The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • A speaker’s pledge

    The sixth annual Hijrah Lecture/Du’au Session of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has been held at the pavilion of the Assembly complex. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports

    It was a motley crowd of lawmakers, Assembly staff, clerics, professionals and, of course, civil servants. Many of the men dressed in Islamic robe; most of the women wore traditional attires and covered their heads with hijab. The Alfas and Imams stood out in their dressing. They wore alukinba and turban.

    The Speaker came in a long flowing ash coloured robe with a small white cap to match.

    The programme scheduled for 1pm did not start until about 3pm because the lawmakers sat to attend to some important pending issues.

    The guests were not bothered by the delay.

    It was yet another Hijrah Lecture/Du’au Session organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA).

    The guest speakers Prof Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State and Dr Tajudeen Yusuf of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) spoke on Establishment of a just and balanced society: A critical look at leadership and accountability.

    Describing the theme as apt, Prof. Ladan said it underscores the importance of the duties of Muslims to society, particularly, those in leadership positions on the need to showcase the core religious values in governance.

    He said Nigeria is till at a cross-road because it is a nation full of paradoxes.

    These paradoxes, the don identifies, as poverty in the midst of plenty.

    “With over 70 million people living below poverty line; high unemployment rate among educated youths; widespread/endemic corruption; widening income inequality; high cost of governance and rising debt profile due to lack of financial discipline on the part of all tiers of government. These are clear manifestations of the crisis of leadership in governance,” he said.

    Quoting from the Quran, Prof. Ladan said Islam wants Muslims to establish a society that is just and balanced, orderly, safe, secure, righteous, stable and prosperous “that is founded on selfless service, justice, humility, respect for the rule of law and protection of the rights of the weak, the poor, the needy, the orphaned, minorities/non-Muslims against all forms of discrimination, tyranny, oppression, monopoly and arrogance of the powerful, the rich and the corrupt political and public office holders and their colluders in the private sector of the economy”.

    He urged political office holders to use their position to show good leadership and accountability in office. According to him, those at the helms of affair should be compassionate, merciful and responsible to their followers.

    “The leaders must always be transparent, reliable and posses a sense of accountability. The leaders must be compassionate to the followers, use their position, power and the authority to do good work,” he said.

    Dr Yusuf said Allah forbids injustice, which is the norm in the society today.

    One of the fundamental problems confronting us as human beings, he said, is injustice.

    He asserted that a just and balanced society cannot be achieved unless we follow God’s commandment religiously.

    “In Islam, being a leader is a serious affair and the leadership position must be held with fear of Allah. It is not a thing of joy to be a leader because everyone will be accounted for on the day of judgement,” he noted.

    Ikuforiji promised the lawmakers would continue to show good leadership and abide by the Quranic injunctions.

    The House, he said, will continue to legislate for the betterment of the people’s welfare and for good governance as representatives of the people.

    In attendance were Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole; Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Education, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Olukoga; Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garuba Akinola Ibrahim and Chief Imams from the five divisions of the state, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i of The Muslim Congress (TMC); Ustaz Abdullah Akinbode of NASFAT; Ustaz Abdur Rahman Adangba of Fathu Qareeb; Sheikh Yahya Osoala; Sheikh Jubril Ramadan of Morkaz Salam; Sheikh Abdul Majeed Imran Eleha of Daaru Na’im Central Mosque; Sheikh Zakariyya Thaani of Ansar-ud-deen; Sheikh Abdul Wakil Mustafa and Ustaz Dawud Adelakun both of Association of Muslim Professionals.

  • A queen at 80

    A queen at 80

    Saturday, December 22, was a day of glory for Olori Sabainah Adeyeni  Olayisade, as prominent indigenes of Ekiti State thronged  her Ido Ekiti country-home to celebrate her at 80 that day.

    Olori Sabainah Adeyeni Olayisade, mother of five, among whom is the former Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Akin Olayisade, now the Chairman, Public Works Corporation, is an enterprising trader widely loved by her people in Ekiti State.

    She is the wife of the late Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Adeyemi Olayisade, fondly called the Odundun Asodedero by admirers during his lifetime. As a virtuous community leader, who had served well, Olori Olayisade enjoyed a lot of respect among her people, considering the crowd that besieged her residence and the attendees at the birthday thanksgiving held at St John’s Anglican Church, Ido Ekiti to celebrate with her.

    It was also a day for the exhibition of various lace materials and headgears of multifarious shapes.

    Popular gospel artiste Mrs Funmi Aragbaye and traditional musical funfare by the Ekiti State Cultural Troupe added more glamour to the event.

    Guests relished the sumptuous meals served by waiters.

    Mama, who danced energetically, was joyous throughout the party. She was clad in a purple lace and the same colour of headgear. Her sons – Prince, Kehinde, Adebayo and Adebanji – and the grand children wore a light blue lace while her only daughter, Princess Timilade Oriloye and other female relatives of the celebrator donned deep blue lace wears and yellow headgears.

    The birthday cake was designed in white, blue and purple to reflect the dressing of the celebrator and her children.

    The ceremony was unique in many ways. One, it turned a traditional carnival of sorts. Various groups appeared in aso-ebi and danced round the town to felicitate with the octogenarian women leader.

    Two, it attracted many prominent indigenes led by Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his wife, Erelu Bisi.

    Mama Olayisade was full of praises to God for not only sparing her life but also for granting her good health, despite the challenges she had faced. She was particularly happy because all her children are doing well in their chosen careers.

    In his sermon at the Holy Communion Service, Bishop C.T. Omotunde, told the celebrator that having spent 80 years, all she was left with is to be born again with the belief that she is spending overtime, going by the biblical injunction that prescribes 70 years.

    Bishop Omotunde, who was full of praises for Mama Olayisade for her contributions to the church and the community, said she must see God as the pillar of her life and that of her children.

    He reminded Olori Olayisade that many of her age mates were not privileged to live to such a ripe age.

    Responding, Olori Olayisade said she has no option than to thank God for sparing her life and that of the children.

    She urged her children to be more diligent and rededicate their lives to the service of God and humanity.

    Olori Olayisade, who said being celebrated at 80 is a rare privilege, prayed for more prosperity for Ido Ekiti community and the state at large.

    Speaking on behalf of the children, Prince Olayisade described his mother as a disciplinarian, who nurtured her children with the best moral upbringing for them to be good ambassadors wherever they may be.

    He said the self-confidence and self-sustenance which she instilled in them helped in shaping their lives and made them successful in their chosen careers.

    Dignitaries included former Governor Ayodele Fayose; Hon Opeyemi Bamidele; Hon Bamidele Faparusi; Hon Bimbo Daramola; former Chairman of Oodua Group, Mr Clement Akinyemi; former UNAD Vice-Chancellor, Prof Israel Orubuloye; former Rector, Polytechnic , Ado Ekiti, Prof Olawumi Ajaja.

    Others were Group Managing Director, Wema Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi; former State Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Ropo Adesanya; Justice Kunle Adeleye; Ekiti State Deputy Speaker Hon. Tunji Orisalade; Mr Wole Ajiminsinmi; Special Adviser, Governor’s office, Mr Biodun Akin –Fasae; Chief Medical Director, Ido Ekiti Medical Centre, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele; Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye; Hon Muyiwa Odu; Hon Richard Apolola and Mr Kola Fakiyesi.

    Traditional rulers included Alaaye of Aaye Ekiti; Owa of Ilogbo Ekiti; Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti; Regent Omotunde Adelabu, among others.

  • Bouquet for a sweet mother

    The first remembrance/thanksgiving service for the late Mrs Elsie Abimbola Aduke Odunewu, wife of veteran journalist Hadj. Alade Odunewu, has been held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. DAMILARE OSHOPALE writes. 

    Family members and well wishers gathered at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Marina, Lagos for a remembrance and thanksgiving service in memory of the late Mrs Elsie Abimbola Aduke Odunewu.

    Mrs Odunewu who died on January 5, last year, was the wife of legendary journalist El-Hadj Alade Odunewu (aka Allah De). She was a business woman.

    The late Mrs Odunewu was an alumna of Saint Mary’s Covenant School and Holy Child College, both in Lagos. She proceeded to the United Kingdom (UK) to study Architecture. After her graduation, Mrs Odunewu returned to work at the Federal Ministry of Works.

    Rev Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House led the church service.

    The entrance hymn what a friend we have in Jesus was sung.

    He also read from 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, reminding the congregation of the last day when God will call on man to account for his deeds on earth. He urged the congregation to be God fearing.

    The communion hymn was sung by the choir for the baptised Catholics who are in state of grace to receive the communion.

    The recessional hymn Blessed Assurance was taken at the close of the service.

    After the service, guests and friends were hosted to a lavish reception at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

    The expansive hall was decorated in white and laced with gold. The ambience was lively thus setting the mood to celebrate a life well spent.

    Her children and grandchildren still have fond memories of her.

    All looked charming in their attires. The band of Femi Arowolo entertained guests. The melodious tunes from his saxophone added glamour to the occasion.

    One of her sons, Akanni Odunewu, described her death as painful.

    “The pain is great, the loss inexplicable, but who am I to question the will of God for He knows all, sees all and listens to all. Iya rere sun re o. I love you mother with all that I have,” he said.

    Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba sympathised with the family.

    He moved from table to table to greet the family.

    The deceased’s first child, Mrs Ebun Awosika said her mother’s death hurts.

    “It has been one very strange year mummy. It is very difficult to find the words to describe the emotions I go through daily, I feel I let you down at the time you needed me most and it hurt very badly. I am very sorry. I know it was ultimately God’s will,” she said.

    Mrs Awosika said her mother’s legacies have kept the family going.

  • Music star Wizkid joins house owners

    Music star Wizkid joins house owners

    Music star, Wizkid, has joined the growing legion of house owners in the burgeoning entertainment industry.

    The musician, who recently released a song and viral video titled: “Thank Jah” unveiled the impressive edifice in a photo uploaded on his official instragram account with the caption: “My new Crib!!! Thank jah. “

    In the photo, one can see building architecture, swimming pool and a BMW SUV from the musician’s fleet of cars.

     

  • GLO hosts celebs at the big friday show party

    GLO hosts celebs at the big friday show party

    It was a night full of fun, thrills and excitement as the leading telecommunications network and official sole sponsor of Glo Presents The Big Friday Show, Globacom hosted celebrities and top entertainers to a night of good music, exotic drinks, finger foods, and freebies on 28th December, 2012. The event was hosted at the popular Aura Lounge, opposite Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos to mark the Yuletide season. It was a night to remember as both stars and invited Glo subscribers were given a special treat.

    The party paraded an array of Nigerian stars in the movie industry, some of whom are also Glo Ambassadors – Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo and Ramsey Nouah. They have featured in the popular TV show, Glo Presents The Big Friday Show. Other celebrities at the party included Nse Ikpe Etim, Ruki Sanders, Ejike of Cool FM, Uti Nwachukwu (Big Brother Africa Winner), Sneeze (ace Nollywood producer), Sound Sultan, Banky W, and Skales. Expectedly, the evening kicked off with photo sessions by celebrities with their acquaintances on the green carpet where Glo hostesses welcomed and registered invited guests.

    A statement from Globacom said that the party was specifically packaged to feted its youth segment of the market. “The attendees were Glo youth subscribers and were selected through a trivia quizz on Globacom’s google+, facebook and twitter handle as well as invites given out by some select radio stations,” the statement said.

    The guests had so much fun as they were treated to photo sessions with their favourite stars, assorted drinks, finger foods and an exciting experience to dance and mingle with the celebrities. In the words of Nwachukwu Ikene, one of the lucky subscribers, “That was some party, brother! My friends and I had so much fun taking pictures with Ramsey Nouah and Uche Jombo. I even danced with Rita Dominic. I had drinks; the finger food was on point and I enjoyed the whole energy of the event. It’s an experience I’d love to relive any time, any day, to any one. I’d like Glo to host us like this more often…”.

    The Glo Big Friday Party is a youth focused activation by Globacom to excite and wow its youth subscriber segment. The events seek to create an atmosphere of fun, excitement and freebies as invited guests are also presented with the opportunity to take photographs, sign autographs, dance and mingle with their favourite celebrities. It is part of efforts by the network to reward and show loyalty to its youth segment subscribers.

  • Tunde Kelani returns with Dazzling Mirage

    Tunde Kelani returns with Dazzling Mirage

    ACE cinematographer Tunde Kelani is taking two shots at the movie year; perhaps almost at the same time, and within the first quarter of 2013.

    With a new feature film he called Dazzling Mirage, followers of his creative ingenuity cannot wait. But the filmmaker says that is not just it, as the missing parts of Ma’ami, the inspirational story that features Funke Akindele, will also be taking him back to location.

    It would be recalled that Ma’ami got rave reviews over the years; making it round cinema and festival circuits in Nigeria and Brazil’s BENVIDO A Nollywood: Welcome to Nollywood in Brazil, among others. But TK, as he is fondly called, says the decision to shoot the missing scenes is unconnected with the fact that the film, which is yet to be released into DVD, can be made better, especially with the addition of some scenes that are yet to be shot.

    What is the filmmaker’s approach to unrelenting release of film, especially in the face of ravaging piracy? “2013 is a sink-or-swim year for the movie industry in Nigeria. No doubt, the industry has been ravaged by continuous piracy and slow development of infrastructure which continue to pose great challenges for Nigerian filmmakers, but we are determined not to stop, and in spite of all these adversities the show must go on.”

    He said his next work, Dazzling Mirage, is a continuation of his literature-to-screen approach to filmmaking. TK said Dazzling Mirage written by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare is a story that will touch the nerve of a nation and its attitude to sufferers of sickle cell anemia and the myths. He, however, describes it as an interesting love story, because everyone is connected directly or indirectly with the sufferers of this ailment.

    “I’m intrigued by the writer’s approach to weave a love story with it, and that to me is an attraction. I have also had personal relationship with sufferers of this ailment and I consider it my responsibility to bring their story to the fore.”

    Egbokhare’s Dazzling Mirage, published by Loud Books, is a narrative about the adoptive daughter of the Adebayos. It is a story of her travails and triumphs against the odds of physical pains and psychological traumas which she experienced in her journey towards self-fulfillment.

  • Iyanya: a case of management or stardom?

    Iyanya: a case of management or stardom?

    A smear of questionable character is at the moment hovering over the young career of famed Project Fame West Africa winner, Iyanya Onoyom. The artiste, who has become popular on the continent after hitting the music scene as the first winner of the reality show in 2008, began this year with news that he is being trailed by the police.

    Iyanya, who made the scorecards of rave reviews as one of the top artistes of 2012, was unfortunately enmeshed in tales of unprofessional conduct over a contract he entered with comedy big wig, Opa Williams.

    Reports say Iyanya was paid N1.7 million to perform at ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’, but refused to show up. And although the singer was at large, his manager was arrested and detained at the Mile 3 Police Division, Port Harcourt.

    It was gathered that Iyanya was reported to the police for allegedly collecting N1.7 million from Williams to perform at Nite of a Thousand Laughs shows in Benin and Port Harcourt/Bonny which held on December 26 and January 2 respectively. The artiste was said to be absent at both shows.

    “What infuriated Williams,” a source said, “was the fact that Iyanya actually arrived Port Harcourt on Monday, and everyone thought he came to play at the show, only for him to vanish into thin air with his mobile phone switched off.”

    In the statement written by Williams in his report to the police; “Iyanya has caused me a lot of embarrassment, as people who paid to come and watch him went home disappointed. For 17 years, we have been organising Nite of A Thousand Laughs and we have built a large followership, I will not allow anybody to come destroy the credibility we have as people who deliver on their promises, that is why we are going to pursue this case legally, and see it to a logical conclusion and ensure this is the last time Iyanya would do this to anybody.”

    It was said that when Iyanya failed to show up at the Benin edition of the show which held on December 26, he called Opa Williams and pleaded for days, promising that he would make it up with Port Harcourt/Bonny show and any other show Williams would organise this year. But again, he reneged.

    Reports say although Opa Williams wanted to seek redress in court, there are indications that the matter may soon be resolved amicably.

    Fans of the Afro Hip hop singer have continued to react to the news in the social media, with indications that this is not the first time that the Kukere crooner would be disappointing the producer of the show. It was said that last October, when a similar situation happened in Lagos, the crowd was asking for a refund of their gate takings from the show’s organisers.

    He was said to have also failed to show up at one of City People’s events.

    Many agreed that the artiste is truly talented, but that attitude goes a long way in boosting career in the creative industry. It was recalled that 9ice did a similar thing to Nigerian Breweries Plc, and despite his pleas afterwards, and subsequent refund and promise of free gig at the company’s events, the artiste is yet to regain the company’s friendship.

    “I pity Iyanya,” said a fan. “He has forgotten where he was before Project Fame, and how shortly after that he squandered all his money and had N1, 000 on him when he recorded ‘Kukere’. At a point in time, he had an accident with his CRV and was jumping into cabs,” he added. “It’s a bad management problem,” said another. “Right now, the guy is probably looking at all the money he made within two years. He is not thinking about his image in the next five years.”

  • My daughter can never act —Laide Bakare

    My daughter can never act —Laide Bakare

    IT is the dream of most parents that their children toe their footsteps but for popular Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare, that is not the case. The actress recently stated why she cannot permit her only child to follow her career path.

    In a recent interview, she unequivocally reeled out why she would not allow her daughter venture into the movies when posed with the question. “No. I don’t like it. Maybe something else but definitely not the movie industry; I don’t know why I don’t want to involve my daughter in that line. It is not easy handling things and all that. I love my daughter to be popular, but probably in other profession not in the movie industry”.

  • I’ve learnt a lot about marriage—Saheed Balogun

    I’ve learnt a lot about marriage—Saheed Balogun

    Star actor, Saheed Balogun, is still very much busy with what he loves to do most- producing movies. The producer cum actor, just last December, dropped his latest work Alami Ayemi (My Dream My Life). In this interview with DANIEL POPOOLA, Saidi, hinted that he has finished work on yet another movie. He also talked about his experience on marriage, divorce and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

    WHAT have you been to up? We are still in the business of producing movies. After Eti-Keta, I’ve done Alami-Ayemi, which I released last December. The movie centres on a child’s dream. Every child has a dream of becoming somebody in life. But the kind of training we give our children can actually make or mar the dream. Some parents even abandon their children. Parents can ruin their children’s future with the kind of training we give to them. We need to nurture our kids. The training you give a child can make him or her become a great leader of tomorrow. So that is the message we are trying to pass across in the movie.

    What inspired the movie?

    Ayemi means my life. I just discovered that you cannot blame most problems on the person suffering from such problems. The guy who found his way to the top, and was accused of embezzling funds, have you found out how he was brought up? Do you know who he was before he came into power? What are those things parents should have done to help that kind of child to become a better person? That is the picture we are trying to paint in this movie.

    It is a simple Yoruba movie. Alami-Ayemi is just to tell the way our future can be ruined. We should please reshape it now and we should believe that the kids who are coming up have a lot to contribute to the society. We should watch the way we talk to them. The big guy goes to the bank, collects loan to buy a car and nobody questions him. There are paupers out there struggling to get themselves educated, yet there is no one to help them.

    It seems there’s a breath of fresh air in the entertainment industry…

    I am so happy now that things are changing. For a long time, the international media have portrayed us in bad light. When they want to shoot Nigerian film, you will see them standing by the bush, they will leave the beautiful part in Ikeja, Victoria Island, Abuja. All this is in a bid to portray us in bad light. If that is what they want to continue doing, we are not happy. Creativity is being killed. Abroad, if you spend $200million on a movie, if you make $100million in a cinema, you will make $300million in your sales.

    But in the cinema in Nigeria, once you cannot make your money in the cinema, you are dead, because those law makers who have been there for more than 12 years, they have not passed a single law on piracy. Instead, they are busy jumping from one place to another, busy looking for money that was stolen. The same set of people who stole money are looking for people to arrest. I’m looking forward to the day the dream to eradicate piracy will come through. As you can see, they have not passed any law on piracy.

    Are you saying that there is no law against piracy?

    If you steal my movie now, it is a minor offence. Lagos State and Ondo State governments are trying to do something about it. There is a law in Lagos State that if you are caught in the act, you will pay a sum of fifty thousand naira. In Ondo State, if you are caught selling film, you will be fined. When I went to the judge during the period I was talking to Lagos State Government, he said to me that, ‘Saidi, I can go on N10 million fine because I respect people’s intellectual properties.’

    But I wonder what our law makers are doing on this issue. We go through a lot to produce our movies and instead of smiling to the banks, some people who think they are above the law are the ones smiling to the banks. Why do we have lawmakers in this country? We didn’t elect the lawmakers to go and be dancing Palongo or even travelling from one nation to another. I don’t blame most of them, how can somebody who cannot manage his family, a person involved in the controversy of na mi get bele, no bi you lead a society? Moving with somebody’s wife, having extra marital affair with another woman is not a quality of a leader. Do I blame them? The problem lies with entertainers. We do a lot of rubbish. There are three categories of people who have case before God- the entertainer, the politicians and pastors.

    Are you saying you didn’t smile to the bank after Eti-Keta?

    We thank GOD. Eti-Keta did well, but the pirates did theirs too. Truth is I didn’t make money from the movie the way people thought I did. But I thank God for Governor Mimiko, he was the one who made me smile. I’m a straight forward person. I don’t need to lie to the public in order to impress them. If I lie that I made N200 million and the same car I’ve being driving is still the same car I use, won’t you ask me questions? If I made so much money, I should change my car. You see, the entertainment industry will grow if the lawmakers should make the right laws.

    Any entertainer campaigning for lawmakers should be executed. You can campaign for governors, chairmen of councils, even councillors. But those people that refuse to pass laws must not be voted for. Truth is they are not the culprits. The real culprits are those who vote them into office. He who steals is worse than those who receive it from them. If you don’t vote for them or encourage them, they will go back.

    How would you rate the entertainment industry?

    I will say that we are improving, at least from 10 percent to 13 percent. So you can see that we are improving.

    What is the solution to piracy?

    Artistes in Nigeria have been to Mimiko’s office and when we got there, he was just smiling, and some people challenged him on why he was smiling. And he said, ‘you came to me and you are talking about piracy, I am only a State governor, go to Abuja and talk to them.

    I cannot attend to you as a politician. You think am not bad? The lawmakers are ready for you guys. They are good people, may be you have not stood up to them like you are standing up to me.’ I know that Fashola too is good, but we cannot do anything in Lagos, so why are we troubling Fashola and Mimiko? Instead, we should face the federal lawmakers. When they pass the right law, the standard of everything will improve.

    Why do most Yoruba actors claim they are not part of Nollywood?

    Like I always tell you, I don’t like the name Nollyhood because it makes us look like second fiddle. There are people who have been doing films before the young generation of producers came in and coined Nollywood, which, of course, is gotten from Hollywood. I don’t want to go into that. But for me, when the right law is passed, we will know the boys from the men. When you get to Idumota, you will see a lot of movies that were produced within two weeks.

    You will see 36 films in two weeks, 70 films in two weeks. When you get abroad, you will see a producer come out with a single film and he will make it big. Thank God for African Magic, otherwise, some guys producing films would not have been known. The rebranding they are shouting in Abuja, let them rebrand their law first and they will see me portraying Nigeria well. Tade Ogidan, who took all of us to London, spent millions. Is he smiling now? Go and ask. That is what I’m saying that you kill people’s dream by not passing the right laws. You don’t see Tade Ogidan producing many movies. The legends are getting tired.

    With all what you have stated, can stage drama be the alternative?

    Stage is good, but by the time we have so many casts, how much do you want to pay them. You don’t attempt to solve a problem from the top. First check its root cause. Let every entertainer in Nigeria be under one umbrella so that we can create a single name. Let us know what to do and what not to do.

    There are new faces in the industry. What does it portend?

    The advice I have for the new entrants into the industry is that they should learn and know the new trend and try to follow it. I did a movie recently, You or I. I got some white people who speak Yoruba fluently, that is the movie for 2013. Everybody in the movie is white, except me. There are always new things to learn if you want to learn. For up-and-coming, they should be serious and not see acting as a short-cut to fame.

    What should we expect from your You and I?

    You and I is a story that centres on why marriages crash. It’s a marital story that seeks to solve questions bordering on why marriages crash. Some of the questions that will be emanating from the story include who is to blame when a marriage crashes? Are the two parties involved or the people surrounding them that are to blame? I have learnt a lot about marriage, so much that I know that the reason why a white woman says it is over is the same reason why a black woman marriage fails. But it is the presentation that differs.

    In Africa, if the black man wants to leave his wife, the wife will go and call the members of the family, thereby prolonging the doom’s day. It may be prolonged, but it will eventually happen. But in the white man’s case, it doesn’t take a long process. The same way a white woman feels jealous, is the same way the black woman feels jealous. It is the presentation that differs. When a white woman is displeased with her marriage, she calls it quit. But a black woman, when she’s displeased with her marriage she keeps going round from pillar to post. But the point is she will eventually leave if she is no longer happy with the marriage. This is what You and I is all about.

  • Olu Maintain features Olivia, Fatman Scoop in new singles

    Olu Maintain features Olivia, Fatman Scoop in new singles

    A FEW days after winning Best Reggae Video of The Year at the just concluded Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) with the artistic Nawti video, Olumide Adegbulu, popularly known as Olu Maintain, has released two new songs featuring two popular America artistes, Olivia and Fatman Scoop.

    Olu indeed had an eventful 2012. His last single, Nawti, was one of the most popular songs of 2012. The song won him several awards including Best Video of The Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New-York and Best Reggae/Dancehall Video of the year at Nigeria Music Video Awards.

    Olu is sure ready for greater exploits in 2013 with the release of two songs in the beginning of 2013. The two songs are titled Hypnotise and Oya Dancia. Hypnotise which he did with Olivia has been tipped to be a classic collaboration and one of the songs that will rule the airwaves in 2013. Oya Dancia is a party starter DJs definitely can’t resist with the influence of Fatman Scoop on the song.

    Speaking concerning the new songs, Olu said it is high time he dropped something new. “It’s public knowledge that Nawti was well accepted, and even till now the song is still in hot demand. I’ve been getting lots of calls and messages from friends and fans asking me when I’ll be releasing my next singles and I thank them all for the love. The two songs I’m releasing now are part of the songs on my album titled Chosen One and I’m very sure lots of people will enjoy it as much as they enjoyed Nawti. There can’t be a better way to start 2013.”