Category: Entertainment

Eight years ago, Delta State indigene from Isoko to be precise, Ejiro Okurame came into the industry . among the television productions she has featured in are Hills and Valleys, Everyday People, Clinic Matters and Ashes of Love. She talks to OVWE MEDEME on life behind the camera, the benefit of having a female president for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and a host of other issues. 

HOW did you end up as an actress? I always wanted to be a model. Before I even had the notion of becoming an actress, I was into sports. I was an athlete. I was doing track events so when I graduated from the University, I was bored at home so I called a friend up and we went to a modeling agency. When we got there, we were given a job but we did not take it. Out of boredom, I decided to go to the AGN to register with them. One of the executives there registered me and I got my first job. It was stressful and challenging. I was so tensed up that I missed my lines. I was nervous and shaky but to God be the glory, I was able to pull it through. I give kudos to Rita Dominic because she helped me. When I was losing my lines, she helped me get back in character. If someone like Rita can help me get my act together, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t encourage other young ones coming up because I had a good beginning.

People will chicken out after that experience. What kept you going?

That is why I give kudos to Rita Dominic because if it had been some other A-list artiste, they might get frustrated. I was really missing my lines. I was missing the lines not because I could not read but because I was nervous. There were so many artistes in the production. I didn’t have a friend. the only friend I thought I had was the director and the director was making life miserable for me on that set so I felt so bad but I still thank God for all the lessons I learnt on that set.

You are seen more in sitcoms. Is it right to say that you have a preference for TV series?

Not really. I do movies as well but maybe because I am based in Lagos, I tend to get seen more on sitcoms. It pays me better than feature films. They pay per episode and once you are a major character, you will tend to be well paid.

A lot of actresses are coming up these days and the competition is much. What is different about you?

I don’t know. I am just me. One thing I like about my life is that I don’t pretend. If I am not down with someone, I don’t go out of my way to be friends with them. You will not see me in the person’s roundtable. I believe I am natural. I don’t keep too many friends.

What is the most challenging role you have played?

I have three of them. The first one is a film titled My Love My Sorrow. I played the role of a Warri girl, Eseoghene. I was always beating my husband and fighting him. He had this girlfriend I got to know about and I as a married woman wanted to go get my own boyfriend. I lost my voice in that flick because I was always fighting and quarrelling. There is Last Order where I played the role of a Police officer’s wife. My husband was Dauda. I was always beating him. Victor Osuagwu was also in the flick. It was challenging because I was always fighting also. The Director was so surprised at the way I acted the role that he asked me if I beat my boyfriend up in reality. The third challenging movie I have done is titled Rush Hour. It is a film that has to do with cultism on campus. I had Tonto Dikeh as my friend in the flick and I tried to initiate her into a cult. It was very challenging because we had to do a lot of night scenes at the national theatre. That same period we had fuel scarcity in Lagos. We were buying fuel at a very expensive rate but we still had to go on location. We had to report at location. The three movies were very challenging and basically those are the ones I can say I really went the extra mile.

What did you study in school?

I have a Diploma in Public Relations from Ogun State University, now known as Onabisi Onabanjo University. I also have a Degree in Sociology from Lagos State University. Even though I am from Delta State, I was born in Lagos and I grew up here.

Are you in touch with your delta roots?

Of course I am. I was in Benin City a few weeks ago. I have a couple of fans there so i went around. I also visited the family of Sam Loco Efe for the anniversary of his death. He was my father in Everyday People and we were very close. I go to Delta State all the time.

Professionally, how long have you been acting?

I have been acting since 2004. That is eight years. In those eight years, I would say I have done well but I still have a lot of home work to do. I still have a lot of places to go, I still need to work on myself. I still need people to teach me how to get my dictions right, how to pronounce, get my reactions right, how to gesticulate and all that. I believe I am still in the learning process inasmuch as I or people might feel i have gotten there. I believe I still have a lot to learn.

Could you recall your growing up years?

I had so much fun while growing up. The only disadvantage i had was that my parents were separated and it affected me. It affected me because i never grew up seeing my mum in the house. I never had that privilege. My father played the role of mother and father and he did it so well that I didn’t lack anything but I still needed my mother. I am still in touch with her. We were all together recently for a wedding. My father wouldn’t take nonsense. I don’t know if I should call him a black man in a white man’s skin. If you boil rice and there is sand in it, you are in trouble. So far, I have received a lot of encouragement from my family. I don’t have any reason to disappoint them.

Are you in a relationship?

Yes, there is a relationship.

Has your career in any way interfered with your relationship?

It hasn’t but I know he is a very jealous person.

How do you handle jealousy?

I have a secret weapon which I use for every negative thing that comes my way and that is silence. When people offend me, I keep quiet or I take a walk. When it comes to jealousy in terms of relationship, I give him the benefit of doubt that nothing is happening. Most times I get calls at odd hours and those things make spouses suspicious. It is left for me to explain to my husband-to-be and let him know that it is normal in our line of work. He has ladies around him also and whenever I want to get jealous, I always put myself in my own shoes. I ask myself how I expect him to react if it was him. If I feel that he should just understand, I should be able to understand as well. It is a matter of understanding and trust. If we have the understanding, I don’t think there would be any problem. A lot of marriages are crashing today all because couples don’t dialogue, they are not close, they don’t relate properly. I want to have my husband-to-be as my best friend, I want to have him as a confidante and I want to have him as a shoulder to cry on when I am in a depressed mood.

How did you meet?

How e concern you? I am not telling. We met and that is it.

Would you date somebody you meet on a social network?

Of course I can. You don’t just jump into dating somebody. You first have to be the person’s friend. I have friends I have met on Facebook and when I am going for events in their hood, I call them. They come around, we snap pictures and get talking. Some of them could be mischievous and funny though. Once they start acting funny like they, I just lock them out and stop taking their calls.

What is the most mischievous thing a person has done?

Some of them send me messages that they want to date me. Some say that they want me to have their babies. Some of them even want me to sponsor their businesses. I have even received proposals from people who claim they want to set up their businesses and that I should give them money. I don’t pretend. Even if they write such things on my wall, I delete them immediately. Even in families people have rivalry not to talk of someone I have never met. I wouldn’t condemn friendship on Facebook but based on what happened the last time with Cynthia, one has to be very careful.

Ibinabo Fiberisima is the first female President of AGN. What do you expect of her tenure?

For once I am very happy that a female is about to lead us. It is a good thing. It is a thing of joy. I am so excited about having her as the first female AGN President. I personally will give her all the necessary support she can get. I know it took her a long while, I know she went through a lot of stress to get to this position she is and I know she will not let the people down, she will not disappoint her fans, she will not disappoint the people who voted her in.

We will give her all the necessary support. I also know that she will take the industry to the next level. It is not by her own power but I know she will help create job opportunities for a lot of actors and actresses, especially the up and coming ones. We have a lot of registered actors who don’t even have jobs. The ones who have don’t even get their fees paid. They go through a lot of stress. The challenges of shooting a movie are numerous. It is not a normal white collar job. It is so stressful and very challenging. I know she will stand up for people who have been molested or cheated in the industry. She will help them get their rights back. As a female and as a mother, she will run the industry like her home in the sense that she will give listening ears to those who have problems.

WALE Adenuga Productions, with support from the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), is out to create awareness on issues that border around child abuse, human trafficking and prostitution.

Unveiling the next story in the award-winning Superstory series titled Itohan: A Call to Action, producer of the sitcom, Wale Adenuga said that the story is inspired by the excellent work that NAPTIP has been doing since 2003.

“Some of us have boys or girls as our domestic help without asking ourselves about their families. These young ones live under very harsh and sometimes inhuman conditions, but we never care. All we know is that there is somebody who we pay their salaries to and is supposed to send the money down to their parents in some remote village,” Adenuga said.

Revealing that the soap is being recorded in several countries around the world Adenuga said that it parades the best of Nigerian actors and comes with so much education and entertainment.

“Itohan: A Call to Action is based on the true stories of various fellow Nigerians who have fallen victim to Child Abuse, Human Trafficking and Prostitution. The story details some ways by which our brothers and sisters are deceived and also show ways of escaping and getting rescued from the situation because one thing which victims need to realize is that it is never too late to stop or be rescued,” he added.

AT a time when many think celebrities can’t handle dilemma that comes with trying to blend raising a family with profession, darling of Nigerian home video, Omoni Oboli comes full circle.

The actress recently tweeted that she’s thanking God for blessing her with such a man as husband. The couple is already on their way to Holy Land, Israel where they are expected to celebrate their 12th year wedding anniversary, if emanating feelers are anything to go by.

“I feel great celebrating 12 years of marriage. It’s amazing but it seems just like yesterday that we got married. It doesn’t feel like 12 years has come and gone. I am so thankful to God for 12 beautiful years. I have been happy, fulfilled and above all, there’s so much love in my home. My husband and I are best friends and we put Jesus in the mix. He’s with us in the marriage and a 3 fold cord cannot be easily broken! We don’t keep malice with each other, no matter what; we always try to sort out our differences even if we have to agree to disagree, that’s the secret,” the actress tweeted.

Aside being a mother and an actress, Omoni is also the ambassador of beauty care brand, Venus.

BARELY a month after entries opened for the maiden edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, held in association with Multichoice, organisers say that the entries have not stopped coming.

Created to recognize and celebrate African film and TV talent, organisers say that Industry professionals have embraced the initiative and entries are now streaming steadily in to the AfricaMagic offices.

To be held March 9, 22013, winners will be announced at a special gala event, to be screened to 48 African countries.

Explaining the entry process, Managing Director of M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi says that to ensure a methodical and tracked entry process in line with international standards, the primary method of accepting entries is through post or courier.

“However we know Discop is a highlight on the African film and TV calendar and is a popular meeting place for the industry. So we will accept awards entries at Discop. Just make sure you enter do it for yourself, for your fans, for your moment in the spotlight,” she says.

Award judge, Femi Odugbemi enjoined contestants to make haste in putting u their entries. The guidelines are simple and easy to understand. This is a huge opportunity for all professionals in front and behind the camera. I think all of us owe a duty to support every initiative that will raise the game creatively speaking,” he adds.

Funsho Peters known as Prince Labato in some popular bars in Lagos first made his debut in the music with an album entitled No Rival. And after five years, is out with another Coded8. In a chat with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, he revealed why he did not go far with his first release among other issues.

WHAT is the idea behind the stage name ‘Prince Labato’?

I got the name from my friends while we were still in secondary school. I had this friend who always called me Labato. Others just took it up from him so while going into music I decided to use the name because I felt the name will grow wider.

What brand of music are you into?

I play highlife juju music but along the line, I decided to name my music Laspana Juju music. I infuse more of Highlife into it because I had this trend of R&B settings. I decided to go through the traditional kind of juju music, rather than working with sounds.

So far, how many albums do you have?

I have two albums, Coded8 and No Rival. Coded8 is my second album. No Rival was done about five years ago and since, then I have been working on jingles for politicians, personalities and companies. I said to myself, it has been five years, so I went to the studio and did my work. That was how I came up with Coded8. The album is done to appreciate the people that I play for at the bar house where I work with my band. My new work is named after the bar where I entertain my fans. The reason I decided to name the album after them is because when I started there, I accepted as a brother and was encouraged by everyone there. So it is like an appreciation.

What was the response to your first album?

Well, I am not in the position to judge my performance or work but to me, I still see my first work as evergreen. People still ask for it. The challenge with the work has to do with marketers because they were not ready to go to any extra mile for an upcoming artiste. That was the challenge I had. I took the album to one or two marketers but they were demanding that I go and make my own copies and bring it back for them to sell. I felt that in partnering, you should be able to share the risk that comes with the project or business. So I decided to do the sales myself and to God be the glory, it moved to some reasonable extent. With my years of experience in the music business, I know Code8 will go very far.

Do you play at Coded8 alone?

I play in different bars, not just Coded8, though I have been with them for the past three years now. I was playing somewhere before they saw me and brought me to work with them. I have played in several known bars across Lagos. You known when you play around, and eventually find your root, you don’t have a choice but to stay. Here I have found my roots. I have been able to put my fans together and today, I can ask them to do anything for me because they are always there for me. I play for matured minds and I want to be as great as they are. I look at them when I play and I have reason to look ahead to my future. It is better than going around bars where there are touts dancing to one’s music. It has been working for me.

Are you saying you are boxed into playing the bar alone?

Five years ago when I released my first album, I did not know it was going to be like this. But I came out with a video, and it was played on LTV on Owuru Lawa. I had one or two interviews done by presenter Jaire Martins. Like I do say to my fellow artistes, the cost of promotion is very expensive. While you are still trying to be a star and finding your feet, and style music, you still find yourself focusing more on your work than focusing on TV or radio promotions. Now that I have gotten to a reasonable level of my career and found a style of my own, I can now do more on that aspect. I know it will cost me much, but I am ready to go through that stage now.

It is rare to see a juju artiste with dreadlock. Why did you choose to be on one?

The dread just came sometime ago. It is a look that I just had on recently. I used to be on my full afro hair style. I do not like having to cut my hair because when I do, people tell me that I look smallish. The reason I was keeping the old school style then was because I meet people every day and in order to earn my respect, I needed something to make me look my age. At the same time, I have been intending to get myself an identity so rather than putting on a hat, I decided to wear dreadlocks. At some point, people started asking me to leave it, although it was a bit tough, because people were giving me different opinion. Along the line, I went for the majority of the people who said I should leave it.

Don’t you feel that it makes you look irresponsible?

It depends on the personality. That is what people feel or say. But when you wear dreadlocks and you are into entertainment, I see no reason why you should be looked at as an irresponsible person. I feel that anybody that is with a particular look is trying to create a personality for him or herself. I also believe that it is what you do that makes you look or feel responsible. Your music is not your appearance, but your way of life and the things you do. I will tell you something, at the bar, where I play, I have seen lawyers and other responsible people who come to meet me and tell me that they like the new look. Juju artistes do not wear dreadlocks but people love it when you try to borrow something from other genre of music and introduce it into juju music. It makes it unique in its own way and that is the reason I decided to take it as my identity. It is better than plaiting the hair or combing it.

You seem to be always busy. What keeps you active?

I do not smoke, I have never smoked and I will never smoke in my life. Though I drink once in a while when I feel too tired to climb the stage, I cannot say I am an addict. I can say I have enough time on my hands to rest. That is because my Mondays to Thursdays are always free. So I use that to spend time with family, visit my fans and friends and try to talk with them.

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Funsho Peters. I clocked 30 last month and to God be the glory; with my small look I have a family of my own. I have a wife and a baby girl.

BETWEEN the 16th and 18th of November 2012, frontline Nigerian celebrities will converge with the Nigerian community and friends of Nigeria in Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, UK and more, at the Nigerian Green-White-Green Cultural show and musical concert in Paris, France, dedicated to Nigeria at 52.

The cultural show aims to salute, honour and celebrate Motherland, Nigeria and promote socio-cultural relations and learning between France nay Europe and Nigeria.

The three-day event which will showcase ‘Nigeria in Europe’ will be the first elaborate celebration of Nigeria and its rich culture in the European continent.

The event is inspired by spirit of true patriotism enshrined in the Nigerian Community living in

Paris, France, and their deep desire to celebrate their motherland, at all times.

The event conceptualized and presented by: Ekotainment Productions/Hemmalux Entertainment Ivaughan-Johnson Productions, Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with Miiki Restaurant: J.J Soolifan International, Paris, France hopes to gather notable Nigerian performing artistes, Nollywood stars and comedians to grace the event such as Sir Sina Peters, Pasuma Wonder, 9ice, Dare Art Alade, Waje, Bracket, Omawunmi, lyanya, Tunde Samson, Omoni Oboli, Nse lkpe Etim, Desmond Elliot, Joke Silva, Aki & Pawpaw, Yomi Fash Lanso, Kalu Ikeagwu, Segun Arinze, lyaho Ojo, Ekpeyong Hassey, Gbenga Adeyinka, Seyi Law, Gordons, Princess and many others.

NO doubt 2012 will be a year Nollywood diva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, won’t forget in a hurry as she grabbed the headlines in spectacular fashion judging by the quality of the kind of jobs she did.

It is safe to say that the year has been incredible for the superstar. From being rated one of the highest paid actresses to being about the busiest on locations of big budget movies, Omosexy has had a full calendar and bag as well.

It will be recalled that the sexy actress starred in the acclaimed Ties That Bind alongside Hollywood’s Kimberley Elise, Kofi Adjorlolo, Ama K, Khareemar Aguiar among others.

Still in 2012 she played the leading role in the high budget Tarila Thompson’s movie, Up Creek still in post-production stage. She was also on call for Teco Benson’s film Blood on the Lagoon also in post-production.

The multiple award winner thereafter went on to star in the movie Amina alongside British actor Wil Johnson and Vincent Regan , a movie written, produced and directed by Christian Ashaiku, where she plays the character of a woman suffering from mental disorder. The movie recently premiered at the prestigious Empire Leicester square London to great reviews.

As icing on the cake, the actress was recently honoured as the first ever African film icon in the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts awards (BEFFTA) for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally. BEFFTA is an award aimed at celebrating achievements of black and ethnic personalities in showbiz globally.