The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

HELLO! Nigeria magazine gets lavish launch

The popular Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, swelled at the weekend with top dignitaries, including the First Lady of Lagos, Dame Abimbola Fashola, who graced the official launch HELLO! Nigeria magazine.

Having acquired the franchise for the international magazine, the publication, being managed by True Tales Publications, owners of ‘Hints’ and ‘Complete Fashion’ magazines, is making its debut in the West Africa sub-region, and will be circulating majorly in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia.

The magazine which has its origin in Spain in 1944 is touted for circulating in 100 countries and having over 50 million readers. The magazine pecialises in celebrity news and human-interest stories, and is also published in the United Kingdom since 1988.

Here in Nigeria, with US-based Ghanaian Fashion and Beauty journalism, Zanzile Blay as Editor-In-Chief, its publishers say it is fashioned to celebrate Nigerian icons, royalties and celebrities on a global platform.

“I am excited to be a part of those who are going to tell the African stories well. We are at the threshold of history where there would genuine love for our celebrities and icons flowing from our hearts and minds because we are going to tell the stories in the unique Hello! style, with compelling depth and detail,” said Blay.

HELLO! Nigeria is being bankrolled by True Tales Publications with support from United Bank of Africa (UBA) Wheatbaker Hotel and Moet & Chadon.

Others at the launch of the magazine include: Mrs Betty Kachikwu, Vice Chairman, True Tales Publication; Anne Omezi, Group Managing Director, Signature group and Nduneche Ezurike, former CEO, True Tales Publication during the launch of Hello Magazine in Lagos.

October 1, 2013
Ebenezer Obey leads Glo’s evergreen jig

Ebenezer Obey duets with young artistes

Many had expected that the Globacom sponsored ‘Evergreen Series’ would live by its nomenclature, but it turned out that the show was a fusion of different genres of songs treated with contemporary flavour.

The strategy did work for the organizers as both old and young took to the dance floor.

The concert paraded Juju maestro, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey who sang hit songs from his repertoire of music of yesteryear.

Obey’s performances were supported at the event by Talented rapper, Jude Abaga, popularly called M.I and notable saxophonist, Yemi Sax.

The setting of the show was regal, and so was the caliber of people at the show. Indeed, the performers did not disappoint the guests, who showed excitement as the artistes took turns on the stage.

First to mount the stage was Obey who set the ball rolling with obeisance, singing the song Iba lo ye kase. The Commander, as he is fondly called gave the audience the rare privilege of requesting for any of his favourite songs which he promptly rendered to their delight.

Without betraying the slightest sign of old age, Obey took total control of the stage right from the first string of the guitar cord. Moved by the classic rendition, significant members of the audience could not hold the urge to dance.

As he rendered his timeless and enduring evergreen songs, it was all too evident, how he has been able to hold Nigeria and, indeed, the world spellbound with his music over the years.

Dreadlocked artiste, Yemi Sax, garbed in a white caftan was the next to thrill the audience with his dexterity on the saxophone. He reeled out tunes of the “old school” with the backing tracks by the D.J. to the delight of the audience.

MI was at his vintage that night as he dished out hits of contemporary flavor. The concert audience, an admixture of different generations, brought together by their love for music, danced and sang along with Mr. Incredible, as the rapper is called, giving them the best of his stagecraft.

Highpoint of the event was the collaboration by Chief Obey and the two younger artistes, M.I. and Yemi Sax whom Obey described as his children.

They performed together to the immense admiration of the crowd. Obey led the way with two of his evergreen tracks Ore mi e se pelepele and Olomi gbo temi with M.I. emblazoning his signature into the two songs. Yemi Sax also jazzed up the tunes with his saxophone.

Obey Fabiyi who got a standing ovation after his performance, expressed appreciation to the organisers for featuring him as the first Nigerian artiste on the ‘Glo Evergreen Series’.

October 1, 2013
Why Jim Iyke went to Synagogue

With the news of the dramatic encounter of Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, at the Synagogue Church, still going viral, many have been wondering if the mission of the thespian, last Sunday was a conscious effort by him to find a wife.

Reports on the actor’s visit to the church indicated that he was being delivered of a negative spirit that has prevented him from getting married.

But recent finding by The Nation revealed that Jim Iyke accompanied a friend, whose mother was seriously ill to the church where he was caught in the web of what was said to be a rescue exercise.

Jim’s friend’s mother is said to be on admission at a hospital, in Ajao Estate, from where she was taken to the church, but perhaps due to the popularity of the actor, the church ministers went for him, claiming there was more to his not being married than meets the eye.

A two-minute video on the church’s website shows the actor struggling with several officers of Pastor TB Joshua, the head of the church, as they fought to keep him still.

The session, as shown in the video got the thespian sprawling on the floor, after falling several times, and shouting incoherent words.

“What do you guys want from me,” asked the actor, apparently recovering from frenzy. “Take it easy, the man of God will like to see you after the service,” replied one of the church ministers, as they led the actor away from the middle of the congregation, looking bewildered.

Reports say the sick woman’s son was also attended to during the church service, but the woman, who was the real reason Jim and his friend went to the church was told to come back at a later date. The woman, whom we learnt was brought to Lagos from Abuja in search of solution to her health problem, had since been taken back to the Ajao Estate hospital where she is waiting for another appointment from the church.

October 1, 2013
Blacky, Victoria Kimani dazzle at fashion show

The Nigeria Television Fashion Show was held yesterday, September 29th 2013 at Yard 158, Oregun Ikeja. Featuring exquisite designs, Alayna Squap opened the show with her dazzling Ankara styles.

From Shiva Avina who played with Aso-oke fabric, blending Ankara prints with T-shirts to Balisimo designs who amazed with his wonderful display of linen piece, the event showcased a host of impressive designers.

There were music performances by from Kenyan Singer, Victoria Kimani, 90’s rave music star Blacky as well as upcoming stars. Victoria who spotted a purple wave and white hugging gown with purple design got heads turning with her moves. The 2013 Channel O’ nominee brought sexiness on stage and got the crowd winding to her song M’Toto.

Like Victoria, Blacky did not disappoint his fans. Not many thought that he still got the vigor to carry such a crowd but not only did he thrill the audience with some of his hit songs, Blacky’s performance and his movement showed he has not lost touch with the trend. Rounding off his performance, the musician, who spotted a monochrome bandanna on his head with black T-shirt and jeans to go, used the opportunity to tell his fans that he’s still very much into music contrary to the rumour he said has been making the rounds about him.

The event which was put together by Nollywood Worldwide Entertainment was anchored popular comedian, Chidi Uzoma alias Baba Dee Baba and sultry presenter Emem Ime of Galaxy TV.

September 30, 2013
Coast clear for new Censors Board boss

…Lists importation of pornographic movies, others as priority

The question had arose in some quarters of the film industry on whether the confirmation of Ms Patricia Bala, as new Director General of of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), was backdated to August 2012, the date she started off in acting capacity. But confirming to the press, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the board’s Deputy Director/Head Corporate Affairs, said Bala’s confirmation took effect from September 13 and would span a period of four years. “This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim,” he stated.

Ms Bala, it would be recalled, took over from Mr. Emeka Mba in August 2012, as the most senior Director in NFVCB, following the expiration of the latter’s tenure. She had served in acting capacity for one year, before her appointment was confirmed as the board’s substantive Director General.

An elated Ms Bala, according to Abdullahi, has promised to address the concern in the movie industry by providing leadership and building bridges between the stakeholders and board.

Abdullahi said the issues of growing concern to the board are the illegal importation of pornographic movies from abroad, selling and rental of uncensored movies. He noted that his Director General has also promised to review and carry out an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of some of the board’s initiatives and schemes like the distribution framework, media literacy programme and the Shared responsibility project. The review will help the Board formulate a strategic plan for growth and future of the movie industry in Nigeria.

Bala was born in Garkawa, Mikang LGA of Plateau State. She attended Our Lady of Fatima Convent School, Saint Louis College all in Jos before proceeding to the School of Basic Studies Zaria for her ‘A’ Levels. She graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a BA Hons in drama in 1978. She has attended several international courses including Television production techniques for drama from the Ohio University, United States.

The new NFVCB boss also Participated in Film ,Governance and Society: Red tape and Celluloid at the Public Administration Institute in United Kingdom.

September 30, 2013
Jim Iyke falls strangely in TB Joshua’s church

It was not clear what the mission of Nollywood actor, James Ikechukwu Esemougha, popularly called Jim Iyke was at the popular Synagogue Church, located in Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos, but a two-minute video on the church’s website shows the actor struggling with several officers of Pastor TB Joshua, the head of the church, as they fought to keep him still.
A facebook post and video subtitling on the incident revealed that the actor, who is famous for the ‘bad boy’ movie roles, was on Sunday being delivered of perceived negative spirit that has prevented him from getting married.
The energetic prayer session soon got the thespian sprawling on the floor, after falling several times, and shouting incoherent words. “What do you guys want from me,” asked the actor, apparently recovering from frenzy. “Take it easy, the man of God will like to see you after the service,” replied one of the church ministers, as the led the actor away from the middle of the congregation, looking bevildered.
Effort to reach the actor on his encounter is still ongoing.

September 30, 2013
Olawale Ojo is Project Fame’s best

The decision had been taken by fans of MTN-sponsored Project Fame West Africa music reality show who voted for their preferred candidates among the ‘Sensation Six’, as this year’ finalists were called.

With just the collating company, Alexander Forbes armed with the result, the last ceremony continued Saturday night at the Ultima Studio, Lekki, Lagos, as the contestants graced the stage, singing their last songs, each, just to entertain the studio guests.

Amidst the tension and anxiety that pervaded the studio, petit-frame contestant, Olawale Ojo, was declared winner of the sixth edition of the continental music show.

That night, the last shot at music, by the 400level Agronomy Student of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, was a near-perfect rendition of Asa’s Beautiful. He had sang it half-way when he delved into the Fuji genre, not losing focus of the theme of the song. He had sang his mother’s praise in a high tempo tempo fuji beat and sliding back smoothly, to Asa’s slow and sonorious tune as he wraps up a performance that got the audience clapping excitedly.

Even though he is more at home with the Jazz genre, perhaps his versatility was what endeared fans to him, gathering the highest number of votes that upstaged other five finalists.

‘The Pimp’, as he is fondly called by friends, won for himself, N5m cash prize, a brand new car and one-year recording contract for his effort in the competition .

Olawale becomes the sixth winner of the popular TV show, joining past winners Iyanya, Myke, Chidinma, Monica and Ayo.

Immaculate Patience, the 22-year-old belle from Benue State, was named first runner-up, winning a cash prize of N3m and a car, while Margaret Cephas, a Liberian and the only Non-Nigerian to make it to the top six came 3rd place, winning N2m and a car.

Niniola Apata and Omolayo Babawale, received N2m and N1m respectively for comining fourth and fifth positions, while Roland Ricketts went home with N500,000 for being number six in the competition.

The show kicked off in June 2013 with a Project Fame tour held in three cities – Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos

September 29, 2013
Treat a man like a gentleman but… —Kehinde Bankole

Kehinde Bankole is one of the members of cast in the multimillion naira project by Kunle Afolayan, October 1. She currently can be described as one of the rising and most-sought after actresses. A graduate of Mass Communication, the actress, in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, takes us through her life as an actress, musician and entrepreneur.

WHAT happened to the talk show that you were anchoring with the other Lux models?

Nothing happened. I think we moved on to other things basically.

Are you saying that is the end to the collaboration of the three of you?

Nothing is impossible. We just had to move on to other things. We still communicate with each other. Just some few days ago, we were in touch with one another.

Tell us about your experience on the set of October 1?

It was an eye opener. It exposed me to a lot of the latest technology, team spirit and a lot of hard work too. I think it was worth it.

Considering the big names on the set, who among them would you say you were comfortable with?

Everyone; and that is why I said there is team spirit. Each team and department, all worked together, so it is hard to point to one individual. It is like a collective effort, so I would say everybody. Mostly everyone is a crew and the cast as well.

What attracted you to the project when you got called?

Well, I never got a direct call that I am to be part of the project. The way it worked out was that I was being considered. I had to go through the normal process of audition for them to decide if they were okay with me. Though they already penned me down, I never got a direct call saying I should come on board. I had the opportunity to fight for the role with every other person.

How did you feel when you were told that you were being considered as a starter?

To me, there is nothing like a starter. If you are professional enough, no matter how many years you have spent, you can’t be asked to read. The person may have envisioned that you are the one playing the role but they need to see for sure that they don’t make a mistake; that they are correct. Sometimes, people’s size change over the years; maybe the last time they saw you, you were size eight and now you might be 14, so they need to see you for what they have in mind. For me I still read if I have to; I still audition if I have to; I still go for casting. I do whatever I need to do to assure the person that I am still worth their decision and choice. When I was called that I was being considered, I was very excited. I am definitely proud of myself to have been called. It means they have seen my ability and they are sure, without having seen you, they know you should be in that position. The rest of the responsibility falls on you to go there and prove that they are right with their choice. I felt very proud and happy.

Tell us about your musical career?

I am so excited to talk about that. Music has always been in my life. It has been in me even before I started acting. The musical group that I am in is a two-girl band. We sing fresh inspirational music. We talk about our own perspective of life, God, love and any life’s topic that you can think about. But we take these topics from the perspective of God and shed a little more light on them. The group is called Rave, consisting of Kehinde Bankole and Nkechi Okorokwo. Our favourite name for her is Jasmine. She is a writer and she sings very well. The group came out from a friendship of six people; we were brought together by a common interest in music about 12 years ago. For over 10 years now, we have been friends. Naturally, people would grow up and all go their ways. But we found out that the two of us remained and we created our own group, and said we will continue singing.

What state is the group now?

We are recording now. We have recorded four singles and we were promoting two just before I went on set. Now that I am back, we will pick up from where we stopped. We are planning to shoot a video before the year runs out or fresh in the New Year.

How easy is it combining both worlds?

It is a question that is easy for me to answer because I have always made music alongside acting. I also run a business on the side that provides mood music and soundtrack for movies. We have agreed, I and my partner. She is an architect, a practicing one. So we shuttle between our timetable and she has started a family already. So you can imagine an architect with a family and an actress. Even If I don’t have a family yet, we both have a very busy life. What we do is to balance it with days when we are free. I am going to be applying the same system I have been using while acting, which is: I write songs, go to the studio and record soundtracks for both Yoruba and English movies. I am just going to make sure I stop those ones and use the little time I have to focus on this one. So long as it is what you want to do, it will come to you effortlessly. You will have to sacrifice for it and it will affect a couple of other things.

When do you hope to start a family of your own family?

There is no comment on that. But as soon as the family is ready, everyone will see.

Apart from October 1, what other productions are you a part of?

I have a lot on the fire at the same time. Before moving to the set of October 1, I and my partner have been trying to push our singles, which has kept me busy. I have also been shooting several soap operas. Apart from doing soaps, I also write, so I spend most of my time trying to write movies. Though I am not a scriptwriter, I write materials that can be turned into scripts. I have a lot of personal things that I run around too. I also have a salon business which I run by the side.

You mean you know how to make hair too?

No, it is just a business that I put up and supervise to make sure that everything goes on well.

Why the preference for soaps?

Basically, there is no particular reason for it except for three things; first is opportunity, it is where the opportunity comes more that you take more. It is music that I have the opportunity to make and focus on; we will be talking music now. The reason we are talking soap opera is because that is where the opportunity lies. The second thing is; it is less controversial. When you are coming up and you find peace, in a particular trail in your career, I think it is only wise for you to take it up. The drama is minimised and then you have time to go and think about other opportunities you have to explore. I think these are the basic things surrounding it.

Are you saying home movies come with negativity?

I am not saying that. If it is your own opinion, what I can contribute is that soaps are made for the home, I mean families. And there are certain things that can go in home videos that are restricted in soaps, because children are involved. Soaps are a domestic affair and certain things will be cautioned. What I know is that one has a bit of content that is more controlled than the other.

But it is believed that an actor should be able to take up any challenging roles. Does that apply to you too including exposing the body with the right bargain?

You put a clause, and that is if the price is right. Everybody has their own value. Some would say the story has to be good, others would say the price must be right. Everybody has values. For me, it has to go with what I call my own value system and if it is a story I should buy into. If I feel the producer or director is someone who is ready to listen to other ways they can achieve certain results without having to go through. If it is something they can talk about and if it also goes with their values, whatever it may be. It is a question of your own personal decisions. For actors who say they would take up such roles, if the price is right, it is a question of what you want; if it is okay with your values then good for them. It all depends on what you are looking out for.

How do you spend your leisure?

I love to cook and spend time with my family. I also spend a lot of time resting because it is crucial that we do that. As much as I have time, I go on line; Facebook, Twitter, with my fans and friends and try to catch up on what is happening. If you remain mute there, some people would assume you are proud. They don’t understand that you hardly have time to rest. So that little time you have, you want to spend it with your family. In the middle of it also, I can go online and try to answer mails and chat a little. The responsibilities that have been waiting while shooting, I quickly like to attend to before another job comes up.

What was your first outing like as a star?

I got different reactions. Superstory was what I was famous for. The kind of audience it attracts includes elderly women and children. It attracts some kind of friendly set of people. They were talking to me like they knew me for years. It was exciting because they watched me on a weekly basis. So if you are growing fast, they watch you grow. It is a process and it is very exciting and personal. It is like they are part of you and you a part of them. If it is movie now, it is a onetime thing. You do a movie and that is it. In soap, you have people that will be following you. It is a very nice feeling, having people who are not part of you, knowing you to an extent.

Tell us about the Dettol advert?

I am versatile. It will be a sin, if you know you have certain potentials and the opportunity to explore that area comes and you don’t make use of it. It is like there is a huge deposition in you, and it is only proper that you rise up to the occasion. I don’t joke with an opportunity. I like to speak for brands, be a spokesperson for products. Why not? If the opportunity comes, take it. That was the reason I took it.

What would you say to those aspiring to be movie stars?

First of all, remove that idea that you want to be a movie star. Put on the idea of wanting to work and be productive. It is just like saying you want to be the highest goal scorer. First, you have to learn how to play football or try to be in the right club. It will be wrong of you to first of all look at stardom. It comes with work, so you will first of all look at work and the opportunity to work, grow and succeed. The rest of the stardom will come. And you must never be desperate, all good things will come. Because what you are desperate to achieve, you will just wake up one morning and see that it is already beside you on a platter of gold. So why stress yourself? And they should persevere. It is not palatable to achieve your dream, but everyday counts. You can’t stay and wait for the perfect situation, if you do, you will not get anything done.

How have you been able to manage your own fame?

It comes with a lot of responsibilities. But I am not pressured, that is the way I have been able to manage it. I take one day at time. I refuse to be pressured and try as much as I can to be my normal self. I attend to the responsibilities I can and the ones I can’t, I leave them. To me, I try to be myself and that is the reason you need to set your principles right. Check who you are first before whatever it is comes, so that people would not say it is because you are a star that you are doing this. If you don’t have an identity, then you have an issue with managing stardom. I don’t have anything to manage, because I am myself.

Have you been in a situation where you have to put off a male fan?

Yes, I have. If you give people respect, you want them to give back to you. If you notice that it is not working, you put them in their proper place. I mean it is proper for a lady to do that, and not just a star. You treat a man like a gentleman. But if he doesn’t want to be treated that way, then you put him in his place.

September 29, 2013
SOLIDSTAR comes with Grace and Glory

COME Tuesday October 1, Achievas Entertainment’s artiste, Joshua Iniyenzo, aka Solidstar, will be dropping his second studio album title Grace and Glory and, in the words of the artiste, it would revolutionise and reposition the nation’s hip hop scene.

Grace and Glory is coming after the release of several hit singles like Omotena, Skibo, Oluchi and most recently One Nigeria.

Speaking on the album, Solidstar says that it is a 22 tracker which features some of the big names in the Nigerian hip hop scene including Olamide, Flavour, Timaya, Inyanya, Vector and a host of others.

In the words of an elated Solidstar, One Nigeria is a unity song that is “specially dedicated to the centenary celebration of the country as an entity, ahead of next year’s celebration. It is our little contribution to the unity, peace and love that our nation needs, especially at this critical moment.”

Also speaking, the boss of Achievas Entertainment, Mr. Paul Cole Chiori, better known as Ossy, stated that the album was a follow up to Solidstar’s debut entitled One in a Million.

“He showed class and maturity in his delivery and lyrics. Solidstar has been growing from strength to strength in the music business and we are very proud of his humble achievements so far,” Ossy stated.

He further disclosed that two videos would soon be dropped on air alongside a show at O2 Arena in London on October 6.

September 29, 2013
I’m very much available—Nigerian-born Hollywood actress Jennifer Oguzie

International actress and producer Jennifer Oguzie has been in the scene since her childhood days when she starred in the production of Kiddies Club. Now based in Hollywood, California, USA, the multi-talented entertainer, dance coach and martial artiste says she also dabbles into certain aspects of law enforcement. Recently in Washington DC, Entertainment Editor, VICTOR AKANDE, encounters her in this all-revealing interview.

YOU often describe yourself as an international actress; what is there to take home?

By international, I mean, even as a Nigerian, I am able to travel the world to work. I am an American citizen. I don’t need to get a visa to come work for you in Nigeria for example. I am also able to work in any country in the world.

Meaning, you are not a Nollywood actor…

I am a Hollywood and Nollywood actress. I am not tied to one specific industry and that defines being international too.

I thought that Hollywood actors are those who have featured in one Hollywood movie or another; or it doesn’t work that way?

Not really. I have done a lot of reality TV shows in Hollywood. I have also done commercials and other stuff. So, yes! I am Hollywood, even though I started off in Nollywood, which brands me in both.

Talking about Nollywood; what are the other movies you have done aside Last Flight to Abuja?

I have done Stubborn Grasshopper, Close Enemies, Far from Home (part 1 to 3), and Nasibi; a cartoon we actually did here in the United States; but I am not sure if it actually made it out. There is also Okoto the Messenger with Paschal Atuma, My American Nurse and a whole lot of others. Sometimes it is funny, they change the names around and we can’t keep track of them.

How many of these movies did you have to fly to Nigeria to be a part of?

The big one was actually Last Flight to Abuja. For the other ones, I was in Nigeria when they were being shot. Some others were shot here in the US.

What would you say is your unique selling point as an actress?

I would say it is my originality. I can switch from having an American accent to my Nigerian dialect. I also speak Igbo fluently, so I am able to pull off a role in that dialect. Also, I’m good in Pidgin English and if I am guided well, I could do a script in Yoruba too; being able to switch from African accent to American accent, to playing village girl or foreigner is an advantage to me.

For movie productions in the Diaspora, what do you think they can borrow from the filmmakers at home and vice versa?

Production wise, first of all, when you have a good director that has a good view and passion for filmmaking, I think it will uplift any production. And having the right crew, having the right camera and the editing is one huge part of filmmaking. If your editor is not experienced and if your editor does not know what they are doing and the scoring of the film is wrong, then it brings down the whole quality of the film.

I think production wise, that is the most important aspect of making a film and I think that is where a filmmaker should focus more on being very prepared during preproduction to get everything together and everything well set up before they bring in the rest of the cast and crew to make a film. Making sure you have the right location, the right camera, the right crew is very important in production.

Of all the films you have done, which one easily comes to your mind as the best?

I would say being a producer in a Hollywood movie that I was a part of called Chavez Cage of Glory. It is an honour and a blessing for me to be a part of a big film like that, working with Steven Bauer from Scarface and Danny Trejo from Machete Kills and Hector Echavarria who is the director and also acted in it in a lead role is also a world Legendary Martial Arts (LMA) champion.

There is also Patrick Kilpatrick (John Stone). These are big Hollywood stars that I was on set with, and being a producer in a big film like that has really opened some big doors for me. It was just released in the theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 13th, so that has really opened doors to a lot of people, from Paramount Studios, from Disney, big time producers talking to me and wanting to bring me on board in their next project because when it comes to the publicity and distribution which Destiny Entertainment owned by Hector Echavarria who is the director, we really did a good marketing strategy and using a word of mouth to get the movie out there.

How long have you been in LA?

I am in LA for good. This is home for me. It is where I reside. I travel when I am needed. I moved out to LA in 2008 from Baltimore Maryland. From 2008 till now, I’ve been in Los Angeles. But I try to visit Nigeria at least three times a year.

What are those things that take you to Nigeria, specifically?

Just for the love of my country, and for any job that requires me travelling down. Also, I plan on relocating back to Nigeria in the future because you never know; you always want to have something to fall back on. If I ever want to get a government job, I needed to secure that. Specifically, I came back to Nigeria for my NYSC and I am very proud of myself that I have done that.

What school did you attend?

I attended University of Maryland, Baltimore so I served as an international student. I served in Abuja.

You speak so passionately about LA. What is it about LA that you don’t get elsewhere?

It is a state and a city that rings the bell that hits in the heart of entertainment. It is a world of opportunity for everybody not to give up. It is where people will not see you as going crazy about entertainment no matter how you look, how you talk, how you dress, with or without accent, they know you are an actor. Unlike other states where the entertainment industry is not big or recognized. You might dress in a certain way and they think you are overdressed, underdressed or crazy. They don’t understand the language you speak so Hollywood California is the movie land for entertainment industry.

Apart from movies, what else do you do?

I teach African dance and I am also involved in law enforcement. That is a part of me that I try to keep on the down low. I don’t let it out that much.

You are a spy?

I have no comment on that but I have worked with the Los Angeles Police Department. I have worked for the immigration and customs enforcement in deportation of illegal immigrants under a security company. What we do is to transport illegal immigrants from Los Angeles to Mexico. I have a lot of certifications and licenses to work with a lot of undercover detective jobs.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to recommend Nigerians for deportation?

I have no comment on that.

What factors are responsible for illegal immigration and what lessons do you think the Nigerian government can learn from it?

A lot of people are very fortunate to walk into the embassy and get a visa to come to the United States, they come here, stay the duration and go back and continue their lives. That is proper common sense. But on the other hand, you have young people who don’t have a goal or strategies of what they want to do in the US.

They get a visa, come out here, they get overwhelmed with the life, the communities, the women, the structure and they overstay and then they are left in a situation where if they go to Nigeria they can never come back to the US so they stay and become illegal immigrants.

What did you study in school?

I studied Social Work and Psychology. I also minored in Sociology.

At what point did it occur to you that you could be an entertainer?

From birth. I have always been a child star. I was one of those kids on Kiddies Club which was shown every Sunday on NTA. I started acting and dancing as a child. I grew up being in front of the camera, so it was something that was second hand nature, something that came naturally. Of course I took a lot of polishing classes on acting in college, but I have always known that being an actor has been a great passion and love in me.

Are you married?

No, I am not married.

I saw you with a little boy and I thought that was your son

Yes, you were right. He is my son. His name is Obama.

Obama?

(Smiles) I got the name from the most influential man in my life, Barrack Hussein Obama, the President of the United States of America. When he became President in 2008, I said to myself, the history that he has made in our lives, the great impact that he has made in the black community in being African American, if I’m ever blessed to have a son, I will call him Obama. As God would do it, in 2012 I had a son, and I named him Obama. He is one-year-old already.

How much time do you have for Obama considering all that you do?

I actually have a hundred percent time for my son. I took up a nine-to-five job for a whole year to raise him. It was one of the most crucial and challenging decisions that I took just to embark on what I have already saved and to take the sacrifice of not having a steady income coming to my hand because I refused to take him to the day care.

I wanted him to enjoy that motherhood, I wanted to enjoy what it is to nurture a child, to give him the best love, the best care, the best attention I could in his first year of life because here in the United States, it is very difficult to raise a child and also go to work at the same time. You see a lot of families; their kids grow outside of their territory meaning as early as two weeks, they get dumped in a day care facility.

They are not there when the baby starts crawling, they don’t know when they made their first sound and they don’t know when they take their first step. They always have to rely on the baby sitter to tell them such things. Also, there are so many abuses that go on in the day care centers; kids get molested; they come back with diseases on their skin and stuff like that. I wasn’t going to take that chance so I decided to take care of him. I breastfed my son till he was eleven months so he is a healthy child. When I look at him, I tell myself that the sacrifice I took was worth it. If I had to go do a job, my mother takes care of my son.

With a hundred percent time for your son, what space is there for a man who wants to come into your life?

There is a lot of room; there is a lot of space. I don’t see how my son would affect any man who would come into my life. If he would love me and care about me, he would love whatever attachment that I have to my body which is my son. However you feel for me, you transfer it to my son and we grow a happy home.

How available are you?

I’m available. I’m very much available (laughs).

What are your hobbies?

I love to take risks. I would love to jump off from a high rise or pull a stunt. Those are hobbies I love. I love to take vacations, I love to go to the movies, just have a quality time with a loved one or a friend, not necessarily someone you are intimate with. A quite time at the movie theatre, a walk on the beach, listening to music. I love dancing, I love spending time with my son. I love martial arts; I love anything that has to do with sports. I love swimming, I love kickboxing,

Even as a woman?

Fitness is key to me because being involved in sports allows me to stay healthy, physically fit and it calms me down emotionally mentally and otherwise. I have lost over 80 pounds within a year that I had my son. For me to be able to bounce back, I think it is a lesson to other women out there that having a child is not an excuse to leave themselves to be fat. People are afraid to use the word fat but I’m not. If you believe in yourself and want to get back in shape, do not use a poor child that you gave life to as an excuse to stay fat. You can always get back in shape. I am a strong believer of fitness.

Where exactly are you from in Nigeria?

I am originally an Igbo girl from the east coast. I am from Owerri West.

What project are you currently working on?

Like I said earlier, the current film project which I am one of the producers is Chavez Cage of Glory. It came out in the theatres on the 13th of September and we are hoping and planning on bringing it to the cinemas in Nigeria if we can get a concrete agreement. Right now, I am working on the pre production of a film called Nwannem in Igbo which means sisters. It is a story about two siblings and it shows you how miscommunication can bring a deep hole into relationships. How it can break you, so it is always good to communicate very well in families.

It is very deep. It is a story that will open our eyes for us to relate more with our siblings. Also, I have officially been cast for a Hollywood film called Hidden Varley: The Awakening. It is a horror movie and we will be shooting sometime in January. It will be a big film and they are already comparing it to Twilight. I also have a movie in Nigeria which is called Mystery Beads. It will be the first 3D paranormal film in Nigeria. I am currently attached to a lot of projects. Also, right now, I am in a negotiation phase with a producer that has me on HBO series that he wants me to be a part of it. I am really looking forward to the rest of the year and next year. I am happy and excited.

September 28, 2013