Category: Entertainment

Amid a well lit stage with dazzling lights and an expectant crowd, powerful vocalist, Moses Obi-Adigwe emerged winner of the 3rd edition of Nigerian Idol reality TV show carting home N7.5million in cash, a brand new Hyundai SUV and a recording deal worth thousands of dollars.

His triumph came after six months of electrifying performances, surprise evictions, tough tasks and thorough training. 22-year-old Moses beat an equally talented Debbie, who won for herself the sum of N1million and a brand new KIA RIO automobile for finishing second behind the eventual winner.

The grand finale witnessed stellar performances but not before a rather delayed opening as the technical crew tried to get their acts together. The host of the show, Illrymz started by introducing the two finalists (Moses and Debbie) followed by an opening performance by Nigerian Idol season 1 winner, Yeka Onka.

Femi Kuti who also doubles as judge was the first high profile performer on the night as he delivered his latest single to the delight of the excited audience who swayed to the beats emanating from the sound system.

Then came solo performances from Debbie and Moses; Debbie performed Tiwa Savage‘s ‘Kele kele love’. Moses performed Bob Marley‘s ‘Redemption song’ and the crowd yearned for an encore after his performance.

Other performances on the night came from Omawumi, who gave a superlative performance of her song ‘Bottom belle’, the immediate past winner of Nigerian Idol season 2, Mercy Chinwo and erstwhile Mo’ Hits member, D’Banj.

Moses, popularly called ‘Teddy Bear’ could not hide his joy when he was presented with his cash prize and his brand new SUV. The last of four kids who just graduated from the University says he would invest most of his winnings in building a successful career for himself while revealing that his best is yet to come.

“I would like to use this opportunity to say thank you to my fans and everyone that voted for me while the show lasted. You guys do not know how much I appreciate your efforts and you are going to hear from me soon. Nigerian’s should expect awesome music from me and this is just the begging of greater things.

“The first thing I am going to do is to pay my tithe and I assure you that a large chunk of the cash prize I won would be ploughed into building a successful career for myself,” he said.

YOU may not know how painful it is to lose a beloved one irrespective of the age until when it knocks at your door without warning. In the Nigerian film industry, better known as Nollywood, it is a double blow when death calls in middle of production which no filmmaker wishes to experience in his life time.

It was 19th Feb 2013, early morning, when three of my phones rang simultaneously while I was still in bed. I managed to scan through the screens because of the unusual coincidence. Two calls from respectable gentlemen in Berlin and the third from one of my artistes in Antwerp, Belgium. In that confused state, I held on the local calls and decided to answer the international Antwerp call first.

“Oga Izoya, please pardon me for this early morning call but I want to confirm if it’s true that your in-law that never was is really dead.” Knowing full well that I was lost with the word in-law, she continued, “I mean Professor Okonedo.” I knew immediately that she was referring to Justus Esiri’s character name in my first Nollywood movie titled Sinners in the House. I screamed and looked at my mobile calendar thinking it was April fool and warned her to stop spreading false rumours but to call me back in a few minutes to enable me call some reliable journalists and actors in Lagos for confirmation.

False news on Nollywood deaths and arrest is so common across Europe that many people look up to our website or direct phone calls for reliable information. Adding to my shock, the other two callers also asked the same question. I jumped out of bed in confusion of who to call first. I later settled for Charles Inojie, aka Suraju, who played Professor Okonedo’s gateman in the above-named movie which was so popular in Europe so much that it has become Christmas and New Year gift by Nollywood Satellite TV stations in UK even after ten years of its production.

It is a movie with open, unanswered questions which all viewers never stopped asking if Professor Okonedo was real. And his death will simply mean the hope for a sequel will be laid to rest forever and that is what his fans hate to hear. I hung up the phone on Charles Inojie unceremoniously and dialled my press manager, Fred Iwenjora, to double check the information flying around on Facebook. The confirmed news landed in Berlin and beyond like a destructive earthquake and I wish we had the jurisdiction to lower Nigeria’s flag or open condolence register book at the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin, nothing would’ve stopped us from doing that.

Justus Esiri’s popularity in Berlin is not a secret for at least two vital reasons. First, he studied in Berlin some decades ago. Some of his classmates are still around in Berlin asking me about him at every meeting. Secondly, the above movie was the first Nollywood film ever produced and premiered in Germany by Isaac Izoya and directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen.

The premiere event that was well attended by the members of the diplomatic community and academicians within and outside Berlin including Nollywood Stars, Ngozi Ezeonu, Empress Njamah, Lancelot O. Imasuen, Kennedy Uyi Oviahon of blessed memory and the then His Excellency, Mr. Baba Wakil – Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. R.I Alhassan Ghana, His Excellency, Lt. Gen, F. Simbamba – Zambia Ambassadors and Prof; Andrew Haruna of Humboldt University, among others. That event of 1st March 2003 and of course the success of that movie across Europe marked the beginning of Nollywood stars’ Europe’s exploit that subsequently led to Touring of EU countries with Nollywood stars, courtesy of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment till date. To say Mr. Esiri is a household name in Europe is simply an understatement.

I still remember vividly how he carried me and Empress on his laps in Lagos while on the set of Sinners in the House and told us jokes like a comedian while showing appreciation for my efforts and vision to take Nollywood to another level. Words will fail me to express my gratitude at the meeting of my Nollywood idol, the icon of my childhood NTA programme, The Village Headmaster. In fact, he made my dream come true with his down-to-earth simplicity of the man I thought was from moon as a child. I never thought I would ever meet him one day not to mention carrying me on his lap like his own child or being on set with him.

Almost a week after his death, I was still scared to report it in our official website thinking the dream will somehow fade away like April fool jokes. The acceptance of his death is still a hard pill for me to swallow…still like a dream.

As Nigerians are preparing to pay him their last respects in Nigeria, we in Diaspora are also preparing to honour a fallen hero, the same day in Edo House in Berlin, Germany. His contribution to Nollywood and Nigeria’s image in particular can never be forgotten. He lived a fulfilled life which his children will continue to reap from positively.

The concern of Nigerians in particular and Africans in general in the Diaspora over his death is nothing short of the Biblical saying in Ecclesiastes 7:1NW “A Name is better than good oil and the day of death than the day of one’s being born”. Though it’s hard to accept, I have no other option than to say thank you to Justus Esiri for inspiring me positively in promoting Nollywood across Europe. Thank God for the fulfilled life you lived….rest in peace Daddy Justus Esiri, aka Professor Okonedo …. We’ll surly miss you.

Isaac Izoya (Cultural Ambassador) Germany.

HONOURING Nigerians who have made a positive impact on the nation is the Outstanding Personalities and Recognition Awards, (OPRA) 2013, which holds today at Neca House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Put together by Bolergy Productions, in conjunction with B&L Image Concepts Limited, London, and supported by the Lagos State Government, those to be awarded, according to Mr. Bolaji Bello, the Chief Executive Officer of Bolergy Productions, include Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, the Managing Director of Health Forever Product Limited, Lagos; Hon. Funmi Tejuosho, Chief Laide Fowosere, the Chairman of Nucleus Group of Companies; Otunba Gani Adams, the National Co-ordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC); Hon.Adesoji Akanbi, the Chairman of Libra Gold Group; Giwa Wale Abdul, Alhaji Olanrewaju Mohammed, Chairman, Lamex Group of Companies; Chief (Mrs.) Toyin Atobatele, Ogun State Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Abdulmajid Ali; Alhaji Abdulrasak Abdullahi, Chairman, Corporate Pictures Limited; Alhaji Bola Azeez, Chairman, Bolamark Engineering Limited, Zaaki Azzay, among others.

Bello revealed that a committee chose those to be honoured in view of their immense contributions to the development of the country in different spheres of life. “These notable personalities, over time, have proved to be of immense value to the country, and have striven to develop different sectors by contributing their quotas; and OPRA, in line with the vision of its organisers, will duly bestow awards on them, in order to encourage them to do more,” Bello said.

The event will feature music performances by star artistes, including Wasiu Alabi Pasuma.

IT was a nostalgic night, as filmmakers, on Monday, converged at O’jez Arena, National Stadium, to pour encomia on late actor Justus Esiri who died on February 19, 2013.

Put together by Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), the thespians, most of whom were clad in white attires, stormed the venue in great numbers, rendering songs, comedy and emotional speeches in memory of the late actor, whom many referred to as a mentor.

Late Esiri, of the ‘Village Headmaster’ drama fame, died of Type 2 Diabetes, at the age of 71. The night of tributes by his colleagues was a complementary ceremony to the burial rites in Oria-Abraka, Delta State.

Dr SID- The deceased’s son, Sidney, a singer, who was dressed in a gray colour shirt upon a black pant, described his father as a man who was very humane, but thorough as a professional: “I remember my father use to say to me that if you do not want to be forgotten after you passed on from this earth, it is either you do something worth writing about or you write something worth reading. I believe my father did just that. From now to the end of the world, my father will forever be remembered for his contribution to Nollywood.” Popularly called Dr. SID, the young Esiri took the opportunity to avail the gathering of the burial arrangement.

Fidelis Duker: Director of Abuja Film Festival was among the people that paid tributes and described himself as one of the numerous beneficiaries of the late actor’s benevolence.

Kanayo O Kanayo: He spoke about the professional attributes of the late thespian. He noted that Esiri, during his life time, never forgot his lines as an actor. “There were just two actors that I know in this industry who did not only master their lines on set, but who also mastered the lines of others playing along with them. They would correct you, when you make mistakes delivering your lines. These two actors are late. They are Justus Esiri and Sam Loco Efe.” The crowd cheered.

Kate Henshaw: The delectable actress, who joined actor and Fountain of Life Church praise leader, Arinze Okonkwo, and fellow actress Chioma Chukwuka on stage to render a heartfelt praise and worship to God for the life of the late actor, was of the opinion that he should be celebrated and not mourned. “Let us not be ungrateful to God. Uncle Justus lived a full life. His children are here. They are all successful in their various fields of endeavour. What we should be doing is to be praying to God that our lives should not be cut short,” she said.

Tunji Bamishigbin: The actor cum lawyer who trained under the late Esiri said he met him in 1976. “I met Uncle Justus 37 years ago. He was my trainer. Not many knew that his wife used to be an actress. She was part of our crew. I left for school. I went to study theatre arts. When I came back I joined NTA; there I met Uncle Justus again. He was a wonderful man that encouraged young ones. When I wanted to go and study Law, so many people around me discouraged me. It was Uncle Justus who called me and advised me to go ahead. Two or three years ago, I was privileged to take him to Afro Hollywood Award in London. While we were there, I served him. People around started to wonder what was happening. To be a star is an opportunity. It is not a big deal. It is important to be humble. Uncle Justus was an epitome of humility.”

Ali Mamood Balogun: According to the filmmaker, the late actor died a fulfilled man. “I want to thank God for him. He lived a fulfilled life. He was what he wanted to be. Like I always say, he is a quintessential performer both on screen and on the stage. He lent credence to our profession in terms of professionalism, integrity and commitment. And he did a lot to ensure that there is respect for the industry. He was our president in concept of Motion Picture Practitioners of Nigeria (CMPP). And he led my example.