Category: Entertainment

VIEWERS are on for another episode of Superstory; the popular family entertainment programme on TV, as Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) airs its new work entitled The Secret. The production company, which has existed for 10 years, has scheduled the new drama for next month; October, being the Nigerian Independent anniversary.

WAP’s Managing Director, Mr. Wale Adenuga Jnr., who was full of hypes for the drama said: “The Secret tells the story of a married couple, Efe and Segun, and several events which happen in their lives which lead to an unexpected climax.”

Adenuga noted that there is more to gain by fans of Superstory. He urged them to visit the company’s official facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/SuperStorySeries for a chance act in the TV drama, discuss and network with other fans and also win fantastic prizes.

He described the drama as a suspense-filled story about a web of Jealousy, Greed, Envy and an Unbearable Silence starring Zack Orji, Kate Adepegba, Jide Kosoko, Sade Omoniyi, Biodun Majekodunmi, Paul Adams, Sunday Afolabi, Femi Durojaiye, Gloria Mba, Iyke Michael, and many other top artistes as well as some fresh faces from the internationally-renowned PEFTI Film Institute.

Airing date for the The Secret, he said begins on Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 on NTA Network (8-9pm), AIT Network (9-10pm) and on wapTV on StarTimes Channel 116 (8-9pm) across the country and beyond.

NOLLYWOOD and home-video are two words that could be used interchangeably-reason being that the later is a direct to home production which, owing to its nippy form, gave birth to the name Nollywood. If any country is laying claims to home video culture, let it be put to vote and it will be clear how much Nigeria has come to enjoy the ‘copyright’. Despite criticisms, the beauty of the Nollywood model is that it has become phenomenal, attracting researchers to Nigeria and putting the country in the forefront of Africa’s emerging cinema culture.

You would recall that the name Nollywood is a coinage of a foreign journalist and researcher who came to Nigeria and was stunned by the act of producing a movie in a week with a single camera and so much improvisation.

With the current stance in Nollywood, it is safe for me to say that the prediction (or was it an agitation) by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola in 1990, about a digital video revolution was for Nigeria. The man had induced a global thirst for a flexible creative license. Coppola had dreamt of a situation whereby cheap camcorders will be put in the hands of the masses, hoping that one day, some little fat girl in Ohio is going to be the new Mozart and make a beautiful film with her father’s little camera saying that when that happens, the so-called professionalism about movies will be destroyed forever.

If there is anything that Nollywood has been criticized of, it is this professionalism that Coppola mentioned above. But I think that professionalism is relative to the extent of the audience that a particular filmmaker is targeting. You may be socked to know that some audiences are unmindful of a bad picture as long as the story is gripping to them. If there is an audience that does not pretend, it is the Nigerian movie buffs-they’d walk out of the cinema hall if they find a film distasteful.

But visit some film festival abroad and watch how at the end of a sleep-inducing story, probably shot on the highest camera format, the audience had clapped hysterically as the end credits roll- you are stunned, as a Nigerian who has grown throw the ranks of the Yoruba moving Theatre, Nollywood and the emerging ‘new Nollywood’. Should you want to know more about who a proud ‘Nollywoodian’ is, walk up to Amaka Igwe and dare raise some of those criticisms. I wish you luck!

The above is just one of the Nollywood exceptions to what is regarded as the rule of the cinema. And talking about the movie marketing or distribution chain, the Direct to Home (DTH) distribution in Nigeria is in total defiance of the rule. The model is usually a gradual passage through the cinemas, a sting at DVD and then a final roost at the home video level through CD sales. But it appears that until the monopoly of the cinemas in Nigeria is broken, the woes of an average filmmaker would continue. With about 20 percent of a cinema exposed film going to government and about 50 percent going to the cinema houses, we must ask the filmmaker if 30 percent that is accrued to him from the few cinema houses in Nigeria is enough justification for the model we so publicize.

With the situation of movie business in Nigeria at the moment, the DTH would have been the best if only the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) is not failing in its duty of intellectual right protection, where pirated films litter out streets and their sellers operating in daylight anarchy. Perhaps the New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF) of the National Film and Video Censors Board will, in addition to establishing legal distributors at every level of the society, also do part of the job the NCC is being paid for, when the time comes. Perhaps the NCC needs the much touted broadcast industry quartet more than others, with the Nigerian Film Corporation, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the NFVCB playing the triangular cover-up for their weak sister, the NCC.

Yinka Ogundaisi had argued that for the Nigerian film industry to move forward, the shortest and the most viable route is through the cleansing and strengthening the DTH distribution, which of course means getting the NFVCB to complete the implementation of the NDEF. He emphasised that the film industry in Nigeria has perhaps, the last opportunity to get its acts together, using the bulk if not the entire N300 Billion FGN’s grant to focus on the development of DTH distribution infrastructure.

I think if that formula is gotten right, NCC may just be confined to its passion of one Collecting Management Authority (CMO) fight for the music industry, as filmmakers may have found succor in the NDEF which could battle the pirates’ ubiquity with simultaneous national, regional and community levels distribution of movies.

If that happens, cinema may remain at the elitist level that monopolists have subjected it, unless the intervention fund is made to also cater for screens at all levels. Unless again, Nigeria decides to toe the line of the Indian cinematic consciousness, we should know that the current inadequate theatrical infrastructure that puts us at less than 60 screens per 160 million people is a shame whereby India has over 13,000 screens, the equivalent of 12 screens per million people, and is still counting.

AS Nigeria’s foremost reality show; Gulder Ultimate Search enters its 10th edition, Akwa Ibom state appears glad to be playing host to the adventure the second time, having sent contestants to its Usaka forest last year.

The 12 finalists, having been unveiled penultimate Friday at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos where chauffeured to Uyo, the state capital where they were received by governor Godswill Akpabio at the newly constructed Akwa Ibom state Government House.

The official reception held for the contestant, by the state’s helmsman and his deputy, Barr. Valerie Ebe, together with the state’s Head of Service, Commissioners and Special Advisers among others was prelude to the ‘searchers’ departure into the rugged and swampy terrain of Usaka to search for the prized 10th Symbol of the contest.

Barr. Akpabio expressed gratitude to the management of Nigerian Breweries Plc. for their: “This is the first time that Gulder Ultimate Search will be held in the same location for a second consecutive year. This is an uncommon decision brought about by some of the logistics Akwa Ibom put in place as an uncommon host. I am sure you will have an uncommon experience this time around and you will also go home with uncommon memories of Akwa Ibom State.” He said.

The 12 contestants were selected from over 42,000 Nigerians who registered to participate in this year’s edition of GUS. “That speaks a lot about your characters and your personalities” the governor said. “…Even though only one winner will emerge, I will refer to all of you as champions because it takes a lot to emerge from a crowd of over 42,000 people. It is a game and the fact that you are here means all of you are champions.” He said.

Akpabio pledged that the State’s security apparatuses would be deployed to ensure a hitch-free Gulder Ultimate Search 10 experience, just like the previous edition.

A moment of laughter arose when the governor, after congratulating Mary and Martha Adeboye on being the first set of identical twins to participate in The Search, he asked if either of them will be willing to share the prize money, shouldone of them win. Neither of the twins was willing to share and this elicited laughter from the Akwa Ibom State council chambers.

Mr. Edem Vindah, the Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc. thanked the Governor for inviting the Gulder Ultimate Search 10 delegation to the 26th Anniversary celebration of the creation of Akwa Ibom state held a day earlier.

“We are honoured by your sterling leadership qualities which have led to uncommon transformation in the state in the last six years. Exactly one year ago, Akwa Ibom hosted Gulder Ultimate Search 9. We were here in 2012 to receive your blessing. You hosted us to a sumptuous dinner; you gave us unprecedented support in terms of logistics. You asked us to come back to Akwa Ibom state. We’re back at the request of Your Excellency. This is the first time we’re returning to a particular location back to back.”

Vindah noted that hidden tourist sites in the state had been made popular by the show, which he described as Nigeria’s first 100 per cent local content reality TV programme.

The daily highlights of Gulder Ultimate Search will be broadcast on national terrestrial and satellite TV stations from October 4 to October 31, 2013.

POPULAR Yoruba actress, Biola Adebayo-Bashorun also known as Biola Eyin Oka is, at the moment thanking God for surviving a ghastly motor accident. The beautiful thespian crashed her car on Thursday while on her way to Badagry to discuss a new movie project. But so lucky was the actress and other occupants of her car, because they all came out unscathed.

Biola, who joined her husband abroad after their marriage, has been off the movie scene for some time now. The actress is however back and ready to get back to work, one of such moves, leading to the road mishap.

Lagos-based gospel comedian, Dr Shogo, unlike many of his contemporaries, has a different story to tell. The talented entertainer speaks to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI on how he stumbled on his career, his TV talk show, shoe line, and sundry issues.

HOW did the journey start? It started way back in secondary school. I was loved by everyone, I was the most loved senior pupil because I joke and play with all my juniors. But the peak was at a Youth Week programme of the Winners Chapel 2001 as an undergraduate. The organisers decided to conclude the programme with a variety night that encompassed an open mic session. The MC requested that anyone who had jokes should put down their names. I did and came on stage and it turned out to be a great night.

The whole place was electrified. That was how I discovered myself. While in school, I attended a church and not a campus fellowship; my pastor Sam Owoyemi, was the one that pushed me. He called me and said that what I was doing is huge, that I could develop it. So since then, while still in school, he would dedicate five minutes slot to me every Sunday to perform. Even when I say I don’t have materials. He would still insist. That was how the news began spreading and there was no turning back. My first job was at the dinner nite of the Economics department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, which held at Gateway Hotel Ijebu Ode.

Do you have your own personal show?

No. but while in school, I tried out my own show: ‘Laugh Explosion’. It was a total sale out, because all the ticket we had always sold out. Soon, it became an annual thing. Later I did Laughter and Rhythm, the Laughter Unlimited. All these events came out successful. So presently I don’t have a personal show, but I have DVDs and CDs of all my past events. The trust is hosting a show takes a lot of guts, if you want to make it big. Right now I am not ready to go into that psychological stress. But on a small scale, I host shows in church.

Why are you restricted to church?

I am not restricted to church. Because my upbringing and background is in church, I have been compelled to do a lot of comedies around the church. I also handle social events, and I have done jobs for Unilever this year, Johnson Wax too. I emcee weddings too. It is just that, the lager of my outings is church folks. Because it is clean, it is not dirty. And people can easily relate with it.

How do you get materials?

I do gospel comedy. My jokes are based on the things around my environment. And trust me; this is what people are comfortable with.

What’s your relationship with other comedians?

I have cordial relationship with Holly Mallam, Gordons and Mc Abbey for their style and consistency. And Ali Baba, the most of all, he is the father of all. He has a very large heart.

One thing that makes you different

I love reading. My dad has imbibed that into every one of us. And that is the reason I love reading and I also use that to give motivational talks through my blog.

What are you doing presently apart from anchoring events?

It is a TV show. We have started shooting already and recording at the moment and I am so excited about it. It is called Jolly Walk with Dr Shogo. I am trying to work with the best team, because we are trying to redefine TV production. I want a standard, an international level and that is why I am in a rush.

I am also working on my shoe line, for ladies. It is called Dr Shogo collections; they are trendy shoes and will be doing an exhibition very soon too. And some months back, I was at an event organised by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, in Kenya for a comedy concert called Laugh Festival.

Can you mention some of the top events that you have anchored?

I have done works and package events for some companies. Lets me give you some names; Airtel Nigeria, Johnson Wax, AOS Orwell, FM Perfume, Ogun State ministry of culture and Tourism, Association of Nation Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Richton hotel, and some foreign companies too like Housing Finance (Bank) Kenya, National Security Intelligence. Kenya,Youth Alive Conference, Kenya, Youth Alive Liberian, Bethel Ministries, Sierra-Leone, among others.

Apart from doing comedy, what other thing do you do?

I have a company Happytalk Events Limited. It is an event management outfit registered with Corporate Affairs Commission. We help people as event consultations, post event wrap up, honeymoon arrangement & packaging, event budget planning & monitoring, hotel accommodation for out of town guest, and distribution of souvenirs at events. It is like taking the stress of your shoulders.

Do you receive invitations to perform alongside other comedians?

Answer: yes I do, I have performed alongside Gordons, Holy Mallam, Mc Abbey, Laf up and a couple of others too.

Do people really take you serious when you tell them you are a comedian?

Well, actions speaks louder than words, so I hardly announce myself as a comedian, the gift speaks for itself.

You look too innocent to make people laugh, how do you convince people that you are a comedian?

Ha ha ha, looks are deceptive, yes o am innocent (general laughs) have never had reason to convince people, once I hold the microphone or you chat with me, you’ll see the traces of humor.

How do you manage your female fans?

I have cordial relationship with them, respect them and appreciate their support for my work

How do you intend to stand tall, with emerging talents on the same line?

Everyone is created an original not a photocopy and each of us have our unique selling point, have found what works for me and am comfortable being me.

You are a motivational speaker and a marketer. Tell us about it?

Have you been in a situation, where you have nothing to say when you got on stage? Yes I speak to youths, teens and people looking for a way to express their talent and forge ahead in their chosen field. I am a natural encourager and am so positive above life.

Does the audience sometimes make comedians lose their confidence?

You just have to be strong, develop thick skin and carry on with your assignment. Confidence is from within and not without.