The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Kate Henshaw bags Samsung deal

    Kate Henshaw bags Samsung deal

    A   42-YEAR-OLD single mother, Kate Henshaw, was unveiled recently in Lagos as the brand ambassador for Samsung West Africa’s Electronics and Home Appliances. The deal, according to sources, is worth millions of naira.

    The actress has been enjoying mouth-watering deals in recent times and it could be recalled that Kate was initially on the payroll of the electronic giants as a brand ambassador sometime ago, and fortunately for the actress, her deal was renewed by Samsung.

    The dark-skinned actress also enjoys patronage from food seasoning, Onga, which has put her in the fore front of their advert campaigns.

  • How I spent Project Fame prize money — Yetunde Omo Ibadan

    How I spent Project Fame prize money — Yetunde Omo Ibadan

    Yetunde Orija, popularly known as Yetunde Omo Ibadan, was third runner-up of the third season of MTN Project Fame. She became a household name with the presentation of her original song Akingbolahan. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA OLASUKANMI, she talks about her yet-to-be-released single titled Fuji Garbage in memory of the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, and other sundry issues.

     

     

    WHAT are you doing currently?

    I am actually working on a new single to be released soon. It is titled Fuji Garbage. So at the moment we are doing some tidying up before the release. We also have some shows coming up too. So, those are the things I am working on.

    Is this the reason you are in Lagos?

    I relocated to Lagos about two years back.

    Why the title Fuji Garbage?

    It is the same title with the one we know, but we are just trying to infuse some of the lines of the old one, which is that of the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, may his perfect soul rest in peace, into the new one. It is just my own kind of definition of Fuji Garbage.

    Leaving Ibadan for Lagos, how are you coping in your new terrain?

    Ibadan is not like Lagos. The hustling and bustling of Lagos is different, compared to Ibadan, where it is more peaceful. It is peaceful here too but the business atmosphere makes it to be very busy. I will just say that I am getting used to it. Though it has not been easy, I have been coping because of my passion.

    Do you live alone here?

    That is best known to me, I guess.

    How were you able to convince your guardian to let you leave?

    That was not hard. I would say I am a woman of my own life. Knowing the kind of job I do, coming to Lagos was not strange to them. This is my job; this is what I do and I have also been to places farther than Lagos. Sometimes, I travel for days and weeks depending on my job. So when it warrants me to go and stay in a place, I go there. So I think taking permission sounds strange.

    Doing this new work, did you seek permission from the right quarters or you are just doing it in his memory?

    Even if I wanted to do it in his memory, I would still take permission. So it is the right thing that I should go and take permission before doing it. I have actually done that and we have been given the go-ahead. Thank God that I got the permission.

    Do you see Akingbolahan as your hit track?

    Well, I will say that for every season, there is a time for everything. Basically, if I want to translate that, I will say that for every song, there is a season. I guess this is the season to push this new single out. When it’s time for Akingbolahan to roll up again, which was actually my single that I did on Project Fame, people will also get to hear the rhythm and get to feel it again. I will say it is not gone or has been abandoned. Due to our schedule, management and the way we work, we take things the way they should be done.

    Who are you working with currently?

    Even if I am not going to disclose my management, but trust me when I say I am not working alone. So we have a team and my team is best known to me. When it is time for people to know them, they will know.

    From the end of Project Fame till date, what have you been doing?

    I will say that in my own way I have been working. Though in Nigeria, what people term to be work is when you are seen on the TV, but on my own part, I have been working and I know how. I will still go back to the new single. That is why I said I have been working. Knowing how the industry works, it all has to do with timing. That is why we are bringing something out now, because this is the right timing. I will say I have been working for the right time to come and this is the right time to come out.

    Do you still relate with your housemates?

    Yes. I still saw Ogochukwu recently. We still talk and we still have good rapport. I don’t think there is any reason why we should not relate well.

    Any plans to collaborate with any of them?

    Well right now, I do not have any collaboration with Project Fame mates. But if that will happen, it will be in the future. I guess each person has their reason for doing things their way. And that is why we have not seen any Project Fame mates do something together so far. On my own part, I don’t have plans for that now.

    Apart from your mates, have you done collabo with other stars since your break?

    Yes, I have, but I can’t mention names now. Some are to do with artistes coming together. I have done things with people but not my own personal project. I have been invited to do jobs with people but I would like them to say it by themselves. I will like to respect that. But my own project with other people, when the time comes, people will surely get to hear about it.

    Most talents get to mismanage their funds. How did you spend yours?

    I would always tell my fans that they need to trust me on that. If it was not for their votes, I would not have gotten the money in the first place. I would like to say, that I spent the money well and in the right places. I won’t like to break it down, because it will be so immature of me to start saying I spend this on that to the whole world. But what I will say is this: bigger money will come in the future. People should watch out and see how Yetunde Omo Ibadan will spend the money or manage her financial life in the future.

    Who is Yetunde Omo Ibadan?

    I am simply a singer who will entertain you. That is what she does.

    During your stay in the house, you were like a free bird. Was that a strategy to gain votes from your fans?

    I think one of the things I can’t do is pretend. It was actually a strategy with the way things were going in the house. The tension and everything, I don’t think I would have been able to sustain to that level. I guess it was just the normal natural me.

    When you are not working, what do you do?

    I sleep.

    Was Akingbolahan dedicated to a particular person?

    It was not dedicated to anybody in particular. It is like a concept that was built as a singer or an entertainer.

    So far, what has stardom brought for you?

    Fame; it has opened doors. It has brought me a lot of opportunities. Now I can tap into those things that were difficult in the past, the normal mess up, with the name Yetunde Omo Ibadan. It has brought a lot of challenges, goodies and bad side, a mixture of everything that has made it a great journey so far.

    Between Lagos and Ibadan, where would you say the recognition is higher?

    Lagos. That is where my career was built, so I would say I get more recognition in Lagos than any other place.

    Any plans to further your education?

    Education to me is finding what you want to do with your life and gaining knowledge in that field. I intend to further to any stage that I can get to in my music career. Basically, education, like the majority view it, is not just going to school to get a certificate. To me, it is getting to know that thing you know how to do well and getting educated in it.

    Are you still an MTN ambassador?

    I won’t want to answer that, but I am a Project Fame ambassador. I came out of Project Fame, so automatically I am an ambassador of Project Fame.

  • COSON honours Finnish copyright expert

    COSON honours Finnish copyright expert

    CELEBRATED expert and teacher of copyright collective management around the world, Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, has been decorated with the Copyright Medal of Honour in Nigeria. The award, bestowed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), was given during the society’s Green Ball, during the COSON Week held recently.

    Decorating Ms Koskinen Olsson at MUSON Centre, Lagos, venue of the event, COSON Chairman, Tony Okoroji, said that the medal was in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedicated service to the copyright community around the world, especially in the development of collective management of copyright in developing countries.

    Before the presentation, a mini documentary titled The Guardian Angel on the activities of Tarja Koskinen-Olsson was played.

    Responding to the honour, Olsson said that she was humbled to see the success of COSON and to witness it at an event like the Green Ball. “The beauty of the COSON way is the creation of a unified platform. It is a modern way to tackle the challenges facing the music industry in our globalised world. Your music has great power not only in your own country but throughout the world and you should harness it. I love two things: people and copyright,” Olsson said.

    Present at the event were the Chairman of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE), Professor Helge Ronning and the Managing Director of the organisation, Mr Frode Lovik. Artistes who graced the occasion included Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Bright Chimezie, Mike Okri, Chris Ajilo, Laolu Akins, Stella Monye, among others.

  • Yemi Sax talks relationship

    Yemi Sax talks relationship

    EARLIER in the year, popular saxophonist Yemi Sax proposed to his fiancée, Shola Durojaiye, and picked August for his white wedding. The dread-wearing musician is yet to disclose the exact date but not so many people are in the know that Yemi and Shola didn’t date for more than eight months before he proposed. Yemi disclosed recently that he was into a relationship that lasted nine years and suffered serious heartbreak when the lady in question left him.

    “I haven’t known her for more than one year and it is not about how long you have known someone but how well you get along. It will actually be one year in August we started dating and we have concluded on tying the knot in August. When I met her I knew she was the one for me and here we are today.”

    In his words; “I met my fiancee after my nine-year relationship crashed. I had thought I was going to marry her, but it didn’t happen that way. I have been through a lot when it comes to the story of a man and a woman. I was madly in love with her and because of her I had issues with my former management company. They saw what I couldn’t see and whenever they tried to talk me out of things I was doing for her, I would end up arguing and fighting them. I was the one that actually sent her to school. Even though I was making so much money she was my responsibility and I did all I could to make her happy. She is not from a rich home and I was there for her as a brother, father, lover and all. People started telling me different things but I didn’t believe it until I found out myself. All that is part of my past because Sola came into my life almost immediately I broke up with her and I have been a happy man since then,” he concluded.

  • Censors Board and the Nigeria/Ghana alliance on film regulation

    Censors Board and the Nigeria/Ghana alliance on film regulation

    THE bilateral relationship on film matters between Nigeria and neighbouring country, Ghana, is about to be strengthened. Acting Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Ms Patricia Bala, said the move will not only enable a viable business partnership, but foster possible co-production ties, while also sanitising both countries of indecent movies. Bala, who spoke to The Nation in Lagos, Wednesday, after a forum with film marketers on the New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF) being championed by her agency, noted that there is need to regulate the influx of semi-nudity and sometimes, hard core pornographic movies from Ghana, a development which she said is equally embarrassing the Ghanaian authorities.

    She stressed that her agency frowns seriously at the incursion by uncensored regular films, let alone pornographic movies, stating that the fight against such is ongoing: “Let me say that we don’t approve pornography, and as such, any pornographic film you see in the market is illegal; it’s an uncensored and unapproved movie. We have a department that monitors the market for such materials and any unapproved film, particularly pornographic films, are usually picked up.”

    The Censors Board boss said although her officers embark on such raids with the policemen, the illegal movies still find their way back in the market because of the clandestine nature of the business. “Because it’s an underground thing, it keeps coming up, and we have been trying to trace the sources enough to understand that most of these movies emanate from pornographic sites on the internet. We have been trying to trace the people who operate such sites on internet. We have been to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and they said they don’t regulate content on the internet. Our next approach is to approach YouTube and other site managers that do such business, so that we can stop them. As a matter of fact, we want those sites to be blocked.”

    However, a ‘next door’ approach lies in the board’s decision to dialogue with relevant authorities in Ghana on the issue of pornographic movies. “We got information that Ghanaians do a lot of pornographic movies which are in the market.” she said. “Very soon, we shall be meeting with the film censors board in Ghana and their Minister of Information to discuss, and find lasting solution to this ugly trend. There is need for us to find a level playing field. They are a sister country and we don’t want to create crises by saying we are rejecting their movies. We want to create mutual relationship through dialogue and tell them that we are worried about some of the contents of their movies coming into our country, so that we can have that bilateral relationship,” Bala added.

    But the relationship between the two countries on film matters have been a mixture of hot and cold; the former is because Nigerian actors feature prominently in Ghanaian movies and vice versa; and the later, resulting from imposition of levies by one country on the other, as being regarded by many as undue rivalry.

    Critics are of the opinion that collaboration by both countries, which are the leading film producing entities in West Africa, is expected to set an agenda for the exportation of appreciable cultural values that could be regarded as truly African. Reports say the old Gold Coast region is willing and ready to host the delegation from Nigeria in the coming week. The parties are expected to have series of meetings that will be attended by the Information Minister, Ghanaian Cinematic Commission, relevant government agencies, and leadership of professional movie associations.

    The import of Nigeria and Ghana in the areas of film business in West Africa cannot be over emphasized,” said Mallam Tanko Abdullahi, Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Affairs of the NFVCB. “When one coughs, the other sneezes; when one sneezes, the other catches cold…” said Abdullahi.

    Unfortunately, the pockets of frictions recorded in the relationship between both countries are the reason a solid business partnership has not evolved.

    Tension rose when Ghanaian movie industry allegedly issued a directive stating that no Nigerian actor would be allowed to work on any of its movies unless they pay a fee of one thousand dollars each. Retaliating, the Film, Video Producers and Markers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) decided to place an embargo on Ghanaian films, halting the distribution of movies by independent producers, and maintaining that if such films must be distributed, its right of ownership should be transferred to the FVPMAN on negotiation. And although various Nollywood and Ghollywood actors have condemned the rivalry, the clash of distribution channel may be put to rest finally when the NDEF takes off fully in Nigeria.

    Ironically, Nigeria had in the past been accused of corrupting the minds of Ghanaian movie viewers, the same way that today Nigeria complains of the Ghanaians’ pornographic recklessness. Between 2003 and 2005, the worry by the Ghanaian film industry was that Nigerians were importing the culture of voodoo into its territory through Nollywood films. Indeed, the proliferation of stories with witchcraft themes went viral in Africa, such that innocent Nigerians who went abroad came back with reports of how they were being associated with magical powers. But perhaps all that had long been regarded as a Nigeria’s version of the Harry Porter series.

    Beyond the fury, practitioners in both countries seem to understand that they are better united than being divided. Members of the Film Distributors Association of Ghana had recently paid Nigerian movie marketers a visit at their Surulere, Lagos office, to express their dissatisfaction over the alleged ban of their movies from the Nigerian market.

    The Ghanaian delegates led by the Chief Executive Officer of A.A Productions Limited, Ghana, Mr. Mustapha Adams, noted that their mission was to foster a better relationship for the distribution of works from Nollywood and Ghollywood. The Film, Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), led by Mr. Norbert Ajaegbu, had told the visitors that the decision to ban Ghanaian movies was without prejudice. He said there was need to streamline the distribution of movies in Nigeria, especially when it was discovered that Nigeria was becoming a dumping ground for second-rate movies with nudity content.

    The meeting ended mutually with both parties agreeing that Nigeria will no longer accept Ghanaian films that are not approved by the NFVCB, and that any foreign film being released in the country must follow proper channels, compete under the market forces and in total regard of all existing municipal laws. It was also resolved that possible areas of collaboration should be worked out for further talks between the two sides.

    It is in the light of the above that the move by Censors Board has become a right step in the right direction. Obviously, the regulatory agency will be taking the matter a step further, knowing the status of both countries within the ECOWAS.

    Judging from the relationship of other countries, thoughts have been shared on the fact that the movie industry is one of the highest revenue earners for the United States of America, and from which neighbouring country of Canada has continued to exploit the advantages of their proximity rather than ban American films on its soil. It has been said that Canada earns a lot of revenue and provides its citizens with numerous employments by encouraging American film companies to come and shoot their movies in Canada. The same story is being told of Mexico. It is hoped that the same will be said of Nigeria and Ghana in the nearest future.

  • Oge Okoye’s present state of mind!

    THE life of an entertainer is bliss when it comes to all the glitz and the glam, but industry followers know that it is not for the faint-hearted. Apparently, Nollywood actress, Oge Okoye, with all the controversies surrounding her career, is not finding it funny with her critics. The actress’ PR consultant recently issued a release directed at those who use social media to hurl invectives at her.

    The release stated: Ok, let me just say this upfront……… If you’re a celebrity, people are bound to gossip and talk about you, and usually it’s the bad stuff that always comes up, so get used to it.

    “Do you want to kill all our celebs with your bullying? I thought you had learned after Goldie. Celebrities are humans and have feelings. In her attempt to re-brand herself, you bullied Oge Okoye and made her hypertensive. ‘She’s an mgbeke…she’s this…she’s that…’ you kept firing! While you were busy bullying her for nothing, more talent scouts were noticing her.

    “You were too busy putting her down to even notice the beautiful concepts. Only few with the trained eye and who genuinely understand art left meaningful comments. Look at all the magazines she has covered, yet instead of encouraging her, you bully her even more. Her first big screen movie with Hollywood stars was just premiered in Lagos and instead of congratulating her, you continued abusing her when you saw photos, with some abusing her dress even though she looked hot. Oge is an only child; please don’t kill her for mother.”

  • Susan Peters’ love for gadgets

    Susan Peters’ love for gadgets

    LAST year, to the surprise of her fans who accused her of being frivolous, Nollywood actress Susan Peters acquired a Blackberry Porsche, the latest in its series as it were then. In her defense, the actress has said that it stems from nothing but her love for such devices.

    “Anybody who knows me knows I love gadgets. I even buy gadgets before they come out, that is how bad it is. I order online because I want to be the first to buy it. I made my millions even before I joined Nollywood so somebody who doesn’t know me from nowhere cannot just sit down there and think I’m like this because I joined Nollywood,” the thespian says.

    On celebrities showing off by acquiring expensive stuff and posting it on social media, she says that there is a reason it is called show business. “Show business is indirectly saying showing off but that is not what I call it. If you are in it, you have to be able to be out there and that is the truth. In Hollywood, they buy things and they put it out there so why is our own different?

    “Last year, I got two new houses, why didn’t they put that on the blogs? I got awards and nominations, why didn’t they publish that? I have built my brand to this level so somebody cannot just come from nowhere and just poke it like some balloon. I am made of steel, they should know that,” Peters fumes.

  • All set for Davido’s tour of Europe

    All set for Davido’s tour of Europe

    COMING on the heels of the May 31st release of the video to his new African-themed single, One of a Kind, award-winning music sensation, Davido, has announced a headlining tour of Europe.

    According to information, the tour kicks off June 8 at Vienna Austria at the Opera Club. June 14, the artiste goes to Antwerp, Belgium where he will be performing at Noxx Club Straatsburgdork. The tour also takes him to Amsterdam, Turin, Malaga, Parma, Paris, France and Prague, where he will be wrapping up his performances June 30. The tour is presented by Big Jamz World Entertainment.

  • I have the strength to act but there are limitations — Ifeanyi Dike

    I have the strength to act but there are limitations — Ifeanyi Dike

    Actor, presenter, and chairman, Board of Trustees of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ifeanyi Dike, could best be described as the proverbial cat with nine lives. After surviving two kidney transplants, he has since returned from India and is back to work in the guild. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, Prince Dike opens up on his past health challenges and also shares his experience in India as regards their film industry.

     

     

    NOW that you are back, hale and hearty as you say, what are the things we should be expecting?

    I am putting finishing touches to my programme. It will be starting this month. I want to believe that God has shown me the light. It’s a potpourri programme. It’s going to be a Talkshow. Its focus is going to be on sport, business, interviews, national issues. These are things I’m going to be doing on the programme. ‘The Sunday Delight’ is a potpourri Magazine Talkshow, every Sunday on NTA Channel 10 in Lagos. It’s going to be wonderful because I’m bringing some ideas from India and blending them with Nigerian ideas and you are going to see something wonderful. It’s all about entertainment.

    Are you still going back to acting?

    Of course, I want to start acting. I am now a dreamer (laughs). I want to take up roles people like Ramsey Nouah can do (laugh) but not action movie because I have limitations. There are things I cannot do.

    Concerning the Board of Trustees of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, are you still the chairman?

    I cannot answer that question. This question is better directed to the members of AGN and they will tell you who their chairman is.

    If you look at the industry, you will see it has been going through a lot of changes.

    Having spent quite some time in India, how would you rate our kind of production here compared to theirs?

    Like in India, I was opportune to meet with some of their big directors. There is this director Harman Baweja. He owns a studio. In fact, I’m a member. I’m a live member of the studio right now. They inaugurated me at the studio and it was wonderful. The thing is that the government of India supports their movie industry so well that you can go and borrow money and shoot your movie. When I got to India, I discovered that the population is very large and that if you bring a movie and convert it to Indie language you are going to make so much money. I’m even planning towards that. In fact, I did some research and some people already have started bringing their movie for me to translate.

    I have an India man that does that. They will translate from any language into Indie, then they will now take it to the cinemas. They have over thirty-two thousand cinemas. Imagine where you show your movies in about thirty-two thousand cinemas. When you show your movie in 32,000 cinemas, you will come back to Nigeria and money will be falling from all over your body. You can even charter a private plane and come back to Nigeria. The culture of cinema is lost here. People are afraid of gangsters and the rest of them. It’s only in places like Silverbird that you can go and watch a movie. But you see, the point is we should try as much as possible to guide this industry because it is employing a lot of people.

    Nollywood is employing a lot of people, so government should deal with the guild and association in the industry. I learnt that government gave us 3billion naira. It’s only in the papers that we see this money. We have not seen it. And before you know it, one thing about life is that you don’t dangle carrot to people that are desperate. Before the carrot falls they will kill themselves. What you should do is deal with the guilds. They know who to work with. Don’t deal with people that feel they have connection. Because one thing I know in this country is that if I have connection I can work into the presidency and collect something. There are people that are elected. You should deal with the people’s choice. That is why we have election in the Actors Guild of Nigeria, in the association.

    Deal with the guild, they will then show you producers you can deal with. They can tell you which producer owes actors. Some producers are owing actors. They are owing them and are not even willing to pay. Unfortunately too, most of the actors don’t sign contracts. They don’t sign contracts because they want to appear in movies. They are so desperate. In fact, they even go to the extent of saying remove so, so and so and put me there, I will do it for free. At the end of the day, they will start to complain, they didn’t pay me. Why would they pay you when you are desperate? People should learn how to sign contracts. There is a written contract paper from the guild that every actor must take to every audition.

    If they accept you, you give them the contract papers and ask them to please sign, but most of them (actors) don’t want us to know how much they are being paid. They don’t bother to pick up the contract forms because any money they pay you, you are supposed to pay some to the association. Most of our stars don’t even pay dues, you won’t believe it. So what are we saying?

    From what you just said about the association and the N3b, it is obvious that it could lead to quarrel?

    It won’t lead to quarrel. I just said something; when you deal with the wrong person, that is when it could lead to quarrel. But if you deal with the right people, the association, they are registered by the government, you minimise the chances of a quarrel. You know the story of tortoise. Tortoise went to an event and said my name is ‘Everybody’ while everybody kept shouting my name is this, my name is that.

    They now said everybody come and take. Tortoise now said my name is ‘Everybody’; I’m the one they called. Money that was supposed to be meant for everybody, tortoise now took the money. So, we don’t want ‘Everybody’ in Nollywood (laughs).

    You’ve recuperated quite alright, but definitely some of your lifestyle will have to give way…

    Everybody is prone to sickness whether you have a lifestyle or not. The issue is that just pray to God that you don’t get sick, because once you get sick a lot of people will attribute that sickness to a lot of things. Those that don’t even know you will say all sorts. Let me tell you my sister, a lot of people created stories around me that at times I wonder if they know me personally; if they have sat with me. They used to say that I drink one bottle of Hennessey and I wondered when I read or heard stuff like this because I don’t even taste hot.

    But the point is that when you are sick and have issues, Nigerians will always talk as if they know you but they don’t know you. The point is that whatever lifestyle I’m living now, I think this thing I went through is a way of making me limit some things because there are some food I cannot eat now that I used to enjoy. And now I’m a born again. You have to be. You have no choice because when God has called you back while you were walking through the valley of the shadow of death and says my son come back, you have no choice than to serve Him.

    My life is tilted towards that angle now. I talk more of things that will uplift the spirit, you know. And I now appreciate human beings more. I now appreciate life better now. You know in those days, you see somebody eating something and you say, oh boy don’t eat this thing o. The usual response is abeg, something must kill a man. Nobody should say that because if that death comes you will run. For goodness’ sake, the grave yard is not better, be alive.

    Is it right to say you are the proverbial cat with nine lives?

    If there is something bigger than a ‘cat’, that’s what I am. People look at me and wonder. In fact, I’m a miracle. I’m a working miracle. If you are sick and you touch me you will be healed. I’m serious because at times if I pronounce something it happens. God just loves me in a special way because I don’t deserve His love. I’m humbled with all that has happened to me.

    Was there a time you ever thought you won’t survive it?

    The advice I have for everybody is that once you are sick, don’t lose hope. The body might be weak but my mind was at its optimal state. I was sick and making plans. When you are sick and you shot your brain from making plans, death is coming close. But if you keep making plans, you are projecting into the future, you want to see tomorrow. And once you project into the future, your mind and soul take you there.

    The only thing is that the body is weak, you now pray to God, heal this body so that the soul can be what it is destined to be. Let me tell you one thing, will you take it? If you want to buy a car now, believe that you own a car. Just believe it. It is as simple as ABC; just believe you own a car, even if you don’t have money. Pick your colour and if you see someone driving one, appreciate it, don’t make unpleasant remarks, before you know it, the car is yours. God will be put you in a position to get the car or someone might even dash you. That’s how life is. That is how life is, but the thing is that we are filled with negative thoughts that good things cannot enter.

    How active have you been in AGN since your return?

    We finished the board meeting the other day and I was briefed on how they’ve been running things and I want to really commend the people I left everything to. They are wonderful. While I was in India they kept praying for me, they kept relating with me, sending text messages of encouragement and that was what I needed. Right now we are moving into the new scheme of things and we are going to bring about some changes.

    So much about work, tell us about the home front?

    I have a wonderful wife. In fact, if I come again, that’s the wife I want because she’s so wonderful. It’s true. I have a friend of mine that was challenged too, his wife abandoned him and he died. My wife didn’t abandon me. She was there, crying, going to my friends. Not a lot of women will do that and she’s a pretty woman, do you understand what I’m saying? But she stood back and now she’s wearing the crown. Everyone is saying you are a wonderful woman. And that is what every woman should really do because it’s for “better for worse”, not for “better for stay” and for “worse for go.”

  • What attracted me to Peter of P-Square —Lola Omotayo

    What attracted me to Peter of P-Square —Lola Omotayo

    With a background in Theatre Arts, one would expect Lola Omotayo, mother of two kids (Cameron and Aliona) for Peter Okoye of the popular group, P- Square to have plunged headlong into the murky waters of the movie industry. She declares that if she has to make films, it will be Yoruba movies but on the other hand, Lola says it is not her thing anymore as she initially toyed with the idea 10 years ago. She revealed more about her life, relationship and family, in this expose with AHMED BOULOR.

    SHE was barely known on the scene until she started a relationship with Peter Okoye, one-half of the dynamic group known as P Square. Pretty looking Lola Omotayo who has two kids for Peter posits that she really can’t define herself but she gave an insight as to who she really is.

    “What you see is what you get. I can’t really define who I am per se, but I’m humble, caring, loving and a professional in the oil and gas profession. I take my work and family very seriously because they are very important to me, my immediate family in particular.”

    For one who has mixed parentage, Lola revealed that her upbringing was really interesting as she had to contend with growing up in a household where the cultures of both parents were deemed as very important.

    “The journey has been a very interesting one. My Dad is a Nigerian and my mother is Russian. I was brought up in a household where both cultures are very important to my family. As a child, I went to boarding school where I learnt how to speak Yoruba. It wasn’t one of those glamorous schools, it was in Ondo State. Basically, my father wanted me to have a reality check of where I come from and what I need to aspire to be as an adult. From my mother’s angle, she imbedded her own culture on us as well. She insisted that we speak Russian at home, and we speak Yoruba at home as well, so I got the best of both languages.

    “In 1990, I went to the University of Ife for a short while to study Psychology, but Nigeria was in a terrible state then; universities were on strike and all that. So my father said ‘why can’t you come to America,’ because he was working there then. So I applied to study theatre and film in San Francisco University, America. I wanted to focus more on directing because I didn’t want to become an actress, but eventually life just took me through a journey and I started working for an I.T company there. That was how I started building my career. ” Lola said.

    Some years later, she decided to quit her post at the I.T firm as she thought seriously about establishing herself back home in Nigeria- a move she eventually made when found her way back to the buzzing city of Lagos.

    “I decided that I’m going to move to Nigeria after I spent some years working with the I.T firm, but before then, I did some interviews to ensure that I secure a job before coming here. I got a job with ECONET as their Events Manager. I worked there for over a year before Daily Times called me. The paper was trying to rebrand then and they have secured the service of Adrian Wood who was with MTN. I decided to join them because Adrian Wood was like my mentor.

    “I joined Daily Times and gave it my all, but some top people there didn’t really inspire me at the time, so I had to find my way. I worked for an advertising company called FKG2 and spent about five years there. We did a lot of things and it was interesting, that was where I met Peter actually. One of our clients, British American Tobacco (BAT) and P Square were doing something on Benson & Hedges then. We were on a road show together. I was still in the company when I gave birth to my son, but because the job was so demanding, I opted to work in my father’s company, Nosco Oil & Gas, so that I can have time to take care of my baby. I joined as an executive director in order to bring fresh ideas to the company. It was a new terrain for me, but I learnt quickly.” Lola averred.

    One also wonders Lola’s driving force considering the fact that the mother of two does not seem to depend on Peter’s wealth despite the fact that he has been quite successful over the years.

    “I believe that as a lady, you have to support your partner. You can’t put everything on your partner; it is important to add value as well. Even though I’m not bringing as much as he brings to the table, at least, I’m adding value and making things a lot easier. Honestly, that’s the way I was brought up; I can’t rely on someone for everything. I have to be independent. I should be able to buy something for my kids without asking their father for money. I feel good as a person knowing that I can do things for myself, not that I want to feel above him in anyway, but I just feel it is important for me to add some value to his life as much as he adds to mine.” She said.

    Lola also has a word of advice for Nigerian ladies who put all their financial burdens on their partner.

    “I think that is the core of our problems in this society because we put so much pressure on the man to take care of us. We put so much pressure on them, and that tempts some men to start doing some shady businesses. Women put too much pressure on men in this part of the world. Also, a lot of women are greedy and lazy, so they just want to get married and stop working. It doesn’t mean women should go all out and work for the men, but somehow, you just have to make things easy for him. I see a lot of young ladies out there; it is not as if there are no jobs for them to do, the problem is that they don’t want to do certain type of jobs, they want everything to come easy. I started the very hard way, I didn’t start the easy way like people assume.

    “I had to work myself up there because I had a vision. A lot of young ladies in Nigeria see people driving fancy cars; carrying fancy bags and assume that a man is supposed to do all of that for them, so they sell themselves in order to get it. But you don’t have to do that. You can always find ways to make money legally.” Lola pointed out.

    Had she not been born into a well-to-do home, one wonders how Lola would have coped, considering the seething economic situation in the country? But Lola says it all has to do with upbringing and family values.

    “I come from a humble background; I didn’t come from a very rich background. My parents worked really hard and I saw the care that they took to ensure that they instill the best on their kids, so I drew my strength from there. You have to fight for whatever you want; if it is education that will take you there, then, you have to go to school and ensure that you get the needed degree. And if you are creative, you can do other things, may be design clothes and all that. It doesn’t have to be a big job. Dangote didn’t start with millions of dollars, so you have to be focused and work on it gradually to get to where you are going. In fact, coming from a privileged background is difficult because it won’t make you see how life really is.

    “My father really threw me to the dogs; he wanted me to see how life is. He could have enrolled me into some fancy schools when I was growing up, but he wanted me to see how life is. He made me rub shoulders with people who had nothing. I have friends who came from rich background and today, they have nothing. I also have friends who came from poor homes and today they are doing well. It is about family values and hard work.” She posited.

    Lola who recently gave birth to a baby girl named Aliona in America also opened up on her relationship with Peter and what actually attracted her to the energetic and talented performer.

    “I love Peter because he was never intimidated. When I met him, he was just trying to build himself and I was very proud of him. I have a lot of respect for him, his talent and I saw that he had a vision. Peter doesn’t get intimidated by anything; in fact, he supports and encourages me all the time. I think he’s happy that he doesn’t have to do everything; he can rely on me that I will take care of our kids.

    “Peter has drive. He has vision and pursues it. He doesn’t let anybody distract him from that vision and that I saw in him, which a lot of people didn’t see. Some people were like, ‘what are you doing with a musician? Are you crazy?’ but I saw something very different and unique about Peter. I saw the goals he set for himself and how he accomplished those goals step by step, and I was very impressed with that. I also saw that he wasn’t a selfish person. He was a generous person from the outset, even though he didn’t have much then, he was always generous. I like a man who is generous, not for the financial reason, but also to see how he can add value to other people’s lives- that is very important to me. He is also a good listener; he listens to people and also listens to me. Those are the things that attracted me to Peter. He’s an amazing guy.” Lola chuckles.

    Last year, Peter gave Lola the surprise of her life when what was supposed to be a quiet lunch date to celebrate her birthday turned out to be a surprise party at West Fosters, located at 70, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    She was surprised to see her father and other guests at the party which also had in attendance the Managing Director of DANA Air, Jacky Hathiramani with his wife and a few other guests.

    Such is the nature of Peter as an excited Lola reveals how romantic he can be compared to the average Nigerian guy.

    “Peter is very romantic as well. He does things that an average Nigerian guy will not do. There was a Valentine Day that he came to my house with a guitar and played some love ballads for me. That was really cool and I loved it. Those are the little things that he does that really touched me.” She informed.

    With all the attention and spotlight Peter receives with his twin brother every now and then, Lola reveals that it is quiet hard to be in a relationship with a celebrity especially with fact that he is always on the road all the time.

    “Having a relationship with a musician is one of the most challenging situations to be in. There are things you have to deal with; a lot of women, intruders, fans and admirers. You have to appreciate and respect the fans, but you also have some of them who are thinking of other things. I think it’s one of the most challenging relationships one can have. You won’t even spend much time with your partner because he’s on the road most of the time doing shows and concerts; even during holidays like Christmas, Easter and New Year, they are not around. So I’m not really enjoying that part. But I thank God that we are managing it very well.”