The Nation Newspaper

Category: Victor Akande

  • SOLA SOBOWALE, others endorse ‘Seven and a Half Dates’

    As ‘Seven and a Half Dates’ heads to cinemas nationwide on August 3, 2018, some of Nollywood’s finest have endorsed the movie which tells the story of a father who set up 10 dates for his unwilling daughter.

    Speaking on the movie, one of the cast, Sola Sobowale, said: “It isunique, it is beautiful, lots of emotions and it has everything you will love to see in it. I am extremely glad to be part of this. The cast is beautiful, the script is well written and it addresses everything the society has so much say on. Trust me, it is a very relatable movie that no one wants to miss.”

    Hoping the movie would break box-office, Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, urged everyone including filmmakers to watch the movie, saying: “I hope every single person who is passionate about education and entertainment in filmmaking will go see this movie because it is a genuinely well written and educating movie that would reach out and connect with everyone.”

    Speaking on what set the movie apart from the regular Nollywood movie, actress Faithia William said the movie “treats every societal issue from marital pressure, domestic violence, rape, feminism to everything. You name it. Also, the fact that it preaches love at the end of the day sets it apart from the usual stories.”

    ‘Seven and a Half Dates’ parades actors like Jim Iyke, Sola Sobowale, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Akin Lewis, Toyin Abraham, Faithia Williams, Frank Donga, McLively, Ali Nuhu, Bayray McNwizu, Roxy Antak and Chris

    Iheuwa. It was produced by Toyin Abraham in collaborations with Director Biodun Stephen, Writer Joy Isi Bewaji and Samuel Olatunji as the executive producer.

  • Ruggedman apologises to police officer

    As a result of an open letter from Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, to Ruggedman, following his outburst on officer Shogunle who was said to have decamped from #ENDSARS party to #ReformSars, the rapper took to his Instagram page to apologise, admitting that he was too hard on the officer.

    Uploading a picture of himself with the PRO he wrote, “Officer @opetodolapo if you know how much I love and respect you, you will never think I will bring any negativity towards you. You are a no nonsense taking person just like I am and that’s also one of the things I like about you.

    “Just like you won’t take what is not right, I won’t too. Just like you speak up, I do too. I admit I was harsh on officer Shogunle, but I had every right to cos it was out of anger. Which I have made amends and I am here to do same with this, because I believe we are on the same side. You do not use anyones name, brand and image without permission. Especially if it is passing a message that is deemed wrong by the owner”.

    “We want the brutality and wrong doings to end, be it #endsars #reformsars #reformNigerianPolice #eatwithsars or #entertainmentmeetsecurity .The end to innocent Nigerians suffering at the hands of bad officers is what we are clamouring for. For officers to respect citizen’s rights and vice versa is what we want. So that naija can be a place we all move freely, except for criminals”.

    “We are supposed to run to officers for help and not run away when we see them. Let’s all play our parts to help Nigeria get better. Accept my apology for anything I did to upset you, you remain my super cop and I miss our friendship”.

    The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police, has been under criticisms for high-handedness and molesting of citizens necessitating the #endsars campaign calling for the scrap of the unit.

  • Raheem out with ‘Faaji’

    N.O.W Music artiste Towolawi Ibrahim, who simply goes by Raheem, has released his latest studio effort titled ‘Faaji.’

    According to Raheem, ‘Faaji’, a classic highlife song, was produced by Ice-berg beatz and it was inspired by his environment, people and things he sees mostly.

    “My immediate environment inspires me,” he said.

    “People and things around me for instance- close friends inspired the song(Faaji) and each of my song has a message embedded in it. So, if you get to listen to ‘Faaji,’ you will get to have a wide understanding of what the song is all about.

    “I just wanted to create a song that will make people happy and that’s exactly what I did with ‘Faaji.’ It’s a song telling you to forget whatever situations you may be going through and have a good time. It Is a motivational song saying nothing in this world should bring you down, you should enjoy every moment of the day as it comes.”

    The promising act whose previous single, ‘Ibebe idi,’ got fans dancing revealed that works are in the pipeline for the visuals of ‘Faaji’.

    “yes, we presently have a viral video out for ‘Faaji’ but we are working on other several projects so a lot of great stuff is definitely coming your way from N.O.W Music world and Raheem.”

  • OOU graduate emerges face of CandyCity USA

    Saedat Ilesanmi, a graduate of Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has been announced the winner of Face of CandyCity USA. The elated queen expressed joy as she was crowned.

    “I feel amazing being named Face of Candycity USA out of thousands of other participants,” she said.

    “I have participated in several pageants and have been a runner-up lots of other times. Once you’ve been runner-up a few times you start thinking, ‘ok, it’s time for me to win.’ And yet it can still take a long time to happen, because each pageant is a learning experience.

    “There were so many contestants with vast experience and that made me totally relaxed and my attitude was more of let’s just have fun. I loved every moment of it and I’d do it again if I had the chance.”

    Speaking on her pet project, the beauty queen said she would focus on empowering women by promoting the importance of education.

    “I’m very passionate about uplifting others, so I will create platforms that will focus on Integrating and empowering women by promoting the importance of education,” she said.

    “My platform will empower the millennial females with a progressive drive but who have been deprived due to socio-economic constraints. My cause is to reintegrate these girls – lost girls, dropouts, less fortunate females into the society by providing them with useful, practical and professional trainings in terms of business and self-development.”

  • Kate Henshaw showers fans with 300k in birthday giveaway

    To mark her birthday which took place on July 19, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw, announced a birthday give away viral challenge for her online community which will have three lucky winners win a skilled training worth N100, 000 each to learn how to make hair closures from scratch at the Flair Hair Academy.

    “A birthday is always a good time to be thankful, reflect, count one’s blessings and give back as true happiness lies in putting a smile on the faces of others,” she wrote.

    “Together with Flair Hair Academy, I am presenting a one day closure training for 3 lucky people.”

    Also, to celebrate Kate, fellow entertainer and popular comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, used her movie titles to describe his love for the actress who has used her talents to pass across several messages to the society.

    Showing his writing skills, the comedian/ actor wrote on his Instagram “Dear Omono, 25 years ago at exactly ‘When the Sunset’ was when Bob Manuel snatched you away from me, though my love for you was far ‘Above Death’ as I trusted God to move on in 2003. It was ‘A Million Tears’ for you when you got to know ‘The Game Men Play’ in 2006. I also got the good news that you felt ‘Stronger than Pain’ after your last experience in 2007.

    “Love brought me back to you, and I was there when ‘Basorge came again with his own eye service of ‘Do Good’, ‘Broken Tears’ became mine in 2008, as the ‘Assassin’s Practice’ was what I had in mind at ‘The Meeting’ where I was ‘Busted’ by ‘The Women’ who claimed to have understood ‘The Scars of Womanhood’ in your favour. “Omono, the spirit of ‘Roti’ will not spare our oppressors from the ‘Consequences’ of all the heartbreak they cost us. You may choose to want to believe that my coming back for you is already a ‘Broken Ambition’ or the ‘End of Battle’ concerning our ‘Couples Award’ goal from way back, but you of all people should know that ‘Fighting for Nothing’ is not the portion of a man with ‘New Money’”.

  • Jos: When gunshots are louder than mics

    THE once peaceful cosmopolitan city of Jos, Plateau State, has witnessed so many crises in recent times, rocking a long serene atmosphere that had produced some of the best talents in the Nigerian creative sector.

    With the most recent being the killing of over 200 persons in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, one begins to wonder if the city can ever remain the same again. This doubt puts a huge burden on the creative growth of Nigeria, knowing that Jos, has proven to be, arguably, the most fertile ground for creative talents in the country.

    The heavily armed gunmen were said to have invaded villages, including Exland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk, all in Gashish district as well as Rakok, Kok and Razat villages in Ropp district of the local government area, shooting sporadically, killing people, injuring others and setting structures ablaze.

    In the midst of these serial massacres, the loud and thrilling musical pitch that has quenched the appetite of the entire country for good music and celebrations from Jos, has been submerged by the violent sound of guns, with so much blood on the dance floor. How do we dance?

    I once talked about Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba not singing loud enough against killings in Benue – his home state – not knowing that the land where he cut his musical teeth was next in target. Now, there are more voices that should speak up against these bloodbaths, and it appears they are in slumber. No nagging singles by individual singers to condemn the act, no concerts by artistes from Jos to protest the gruesome killings, no marching to the National Assembly or television stations, nothing. Yet, you can’t beat the list of artistes from Jos who are doing just great in their music careers, even in the movie industry.

    Like 2Baba, other artistes whose artistic cakes were baked in Jos include, Peter and Paul Okoye, aka P-Square; Jude Abaga, aka M.I; Panshak Zamani, aka Ice Prince; Jesse Garba Abaga, aka Jesse Jagz; Emmanuel Bez Idakula, aka Bez; Jeremiah Pam Gyang; Ruby Gyang; Retyit Seth Maxwell Dayok, aka Mista Seth; Victor Chinedu Onyewuch, aka Charass;  Emmanuel Obiako, aka Young I.B and Chukwuka O. Michael, aka Chupizu, Panam Percy Paul, and Suka Andrew among others.

    As pointed out in my last piece on the subject, if the powers that be – including political leaders in the State have lost the volume with which they seek political offices in this seemingly unending war against their own, ravaging homes and sniffing life out of harmless women and children – what has become of the voice of musicians and their heavenly gift that we know commands attention?

    If this new age nomads who operate as a terrorist group have enjoyed a blackmailing hold on the political sensibility of this country than the Boko Haram insurgents, how have they also cowed the artistes from speaking up?

    It is sad that over the year, more than 100 farmers have been reportedly killed in Benue, as the violent confrontation between armed herders and unarmed farmers is on the rise, with the nation’s security agency yet to arrest the situation.

  • ‘My tribal marks no barrier’

    Veteran Yoruba actress, Ayandotun Emmanuel, who is popularly known as Ayoka Ologede has said that her tribal marks did not stand as a barrier in her acting career.

    She revealed this in a chat with The Nation.

    “I didn’t feel threatened by my tribal marks; in fact, people loved me for them,” she said.

    “I was very comfortable with them and they became like a signature for me.”

    The actress also said times have changed in terms of promotion of movies.

    “Back in the days when I was with Late Herbert Ogunde, when we wanted to promote a movie, we will move round towns in the different states in big bushes where you will see us dancing to the rhythm coming from drums. It was fun back then.

    “But all has changed now and everything has gone digital”.

    The actress comes from a background where drummers make a living through dance and stage plays, which led to her choice after elementary school.

  • CHIKA IKE to sign autographs today

    In order to officially meet with her fans after the launch of her book, ‘Boss Up’, Nollywood actress Chika Ike is set to sign autographs today.

    The event takes place in Lagos, according to the Ike, who recently joined the league of actors-turned-authors.

    “Having my first official book signing today Saturday the 7th of July; so if you are based in Lagos and will like to get an autograph book from me,  send a Dm to @Bossupbook,” she wrote.

    The book, which was written as a guide to living a good life, took the actress seven years to write and publish.

    “Seven years of documenting my thoughts, emotions, truth and events that taught me some life lessons and brought me to this point. Three years ago before my mum passed on, she was also an author and was aware of my unpublished book. She looked at me, held my hands and told me to tell my truth. I’m a very guarded person, my walls are up because life has thrown me so many curved balls; I brought down all my walls in this book, because the truth is we are on this earth to share and not just to take.

    “I finally bossed up and got my book published. ‘Boss Up’ is one of my ways of giving back.”

    Ike is a successful filmmaker; a Harvard-trained business woman and a philanthropist, who is passionate about empowering young people.

  • Olakira drops debut singles

    Newly unveiled artiste signed to U & I Music, Olakira, makes a debut into the Nigerian music scene with the release of two singles titled Hey Lover and Flirty Signal. Olakira whose real name is ‘Ade Ebenezer’ is an Afro-Pop and RnB artiste who hails from Ogun state in Nigeria. He is a producer, composer, songwriter, singer and also plays most musical instruments. The artiste says he is fixated on showcasing the very best; beginning with these two new singles; as he gradually takes the Nigerian music industry by storm.

    Speaking on his plans, Olakira commented: ‘Getting a platform to help develop and showcase my gifts had always been my major challenge till I got signed to the U & I Music label, one that truly understands me and treats me like family. With this opportunity I want to make a positive mark in the industry that will stand the test of time and for Olakira to become a household name, both home and abroad. My music is out on every musical platform and blog.’

    Commenting on the newly signed artiste, U&I Music executive, “Ra” said: ‘Olakira’s humility, loyalty and significant contributions to exceptional songs like “Akube” and“My Woman” was outstanding. I have an addiction for good music and therefore could not resist developing and showcasing great talents to the world. It truly gives me joy, GOD be our guide.’

  • PayDay out in cinemas July 13

    Payday, a movie written and directed by Cheta Chukwu, is now out in cinemas. Produced by Orwi Manny Ameh, PayDay follows the story of two best friends and flatmates, Paul and Ortega, who just before they renew their yearly rent suddenly lose their landlord who seemingly has no heir apparent. The young men decide to seize the opportunity to ‘enjoy’ a little.

    Unfortunately, the landlord’s daughter shows up and gives the boys a 24-hour notice to pay up or quit. The boys then embark on an overnight scheme to recover the rent, leading to a dangerous encounter.

    PayDday features actors who include Big Brother Naija runner Up Bisola Aiyeola, Baaj Adebule, Comedian Ebiye Victor, Mawuli Gavor, Meg Otanwa and Zack Orji.

    Revolutionary director, Cheta Chukwu, echoes the newly formed perspectives of cinemagoers in Nigeria, who are more concerned about resourceful stories rather than the faces, as he rowed his boat to a totally new direction by making use of young and talented actors in his cinema debut, PayDay.

    “I want to tell African stories for not just Nigerians, but the global audience,” he said.

    “With the success of Black Panther, the world has started paying attention to African Cinema and I feel that as filmmakers, it is our duty to tell stories that are originally African to the world. Pay Day promises a story like you have never seen before; a feel good comedy and an extraordinary acting skill.”

    Sharing his experience on set, Adebule, who played one on the flatmates, Paul, said this is his first time he would be doing comedy, adding that the set was more like an adventure to him.

    “It took a lot of learning, research and patience,” he said.

    “Interpreting comedy requires getting your timing right, else your audience miss the joke. Shooting the movie however took longer than planned because sometimes planning can go wrong. We shot both in Lagos and Abuja and we had a lot of night shoots too. At the end, it was all worth it.”