The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Uche Jombo,hubby rock Puerto Rican Day parade

    Uche Jombo,hubby rock Puerto Rican Day parade

    ACTRESS and producer, Uche Jombo whose profile has been on a steady rise was recently spotted at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York with her hubby Kenny. The actress who admitted she took time off to rest is back to Nigeria. A tweet to her colleague Nonso Diobi, revealed the purpose of the trip and when she returned into the country. “@nonsodiobiworld: @uchejombo hello madam, where art thou?” out of the hiding 4sure luv hehehe…heading 2 9ja.”

    There is no doubt that our Nollywood sweetheart is enjoying her marriage to her Puerto Rican husband Kenny Rodriguez. Only a couple of weeks back, the couples celebrated one year anniversary of their marriage by taking a road trip to Atlantic City, US before attending another landmark event.

    The Puerto Rican Day Parade (also known as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade) takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in New York City, on the second Sunday in June, in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and all people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the mainland U.S. The parade attracts a host of celebrities, both Puerto Rican or of its heritage, and many politicians from the Tri-State area.

  • Supermom returns

    PROMOTERS of the reality show that celebrates and rewards mothers have announced the commencement of the fourth edition of the reality TV show. This year’s edition will not be celebrating biological mothers but women who gave and are still giving their all to children they didn’t give birth to, hence the tagline, Heart of Gold.

    Supermom sponsored by Procter & Gamble; makers of Safeguard, Ariel, Pampers, Always and Promasidor; makers of Onga seasoning and Cowbell is in the fourth year running and has consistently celebrated mothers who through dint of rare sacrifice raised their children to enviable positions in the society.

    The first and second editions focused on mothers whose stories their children told with emotive conviction. The stories bordered on the sacrifice, pain and sheer hardship that 20 women went through in raising their kids. Some of them had their men watching helplessly beside or behind them as the case may be while for some others the supposed traditional bread winners were nowhere to be found. Their stories were told with short dramas while the eventual winners were decided via votes from members of the public.

    The first set of winners won brand new houses, the first runner up, brand new cars while the second runner up smiled home with cash prizes.

  • Nollywood: Exuberance @ 20

    Nollywood: Exuberance @ 20

    While it may seem exciting that we can reach the president without going through their appointees (regulatory agencies), it also negates the principles representation, due process and proper structure that the filmmakers have been crying about

     

    JUST 20 years more to confirm the folly of an industry called Nollywood. It is two decades since the acclaimed first video film, Living in Bondage was made, and indeed, the industry may have passed its formative stages but maturity is still far in sight. And unless another cliché is born to measure the 21st century man, one cannot but make do with the ‘Fool at Forty’ chestnut and see what the next 20 years holds for this notable industry of film quantum in the world.

    If the psychological progression of the human person is anything to go by, then age 20 finds succor in the traits of youthful exuberance. Nollywood can be said to be in that equation at the moment. Therefore, if celebrating Nollywood at 20 comes with so much drinking and getting drunk, some rapping and unwanted pregnancies, as well as some tall dreams with little vision, it is indeed understandable.

    However, telling a young chap about the dynamics of life and making him see the likely consequences of his actions is the justification left for an elder who must not fail in his responsibilities. Or didn’t they say that what an old man sees sitting, a young man does not see, even when he stands? Nollywood practitioners are too divided to be united. Everyone is pursuing a personal agenda and posterity is watching.

    Series of meetings had taken place between President Goodluck Jonathan and representatives of the film industry. By representatives, I mean, few, select members of Nollywood – theoretical and practicing filmmakers. In all of these get-togethers, including those convened by representatives of the president, hardly can one find heads of the regulatory agencies in attendance. Not even the Minister of Information and Communications under whose Ministry the film industry resides.

    While it may seem exciting that we can reach the president without going through their appointees (regulatory agencies), it also negates the principles representation, due process and proper structure that the filmmakers have been crying about. This alienation of key officers in an acclaimed business, that is meant to decide the destiny of an industry, is merely reduced to a tea party if you ask me. Otherwise, who took the notes at the last Presidential dinner with Nollywood in Lagos last Saturday? Who will pursue or remind Mr. President of the promises he made that night? Will the industry need another dinner with the president to reiterate what they asked last week? When will another opportunity come for such meeting with Mr. President? Has the president or the presidency done anything on the more articulate, consultative and widely representative parley held with various art and entertainment associations on Monday March 21, 2011 at Eko Hotel & Suites?

    At the risk of sounding judgmental, I think the industry people have continued to fuel that perception that has made people to look at them as mere entertainers rather than Showbiz minded men. Hypocrisy is one aspect of what makes politics a dirty game. Therefore, when filmmakers (in our case) ask for an audience with the government, it is for government to watch a shoddy remix of their political antics and get amused than entertained. Worst still, for an unwilling government, divide and rule is just made easy when the filmmakers continue in the disarray and animosity that they are presently in. The guilds are obviously divided. Personal interests are placed above collective goals. It is pitiable when individuals, rather than associations continue to drive the process of engagement between government and the industry. How official can that be? But why will such not happen when the association heads have assumed a political rather than technocratic position? When the leadership fights members over whose right it is to organize Nollywood @ 20, it only fuels the embers of division rather than building bridges.

    This Nollywood @ 20 is a series film, and this script will go on for as long as possible. With so many flashbacks in the offing, we shall look at the mud that this 20 year-old boy called Nollywood has brought to present times from his toddling stage. But just before we close this episode, last Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan at a presidential dinner to celebrate the film industry at 20, promised a N3 billion package to help the movie industry. The event took place at State House, Marina, Lagos.

    The president said the package, to be launched as “Project Nollywood”, will include grants for the best film scripts, capacity building and infrastructural development. He said the scheme will be launched in the first week of April, and will be managed by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Jonathan noted that he had invited the private sector to the dinner because he believes that they can also support efforts to further develop the creative industry.

    On the previous revolving loan scheme of $200 million (N32 billion), announced by the president in 2010, Jonathan said only N766 million of the money has been accessed by practitioners. He said he has asked NEXIM Bank and the Bank of Industry to redouble their efforts in assisting the industry to access loans.

  • Sammie Okposo takes Praise Party Live to America

    Sammie Okposo takes Praise Party Live to America

    AWARDS winning singer and Globacom Ambassador, Sammie Okposo will be rocking United State of America this summer with some of his colleagues from Nigeria. The singer is exporting his concert having held a successful Lagos edition last Easter.

    Tagged Sammie Okposo Praise Party Live, the concert will kick-off on August 13 in New York, Atlanta and Maryland. Nigerian singers already on the bill are Nikki Laoye, Bouqui, Tim Godfrey and Frand Edwards. Talks are however still on to feature gospel superstars, Micah Stampley and William Murphy.

    On why he’s taking the show to America, Okposo said it’s becoming imperative to keep promoting the brand all over the world. “Firstly, it’s all about reaching out and evangelising the word via gospel music. Secondly, it’s about promoting my music beyond the shores of Africa to reach out to my already existing fans and make new ones thereby creating a platform where they will be treated to the best of Sammie Okposo and same for other Nigerian artistes on the bill. Thirdly, it’s about creating an environment where Nigerian gospel artistes can interact and synergise with their counterparts from America with the possibilities of duets, publishing and marketing opportunities”.

  • ‘Why I shy away from the media’

    ‘Why I shy away from the media’

    Multi-talented mother, Ashionye Ugboh-Raccah is currently reveling in the relative success of her gender inspired movie titled Journey to Self. The ex member of the defunct group, Emete who has featured in M-net’s produced ‘Doctors Quarters’, Tinsel and Lillian Amah’s Jungle Ride which fetched her an AMAA nomination. She opened up on a range of issues in this interview with AHMED BOULOR.

    HAD you always wanted to be in the entertainment industry?

    No. I had always wanted to be a lawyer. I liked the fact that they defend people. I see myself as someone who defends the weak. I do not regret forgoing law for what I am doing at the moment. I am sure that I am where God wants me to be.

    We know you as a musician, now that you have adopted movies, is that the end of your musical career?

    No way. I actually have an album ready. But I am not planning to promote it now. I am still going to the studio to do more music. I am not ready to do any music promotion. You will soon hear from me musically. For now, we are working on the sound track album for the Journey to Self movie. There are lots of artistes on it, including myself.

    Which are you more of, a musician or an actor?

    Playing the role of an actor is different from playing the role of a musician. As a musician, when I am on stage I have fun and I’m myself. When I’m acting, I play a character, which is not me. I love doing both. I am also a presenter on radio and TV. I love doing those as well.

    Are there still some hidden talents you are yet to exhibit?

    Like they say, keep your fingers crossed. There are many things about Ashionye you will get to know later.

    What is the movie Journey to Self all about?

    The movie is all about friendship, sacrifice, empowerment and self-respect. It is a film about four friends who lost a friend. One of the friends left behind a letter, which made the others have a re-think about their lives, this led them to a journey of self-discovery.

    Was there a part of you in the movie?

    Not really. What inspired me into writing such story are the experiences of women that I have read about; those I have met through various NGOs. I remember I was in a stage play and such issues were part of the play.

    There are also issues about women being battered and one even beaten to death by her husband. I was so upset about these situations and the only way I could turn things around or make an impact was to write a movie about it. There was no personal experience involved but I could feel the pain of many women and I could create something out of that.

    Was it emotional for you writing the script?

    I actually cried a lot while writing. It took me three months to write and it was a big struggle for me. You know I have a young son who constantly needs my attention. I would be up till three at night sometimes. Most times when I write, I burst into tears because I know that there are a lot of women who are facing the things I am writing about.

    Do you think the film will make the needed impact?

    I believe that a lot of people who watch Journey to Self will relate to it whether they are in the situation or they know somebody who is. The movie is captivating and emotion- filled. So, definitely, a lot of people will feel it and get the message.

    This is the first time you are writing a screenplay, directing and acting all at once and you also have a little baby; how did you sail through all that?

    It was fantastic. The timing was right. I worked with a partner, who was the executive producer. Tope Osiugun, who was the director, was very brilliant. She did everything with clockwork precision. So, we had very few issues. She is also a female. So, she quickly understood what we were trying to achieve; she understood the message.

    Did you encounter any challenges while shooting the movie?

    To be serious, there was none I could point to. Everyone was mature and they knew what to do even down to the kids who acted in the movie. Once they said ‘action,’ everyone was in character. Even the crew was on point. I would say the maturity of the cast and crew and the grace of God made the shoot a success.

    Before Journey to Self, you had been kind of silent…

    I was pregnant and then I had a baby boy. I took two years off the entertainment scene to raise my son and be with my family. Now I am back and Journey to self is the re-launching pad.

    Are you working on other projects?

    For now, I will continue to promote Journey to Self. Then there are other projects on the pipeline. There is a TV production we will be working on. For now, it is still on the scripting stage. We are planning to do quality movies that can compete internationally, so we are not rushing anything.

    Are there other movies you are working on?

    There are some. I am speaking with a top producer at the moment; we will be shooting very soon.

    Tell us about motherhood?

    I am a proud mother and my son is my sunshine. He has changed a lot about me. He has made me a lot mature and has made me very patient. Many people think that it is my husband that locked me at home. It is common in this part of the world, when a woman has a baby and decides to sit at home to take care of the baby they think the husband has made her a housewife.

    My husband did not make me a housewife. I personally decided to stay at home. I still want to have more babies. Though I am back to work now, there are still a lot for me to do. My family is more important.

    Do you support any advocacy initiative?

    With the little I have done, I have been able to impact people. You remember the ‘Girl Power initiative’, and now the Journey to Self. All these I know are touching people’s lives and that on its own is rewarding. I am also helping a lot of people through various NGOs.

    Why do you think bands and groups do not last?

    I guess most of it has to do with being young. Many of these groups consist of very young members. For example, the pressure of being famous is more on a young artiste than an adult. But there is always a bright side from such break-ups. Many of the big names you find today in the music industry, they had once been in one group or the other. Also, there is no structure in the music industry today.

    Will you say that you are lucky to have a husband who is in the entertainment industry?

    I will say I am lucky to have the husband I have. But if you are saying that I am lucky to have a husband who does everything for me, I will say no. I have heard that a lot. They will say if not for her husband, she will not be where she is. I am an intelligent young woman. My husband does not write my songs for me or my scripts. So, it is neither because my husband is in the industry or being a white man that Ashionye became a success. It is hard work.

    But you will agree that it is a plus to your career to have such a husband?

     

  • The Pace of a Snail captures Nigeria’s democracy

    THE recent performance by Reflector Theatre Troupe based in Yenagoa to commiserate the 14th Anniversary of democracy in Nigeria with a play titled The Pace of a Snail aptly captures the event and mood of the citizens in this period of democratic experience.

    Aimed at reviving the culture of stage performance to stimulate talented actors to engage in the business of play production on stage, the play was written by Victor Oroyi. The Pace of a Snail explores a character of a woman who traverses the creeks of Niger Delta, started her primary education through a political campaign strategy of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who built schools for rural dwellers but today, politicians do not only betray the tenets of democratic values in Nigeria, the electorate are impoverished in the midst of abundant wealth while they build high walls.

    Promise Abiri, a director and music teacher brought his wealth of directorial experience to give artistic interpretation to the play using the theatre theory of minimalism to tell the story employing the various aesthetics values of African drama of songs, dance, dirge and simple costume to dramatize the piece to the delight of his audience.

  • Denrele, Jumoke Akomolafe to host Fuji Star Reality Show

    Denrele, Jumoke Akomolafe to host Fuji Star Reality Show

    CHANNEL O VJ, Denrele Edun and Jumoke Akomolafe have been announced as hosts of Fuji reality TV show. According to organizers, the programme is out to discover the best of talented Fuji acts and bring the Nigerian music genre to a deserved spotlight in a space of time.

    “The show is designed to promote African heritage and originality. It would be a platform to showcase raw talents projecting them on the screen, to be appreciated and celebrated,” Business Manager, Andrew Ohiorenoya explained.

    The show is to be aired on both satellite and local TV stations with auditions to commence June 27 in Lagos and subsequently other venues including Abeokuta, Ibadan and Ilorin.

  • Gobe takes over Official Naija Top 10

    Gobe takes over Official Naija Top 10

    SINGER/SONGWRITER, Banky W joins Ehiz as celebrity guest in the MTV Base studio for this week’s Official Naija Top 10, discussing the chart and digging behind the headlines to discuss this week’s music videos and celebrities making waves on the Nigerian music scene.

    Rave song of the moment, Gobe by Davido, also gets to the top of the chart trading places with Asiko by Darey featuring Ice Prince and Jozi which was in first place the previous week.

    Banky W, who is on the show moves to number two with his hit track Yes/No while Lynxx’s Eziokwu moves two places down to number four. New entry on this week’s chart; Goody Bag by D’Prince comes in at Number 10 while 2face still occupies the eight position with Dance Floor. Limpopo by Kcee still sits comfortably at number five.

  • Shuga limb foundation fetes physically challenged

    IN partnership with Nigeria-Britain Association and British Airways and in line with its tradition of charity and support for the less privileged, especially the physically challenged, Shuga Limb Foundation has put smiles on the faces of 70 physically challenged children across seven homes.

    The excited children took part in games such as train ride; volley ball, horse rides, and special games for the physically challenged were setup at Ikeja Saddle Club, Lagos, venue of the event. Asides a quiz competition, Akin Shuga solely sponsored a music competition among the homes, with the theme Soar Higher. The Home with the most creative song was given cash prize of N20, 000.00 and a deal to record the song. Center for Destitute Empowerment won the category.

    Shuga Limb Foundation also donated a wheelchair to the home that won the quiz competition, other fabulous prices were won. Supporting this year’s event are were Saddle Club, Tent Event, Blue World, Shuga Band, Sound Pro and Promasidor.

    Akinloye Tofowomo, President of Shuga Limb Foundation, popularly known as Shuga says; “The objective of the celebration is to create an ambience of fun; excitement and education for physically challenged children and boost their self-esteem and confidence. I want them to see beyond now and live excitedly with hope that tomorrow will be good”.

    Akin Shuga as he’s fondly called overcame physical disability occasioned by polio as a child to become founder and leader of one the most popular musical band in Nigeria.

  • Mike Murdock leads cover of Motivational Magazine

    Mike Murdock leads cover of Motivational Magazine

    FAMED for organising major shows in Benue, Love Idoko led company, in the last couple of years, has done more than enough to put the state in the scheme of things in entertainment industry and provide employment to youths across.

    With a degree in Micro-biology and certificate in Event Planning from London, Love is upping the ante and pushing the publishing arm of her entertainment and Event Company with a new cover with Dr. Mike Murdock, the celebrated gospel singer and world renowned speaker.

    Love had a candid interview with Dr. Murdock in his Texas home. He spoke about success, his ministry, music and life. This will be Mike Murdock first magazine cover in Nigeria.

    Love has been publishing Motivational Magazine for over three years with many dignitaries gracing the cover. This will be the first time a foreigner will be gracing the cover of the Magazine. In time past, dignitaries such as Fela Durotoye, Dr. Paul Enenche, Dr. Paul Orhii (DG NAFDAC), Gov. Gabriel Suswam and others have graced the cover.

    Love Idoko is the brain behind, Benue Music Concert, Democracy Day Concert, The Valentine show and others. Artistes such as 2face, Terry G, Banky W, Jmartins, Omotola, Uche Jombo, Wande Coal, Basketmouth, I go Dye, Gordons, Desmond Elliot and many others have all graced her events in Makurdi.