, I want a better and more comfortable Lagos. I’m willing to exchange my ‘in-action’ and ‘silence’ to speak up for a leader who will give me the Lagos of my dreams.

    “I have established that making Jimi Kolawole Agbaje governor is one of my priorities and I’m off to work on that. Join the movement!! Its JAYKAY 2015. The hope has begun”.

    Everywhere he goes to now, Elliot always proclaims his love for Agbaje, whom he wants to be governor.

    Other celebrities who have joined politics in the past include movie star Richard Mofe- Damijo, singer Onyeka Onwenu, Hilda Dokubo, Bob Manuel Udokwu and Kanayo O. Kanayo, among others.

  • Y.K. Ajao’s son set to release debut album

    Y.K. Ajao’s son set to release debut album

    After plying his trade as a budding Juju music act at different social events for seven years, Lateef Owolabi Ajao, son of the ace juju music star, Prof. Y.K. Ajao, has revealed his plans to release his debut album titled Still alive.

    Popularly called Y.K. 2 or Juju Macosa Prince, he says the album is borne out of the need to debunk the rumour making the rounds that his father has quit music. “I want people to know that my father is still alive and has not stopped playing music. So, the first track is all about praises to God; the second track is dedicated to my father while the third track is a tribute to my mum who died 10 years ago.”

    When asked if his dad was instrumental to his playing music, the graduate of Marketing from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State and leader of the Lateef Owolabi Ajao Band attributed it to God, saying, “Whenever I see my dad on stage, I always feel inspired. But I never wanted to play music; so, I would say it is destiny at work.”

    He said while he was busy minding his business as a clearing and forwarding agent, he was always pressured by Apala music exponent, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, to go into music. “As fate would have it, while I was in the university, my Department organised a show, where Musiliu Haruna Ishola performed. Interestingly, during the show, he just declared that the Department was blessed with a music talent, who was not being celebrated. So, he called me up to perform. After the show ended, he then called my father, telling him that he should encourage me to go into music. Then, seven years ago, one of my friends organised a show, where he also encouraged me to perform. I received a lot of applause from the people at the show. And since that day, I resolved to go into music fully,” he explained.

  • Music veterans honoured in Lagos

    Music veterans honoured in Lagos

    Some veteran Nigerian musicians were honoured in the early hours of Monday in Lagos, for their contributions to the development of Nigerian music.

    The awards, tagged: “The Headies Veterans’ Night, “held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos were presented to Tony Okoroji, Sir Shina Peters, Laolu Akins, Stella Monye and Ras Kimono.

    Others were: Mike Okri, Adewale Ayuba and Victor Olaiya.

    Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, Patrick Doyle, Femi Lasode, Edi Lawani and Grand Master Lee also won awards for their contributions to Nigerian Art.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the annual event organised by Smooth Promotions, was a celebration of evergreen Nigerian music rendered in contemporary genre platform by younger artists.

    The musical performances which brought back fond memories in the audience saw a pop artist, Jaywon opening the event with a rendition of late Fatai Rolling Dollars’ “Won Kere Si Number Wa, “ while Chidinma performed “Seun Rere’’ by late Christy Essien-Igbokwe.

    Dammy Krane performed Pasuma’s “Liga Liga Li,” Sean Tizzle rendered King Sunny Ade’s “Merciful God” Sound Sultan sang Majek Fashek’s “Send Down the Rain,” while Tosin Martins replicated Adewale Ayuba’s “Ijo Fuji.”

    NAN reports that the highlight of the infectious night was when some of the veteran musicians in attendance joined the younger artists in an impromptu duet.

    The electrifying moment saw Ayuba joining Martins on stage to perform, while Ras Kimono teamed up with Sound Sultan in performing his evergreen track, “Rumba Stylee.”

    Dr. Sid performed “Guitar Boy” by Sir Victor Uwaifo, while Teju Babyface cajoled Sir Shina Peters into performing “Shinamania” with him.

    Babyface repeated the same trick with Mike Okri, who also came onstage and performed the old track “Omoge.”

    Saxophonist, Mike Aremu, also leveraged the night’s tempo with his replication of Lagbaja’s “Cool Temper.”

    The organiser of the event, Ayo Animashaun, said the awards were in recognition of the veterans’ contributions to the development of the Nigeria music industry.

     

     

  • Psquare thrills fans at CARNIRIV 2013

    Psquare thrills fans at CARNIRIV 2013

    City of Port Harcourt stood still last week as the hip hop duo, Psquare ‘personally’ treated the fans to the best of entertainment at the opening ceremony of CARNIRIV 2013.

    It was a night to remember. The adrenaline was at its peak. Expectations were high as the multi award-winning stars stormed the stage of the Liberation Stadium to the admiration of the thousands of fans that filled the 27,000 capacity stadium to its brim.

    The event which was earlier declared open on the night by the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi had featured traditional dances tagged Dance of Fire Flies. The dancers, robed in their regalia showcased the rich in the culture of the oil-rich state while 10 bands which participated in the march past presented their flags to the King of the carrnival.

    Those who sneaked their ways into the backstage and the few sitting close to the entrance crowded the star artistes’ convoy when it drove into the venue around 10:30 PM.

    As envisaged, no sooner the MC  announced the introduction of the ‘Alingo’ crooners to the stage than the crowd who had been in anticipation went wild upon sighting their favorite artists live.

    In wild jubilation garnished with sheer excitement, the crowd jostled their way as close as possible to the stage to savour the performance of the stars — there was mild shoving and pushing but was curtailed.

    It’s never a dull moment when Psquare perform. There is always so much to offer and to enjoy. They don’t just sing, they are truly wonderful performers.

    Being stars with a lot of hit tracks, performing for hours was never boring, the fans couldn’t just have enough of these gifted duo who have done the country proud the world over.

    Every track performed on the night sent the crowd yearning for more. Seeing them dancing ‘Alingo’ on stage after establishing their arrival with the performance of ‘Do me I do you’ along with their dance crew was a perfect condiment for utmost fun. The choreography was top notch, their creativity acumen was second to none.

    They brought not only music on stage but drama, dance, and comedy.

    To spice up the performance, Paul and Peter showed their fans they do not only sing but also play instruments. Peter showed class by dancing to Usher’s track ‘You remind me’. The band was perfect, they did justice to the beat.

    Peter then challenged his twin brother to show his other talents outside singing and dancing. To the amazement of the fans, Paul grabbed a base guitar and played Tupac’s ‘Do for love’ tune with no flaw which wowed the crowd. Peter would not be bemused, he also played the guitar seamlessly.

    The Okoye brothers performed most of their hit tracks from the old to the most recent.

    Earlier, Buckwhile one of the reigning music artistes in the region had performed a couple of his popular tracks and his single billed to be released in 2014. Among upcoming artistes that staged their performances at the initial stage of the celebration were Queen Lush, Zuril and Young.

  • Yoruba actors form G10

    Yoruba actors form G10

    Some popular Yoruba Nollywood thespians have formed a pressure group, G10, to correct what they call the industry’s ills.

    They are Foluke Daramola- Salako, Moji Olaiya, Funsho Adeolu, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Muyiwa Ademola, Ronke Ojo (Oshodi Oke), Fathia Balogun, Ayo Adesanya, Bisi Ibidapo Obey and Eniola Badmus.

    In an interview, Daramola-Salako said the Yoruba actors were being used and dumped by the Southeast counterparts.

    According to her, “if they want to contest any elective posts, it is our industry that they come to. But once they get that assistance, they dump us like a pack of rubbish.

    “We decided to give ourselves G10 because we believe that we are the great 10. What do I mean by that? We believe that the Yoruba Nollywood is being sidelined in a lot of ways and we have a lot of people that are enlightened among us. So, we said to ourselves that we could actually have a platform, like a pressure group, where we can air our views.

    “In the Ibo movie genre, our contemporaries get appointments and they call them for significant things. But the same treatment is not giving to us in the Yoruba movie industry. So, we thought that we needed to come up with this group. We don’t like the way we have been sidelined. It’s as if they always bring us down and it doesn’t make our contemporaries better than us. A lot of us are Master degree holders and some of us are Doctorate degree holders. Some of us are well read enough to understand our rights, so we shouldn’t be treated less than the next person there. Go to any home in Nigeria today, you will find out that at least one of five will be watching Africa Magic. In fact, it is not just Africa Magic, but Africa Magic Yoruba; so, that tells you the impact and the kind of money Africa Magic is making from us. So, for them to be treating us like unwanted items, we’ll not take that any more. That is what we stand for, aside the fact that we intend to be churning out quality movies and series that will impact our society. We also intend to embark on social responsibility programmes, such as going to orphanages, having healthy walks-walk for life, walk for domestic violence etc. Those are the things that we stand for.”

    It will be recalled that a couple of days ago, another member from the group, Eniola Badmus, also lamented that actors and actresses of the Yoruba movie industry were being underrated by bloggers.

  • Future Awards: Actor O.C Ukeje floors three singers

    Future Awards: Actor O.C Ukeje floors three singers

    Movie-famed youngster, O.C Ukeje, at the weekend, beat his music counterparts, Ice Prince, Iyanya and Omawumi, in the Entertainment Talent Prize category of the Future Awards.

    “I’m just an ordinary guy who has been blessed, especially this year-a year that has completely taken me by surprise,” Ukeje said at the Aztech Arcum, Port Harcourt venue of the award show hosted by the Rivers State government.

    “It is very rare to win over musicians; so, this is very rare. I am very proud to finally be a recipient of Africa’s biggest prize for young people, The Future Awards Africa. I dedicate this prize to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe for believing in me.”

    Ever since he won the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)’s laurel as Best Upcoming Actor in 2008, the career of the 32-year old actor has been on the rise, with the City People’s Award for Best New Act (2010); Best Actor at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (2013) for Two Brides & A Baby;  Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2013) and Best Actor at the Nollywood Movies Awards (2013) for Hoodrush.

    This is the actor’s second nomination for the awards – after he lost The Future Awards for ‘Actor of the Year’ to Tonto Dike last year.

    Other winners at the event included Jobberman founders, Ayodeji Adewunmi, Opeyemi Awoyemi and Olalekan Olude for the Prize in Enterprise Support; Kenneth Gyang for the Prize in Arts & Culture and Precious Peter Nweke for the Prize in Agriculture, among others.

    The winner of the ultimate reward, Young Person of the Year- The Africa Prize- was announced as Ugandan Ashish Thakar who is recognized as Africa’s youngest billionare at 32.

    Anchored by OAP Toke Makinwa and rapper Vector, the event also featured The Future Awards Africa ‘Best 100’ in commemoration of Nigeria’s centenary anniversary and hosted by Rubbin’ Minds presenter, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

  • Alariwo beaten by Area boys

    Alariwo beaten by Area boys

    Popular artiste Rotimi Martins aka Alariwo of Africa will not forget December 19 in a hurry. He was allegedly beaten up on Thursday by ‘area’ boys at the launch of the debut album of Ewade, wife of popular On-Air Personality (OAP) Soji Omotayo.

    The launch of the album titled Ore Ofe was full of music, fun and entertainment.

    But Alariwo, the master of ceremony got more than he bargained for when he was accosted by street urchins

    Trouble was said to have started when he reportedly failed to acknowledge the presence of gospel music act, Busola Oke, alias Eleyele, on the occasion.

    According to an eye witness account, Alariwo also asked the people whom he didn’t recognize to forward their names to him.

    “Immediately, Eleyele told some people that Alariwo was fond of looking down on her at events. She equally disclosed that her age-long problem with Alariwo is due to the fact that she has refused to address him as ‘Brother’,” the source said.

    However, what many could not explain was how the Area boys,who were outside the hall, got hint of what our source described as “Alariwo’s arrogant attitude.”

    It was also gathered that immediately he wrapped up his performance and stepped out of the hall, the area boys descended on him mercilessly.

    “He made an attempt to run for his dear life. He tried to seek cover in a building around the venue. While he was being beaten, the hoodlums screamed that he had disgraced Eleyele on several occasions, so he deserved to be beaten,” he disclosed.