The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • I’m not ruling out music—Mary Uranta

    I’m not ruling out music—Mary Uranta

    AT a time when many artistes are getting a bash from fans, critics and colleagues all put together, talented and sultry actress Mary Data Uranta is unperturbed as speaks boldly of a career in music. The actress who has joined the league of Peace Ambassador revealed recently that she’s always had music at the back of her mind and might be giving it a try soon.

    Affirming the fact that she’s not considering dumping acting for music, she said her passion to croon has refused to go and she’s ready to damn critics who will be ready to bash her. Although, known for her calm and uncontroversial status in Nollywood, she says she hopes that it won’t be for too long before her Nollywood fans realise she’s not about to swim in the wrong river.

    “You need to know me from my secondary school days to know that I’m a consummate artiste. I have it in me. Acting only came first but I’m not going to let a bash take me away from my dreams,” she affirms to The Nation.

  • Desmond Elliot partners Uche Jombo in ‘The Place’

    Desmond Elliot partners Uche Jombo in ‘The Place’

    WITH several award-winning movies between them and commendable performances that have spanned over combined two decades, celebrated Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, and award-winning actress Uche Jombo are coming together to produce what they both call the ‘biggest movie project’ of their careers, The Place.

    The place, a comedy flick written by comedian Mr. Patrick Onyeka, is the story of a book stolen from ‘the Place’ by an evil man. It needs to be retrieved before the evil man destroys the world. Who will save the world from destruction? Two unlikely heroes: Bishop Imeh and Mr. Patrick decide to be the heroes. The unfolding plots, dialogues and special effects form the basis for the ‘biggest comedy movie in recent times’, according to producer and director, Desmond Elliot.

    Produced under joint production of Uche Jombo Studios and Denziot Production, The Place will be released directly to DVD on June 3rd nationwide.

    Speaking on the movie, Desmond said the combination of resources and expertise leads to what he called, ‘exciting outcome’. “I am excited about this project, so excited that I can’t wait for a cinema date, I have to release to DVD direct. In over a decade of being in the industry, I’ve done a number of movies but this stands out.”

    Uche Jombo on the other hand said, “When I got the script from Mr. Patrick, one thing was clear, the story will be like eating rice without stew if the special effects are not done right so we went all the way. The special effect is something people should watch out for and am also proud of the story, very funny, the fact that a comedian wrote it must have influenced it a great deal.”

    The Place stars, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo, Gordons, Mr. Patrick Onyeka, Bishop Ime-Umoh, Jude Orhorha, Ruth Kadiri and Helen Paul.

  • Not my Beverly, I’ve never met Flavour —Beverly Naya

    Not my Beverly, I’ve never met Flavour —Beverly Naya

    HEAR it from the horse’s mouth: Fast-rising actress Beverly Naya has put to rest a long-rumoured relationship between her and sensational highlife singer Flavour.

    She debunked the story, saying that she has never met the said singer. “When I heard of that rumour I was stunned, but later I heard that Flavour is actually in a relationship with someone called Beverly. So it’s not my Beverly. Truth is I’ve never even met Flavour before.”

    The actress who certainly has her career going for her said she’s more than happy to have left the UK where she was raised to join the Nigeria movie industry. “Anybody can leave anywhere. I decided I was coming to Nigeria to be part of the revolution going on in Nollywood. And thanks to my mum, she helped me achieve my dream.”

  • I like older women but… —Aremu Afolayan

    I like older women but… —Aremu Afolayan

    THE Afolayan brothers certainly need no introduction, whether it’s Kunle, Aremu, or Gabriel. The three have distinguished themselves in different areas of the arts and this has endeared a lot of fans to them over the years.

    Recently, Aremu was a guest on a popular culinary show on TV. The talented actor was impressive not just because he’s one of the few males that have graced the show and dazzled most of their fans with their culinary talent, the actor was very amiable and brought so much zest into the show, making its every moment count.

    To the delight of his fans, the actor opened up on his life and relationship. Aremu didn’t mince words when he said he likes older women, but that what many people think about the women being instrumental to his seemingly flamboyant life style is not true. “I love automobiles and when people see the kind of cars I drive, they tend to think that it must be from my relationships, but no, it doesn’t add up. If there is anything you can’t take away from us, it’s the fact that we work hard. My brothers and I work very hard and I don’t have to wait for someone to come and buy me what I need.”

  • ‘I don’t live the life of a star’Mistura Asunramu-Alao

    ‘I don’t live the life of a star’Mistura Asunramu-Alao

    WHAT have you been up to lately?

    I have been active and moving from one location to another.

    You just finished work on your new movie. What is it about?

    It’s a big movie that will shake the industry when it is released into the market. My fans will see me in another dimension. It is a comedy movie and parades some of the best hands in the industry. It’s a movie everyone must watch. Honestly, there is no dull moment with this movie. It’s not just any movie but one with a class.

    Why is it that you do not produce movies like your other colleagues?

    I don’t do things because others are doing them. I want to give my fans the best, so I don’t rush to locations every now and then to churn out movies. What I give out is the best. I am more concerned about quality and not quantity.

    While working on your new movie, what were the challenges you faced?

    Every movie has its own challenges. And because you tend to take a different role, it is challenging from what I am used to.

    Your other movies didn’t quite make waves. Do you think this will do well?

    This is not true. The few movies I’ve produced and co-produced have made waves: Apo Iyako, Atopinpin, Atannipa, just to mention but a few, and I receive messages from my fans with positive comments all the time. Watch out for my new movie, Omo Tee, which was released last month by Lawlah his grace. It will shake the industry. It’s far better than the previous ones.

    Do you have plans to take it to the cinemas before releasing it into DVD?

    You mean the one I just finished?

    Yes…

    I can’t say now. There are plans for that anyway, but no conclusion on it yet.

    As a fast-rising actress, how have you managed to stay off scandals?

    I leave my life as a normal person, not as a star. I have never allowed stardom get into my head and I won’t. I am from a Muslim home and I am a practicing Muslim, so that has been a guide to my way of life.

    How does your husband react to you acting ‘sex’ roles in movies?

    I don’t do sex role in movies; maybe you mean romantic roles. If it’s that, he understands me perfectly. He knows that, it’s my job and he knows there are no strings attached but just acting, doing my job to educate people. He is an understanding man.

    How do you, as a busy person, have time to take care of your child?

    I do cherish family life a lot. My husband and daughter, I take good care of them. My job as an actress doesn’t affect my duty as a wife and mother.

    What was the attraction when you two met?

    That is personal, I won’t like to advertise him. But the truth is, he is the best man any lady can pray to have.

    Don’t you think belonging to a particular association or caucus would have helped you get to the group of A-list actors today?

    Everyone is a star and A-list actor in their own right. I work with everybody and every caucus in the industry. Stardom is from God and not a function of your affiliation, caucus or person.

    Why preference for Yoruba movies?

    I actually started with English movie. I am open to it if called upon. I have been contacted lately by some producers for English movie but waiting for the dates.

    Who are your friends in the industry?

    Everybody is my friend.

    Only a few of the Yoruba actors were present at the dinner with the president at the last celebration of Nollywood@20. Why was that so?

    I think those that were there were the ones invited.

    Would you act a pornography movie when given a mouth-watering offer?

    I will never descend so low to do such a thing. Even if all the money in the whole world is involved, I won’t do it. I am from a good home, a practicing Muslim and an African. I am a role model to some people, a wife and a mother. Count me out of such movie.

    What do you do asides acting?

    I work as a civil servant.

    How do you unwind?

    I relax with my family at home and visit some recreation centres like the cinema, amusement parks, shopping malls and swimming pool with my family. I do attend events too when I’m not busy.

    And how do you maintain your beauty?

    Staying natural and eating right.

    How do you manage advances from the opposite sex?

    I have been handling it the way any mature lady would. It is a free world and everyone has a right to make amorous moves when expressing their feeling. I always try to be friendly about it. I do appreciate those who show interest in me because I believe they must have liked me before proposing an affair. I try to tell them I appreciate and understand the feelings, but I am married to the love of my life.

    Not many actresses will marry a journalist…

    I did not marry him because of his profession, but because he trusts me and believes in me and I am working consciously not to betray the trust and confidence my husband has in me. I love him and he loves me. I’ve never had any scandal and I am working hard to maintain that status quo.

    How do you deal with the issue of rivalry in your industry? Have you ever clashed over a role with anybody?

    I have never fought anybody and I can never fight anyone because of a role. I don’t need to fight for roles because I possess all it takes to be cast by directors. I am not just an actress, I am a trained actress and I am not resting on my oars, I am improving on myself on a daily basis.

    As far as acting is concerned, who are some of the people who motivated you?

    Nobody motivated me, I had the inner passion for the job; the passion pushed me to make the first move and I don’t have any regrets taking that step. Even when I sensed some reservation from my parents, I kept moving because my passion was my driving force till my family was duly convinced I was on the right path.

    How long do you intend to stay in acting?

    I am in the job for the rest of my life by God’s grace. I didn’t get into this industry by accident. It is what I enjoy doing. There is always a role for everybody, being a mother doesn’t stop me from acting, I will always deliver.

    Childlessness, very busy schedule are often the reasons for most separations in the industry. Do you think your husband loves you enough to stay with you if you find yourself in any such situation?

    I am sure he loves me more than that. And thank God, such cannot even be our portion. I won’t say more than that. We are together forever.

    How many awards have you won?

    I was nominated for Best Yoruba Actress sequel to my performance in Seyi Specialborn’s movie, Ayesan, in 2011 edition of Yoruba Heritage Awards, London while I won Best Scandal-Free Award category in 2011 edition of Best of Nollywood Awards.

    Upcoming actresses, particularly in the Yoruba Nollywood industry, often face attacks by their ‘seniors’…

    I believe that you cannot demand respect, you earn it. If they see me as someone they can respect, fine. If otherwise, life goes on. And mark you, the time you join an industry doesn’t add or reduce from your chronological age. Would you expect me to ask a 50- year-old woman who newly joined the industry to respect me?

    Who do you regard as your contemporaries and elders in the industry?

    I cannot start mentioning names, but there are so many that are not only my seniors, but my fathers and mothers. I have contemporaries, and I have people who look up to me.

    They say that among most Yoruba actresses, the use of bleaching cream is popular. Why do you think most of them do it?

    This is my God-given colour, why would I need to tone or bleach? Colour has nothing to do with acting, but rather your facial expression, gesticulation and manners. Moreover, I am not competing with anybody in the industry. There is no point trying to be like another person when my features are being envied by others. The truth is, my skin colour always sets me apart. I have featured in more than 80 good movies with this complexion of mine. What else can I ask for?

    Among several roles you have played, which one was most challenging?

    Sincerely speaking, I will say Adepate. It is a story that was shot three years ago, but is yet to be released till now. It was not easy.

    How religious are you?

    I am very religious. As a Muslim, I pray five times a day when I am not working.

    When did you start acting professionally?

    I started in 2002 when I featured in a movie entitled Love and Passion. After a while, I joined Oga Bello’s Awada Kerikeri Organisation’ where I started out playing what is termed ‘waka-pass’ roles. Later, my directors assigned me minor roles. But I thank God now. The journey was very rough when I started, but now, the story is different.

    How true is it that you have to be intimate with someone at the top to get to the top?

    Sleeping with people or stakeholders cannot shoot one into the limelight. Those who believe they can make their way to the top by sleeping around end up getting minor roles. And if the person doesn’t have what it takes to excel, that person won’t go far. I have never slept with anyone in the industry; I can boldly say it anywhere and before anybody. While I cannot deny the existence of such in the industry, it just depends on how you present yourself.

  • Snoop Lion, Dbanj, Tuface, excite crowd at MTV All Stars

    Snoop Lion, Dbanj, Tuface, excite crowd at MTV All Stars

    MTV Africa All Stars has come and gone but the same cannot be said of the memories the event sparked in the over 12,000 music fans of all ages who stormed the Durban’s People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday for the MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion.

    The concert featured show-stopping performances from Snoop Lion and an all-star lineup of Africa’s biggest contemporary music stars, including 2Face, D’Banj, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Professor, Big Nuz, Camp Mulla, Zakes Bantwini and Zahara. DJ Cleo and DJ Caise performed, while DJ Tira took to the stage as part of Big Nuz’sset.

    The outdoor gig was a triumph from the moment Camp Mulla opened the concert with Fresh All Day, to the finale where Snoop Lion was joined on stage by all the African artists. Highlights included Snoop Lion’s first appearance on stage singing Here Comes the King, dressed in a traditional leopard skin Zulu outfit given him by members of the Zulu royal family, a beautiful acoustic version of “Loliwe” by Zahara, a bubble-strewn performance of La Vie est Belle by Congolese artist Fally Ipupa, a typically upbeat set by Big Nuz, and a high octane finale of Young, Wild & Free by Snoop Lion and the African All Stars, in which every member of the audience joined.

    Other show-stopping moments included a duet of Mr. Endowed by Snoop Lion and D’Banj, while Big Nuz, Zakes Bantwini and Professor did their best to teach Snoop Lion some new moves, Zulu-style!

    State-of-the-art lighting saw People’s Park bathed in a kaleidoscope of colour, while a stunning LED light show, gorgeous graphics, CO2 jets, pyrotechnics, giant globes and confetti canons completed the out-of-this-world staging on the gigantic purpose built all stars’ stage.

    Tweeting after the concert, Nigerian“kokomaster” D’Banj (@iamdbanj) said, “Wanna thank Durban for a wonderful time @MTVBaseAfrica for putting together a great show. To my uncle @SnoopDogg for making history in Africa.”

    Speaking on behalf of MTV Base, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, commented, “MTV Africa All Stars was a truly historic occasion and a fabulous showcase for African contemporary talent. All the performers gave awe-inspiring performances and the combination of Snoop and the African talent was electrifying. We are very proud to have partnered with KwaZulu-Natal Province to create such an exciting and ground-breaking initiative that also showcases Durban as a great host city for spectacular events.”

  • AFRIFF 2013 goes to TINAPA

    ORGANISERS of African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have announced preparations for the third edition of the film festival holding between the 10th and 17th of November 2013, at the popular TINAPA resort in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    Founder and Project Director, Chioma Ude, noted that the synergy created by experiencing the festival in Calabar will be something to cherish for a lifetime. She said it will be the ultimate experience for all participants, home and abroad.

    The unveiling of this year’s edition which held at the Rhapsody Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos, was attended by His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and his wife, Mrs Obioma Imoke. Also at the event was the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy and Documentation, Mr Oronto Douglas, and the cream of the Nigerian film industry, including several Nollywood guild heads and notable stars.

    Governor Imoke in his speech expressed pleasure at the union between his state and AFRIFF, saying, “The Africa International Film Festival is a natural inclusion in the colourful year-long calendar of world class activities held in Cross River State.” Attesting to this development, Mr Oronto Douglas said that the federal government would support the state government’s efforts at promoting this film festival and other film festivals, taking them to greater heights.

    Chioma Ude thanked the governor, government and people of Cross River State for believing in her vision and partnering with the festival to deliver this exceptional experience in their state. She explained that the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) was a platform that seeks to give expression to players in the African film industry by recognising and rewarding excellence in the sector.

    Conceived by Ms Ude, AFRIFF is a world class showcase that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businessmen. The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through festival, organised fora and several capacity development workshops; complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

  • Miss Face of Peace pays Inspector General courtesy visit

    MISS Face of Peace may have come and gone but Zimuzo Benson, winner of the maiden edition, is not resting on her oars to achieve the vision and mission of the beauty pageant.

    Only recently, Zimuzo paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police at the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Abuja. The queen paid the visit to advance the cause of peace as the police force is integral to maintaining and advancing peace in the society. The queen told the inspector General to help her achieve her dream of maintaining and advancing peace as that is her life calling for the next 12 months. The Inspector General promised to support her cause and assured her of police commitment to the cause of peace.

    She also paid visits to the Heritage Orphanage in Ikeja, Lagos and Covenant Academy, Ado Ekiti, a home for displaced girls, to encourage young girls on how to develop their capacities and build their dreams for greater achievements in life. Recently, she donated clothing items to the women and children of Sisqo village in Tarkwa Bay.

    The Face of Peace Africa Beauty Pageant was conceived by the 2010 Miss Peace Nigeria, Ify Concepta. The pageantry seeks to promote peace in a continent torn apart by war, strife and famine. It also works towards the empowerment of the girl child and encourages gender equality. The pageant annually produces an ambassador that promotes peace in Africa.

    Miss Benson who represented Egypt at the 2012 edition of the Face of Peace won a cash prize of $10,000, a brand new car, a trip to Gambia and one-year movie contract with Blu- Moon imagination. To prove their credibility, the organisers of the pageant presented Miss Benson with a brand new 2012 Kia Rio at the Face of Peace office early this year and a chaperon in a dedicated apartment to attend to her needs.

  • Why people feel I am underrated —GT the Guitarman

    Why people feel I am underrated —GT the Guitarman

    HOW would you describe your kind of music?

    It is a fusion of rock soul and African rhythms. I call it Afro-rock soul.

    What have you been up to in recent times?

    I have been up to a lot. I have been creating avenues for people to feel GT live aside what people do normally like dancing to their songs on stage. I started with Soul Arrest concert which kicked off last October with my band. We started with a show in Festac.

    We held another one in November at Ilashe Beach; we had one at Yaba in December. We also started Soul Therapy, a free event. We did a Soul Therapy gig last month. We just want people to have a feel of GT without paying a dime. I have been doing some stuff, releasing singles anyway. I released a single Ejika which has been doing so well. It was released in February for the valentine period. GT is exploring new angles of his sound on an EP that will first be promoted on a tour which I will embark on with my seven-man band.

    What has the response been like?

    It is been amazing. The response, we’ve been getting has been amazing. We shot the video recently and it did pretty well. We thank God. People should watch out for more singles and more avenues for people to feel GT and understand that music is beyond just dancing. There is a soul in music which people have to also listen to. They have tagged Nigerians as lazy listeners to good music and I think that is a lie. It was a strategy brought by people who can’t sing, people who don’t have so much to offer. So, basically, we are trying to push harder. It is hard for people to appreciate good music these days because music appreciation comes from music knowledge. We are trying our best to connect to the grassroots and show that there is an alternative. I am not just doing it for me. I am doing it for people who do real music out there.

    After your single “Dreamer” you fizzled out. What happened?

    I have been in the music industry for 8 years and for the past three years, I have done so much. I left the label, Storm Records I was working with and started my own label called Ember Entertainment. So it’s been challenging, that’s why it took so long.

    What informed your decision to leave Storm Records?

    It was actually no big deal. I signed a contract, it expired and I opted out, though I had an option to sign again. I released an album, The Truth but it was not properly promoted and so many people don’t know about it. I had an option to renew or leave so I just decided to start my own thing. My album was released 2009 December. I can’t say how the album is doing because I left everything with them.

    With a career spanning eight years, do you think you are underrated?

    I think so many people are underrated. I am not just the only one. In Nigeria, we are all underrated. We work so hard and we get so little pay. That’s what it is. I really don’t see it that way. It is a Nigerian situation. It’s not just the music industry. We don’t have structures in Nigeria.

    If you really go into music business, you’ll know that it’s a game that is being played by people who really have money. There are no available structures. We are 160 million in Nigeria and we cannot boast of a market that you can sell our CDs. Piracy is there, royalties are not being paid. To perform, you have to beg to get a show. All these things put together make it hard for talents to pop up.

    Your song is Jazzy and the genre of music is not that appreciated in Nigeria. What keeps you going?

    I disagree with you. Anytime Asa performs at the Shrine it is a sellout crowd out there and it is a good place to judge the level of appreciation of good music. People know what good music is when they hear it. I will disagree if you say people don’t know what music is. Nobody will prefer someone dancing to a song to someone doing live music. That is what differentiates some artistes from the others.

    Do you regard yourself as an activist especially as you are one of the very few artistes that churn out conscious music?

    I am just being an artiste. If you are an artiste, you’ll be inspired by things around. If you look around and at what we are daily faced with, the easiest thing to sing about is the traffic, fuel scarcity, power failure, and the fact that our friends and families end up graduating and they don’t get jobs.

    The fact that there is so much corruption and our leaders don’t know what the grassroots people are going through. I can’t see all these things and be talking about someone drinking, shaking her bum-bum. It’s about being true to your heart. We all have sex, common! I don’t see that as an issue or something to put in a song for now. There are more important things to talk about.

    What is your relationship with Omobaba?

    He is my mentor. It was when I left my last music group, Pairs of Gloves and I started my solo career that I met Omobaba. I met him at an event where I was pasting posters and fortunately for me, I got a big opportunity to perform. But before then, the first music group I joined was called 4Generations. After then I left for Tempo & Excel before joining Pairs of Gloves.

    After leaving Storm Record, why did you not sign for another label?

    I left because I wanted to start my own company, Ember Entertainment. Everything starts from small to big not the other way round.

    Don’t you think if you had signed up with a more established record label your career would have better for it?

    The video for the song “Ejika” which was released under Ember Entertainments remains my best video ever. Besides, if I signed for another label, it means I will have to wait for about 3 years to start what I have now. The problem youths have is that they are scared of challenges. Hence they opt for the seemingly easy life. The best decision I have ever made was starting Ember Entertainments and the sky is the limit. We choose the life we live because of the reward we hope to achieve. We navigate this way because we are going that way, the purpose driven life!

    Based on current trends will you be tempted to sing love songs and party music?

    I do love songs but don’t forget it’s not just about the business. True art is not financially driven. It is an expression of your deepest thoughts.

    Which musicians inspire you?

    There are so many of them like 2face Idibia, Sunny Ade. I am also inspired by foreign artistes such as Baby Face Edmonds, India Irie, Boyz II Men and West Life.

    How do you relax?

    I relax with music or I sleep. Music is the only thing I do actively for now.

  • Spidery legs beneath bold face

    RECALL last week’s speech on my speculation of a university lecturer as the new Managing Director of the apex film agency, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). The prediction happens to be just correct. And what we thought could just be a fiction to play around with, like in Nollywood flicks, is indeed a reality- the bitter reality of possibilities outside decorum that has been tagged the Nigerian factor the selfish reality of mankind, that makes a religious person pray and fast for divine favour; unmerited favour, which by extension is reaping where one did not sow.

    Dr. Danjuma Wurim Dadu, has resumed office as honcho of NFC, ordering a full media coverage for his arrival. Of course he got all of that and perhaps more. Who dared to stop him? Even if he was not ‘appointed’ by God, he was not disappointed by the ‘ogas at the top’ whose words are law. He got a letter for his new appointment from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF). It does not matter whether the Minister of Information, under whose ministry the film industry is tucked, likes the idea or not. I hear Labaran Maku didn’t like the idea, but this is a matter of interest for the Presidency. Dadu resumes, and if he developed spidery legs, knowing his new appointment has been largely criticized, it did not show in his battle-ready face.

    I’d actually thought that the filmmakers would take consolation in the fact that, George Lucas, a revered name in the film industry today and creator of Star Wars movies started out as a race-car driver, and others like him. I thought they would consider the creativity endowed in human beings and wouldn’t rule out Danjuma completely. I thought they would try to ‘manage’ the new helmsman and help him to ‘cope’ with his new assignment, as long as he has technocrats in the agency, but they insist the law must be followed. They say that the Film Act stipulates that only a practitioner is eligible to head the film corporation.

    Hmmmm. I don’t know how many people know about this Act. If this is true, then this appointment is an ‘act in error’. If the new NFC man got here only by earning a PhD and teaching a Building Course at the university for two years, then the law has been slapped in the face. Whoever reminded the Nollywood stakeholders of this Act is the reason a new agitation is brewing.

    I read the early protest sent by some Nollywood filmmakers and nothing about the Act was mentioned. Government, be it military or civilian hardly go back on their words and you don’t make them do that by expressing mere sentiment. That was what the earlier petition was all about. Now, somebody is trying to ‘exhume’ Efere Ozako from the grave to help fight this anomaly. But is there anything to fight? If so, is it going to be fought by the same Nollywood people who are divided over little things?

    On a serious note, government cannot make a caricature of this process. Oga Dadu must have been a quiet film practitioner, and we all may just be crying wolf where there is none. It is not impossible that between the time he graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and 2010 when he became a lecturer in the same school, he could have been practicing film. Don’t you think?

    But should it turn out that those unknown years about the new man were not for film or television business, the filmmakers can go to court as some of them are already planning, but as we all know, judgment is slow. Would we rather he continues to deliver the much he can by learning in the process or for his position to be dragged into a litigation that will unsettle the agency for God-knows how long.

    However, if like I stated here last week, we choose to be beaten by the choice of ‘ogas at the top’, we can only hope and pray, that Oga Dadu will turn out to be that unassuming messiah that the film industry needs, irrespective of his inexplicable transition from ‘building’ profession to the art, business and politics of filmmaking. One of the prayer points must also be that God should make him a fast and smart learner, a listening leader and charismatic person, who will be good at steering the ship of existing technocrats.