The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • I want to be the best female singer worldwide—Debie Rise, Nigerian Idol’s first runner-up

    I want to be the best female singer worldwide—Debie Rise, Nigerian Idol’s first runner-up

    Deborah Olurise, otherwise called Debie Rise, was the first runner-up in the last edition of Nigerian Idol reality show. The charming songstress, during a recent visit to The Nation spoke with Entertainment Editor, VICTOR AKANDE, on life after the music competition that earned her N1.5 million cash prize and a Kia Picanto car.

     

     

     

     

     

    HOW is life after Nigerian Idol competition?

    Life after the Nigerian Idol has been different from what it used to be before, because since the competition ended, there has been much pressure on me to make a good impression. Besides, more people now know me, compared to when I had not gone for the competition. You can imagine when I am at a filling station or at an eatery, I get statements like: ‘O, my daughter likes you … We voted for you… You were marvelous.’ And I tell you, I owe these people so much that I don’t want to disappoint them in my career.

    Have offers started to fly in for you from music promoters?

    I think that the most important thing is that I already I have a platform. The cooperation I will now get from music promoters would be determined by what I can make out of my feat as a Nigerian Idol winner. I need to show them what I can do, and the cooperation I will get will definitely increase if I can show them that I can do my own songs, while also promoting my own style. During the competition, they basically chose songs for us to sing. Now, I can let the public see the kind of style I want to do.

    And how would you describe your style and kind of music?

    Honestly, I do all kinds of music. I love music and it is who I am. It flows from the family; my mum is a soprano singer, soprano to bad (laughs). My dad is a singer too and I learnt by playing his guitar. So I love every kind of music; from Rock to R&B. I love Afro and Fuji. But the challenge is what we have in the market now – you need to give people what they want. However, I don’t want to do what everybody is doing, because I love creativity. I love being different, I like to mix my songs up afro or hip hop. I don’t have a name for it yet, or let’s just say that I don’t want to reveal it yet because I don’t want people to copy me (laughs). But it is going to have an element of Afro hip hop.

    How long do we have to wait?

    Very soon; my song is already on the way. I have been working on it, even though it is taking longer than expected. And this is because I want my first impression to be outstanding. First impression, they say, lasts longer. If I release a song that is not good enough, the next time I do a song, people might not be itching to listen to it. So I want to take my time to do my official single.

    In terms of percentage, how far have you gone with the single?

    I would say 60 percent. We already have the title and the beats. The other 40 percent is not of the studio work, it is what will come as a package with the song.

    Knowing the power of music video in driving a song, are you coming out with a video simultaneously?

    Yes. I know in Lagos you find a lot of people listening to radio stations. But for a song to fly higher and viral, one needs a visual. So I don’t want to waste time; I’ll do the video almost immediately.

    Do you in anyway have the challenge of finance?

    I won some money from the competition. I can use that for a good start, but I will still have to be prudent in making use of the money. This is because it is not so much compared to what the overall winner got. If I am not wise in spending, I will not have so much on it. But I have to be prudent in spending the money. If I am wise in spending it, I won’t have any financial challenge.

    Were you terribly disappointed that you didn’t win?

    To start with, when I realised that Moses and I were the last two standing in the competition, I felt that was it; I shouldn’t ask for more. I kept asking myself silently if I wasn’t dreaming and if I was the one at the finals. In fact when I left home for the audition, I was just optimistic. So, I would say I am happy and excited that I made it to the final stage. I was the last girl standing. But then, e pain me sha o. I really wanted to win; maybe not for myself, but for my big family. But I know they are still proud of me. After all, it is not all about winning, but what you do after the competition.

    How much of stagecraft are you putting effort into?

    For stagecraft, I think everything narrows down to hard work. There are people who are there already and what you need is wisdom to just learn from them. Wisdom to understand how they did it and made it to the point they are. And if you understand, you can do better. But for stagecraft, I think I have a little bit of ‘gra-gra’ in me. On a normal day, I can be very shy, but I love music and performance.

    Are you in touch with other participants?

    I am very much in touch with Moses. We are on Campus Tour now, a road show organised by Etisalat, and we have visited 31 schools already. Even the past winners of Season 2, we have been keeping in touch with each other. In terms of working together, I have done a song with Moses, which was the winner-song he did at the grand finale. But I am interested in working together with them and featuring them in my works.

    What about the judges?

    They all had their different ways of criticising us. Someone like Aunty Yinka Davies wanted you to use your vocals creatively; Jeffery Daniels wanted to see how you can manage your voice and performance because he is a dancer; while Femi Kuti wanted to see how you and the band connect well. So they have their different ways of judging and I appreciate them all, because you need to combine all those qualities in music. But the person I have been most in touch with is Jeffery Daniels and I have a work going on with him. I don’t want to go into details. But apart from Jeffery, I want to keep in touch with Uncle Femi Kuti, since I would be doing Afro hip hop.

    Talking about the voting pattern in reality shows, how much of that would you say got you to the top?

    Honestly, with all humility, I tried to work hard in all of my performances. I didn’t deliver two songs in the same way. You could not say if I was going to use the guitar or not. I tried to put my creativity into everything. And I also think that one’s personality matters; the way I related with people within and outside the competition. I thank God for the way my parents brought me up; I mean home training. My parents are the best. I want to still give the testimony in the church someday. If my mummy did not give me the abara (spanking) she gave me at the right time. If they didn’t flog me when they were supposed to flog me, I’m sure I would not be here, because a bad character would have sold me out.

    Would you say some contestants fell short of this expectation?

    There were times that our fate rested with the judges, and attitude, I believe, played some role in their judgment. I can say that even on stage, when the judges correct you, the way you answer will determine to them if you are an Idol material or not.

    Are you leaving Computer Science for music finally?

    Computer Science is a course that you can work from home. I actually majored in programming and graphics. So long you have the software on your system, you can do anything you want to do. The only challenge I have now is that I have not practiced for a while. Music has found much time in my mind, whenever I choose to go back to it, I can combine both. When I want to do my album cover, I can edit my pictures myself with the knowledge of graphics that I already have. I can design my own website, if I decide to have one. And I can even get contract to help design websites and applications, like school registration.

    Why didn’t you do a music-related course, knowing your love for music?

    Honestly, before I got admission I was telling my mum that I wanted to do an entertainment-related course. But sometimes, one’s talent can be developed separately, without you using school life or university life to begin to develop what you already have naturally. With a little course here, a little learning there, you can grow. I actually love creativity generally and Computer Science gave me that.

    It is believed that entertainers live larger than themselves. As a young artiste, how do you fuel your car for instance?

    Thank God that my car is small (Laughs). Seriously, the money given to us is not just for spending. That will be foolish of me. It is to invest, so that I will be able to do what I want to do. If the money will make me live higher than who I am, then it means it is limiting me to where I want to get to. Whatever life that I imagine myself to have, I should be able to work towards it, desire it and by faith I can get it.

    What are the things you do differently now?

    Well, right now I am a little more aware of my environment. Unlike before that I could just come out and do things the way I want. But right now, there are some places that I will be and be conscious that one or two people would recognise me. So I need to be sure that I am not doing anything that will bring disrespect to me. I need to be modest.

    And where did you get the name ‘Rise’ from?

    It is actually from my surname Olurise.

    Isn’t your dad jealous or angry that you ‘remix’ his name?

    He actually started it. He turned my mum’s name from Caroline Olurise to Carol Rise. I am Debie Rise, and he used our baptismal names. Well, others didn’t take theirs seriously but me. And I know ‘Rise’ itself is a positive word, so I stick to it and it’s been working for me.

  • Mercy Johnson spares a thought for the less- privileged

    Mercy Johnson spares a thought for the less- privileged

    NOLLYWOOD screen diva, Mercy Johnson, added another year in the week, and chose a special way to mark the day. Instead of throwing a shindig and popping champagne with friends, the actress decided to celebrate it by sparing a thought for the less-privileged children in the society.

    In a message tagged “A Message From My Heart”, Mercy poured out her heart, saying: ”Today, I thought of many things I would love to have as birthday gifts, and the many dreams I am still pursuing. In all of this, I’m not losing sight of the fact, that if not for God, I might have ended up on the street like the many kids and young adults begging for food, and some prostituting to make ends meet. If we know the circumstances that forced some of these people into the street, we would spare a thought for them. I am where I am today purely by the grace of God and the grace of people who believed in me from the word go.

    “Recently, I was at the Boys Reform Home, Oregun, Lagos, and the discussion I had with the principal, Mr. Kotun, and much later, with the Special Adviser in charge of all remand homes in Lagos, set me thinking about the boys and girls on the street. They have dreams too. Can they fulfill those dreams on the street? The answer will likely be no; because I won’t be where I am today if I ended up on the street. For this reason, Mercy Johnson Foundation will be doing a lot to get kids off the street. We are not asking people for money or donation. I will do all I can with the resources God has given me, and with the support of my husband to help get these kids off the street, and set them on the path where they can begin to pursue their dreams…”

  • Company readies 1000 ex-militants for Samsung job

    AS part of federal government’s effort to re-integrate restive youths into legal and productive ventures, a government’s sponsored training has landed about1000 ex-militants with a Samsung job offer.

    This feat is courtesy of Bradama International Skill Works Limited, a welding and fabrication facility and one of the few vocational centers accredited by the government to impart the lives of these hitherto straying young persons.

    It would be recalled that in eight months ago, the federal government through the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Mr. Frank Kuku announced the expiration of the amnesty program by 2015, despite fierce agitation by some groups springing up in the oil-rich region. But understanding the prevailing circumstances, the federal government is making provision for those whose trainings will elapse after the deadline for the scheme.

    It is in this regard that the company located in Ondo State, is according to its CEO, Chief Bibopere Ajube, maintaining a compressive array of plants, machinery and staff strength that complement the wide range of services it can provide.

    The company, last Thursday unveiled about 500 ex-militants who had been trained under the scheme, having thoughtfully laid down arms for peace.

    “It might interest you to know that Samsung Heavy Industries, South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries’ (SHI) Nigerian subsidiary recently secured a $3bn order from a Nigerian firm to build a floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO) in the country. SHI was awarded the Igini Gas plant project and it will need to train and employ over 1000 staff, most of whom will be beneficiaries of the amnesty program,” Ajube said.

    He noted that in consonance with the federal government amnesty philosophy, a new lease of life is offered more and more to ex-militants who are gradually being re-integrated into the healthy public from where they once defected. “We were in this struggle together and I was spending every Kobo I made to build this facility for my brothers from the creek and because I realised they need to have livelihoods. So, I built this hostel to make them have what to do with the rest of their lives”, Ajube said during the inspection of the facility.

  • Banky W, Sean Tizzle, others thrill fans at Hennessy Club Tour

    Banky W, Sean Tizzle, others thrill fans at Hennessy Club Tour

    SOME of Nigeria’s biggest names in the music industry turned up to flaunt their skills at the Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour.

    The event, which held at Aura Nightclub in Victoria Island, Lagos, had R&B powerhouse and 2011 Hennessy Artistry headliner, Banky W, rocking the guitar on the red carpet, with Shaydee displaying the vocals skills that have firmly established him as a fans’ favourite.

    Rap icon and 2012 Hennessy Artistry headliner, MI, also showed his skills on the conga, while rave of the moment, Sean Tizzle, tried his hands on the saxophone to the amusement of guests present.

    Hennessy Artistry supporting acts, Olamide, Sean Tizzle, Show Dem Camp and BOJ, all thrilled the fans with energetic performances.

    Other guests present at the party included Karen Igho, Durella, Jimmy, N6, DJ Xclusive and Shaydee, among others.

    The Hennessy Artistry Club Tour, which kicked off on Friday, August 16, has been graced by some of Nigeria’s hottest acts and has featured spectacular performances from Olamide, Sean Tizzle, Chidinma and Show Dem Camp.

  • ‘I never knew I would get to 50’ Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu

    ‘I never knew I would get to 50’ Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu

    Being 50 ordinarily is a landmark celebration. For Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, there may never be another celebration like it again considering a major health challenge, which could have marred her chance of attaining her golden jubilee. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the Fuji House star actress, who was recently feted to a 3-in-1 party which was graced by top Nollywood celebrities, opens up on her ordeal, the lessons and life at 50.

    HOW do you feel being 50?

    I feel young. I’ve always felt young.

    Nollywood has decided to fete you at 50. Will you say this is the best birthday you’ve had?

    I think this should be the best really. Considering the circumstance, I thank God; I made it to 50, yeah. This should be the best.

    When exactly was your birthday?

    1st of August.

    What did you do that morning?

    That morning, I was not in Nigeria. I was in England. I had breakfast in bed – that was after my morning prayer. My girlfriend surprised me by serving me breakfast in bed. And I was like wow! I’ve never had that before. It was nice turning 50, you know (laughs).

    Who were those who called to congratulate you?

    From midnight, I started receiving calls from people, friends, my family in Nigeria.

    Did you ever think you would get to 50?

    Well, there was a time I thought I wouldn’t get to 50, but with God all things are possible. And I never gave up and here I am.

    You look very pretty, how have you been able to get back to shape?

    My dear, it is God. I just thank God.

    Why did you conceal your health challenge for a long time?

    I don’t think you were here when the doctor was educating us on health issues. As he rightly said, it is nice for you to voice out your problem on time. But to me I felt it was something I could handle on my own. It wasn’t as if I deliberately kept quiet. I was handling it on my own, thinking it will be over soon until God said, ‘no, my daughter, I think I will handle it the best way for you.’ And here I am today.

    At a time, there were so many insinuations regarding your state of health. What was the worst thing that was said about you?

    My dear, so many silly things; I don’t even want to think about it. I just want to thank God that I’m alive. And to them all, I just want to say thank you because either way they’ve contributed to making me strong and I thank God I’m still alive.

    What are some of the lessons you’ve drawn from the experience?

    Some of the lessons I have drawn from the experience; I’ve learnt to be myself, believe in God and always help the needy because you don’t know tomorrow. Nobody knows the tomorrow. Today it is my turn. It could be your turn tomorrow. I remember when I went for ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ to play a charity game to raise money for Samanger because his health was failing him.

    I thank God I won one million naira for him. But the point is I didn’t know it would be my turn someday. I thank God that when I was called upon for that show I didn’t turn it down. I’ve also learnt that you should never trust in anyone but God because those you believe in will be those that will let you down and it has also shown me the amount of people or the kind of people that will come to your aid when you need them.

    This is Africa where people desert you when you have problems. What was your experience in this regard?

    I would rather not talk about it. To me, I’m 50, I’m enjoying it to the glory of God and all that is behind me now. They are in the past.

    How many more years would you like to spend on earth?

    My dear, God should just keep adding it and adding it until He says, ‘my daughter, you’ve finished your work on earth, come home.’

    You were spotted recently at a location. Are you hale, hearty and ready to work?

    Spotted at a location? No, I’ve only gone to Fuji House. And you know in Fuji House, I play a key role there and they’ve been waiting for me all along. And they’ve run out of episodes, so I had to be there to play a little of my part, just to tell people I’m still alive and I will be back on track, that was why I went to see them before I went back to England.

    So, are you fully ready for work now?

    Yes, yes, yes but I still need to rest. If at all I have to work now it’s not going to be fully. I’ve not gone back to work fully, no!

    I learnt you were on location of Yaws and Mine, that was why I asked that question…

    Before I went back to England for my treatment I was there just to see them, because I was actually supposed to be with them on the second season which I told them I couldn’t do at that time as I wasn’t fit to work. So I just went to tell them ‘well done, I’m still with you. I will be back.’

    What are things that you cannot do now by virtue of your age and the health challenge you just overcame?

    There is nothing I cannot do because of age now, but by virtue of health for now, if you notice you will see that my walking is not really smooth; that I use working stick. That is the only challenge I have for now. I still walk at a slow pace for now, but when I’m back to my normal Ngozi Nwosu certainly there will be nothing stopping me.

    What is one special gift that you have received on your birthday?

    Well, I have received the grace of God; that is the first special gift. God has given me back my life. I really thank God. I call it the second coming of Ngozi Nwosu. Then the second gift I have received is a wonderful gift of breakfast in bed by my girl friend in England because I had never received that before.

    What is your greatest achievement?

    Life.

    What is your greatest desire from God?

    I pray that God should give me long life, not like Metusellah, because I don’t want to live the life that you will be blind, you will be crippled and you will become a nuisance to the society. I want a live long life but I want to be fit; even if I’m 80, 90, or 100. That’s the kind of life I want.

    What has life taught you?

    Life is a decision and life is by choice.

    So many things have changed since the time you travelled and now. You’ve gotten back to shape. How have you been able to achieve that?

    I thank God. It is not by might, not by power.

    Some of your colleagues who weren’t lucky to get financial assistance passed on, but you were lucky; you had the goodwill and the money came on time. What do you think can be done to prevent these health issues?

    That is why I’m happy that my president, Ibinabo Fiberisema, came. I’m glad they now have a health scheme for thespians. I will encourage them to please hook on to that because life is too short. The things we think might be nothing could turn out to be something. I know that from the time I took ill till this time there are so many people that have dropped dead while I went to hell and I’m still standing. That is why I say God has given me a second chance.

    Who are your childhood friends?

    So many, they are there. Some are gone while some are still hanging in there.

    How about in the industry?

    Industry? I do not have friends.

    Any reason?

    When you are rich they are your friends, but when you’re not they are not your friend. Most of them are a flash in the pan.

    What’s your take on Nollywood at present?

    For now, I can’t say because I haven’t been working for two years. All this problem started with pile, so for almost a year I couldn’t do anything. I was battling with the pile until finally I had an operation and just when I was being myself back, I did one or two jobs before the kidney thing started.

    So really I cannot say the state, but from what I am seeing, I think Nollywood is higher yeah! But I want to quickly point out that our script writers are not doing enough work, because most of what I was watching while I was resting were based on one story copied from one English movie or the other, and before you say Jack Robinson you know where it is going to end and I don’t find that interesting.

    When it comes to your health, what are the things you want to do differently?

    I have learnt that there are so many things you don’t take and especially when one is aging, it is important that you get hooked to a doctor and seek advice because it’s only a doctor and a nutritionist that can actually educate you on what to do and how to take care of yourself properly.

    There is the notion that kidney diseases most times have a lot to do with alcohol intake. What is your take on this?

    I don’t think it has to do with alcohol. Let’s just pray that we should not be sick. There are so many people out there, even kids that have kidney problems, do kids take alcohol? So it doesn’t have to do with alcohol. Though it may have something to do with it, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with it. Like I said, let’s just pray not to be sick.

    What else would you wish for in life?

    I wish for the best things of life. In fact, I just wish somebody will come and park the latest car in my house now because this one that we are talking is talk, talk. Somebody should come and park the best car in my house and build a house for me. I don’t want to be like the Nigerian flag designer who almost died before they recognised him. Yes, o! When they are talking about Nollywood, I thank God I’m still alive. I am part of those who made it what it is today.

    Your health challenge as it was then made you trend in the media like never before, even till now you are still trending. Would you say it’s a blessing in disguise?

    Yes, a big one. It’s a blessing, my dear. To those who felt this was the end of Ngozi Nwosu, I just want to tell them: this is the beginning of Ngozi Nwosu.

  • Easy Lizy dedicates time to child education

    PEJU Elizabeth Taiwo is a female singer, with the stage name, Easy Lizy. She is currently on a campaign to improve child education in the country. To this end, she has established a group, called the Community Initiative for Child Education (CICE).

    CICE, according to the songstress, aims to sensitise Nigerians on the need to support and create educational programmes and extra-curricular activities that will enhance the overall development of children within the various communities. The group, she said, has organised several programmes in recent past, including an annual Children’s Day party.

    Presently, Easy Lizy and her group are involved in annual free summer coaching for students; a programme which she said started about five years ago in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, and coordinated by Honorable Ayo Adesanya.

    The programme, she explained is designed to prepare the children for the new academic session, while also creating social interaction, friendship and communal integration. The inaugural edition in Isolo Local Government Area is presently going on at Gideon Comprehensive High School.

    “The coaching, which commenced on 12th of August, will end on the 11th of September. We will have a funfair party on 12th of September to round off the exercise. Presently, CICE has Chi Limited, makers of Caprisone and Hollandia juice, who are supporting the event with their products. It also has a strong backing from Isolo Local Government. There are also top personalities who have shown their support towards the movement. They include Alhaja Kuburat Okoya, Dr Federick Fasehun and Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka (Osolo of Isolo) among others,” Says Easy Lizy.

  • Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Majid get GIAMA nominations

    Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Majid get GIAMA nominations

    A number of Ghanaian filmmakers have appeared on the nomination list for the 2013 edition of the prestigious Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA). The nomination list which was officially released on August 19 had hot screen names as Yvonne Okoro, Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Roselyn Ngissah, Umar Krapp, Adjetey Annang, Majid Michel and John Dumelo as some of the strong contenders this year.

    According to the organisers, the GIAMA organization serves as a platform to ensure consistent acclaim to individuals and groups that have exemplified competence, diligence and innovation in the African filmmaking industry. In addition, it is to showcase rising stars who have earned the right to share the global stage.

    Ghanaian Director, Pascal Amanfo, producer Abdul Salam and musician Tiffany were also nominated. Yvonne Okoro and Jackie Appiah were nominated for the Best Actress category for their roles in ‘Contract’ and ‘Hunters’ respectively.

  • Why I didn’t voice out on time when I became ill

    Why I didn’t voice out on time when I became ill

    Being 50 ordinarily is a landmark celebration. For Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, there may never be another celebration like it again considering a major health challenge, which could have marred her chance of attaining her golden jubilee. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the Fuji House star actress, who was recently feted to a 3-in-1 party which was graced by top Nollywood celebrities, opens up on her ordeal, the lessons and life at 50.

     

    HOW do you feel being 50?

    I feel young. I’ve always felt young.

    Nollywood has decided to fete you at 50. Will you say this is the best birthday you’ve had?

    I think this should be the best really. Considering the circumstance, I thank God; I made it to 50, yeah. This should be the best.

    When exactly was your birthday?

    1st of August.

    What did you do that morning?

    That morning, I was not in Nigeria. I was in England. I had breakfast in bed – that was after my morning prayer. My girlfriend surprised me by serving me breakfast in bed. And I was like wow! I’ve never had that before. It was nice turning 50, you know (laughs).

    Who were those who called to congratulate you?

    From midnight, I started receiving calls from people, friends, my family in Nigeria.

    Did you ever think you would get to 50?

    Well, there was a time I thought I wouldn’t get to 50, but with God all things are possible. And I never gave up and here I am.

    You look very pretty, how have you been able to get back to shape?

    My dear, it is God. I just thank God.

    Why did you conceal your health challenge for a long time?

    I don’t think you were here when the doctor was educating us on health issues. As he rightly said, it is nice for you to voice out your problem on time. But to me I felt it was something I could handle on my own. It wasn’t as if I deliberately kept quiet. I was handling it on my own, thinking it will be over soon until God said, ‘no, my daughter, I think I will handle it the best way for you.’ And here I am today.

    At a time, there were so many insinuations regarding your state of health. What was the worst thing that was said about you?

    My dear, so many silly things; I don’t even want to think about it. I just want to thank God that I’m alive. And to them all, I just want to say thank you because either way they’ve contributed to making me strong and I thank God I’m still alive.

    What are some of the lessons you’ve drawn from the experience?

    Some of the lessons I have drawn from the experience; I’ve learnt to be myself, believe in God and always help the needy because you don’t know tomorrow. Nobody knows the tomorrow. Today it is my turn. It could be your turn tomorrow. I remember when I went for ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ to play a charity game to raise money for Samanger because his health was failing him.

    I thank God I won one million naira for him. But the point is I didn’t know it would be my turn someday. I thank God that when I was called upon for that show I didn’t turn it down. I’ve also learnt that you should never trust in anyone but God because those you believe in will be those that will let you down and it has also shown me the amount of people or the kind of people that will come to your aid when you need them.

    This is Africa where people desert you when you have problems. What was your experience in this regard?

    I would rather not talk about it. To me, I’m 50, I’m enjoying it to the glory of God and all that is behind me now. They are in the past.

    How many more years would you like to spend on earth?

    My dear, God should just keep adding it and adding it until He says, ‘my daughter, you’ve finished your work on earth, come home.’

    You were spotted recently at a location. Are you hale, hearty and ready to work?

    Spotted at a location? No, I’ve only gone to Fuji House. And you know in Fuji House, I play a key role there and they’ve been waiting for me all along. And they’ve run out of episodes, so I had to be there to play a little of my part, just to tell people I’m still alive and I will be back on track, that was why I went to see them before I went back to England.

    So, are you fully ready for work now?

    Yes, yes, yes but I still need to rest. If at all I have to work now it’s not going to be fully. I’ve not gone back to work fully, no!

    I learnt you were on location of Yaws and Mine, that was why I asked that question…

    Before I went back to England for my treatment I was there just to see them, because I was actually supposed to be with them on the second season which I told them I couldn’t do at that time as I wasn’t fit to work. So I just went to tell them ‘well done, I’m still with you. I will be back.’

    What are things that you cannot do now by virtue of your age and the health challenge you just overcame?

    There is nothing I cannot do because of age now, but by virtue of health for now, if you notice you will see that my walking is not really smooth; that I use working stick. That is the only challenge I have for now. I still walk at a slow pace for now, but when I’m back to my normal Ngozi Nwosu certainly there will be nothing stopping me.

    What is one special gift that you have received on your birthday?

    Well, I have received the grace of God; that is the first special gift. God has given me back my life. I really thank God. I call it the second coming of Ngozi Nwosu. Then the second gift I have received is a wonderful gift of breakfast in bed by my girl friend in England because I had never received that before.

    What is your greatest achievement?

    Life.

    What is your greatest desire from God?

    I pray that God should give me long life, not like Metusellah, because I don’t want to live the life that you will be blind, you will be crippled and you will become a nuisance to the society. I want a live long life but I want to be fit; even if I’m 80, 90, or 100. That’s the kind of life I want.

    What has life taught you?

    Life is a decision and life is by choice.

    So many things have changed since the time you travelled and now. You’ve gotten back to shape. How have you been able to achieve that?

    I thank God. It is not by might, not by power.

    Some of your colleagues who weren’t lucky to get financial assistance passed on, but you were lucky; you had the goodwill and the money came on time. What do you think can be done to prevent these health issues?

    That is why I’m happy that my president, Ibinabo Fiberisema, came. I’m glad they now have a health scheme for thespians. I will encourage them to please hook on to that because life is too short. The things we think might be nothing could turn out to be something. I know that from the time I took ill till this time there are so many people that have dropped dead while I went to hell and I’m still standing. That is why I say God has given me a second chance.

    Who are your childhood friends?

    So many, they are there. Some are gone while some are still hanging in there.

    How about in the industry?

    Industry? I do not have friends.

    Any reason?

    When you are rich they are your friends, but when you’re not they are not your friend. Most of them are a flash in the pan.

    What’s your take on Nollywood at present?

    For now, I can’t say because I haven’t been working for two years. All this problem started with pile, so for almost a year I couldn’t do anything. I was battling with the pile until finally I had an operation and just when I was being myself back, I did one or two jobs before the kidney thing started.

    So really I cannot say the state, but from what I am seeing, I think Nollywood is higher yeah! But I want to quickly point out that our script writers are not doing enough work, because most of what I was watching while I was resting were based on one story copied from one English movie or the other, and before you say Jack Robinson you know where it is going to end and I don’t find that interesting.

    When it comes to your health, what are the things you want to do differently?

    I have learnt that there are so many things you don’t take and especially when one is aging, it is important that you get hooked to a doctor and seek advice because it’s only a doctor and a nutritionist that can actually educate you on what to do and how to take care of yourself properly.

    There is the notion that kidney diseases most times have a lot to do with alcohol intake. What is your take on this?

    I don’t think it has to do with alcohol. Let’s just pray that we should not be sick. There are so many people out there, even kids that have kidney problems, do kids take alcohol? So it doesn’t have to do with alcohol. Though it may have something to do with it, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with it. Like I said, let’s just pray not to be sick.

    What else would you wish for in life?

    I wish for the best things of life. In fact, I just wish somebody will come and park the latest car in my house now because this one that we are talking is talk, talk. Somebody should come and park the best car in my house and build a house for me. I don’t want to be like the Nigerian flag designer who almost died before they recognised him. Yes, o! When they are talking about Nollywood, I thank God I’m still alive. I am part of those who made it what it is today.

    Your health challenge as it was then made you trend in the media like never before, even till now you are still trending. Would you say it’s a blessing in disguise?

    Yes, a big one. It’s a blessing, my dear. To those who felt this was the end of Ngozi Nwosu, I just want to tell them: this is the beginning of Ngozi Nwosu.

  • Dbanj takes Hennessy Artistry to Port Harcourt

    Dbanj takes Hennessy Artistry to Port Harcourt

    IT was a memorable weekend for residents of Port Harcourt, as the Hennessy Artistry 2013 club tour stormed the garden city with some of Nigeria’s biggest superstars.

    The event, which held at the Lamborghini club in GRA, Port Harcourt, was hosted by popular radio personality, Olisa Adibua, and had guests come to witness the Hennessy experience.

    The event kicked off on a high note with energetic performances from fast-rising acts, Pucado and Phyno. Dbanj brought the house down with pulsating performances to thrill the guests with his first live performance of this year’s Artistry theme song. Port Harcourt’s artiste, Burna Boy was also in town to party with Dbanj.

    Dbanj will make his second club appearance in Lagos later in September. The next stop for the Hennessy Artistry club tour this weekend is Club DV8 in Victoria Island, Lagos, and will feature performances from Phyno, Kay Switch and Chidinma.

    The Hennessy Artistry 2013 club tour supporting acts include Olamide, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Phyno, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch and Sean Tizzle.

  • Cinemas not the main market for Nigerian movies

    THE main market for Nigerian films is not the cinemas. We need to quickly establish this and have a consensus on it now that the FGN’s N300 billion grant is set for disbursement. Anyone doubting this assertion, especially those in government at any level should please ask him/herself a question of when he/she last went to a cinema compared to when last he/she last watched a Nigerian movie bought or hired from a video shop or from TV, cable or terrestrial.

    In the context of today’s Nigeria, cinemas are elitist form of entertainment which have little or no impact on about 95% of the filmmakers. Even to the elites, going to the cinema rates second to their noisy and wasteful Owambe parties! Again, anyone doubting this should go to the nearest public market and ask the traders when last anyone of them went to watch a movie at the cinemas, compared to when last that person watched a movie bought or hired from a video shop or on TV, cable or terrestrial. Our high profile producers who have made a ritual of cinemas screening are doing so largely to impress their sponsors or attract new sponsors. Devoid of the financial might of such sponsors, they all know it is business suicide to rely only on the cinema box offices returns. If anyone of them wants to challenge this, the right and simplest thing to do is answer why after so many of their blockbusters, they are still unable to fund their new productions by themselves or how much returns they have been able to make to their investors.

    From the quality of our movie productions as regularly seen on television, the main reason why the bulk of producers prefer to stand on a long queue to hawk their works to the only paying cable TV in the country now is for no other reason than the stark reality of poor financial returns from the cinemas. If it had been a paying proposition, we have producers whose productions can meet the quality benchmark of any cinema house in the country or internationally. It is not also correct to blame the paucity of the cinema houses as the reason why producers do not embrace the cinema option. I recall my late uncle, Adeyemi Afolayan, better known as Ade love, confidently telling us at Surulere Super Cinema where the third or fourth of his film was screened that he could start to rely on the patronage by people of his films to fund the future ones. Few days later at his Orile Igannmu house he proudly showed us his fleet of vans taking his films to nooks and crannies of the country as his antidote to the high government entertainment taxes. The point here is that any producer that believes cinemas are his/her market need not wait for more to be built but can hit the road with his own distribution van and projector to screen the movies at hotels, event centres and the schools.

    The scaring reality of such a move, however, is the major reason why after some half-hearted attempts at cinema screening, everyone puts the work for public home distribution, or if that fails, get it on the pay TV. It is not for nothing that we are known and referred to as the first and perhaps only Direct-To-Home, DTH, industry in the whole world. Cinema business is capital intensive and will not bring return in less than a year. Almost all the running costs are fixed from electricity supply to manpower and equipment. This means that unless a certain level of revenue is consistently generated, bankruptcy will follow. Even now in America and across Europe, cinemas record impressive income only at students’ holidays and during festivities because of stiff competition from triplex screening, on-line downloading, not to talk of pay TVs and other modern day modes of entertainment. DVD sales and hiring incomes on the other hand keep growing. Not long ago, Nigeria too paraded a set of flourishing cinema houses but that was when the economy was relatively buoyant and the populace had a reasonable level of peace of mind to spare a thought for going to cinema. Then cinema patronage was stimulating to intellectuals as it was to the royalties, courting couples, families, proletariat and potentates. But with the decline of our economy came the twin problems of transportation and insecurity to lives and properties, which affected the patronage to the extent of all the cinemas closing down or getting converted to warehouses, event centres or churches!

    Added to those two now is the battle for survival that keeps everyone on the move for an average of 16 hours a day! Where then is the time or inclination to go to cinema? That is why and how watching the movies at home become the most favoured option to the people. It is also why the focus of the grant should be on strengthening our Direct-To-Home, DTH, distribution. A single grant to build even the cheapest cinema will comfortably put about 10 producers to profitable work, 100 cast and crew members in gainful employment and will be more than enough to help almost all the licensed regional distributors activate their business with all the community retailers of that same region formalising their retail trade to give piracy a frontal attack. Cinema screening is not entirely useless though, its focus should be behind that of our DTH distribution.

    —By Yinka Ogundaisi; a writer, filmmaker and marketer