Category: Entertainment

Charming Nollywood actress, Chika Ike is quite an interesting personality to hang-out with. On the other hand, the sultry actress who hails from Ekwuluobia, Umuchiana village in Anambra State confesses that she has learnt some lessons in life. The once married thespian talks about her acting career, her thriving business and other related issues in this interview with KUNLE AKINRINADE.

HOW true is it that you have a bad temper?

That story is not true, and those who are saying that obviously don’t know me. I can be very terrible when I am angry, but I know how to manage my anger very well. It’s either I take a walk from the scene or I stay alone to calm down, because I know that a man could say the worst things when angry.

If you are not an actress, what would you have been doing?

I would have opted for interior decoration, painting and other similar things because of my passion for things that has to do with arts or better still modeling. And as a matter of fact, I started off as a model, but acting has taken that from me now. Modeling is lucrative when you are on billboard or television commercial. But acting has made me busier than modeling. However, I must confess that I still want to be on the runway as a model, but acting is not allowing it.

What lessons have life taught you so far?

Taking a look at my life lately, I think I have learnt a lot of lessons so far. Life has taught me to be very patient and not to be in a hurry to do anything. It has also taught me to be less judgmental on people and to look before I leap; but more importantly, not to give up.

Talking about looking before leaping, does it have to do with your crashed marriage?

I rather not talk about that because it is my private life and I would like to keep it as that. That part of me is one of those things I would rather have you not talk about.

But something must have happened to you before you can conclude on such matters…

Cuts in… You are still inching toward my private life and I think we should not delve into such things.

What has changed about you?

Nothing has changed about me at all. I am still the same Chika Ike. I strive to achieve more in my career because it is good to aim big for career improvement.

You recently marked your birthday on a film location in Enugu State. How did you celebrate it?

I threw a party at PK Garden in Enugu. I am also planning a charity show for street children because my foundation is concerned with the plight of street kids in our society. I threw up a similar party for them a couple of months ago.

How do you manage the home when you are away on location?

(Laughter) I know what you want to get at, and I would not oblige you. You want to fly through the window to get an answer to your earlier question about my private life, but I bet you won’t get me.

What do you consider when accepting roles; money or good script?

I consider the story, the plot, the cast, the crew and the total output of the movie. Apart from these, I also consider the publicity around the project. I don’t take roles because of the financial gain. I have had cause to turn down scripts because of the poor content or because the role is not challenging at all. At times, I decline scripts because of my busy schedule. I have a sucker for stories that are emotionally challenging and not uninspiring roles.

How busy are you?

Right now, I am busy and greatly occupied for the rest of the year, even up till January 2013. I have been in Enugu for some weeks, and I don’t have time for any other thing because it’s only fair for me to finish the jobs I had been paid for at the moment.

Which job are you working on at the moment?

It is not my project; I am only being featured in the movie. The working title is “kleptomania” and I played a lead role in the movie. It is a big project and the movie was quite challenging because in one of the scenes, I played the role of an accident victim and was on clutches. It was indeed tough. But I think the role is also a career booster, because it also portrays me as a versatile and dynamic thespian.

What are your plans for the future?

I intend to run fashion outfits, not just in Nigeria, but all over Africa. And hopefully, we would soon start it. Although it’s still in the pipeline, but I am already working on it with all my vigour. And because of my fashion business, I am planning to bring models on the runway soon. By next year, I’ll also be part of a movie project in the United States of America (USA). Thank God, I have a great manager, publicist and people that make my life easy for me. They have ensured that I don’t naturally get stressed up, so I can focus on my career and other businesses.

How do you run from scandals?

It just happens. For example I have been busy for several weeks; I have been traveling from one state to another to take part in one movie or the other. For me, it’s not just about being overly careful or intentionally trying to avoid scandals, but being pre-occupied with jobs. Believe me; celebrities cannot insulate themselves from scandals because even if you don’t curry one, the press could give you a bad press, such that you will be trying frantically to exonerate yourself.

Love for Charity work

This year in the month of May, Chika hosted over three thousand kids at a party, held in Agodo, Lagos. The party was part of the activities by Chika Ike Foundation, marking Children’s day. School supplies and snack boxes were handed out to the children who attended the party. She was also presented with an award of recognition at the occasion by the traditional ruler of Agodo who was present at the party.

Achievement as an actress

Between the years 2005 -2006, she did well over 20 movies to her credit. This was to the amazement of a lot of people given her quick and sudden rise to stardom and was appreciated by many. In the year 2008, Chika Ike became an unexpected star after she was cast in a leading role as an African Princess in an epic movie called Mirror of Beauty which was shot on 35mm to the international scene and was shown in seven Cinemas in London (Odeon and Cineworld) where it was premiered.

The movie was later selected the only African movie to be screened during the CANN film festival in CANNS 2008 because of the quality and beautiful African Culture exhibited in it. It also got nominations and ward in Africa. The University of Lagos, Human kinetics and health education graduate (Unilag) has graced the covers of many local and international magazines. She has appeared on numerous television shows on TV and Red Carpet events.

Entry into other venture

In September 24, 2011, Chika opened an upscale fashion accessories store, Fancy Nancy Collections in the city of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, which is now a must shop- store for those discriminating, yet fashionable taste. The free spirited actress, entrepreneur and model who is blessed with beauty, brain, fame and fortune is a recipients of several awards and honours with the most recent one from United Nation Organization as World Youth Ambassador.

Background

Born on Friday November 8th to the prominent family of Ike and grew up in a close knit family of eight in Lagos, Nigeria. She was raised by her religious parents who did not fail to imbibe discipline hard work and tolerance. Chika as a child was nick named by her nanny – Rebecca, Fancy Nancy because of her fanciful and funny character as a child. She was sometime caught in her mum’s room wearing mums high heel shoes and mimicking her mother in front of the mirror, with heavy makeup on her face.

The famous actress was called a drama queen severally by her friends and peers while growing up. Owing to her discipline, she earned the position of senior prefect and her beauty always made her to be crowed the most beautiful girl in her school. The covetous beauty started acting at age six in her local church and watched a lot of movies while growing up; this became the inception for inspiration and challenge to join the movie industry. Never backing down from challenges, she laced her shoes and stepped into the movies auditioning ground in 2004 where she was auditioned for a movie. Her hard work, patience and discipline helped her face and got prepared for most things in life, but needless to say; she was surprised and overwhelmed when called back four months later to pick up a script to do a role in Nollywood movie.

Despite the fact that the role was a minor one, she took it as a stepping stone to greater heights in her aspiring career as an actress and did it so well. This landed her another movie role, this time to play a major character. After the African beauty – first major role in movie was released; it was adjudged chart buster and a sell out in the market, resulting in directors and producers recommending her for jobs and roles in movies. That same year Chika did over five movies and was nominated as the best upcoming actress (AMAA), an Africa Movie Academy Award in 2006 and a recognition award for that same year.

GOVERNOR Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, is this month’s top African personality to be honoured by world leading celebrity magazines, Hollywood Weekly. The magazine had earlier in the month profiled Akpabio alongside those it described as admirable people who make a difference. An inventory of the governor’s activities during the celebration of 25 years of Akwa Ibom State provided the platform for which he headlined the magazine, alongside music legend Quincy Jones and America’s Got Talent’s Nick Cannon among others.

Recommended by E4 PR, Akpabio becomes the second African profiling in Hollywood. “As you are well aware, the first was the Nollywood cover with four of Nollywood’s best superstars; Joseph Benjamin, Monalisa Chinda, Desmond Elliot and Jackie Appiah, says Egor Efiok, CEO of E4 PR.

“I am using my contract with Hollywood Weekly to recognise people that support Nollywood and African entertainment in general. And as you know, Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio is well-deserving of this honour. We have all seen him sponsor movies in his state and attend movie premieres. We need other governors to emulate him. This is my way of encouraging others to follow suit.” Egor added.

Meanwhile, Governor Akpabio has been invited by Hollywood Weekly Magazine Awards (HWMA) to receive the prestigious award of Best Governor For His Support Of Nollywood & African Entertainment.

The event is scheduled for November 17, 2012, at the Iconic Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, where the organizers will be hosting their yearly star-studded red carpet event for the American Music Awards (AMA), which holds on 18th November, 2012.

Akwa Ibom state, it appears, will be sponsoring Egor Efiok’s Mystery Beads, the first Nigerian 3D movie. The movie, as explained by the producer, is a paranormal movie with a deep storyline and twist. A movie which could come across to a person as an epic, but has a beautiful mix or use of modern technology in it. It tells the story of Adidi Ata Ebua, a fictitious creation of the producer and Atim Okpo Ebot, a female water goddess and a he-goat at the same time.

The movie features Hollywood actor, Emeka Amene (NCSI, Angel), one of Ghollywood’s finest actresses, Jackie Appiah, Anthony Monjaro (pilot in Last Flight to Abuja), Julian Nnadi (Gulder’s Ultimate search).

Other stars of the movie include Ime Bishop Umo, Davies Bassey, Joseph Akahome, Frederick Leonard, Solomon Akiyesi, G-lory (singer), Ani Iyoho, Chelsea Eze, Shedrach Nwora, Belinda Effah, Captain Cassie Idagbo, Eric Anderson, Sammy Young and Ani Iyoho among others.

MY forty days leave period, which began last week, is intended for an exploration of the deeper worlds of the movie and music industry which the traditional story deadlines couldn’t afford me. Now I am beginning to sound like a workaholic. I had looked forward to this period for a good rest and reflection of my life and what the future holds. It’s my first major leave since year 2000, and as hard as it seems, I am jettisoning the four walls of my office without looking back.

My flight to Heathrow marked the beginning of this renewed reflection for the Nigerian entertainment industry. The Afro Hollywood honours done me for the second time in five years, was well-appreciated. But this is not just about Victor Akande… but of how Nollywood can grow beyond politics and become more artistic, such that, with the imminent large spectrum to be provided by digital migration in 2015, more local contents can be generated by producers. Incidentally, my acquaintance with the action lady of E4 PR, Egor Efiok aboard that Arik Air cruise was quite insightful. I’d begged her to ensure that her forthcoming paranormal film in 3D, Mystery Beads is given the best details. If that happens, with her link of getting Nollywood acts (Joseph Benjamin, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah and Desmond Elliot) and Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to be profiled by Hollywood Weekly (HW), we may just be some steps away from acquiring a category for Nollywood films at the Cannes or Berlinale if not the Oscars.

Part of my mission this period is to also explore the movie industry in Kano which many do not know produces perhaps more movies and stars than the much-talked about Nollywood. This stint may call for a brief stop-over in Jos where shooting activities within the north is said to be preferable at the moment. Therein, wouldn’t it be nice to know the state of the country’s only TV training College? I don’t want to sound preemptive.

It will also be a privilege to see the empire where most Nollywood acts find succor. The empire that houses one man, whom I learnt is a friend and benefactor to most of our entertainment stars. Perhaps the only encouragement that some of them have to carry on, especially at this period of unsettled piracy war between artistes and intellectual thieves. The home of Chief Ateke Tom, with a gate that provides red carpet of leisurely entrant for a flurry of stars who frequent this shelter – of course, no one takes a leisure walk through the creek (laughs).

Egor and Joseph Akahome shared their experiences, which border on the real life of a ‘freedom fighter’ who is perceived otherwise and referred to in derogatory terms. It’s a story we are all familiar with: The oil rich region of the Niger Delta, with its fair share of woes ever since the discovery of crude oil in its lands since the late 50’s – the story of full-fledged display of dissatisfaction by the native inhabitants who made their living through fishing and peasant farming, over apparent neglect by government and its multinational partners – the story of untold devastation in its wake; air pollution stemming from toxic fumes produced by gas flaring from offshore rigs, and the near sterilization of the aquatic environment evident in oil slicks on the surface of its waters.

Jeta Amata’s Black Gold, which was later rechristened Black November, obviously cannot present the total story; vis a vis angle, sentiment, pains, tolerance and excesses of the people, leading to the struggle of the Niger Delta race.

We need to record this unique history, beginning with the rambo-esque antics of pioneer armed Niger-Delta activist, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, during the early 60’s, to the highly publicized Ken Saro Wiwa saga that ended tragically for the writer activist with death by hanging. I recall meeting filmmaker Ron Lavery at the Toronto Film Festival, Canada in 2008; his much-publicised intention to shoot a Ken Saro Wiwa story is yet to materialise. This movie story, I believe is the kind of avenue that, schooled in a similar freedom mission as the late Ken saro Wiwa, Chief Ateke Tom could facilitate.

Ateke Tom, one of the prominent ex-leaders of the combative groups spread over the Niger Delta area, shares his thoughts on some of the issues that revolve around that situation with the E4PR team when they paid him a visit in Lagos. Now living as a free man, having embraced the amnesty programme offered by the federal government in 2009, he is said to spend most of his days attending to the plethora of guests, friends, business associates and our own entertainment celebrities, who throng his Lagos residence for varied reasons.

He recalled to his visitors that “Life in the camp was fun. Sometimes in a bid to relieve tension and to boost morale, we used to have sessions where we ‘gyrated’ to drum beats and singing. Even the soldiers (Joint Task Force meant to combat the ‘freedom fighters’) afar off could hear our voices and singing from deep within the hearts of the creeks, but could do nothing about it.”

Hear this: “Some other times, we had girls, lots of them, coming in from the nearby university, who came of their own volition to make the camp lively. If I was indeed a bad person who cut off human heads and killed at will as some would have you believe, would that have happened?” I was made out to be a beast, a terror and an unfeeling machine, who mowed people down whenever I felt like. But even you have seen for yourself the kind of person I am.” He is said to often engage his quests with a sense of good humour, such that, it seemed difficult reconciling the perception of a fear-inducing warlord with a man bantering jokes like your average guy on the streets.

But what is his interest in the entertainment industry? “I like to support them because of the achievements they have made in their field even without government support,” said Ateke to the guests. Nice… Isn’t he a Nollywood-friendly lion?

Still savouring great moments this holiday season, I am taking a look at the city of Frankfurt from my Radisson Blu hotel room, as you read this piece. I can’t wait for tomorrow, to witness in person, the world’s most prestigious and important music and entertainment events; the MTV EMA, holding at the Frankfurt’s historic Festhalle, Germany. It is unfortunate that there would be no local content to report, as Wizkid and D’banj were dropped from the African category of the competition. It would; however be an experience to share a ‘room’ with German supermodel, TV star and entrepreneur, Heidi Klum and enjoy performances by the like of Taylor Swift, Muse and other numerous leading lights of entertainment in Europe and America. I am eager to feel the impact, power and resonance of one of MTV’s most extraordinary entertainment events.

FANS of talented Nollywood actress Funke Akindele-Oloyede who have started to miss her since after her marriage can now heave a sigh of relief as their favourite star returns in this romantic comedy, A Wish, directed and produced by award winning actor and filmmaker, Elvis Chucks.

In the flick, Funke plays a banker. She falls in love with an average man who jilts her when he heard she has been diagnosed with cancer. A Wish is a hilarious comedy which features Chris Okagbue (Gulder Ultimate Search 8 winner), Helen Paul (Tatafo), Bishop Imeh, Kola Olaiya and others.

Producer, Elvis Chucks once took part in the award winning family sitcom, Super Story and also starred in several Nollywood movies before going into film making. He has two movies under his belt as a filmmaker; True Citizens which featured Uti Nwachukwu and Victims of the Society, an advocacy flick which featured veteran actress, Joke Silva.

Scheduled to premiere on Saturday, December 1, 2012 A Wish is supported by Close up, Lifebuoy, Blue Band, Genevieve, Unilever, Lipton, Onga, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info FM and OMO