The Nation Newspaper

Category: Victor Akande

  • 33 Export takes friendship party to Ikorodu, Onitsha

    In continuation of its desire to create memorable experiences for its consumers, 33 Export Lager Beer, recently hosted its consumers to another edition of its friendship experience party in the beautiful cities of Lagos and Onitsha.

    The party which simultaneously kicked off at 5pm at Sweet Garden, in G.R.A Onitsha and F1 Sports Bar at Ikorodu, Lagos witnessed a great turnout of friends from all nooks and crannies of Onitsha and Lagos respectively as the energy around the event was positive as consumers celebrated and cheered the Brand.

    The friendship party featured a lot of mind blowing social activities and performances that lightened up the mood as friends were treated to an evening of unforgettable fun activities by Comedians and Musical talents.

    There were also engaging and interesting games like Jenga and Connect Four which livened up the party scenarios.

    “We are delighted for this initiative that “33” export brand started; it is really the most hearty way of celebrating with your friends. Me and my friends have been close for seven years and it is a great achievement as we have achieved a lot of things together in the most progressive way” Said Tunde, a consumer.

    He concluded by saying, 33 Export is a brand that they celebrate with as it gives them the smooth satisfaction they want.

    Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu, also said; “the brand recognised the importance of friendships in the lives of consumers hence the ‘Friendship Experience Parties’. This is used to reaffirm the brands commitment to providing excellent and memorable experiences in line with its reputation where friends from all over connect and share memorable moments.”

    He also revealed that 33 Export Lager will be taking the Friendship experience party to other cities including Enugu and Abuja amongst others.

  • Lasisi Elenu is still trying to be relevant

    Although he comes across as confident and successful as a comic character, internet comedian, Nosa Afolabi, popularly known as Lasisi Elenu, has said that he is still trying to find his bearing.

    Speaking on his journey so far, Lasisi said that although it has not been a smooth sail, he has been lucky because the new media provides a platform that help to fast-track his progress. That notwithstanding, he admits that there is still a lot of grounds to be covered.

    “I’m still trying to set myself together and push myself forward. I’m still trying to find a balance, still trying to be relevant,” he said in response to a question at the recently held NEClive6.

    On his experience in establishing his brand online, the comedian, who became popular for his angry rants on sundry issues, said that it took persistence and determination.

    “In some cases, I feel the new media gives hope to a lot of the up and coming acts, and that is why today, people like me can sit here and give a speech on a platform like this. A lot of us didn’t have to go through the process the old hands had to go through. We didn’t need to come up under any comedian,” he said.

  • Jude Idada: …And Sankara resurrects in Lagos

    As the Nigerian political scene continues to seek the right leadership, notable Nigerian storyteller, Jude Idada joins the conversation with the production of ‘Sankara’, his second stage play this year.

    The play which received overwhelming feedbacks after it was staged at the Shell Hall of Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on Sunday April 22, 2018 shows how in a space of four years, former leader Sankara renamed his country – Burkina Faso – meaning  – The Land of Upright Men, and singlehandedly rewrote a new anthem, and with the force of his will, vision, courage and integrity transformed the country from a dusty Sahel waste land of want and deprivation into a bustling self-reliant economy that was brimming with cultural, social and historical renaissance.

    “… It was like Sankara himself had risen from the grave and was right there on stage,” said Senator Florence Ita – Giwa, just as another member of the audience, Marvelous Dominion noted: “I learnt a whole lot last night from this performance, a whole lot I can’t begin to express it all. I left that hall with food for thought. I only wish great men of this country would pick a thing or two from Thomas Sankara’s story during his reign as President of Burkina Faso.”

    The audience laughed and cried at other moments. They stayed after the show for a while, taking pictures and sharing more information about the life of Thomas Sankara.

    “Sankara’-the play is a pulsing dramatic thriller about the last 100 hours in the life of a great African patriot and recreates the cumulative events that led to his assassination by his best friend and deputy, Captain Blaise Compáore, in collusion with local conspirators and foreign governments. It also espouses his vision for a new Africa and his hope that one day, Africa will rise from the ashes of its past into the magnificence of its glorious future.

    It is a story of vision, faith, patriotism, treachery, betrayal and one man’s indefatigable love for his country and continent.

    Starring Patrick Diabuah as Captain Thomas Sankara; Kelvinmary Ndukwe as Captain Blaise Compàore; Chris Iheuwa/Austine Onouha as Captain Gilbert Diendéré; Deola Gimbiya as Mariam Sankara; Charles Etubiebi/Abiodun Kazeem as Traore Alouna; and Sarah Boulos as Valerie Giroud, the play, according to its playwright/director, Jude Idada, was inspired by “the true-life events that led to the end of the life of a great revolutionary hero and an icon to the students union political movement in Nigeria.”

    The play is an adaptation of Idada’s book of the same title published by Parresia Books under their Origami Imprint and available in bookstores and online.

    According to Idada, “It was also inspired by the need to show Nigerians what true leadership really looks like because we are living in an age where the common man on the street and even the elite cannot identify what a great leader should look like, hence they end up voting in or fighting for lesser crooks to replace bigger crooks when as Sankara had shown through his exemplary life, a good leader must not be a crook in the first place.

    “In addition to that, it was inspired by the need to show a vision of a prosperous, self-reliant, proud, effective and law-abiding society which Sankara had. A vision hinged on the notion that first and foremost, Africa must be for Africans, with the belief that it was the only way towards true success, in the ilk of the Asian tigers.”

    The play has Winifred Adufe Dibie and Nnamani Tochukwu as producers; Achalugo Ezekobe as Co – Producer; Bayo Sodiq as Production Manager; Dotun Olagbadebo as Stage Manager; Gloria Teshi Biachi as Costume Designer; and Cynthia Isaiah as the Make Up Artiste.

    As guests at the show continue to give their positive remarks, Kinabuti says, “…this play has inspired me and given me a purpose, to be a better person…”

    Anthony Effiong says: “… Fabulous show. Was transported and inspired all at the same time.”

    According to Femi Olayiwole, “… I kept wondering if Sankara wasn’t killed, maybe Burkina Faso will be Wakanda,” just as Chikaodili Louis Okoye opined: “… Please this play must go on tour. The government should also buy copies of the play and share it to all citizens. It is so powerfully written and shares so many messages and teaches so many lessons. I can see it again and again and again.”

    For Pricilla Nwikpo: “… What a great way to end my birthday. Wow is all I can say. And the actor that played Sankara, my God! He is awesome. Yes, Sankara is truly the greatest president Africa never had.”

    Indeed, Jude Idada makes a bold statement with ‘Sankara’ stage play as Nigerians seek another round of elections next year.

  • JIMI SOLANKE: Arts now attract good money

    Olujimi Adeboye Solanke, popularly known as Uncle Jimi, is a colossus on the Nigerian arts and culture scene. Recently, the playwright, actor, poet and singer featured in a highlife track, Ife Baba Agba by Poskii. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., Uncle Jimi shares his early beginnings, his view on Nigerian arts and other issues. Excerpts

    Birth

    I was born of some humble parents from Ipara Remo, Remo North part of Ogun State. Ipara is a small serene town in Remo North Local Government. And I was born in Lagos, fourth of July, 1942

    Incursion into children’s programmes

    The very first one when I came back from the US was ‘Family Scene’ on LTV 8. It was when we had a lull then that NTA invited me to come d a children’s programme workshop at the Jos NTA Jos Film School in Jos.

    And so, from the different deliberations, we came up with StoryLand where we would be telling stories and there wold be insertions of artistic works by artists who must have drawn them, me and my guitar and all that. It became very popular and was run for about six or seven years. And when they had a problem of recording me, a friend of mine who owned a television station, Galaxy, said instead of me going to Lagos to record, he would be coming to meet me in Ife. So, I recorded series of ‘Family Reflections. We called that ‘Family Reflections.’ After that, I designed the one for AIT, ‘African Stories on AIT.’

    You’re a man of many parts. Can we get an historical background to your career path in music, theatre?

    Even before I left secondary school, I have been writing songs that were recorded by big bands (hums tunes from old music he wrote).

    Which secondary school?

    Odogbolu Grammar School in Ijebu Province those days, not too far from Ikenne. And when I was already leading a band in the school. But when I finished from school and went to Ibadan, where I was staying was very close to the area where the nightclubs was, Okebola.

    There were so many bands and I was singing with them until I rose to singing with Chris Ajilo at Gangan night club. That’s how I started because I refused to go to work to become a printing press engineer. I refused it because all my hands would be dirty. And the next morning, if I go to work, imagine somebody who left the night club about 5:30 in the morning and has to be at work at about 7:30am, the spate of time between that, I would still be sleeping.

    And I would be dreaming that if I dare go on that horse ladder, somebody who is supposed to be taken care of things like this, I would fall. And I would fall with my head shattered. I don’t like my hands to be dirty, with grease and all that, dungarees and overalls and all that. That’s how I sneaked off Caxton Press. And my uncle gave me the opportunity to be myself when he said ‘if you know you’re not going to be going to work, leave my house.’

    He was the representative of Western Region in London. So, I left his house and I quickly went somewhere where I was staying with some bandsmen and then became so free in Ibadan for artworks. That’s how I entered Mbari in Ibadan and I was opened to arts with Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Yemi Lijadu, Chris Okigbo, Demas Nwoko, the Mbari Group very strong. And they inspired me into poetry readings, folk singing, drama. In 1963, they started the school of drama. So, we all applied and I was admitted to the University of Ibadan School Of Drama, first school of drama in Africa. And they wanted us to stay but I was already a singer. So, I just went professional as an actor then. I was there for another three years with the acting company. Then I went to Ife in 1969.

    Becoming Ovonramwen

    Since I’ve learnt how to dance, I’ve learnt how to act, I know how to sing, I became Assistant Director to three Directors – Peggy Harper  (dance), Akin Euba (Music), Ola Rotimi (Drama). So, I worked at Ori Olokun strongly in Ife until we did a show and we were taken to Benin. And Ogbemudia (former military governor of old Bendel State) said, ‘you can’t take our Oba back) because I played Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. And Ogbemudia said ‘this is our Oba. He’s not going to Ife with you anymore.’ So, I stayed as Senior Cultural Officer at the Midwest Arts Council, setting up the dance, music and drama section.

    You recently did a duet, ‘Baba Agba’, with Poskii, a younger generation musician. With the background you have and the experience of doing the collabo, what can you say about song writing today?

    Yes, that’s the reason I even allowed the collaboration with Poskii because all the materials on his album are decent. You want put your name that I’m part of this. There are so many albums or tracks or song writing these days that as a father and grandfather, you will think, I don’t want to mention anyone. I was listening to one and it was on a campus. What I was hearing was disturbing my ears. It’s horrible. There is no song writing anymore. They just take one phrase and repeat it for the next 10 minutes. Songs do not come from any magical source. There must be a reason why you are writing a song. You just don’t go to the studio as they do these days and run one phrase from the bus conductor.

    Would you blame the media for the kind of music that we have?

    Definitely, you see, majority of the people working in our media now, I don’t know how that has helped them, as long as you put ‘brown envelope’ in their hands, whether you want them to say red is black or green is blue, they would go to that extent to satisfy you. That is not productive media anymore. That is ‘jeun-jeun’ media. How can the radio, instead of doing the attitude of ‘Not To Be Broadcast’, they unleash rubbish on the populace. What kind of a media is that? It’s terrible. So, part of the blame must be on such media practitioners in that area because they have given everything to the dogs.

    Can acting be learnt?

    Yes, it can be. We are ready to pass on because maybe give me 20 years, I would be gone. We want to start where we can pass it on, give back to some people because I notice that there are different kinds of acting schools, film schools and colleges. And who teaches the acting there?

    Tell us about your training centre

    Centre for Creative and performing Arts Enhancement, Ipara Remo. I’m building. I have 10 hectare land that I’m collecting works to knock the place the out. But Ife has held me back a little bit. I’m off the grips of Ife now.

    Are you retired now?

    I am retired but I love Ife. I cannot stay in my grandfather’s house where my father stayed until he was nearly 101 and died. I don’t want to do anything in that kind of house. So, I’m just building the headquarters of the centre in Ipara. It’s taking shape. It will be habitable anytime from now.

    You recorded a track ‘Baba Agba’ back in day and also featuring in Poskii’s new track called ‘Ife Baba Agba’, what’s the difference in experience.

    The ‘Baba Agba’ song that I had was recorded in 1986. When we were doing dance drama, I wrote a song for Peggy Harper in a dance drama, Wura Kapali. And after a long time, I saw people using that song. So, when I came back from the US and joined them again at the department when Professor Soyinka said that I should stay, that song, the tune, the body, everything, some people, I don’t want to mention names now – they said they want to use it in drama.

    So, I just got home one evening, the song was full in my mind – and I changed just one or two words. And the song became a hit. And so, they were calling me Baba Agba till now, when I drive past in Ife. So, I’ve been Baba Agba even when I was just 40. So, for him (Poskii) to now say Ife Baba Agba, that wraps it and I said, well, let’s see.

    So, what’s your general assessment of the arts now in the country?

    It is when art is attracting good money that we are getting less than the best from them (artistes). All our artistes now gout and earn millions. We were just discussing it. Somebody said, ‘my friend, when we were carrying Bolekaja to carry instruments all over the place, they were giving us pittance. Now, all you need do is just your CD and you into a millionaire’s house, they give you five million and they give you another two million for transportation for just singing. So, whoever is in the arts now, don’t stop because the doors are open now. Between December and now, I’ve done about one million, 1.5 million naira job for singing for 30 minutes because I’m consistent. Some people already gave up. Because I’m consistent, now, they are paying me the amount they should pay me. So, now is when good artistes must polish their acts.

  • Osuagwu Ijeoma Jovita unveils ‘Mama Africa’

    Nollywood star, Osuagwu Ijeoma Jovita is out with a new movie titled, Mama Africa. Described as a comedy movie that boasts of a huge cast of hilarious actors whose roles on this movie makes it rib cracking, the actress revealed that she Ijeoma gave it her all in this movie showing her fans a more hilarious side of herself.

    ‘Mama Africa’, she said, is a story of Angela, played by Osuagwu herself, who won a three weeks all-expense paid trip to Kingston, Jamaica with her lover and brought back a new Rasta man mentality to her village.

    The actress took to her social media accounts to share some promotional pictures of the movie and start a major campaign for it.

    She also announced that she would be releasing the list of the all-star cast members on a later date.

  • Dotun is a ‘Lazy Nigerian Youth’

    Cool FM OAP, Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode, better known as Do2dTun, has hinted that he is a Lazy Nigerian Youth. This is coming after the President of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari declared that majority of Nigerian youths are lazy and depend on the government to do everything for them.

    During a session at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, President Buhari said; “Our population is estimated conservatively to be 180 million. More than 60 percent of the population is below the age of 30. A lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore they should sit and do nothing and get housing, healthcare and education free.”

    This sparked a reaction among Nigerians online, most of whom took to Twitter to list out how they have to do two or three jobs to survive the challenges they face. Using the hashtag #LazyNigerianYouths, young Nigerians expressed displeasure at the president’s statement.

    However, on a lighter note, Dotun posted a photograph on himself sitting idly in a studio. He captioned it, ‘I am kuku not doing anything #LazyNigerianYouths.”

  • KCEE: I’m a conveyor of a positive movement

    Having been promoting his musical video titled ‘Bullion Squad’, in line with his birthday bash, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, known as Kcee, has said that despite all the paparazzi, he is still a conveyor of a positive movement.

    The artiste unveils the new single on April 18, 2018, which also happens to be his date of birth.

    Flooding his Instagram with promotion pictures of his birthday and video, he captioned on of the picture thus, “The joy of a new wave. Music brings joy, proud to be a conveyor of a positive movement”.

    He also noted that to get to the next level in life, you need face the man in the mirror, which is the real reflection of who you are. “Sometimes in order to get to the next level, you need to separate yourself from others and face the man in the mirror”.

    The promotion of the new song whicch features Alex Ekubo and Ik Ogbonna has been ongoing for a while.

    Born 18 April 1979, the crooner of popular ring tune ‘Limpopo’ is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formerly in the Hip Hop duo group called Kc Presh which reign for 12 years.  He currently has a record deal with Five Star Music.

  • Adebimpe Oyebade’s pledge to fans

    For Nollywood industry watchers, the introduction of Adebimpe Oyebade, last year onto the scene has announced the breath of a fresh air. However, the Ekiti-born thespian believes what she is bringing to the table is different.

    She has also stated that she is working vigorously to ensure she doesn’t disappoint her growing base of fans who are excited to see her make the waves they so desire.

    The dark skinned model, who has worked for top clothing brands like Tiannahs Empire, Black Colony, Yes I Do Bridals, Bash House of Denim, Olalee Couture, MO Luxury Hair, HairWeAre, just to mention a few made her Nollywood debut as the star actress in ‘Agbede Meji’, a blockbuster movie produced in 2017 by Yomi Fabiyi.

    She acted alongside industry heavyweights such as Toyin Abraham, Gabriel Afolayan, Kemi Afolabi, Stella Monye and many others. The rising star who movie buff see as fresh and intuitive in her interpretation of characters just released DEAR SISTER, a movie that deals with rivalry among siblings and featured stars like Opeyemi Aiyeola, Nino B, Niyi Johnson,Yinka quadri and the likes.

    With over 15 features films in six months and a new advert campaign for House of Tara, shot and directed by prolific filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba in her CV, we can’t but concur that Mo’Bimpe, as she is fondly called, is the new future of Movie and Modeling in Nigeria.

  • I wrote ‘Butterflies’ at third trimester, says Omawumi

    Speaking on one of her singles in her latest work Timeless, eccentric singer, Omawumi revealed that the song ‘Butterflies’ which has been nominated for ‘Recording of the year’ in a non-voting category at the 12th edition of the Headies Awards slated for May 8. 2018, as revealed by the songstress was written at her third trimester.

    The song which was produced and co-written by Cobhams Asuquo, recorded live in Houston and Nashville with string orchestra, is one of the most downloaded songs in the album, tells the story of walking away without dream being shattered.

    She wrote, “butterflies was recorded when I was 8months pregnant, butterflies off my #Timeless album is nominated for recording of the year @officialhiptv #Headies. It’s a non-voting category but guess who’s feeling lucky?”

    Known for dishing out hit songs, her new single ‘Meke’, featuring Kiss Daniel, is also making waves at the moment and receiving positive reviews and responses from fans, going by the comments on her social pages.

    The songstress early April modelled for Gbenga Artsmith Jewery, for the official launching of the “Necktar” collection.

    The singer joins 16 other celebrities and influencers in lending their voice to speaking against discrimination of people with disabilities like Cerebral Palsy. In her words, “I choose not to place ‘Dis-‘ in any form of ‘Ability.”

    The green-themed collection is in commemoration of cerebral Palsy awareness month.

    Omawumi Megbele known by her stage name Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress of Itsekiri ethnicity.

    She gained prominence in 2007 as runner-up on West African Idols, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise.

    Her album, ‘The Lasso of Truth’, was reported to be a commercial success in Nigeria.

    She is also a brand ambassador to many brands. She’s also part of the campaign called “Rise with the Energy of Africa”.

  • Thanks for giving my life a meaning, Adekunle Gold tells Simi

    For fans of both artistes, it’s been rather the relationship status between Adekunle Gold and Simi has been a little bit confusing.

    However, Gold seems to have laid speculations that there is something between them to rest with a birthday message he sent to the songstress n her birthday.

    He wrote; “To the girl that deserves every good thing in the world, thank you for giving my life a meaning. Happy birthday babe”.

    With this new revelation, and going by fans’ reactions, it can be cleared that other related stories concerning the Simi’s relationship with Falz which can be said to be false.

    Though Gold has always indirectly spoken fondly of Simi, she has however kept her relationship private.

    In the past there have been several comments and insinuations from people, on social media about been in a love relationship with two of her colleagues, Adekunle Gold and Falz the Bahd Guy.