The Nation Newspaper

Category: Victor Akande

  • League of Lagos Artistes endorses Ambode with ‘Erinlakatabu’

    As the world celebrated the World Theatre Day recently, the League of Lagos Artistes marked the day with a stage play titled ‘Erinlakatabu’ (The Indisputable) at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The drama revolves around a city called Orita Aje which was in need of a ruler. In the contest of picking a reputable God-fearing man, the  Alakoso told the chiefs and the people that there’s a man that is pure in heart and will do the will of the people in the city that will bring about transformation in the city and the man is called Ambode.

    The drama however took a turn by endorsing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for second term as the artistes pledge loyalty to the incumbent governor.

    Notable names in Nollywood like Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Femi Adebayo, Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan, Ronke Ojo and Olaiya Igwe were among the artistes who presented the stage play.

    The artistes also said that World Theatre Day showcases different cultures all over the world.

    At the end of the drama performance, the League of Lagos Artistes presented Governor Ambode with an award.

  • RMD makes runway debut at Arise Fashion Week

    Ever since he returned to active performance after serving as Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo has been spilling fire, rivaling younger actors to movie roles, and showing no signs of slowing down.

    At 56, his latest presence on stage was in the just concluded 5th edition of Arise Fashion Week were he rocked the runway as British supermodel, Naomi Campbell.

    Aside the buzz around Campbell, RMD and ex-Big Brother Housemate, Leo, was the talk of town.

    While Campbell opened the show on Saturday spotting a gold fringe dress designed by Lanre Da Silva, RMD took his turn with a royal outfit from Taryor Gabriels’s Kimono Kollection.

    It was the actor’s runway debut, but he carried the assignment as a movie role, and the actor’s versatility in him made the difference.

    RMD who walk that run way for one minute or so, described Taryor Gabriel as one of the best suit designers with very strong showing.

  • Yewande Adekoya pulls stars for new project

    Popular actress/producer Yewande Adekoya who is presently working on a new project has teamed up with some top Yoruba actors the shoot of the movie, ‘Odun Ibole’.

    This is coming months after she was allegedly placed on house arrest in Atlanta over a purported credit card scam.

    According to the actress, ‘Odun Ibole’ tells a story of culture, values, standard and tradition in Odun Ibole.

    The actress is noted for promoting Yoruba culture and sparking conversations through her movies.

    Adekoya’s dynamism in storytelling and cultural exploration is well documented in her most recent movie, Iyawo Adedigba.

    Stars on her new production include Yewande Adekoya, Rasaq Olayiwola, Fausat Balogun, Abiodun Ishola Thomas, Yinka Laoye, Tawa Ajisefini, Damola Olatunji, Toyosi Adesanya, Afeez Eniola, Abiodun Ajayi, Funmi Sonola (Iya Shapon), Seun Balogun, Ifagbenga Agoro, Babatunde Bernard, and Yinka Quadri.

  • Why I sacrificed my career for Semah, Queen Endee

    Although the entertainment industry is regarded as highly competitive, once every while, there comes a hero who makes the ultimate sacrifice in lifting others up. For blind Liberian child singer, Semah, that person comes in the form of Queen Juli Endee, a singer and Liberia’s Culture Ambassador.

    Endee, who is presently in Nigeria putting finishing touches to her soon-to-be-released album, has revealed how she put her career on hold so little Semah can have a shot at the limelight.

    In a chat with The Nation, the songstress, who is also the Traditional Queen of Liberia as well as the Executive Director of Liberia Crusaders for Peace states that although her last album was released eight years ago, she had to no choice but to show support for Semah.

    “I decided to let him go ahead because he is a kid. And after that, i would continue my project. I wanted to see his dream come true first before I could formalise mine. Now his dream has come true, thanks to Flavour for the love and his humble spirit. I’m very grateful that their project is done and the concert went beautifully, so I can now be comfortable to move on with mine,” she said.

    Speaking on her mission to the country, she says that she’s also here to cement the relationship between Liberia and Nigeria especially as regards artistry.

    “The industry in Nigeria is improving greatly and we’ll like to tap on the expertise of those who have made it in the industry here to help a virgin industry in Liberia. We are also networking and engaging experts for youth empowerment,” she added.

    Although her album is yet to be named, she revealed that she will be featuring some of Nigeria’s greatest like Yemi Alade, Omawumi, Flavour himself and a host of others.

  • NGOZI Nwosu still active and agile

    Though much has not have been heard about Ngozi Nwosu in recent times but the popular actress is still very much active with her acting skills intact, going by her daily post on Instagram.

    Nwosu who is part of the cast for the much publicized Nigeria’s first feature animated film, SADE, has announced she is currently on the set of a new movie. Although she would not disclose the title of the movie, the actress has been feeding her fans on her activities, including healthy videos she has been participating in.

    “This is me,” she wrote on one of her pictures.

    “Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

    In 2012, Nwosu’s health failed and she was diagnosed with kidney disease. She proceeded to UK for medical treatment and was scarcely seen at social events. However, she was a guest contestant on the popular TV game show, ‘Who Wants To be A Millionaire’, on Sunday, December 15, 2012, her first public outing since she took ill.

    Speaking in an interview, an emotionally distraught Nwosu said she was saddened by the fact that a few years back, she was on the hot seat of the Game Show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, helping to raise funds for Usman Pategi of Samaja fame. And little did she know that, a few years down the line, she would appear on the same show, in company with two other persons playing to raise funds for her medical treatment. In 2013, she financial support from government and the public for her treatment in the UK.

  • #Timaya is current celeb with exotic mansion

    As young Nigerian entertainers are now enamoured of landed property, the latest in line of celebrities with a luxury home is Bayelsa-born singer, Timaya, whose new mansion is the talk of town.

    News of the singer’s multi-million naira mansion broke when Nigerian blogger, Stella Dimorkorkus, released photos of the house.

    Known for his flamboyant dress fashion, Timaya, through the modern edifice which has a penthouse and exquisite living room, exudes panache and wealth.

    Although many celebs have had a show of their mansions in recent times, Timaya joins the league of those who have taken fans into the interiors of their homes.

    Recall that the P-Square brothers had in the past showcased their homes, including wardrobes of highly fashionable and expensive wears.

    Only few weeks ago, D’banj posted photos of his exquisite living room on the social media with the quote “Have a kokocious week.”

    Last year, when Tiwa Savage announced her new house, she also uploaded its photo for her fans.

  • #Dino taunts critics in new social media song

    If Senator Ademola Adeleke is referred to as a ‘dancing senator’, his counterpart, senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, could then be said to be a ‘singing senator’. Both men have earned their place in the social media space as comic entertainers; an amusing disposition, and one that is in sharp contrast to their official persona as lawmakers.

    If Melaye were a real musician, he would have been credited with a second single – the first ‘Akekun Iya’, released in 2017 after being cleared of his Ahmadu Bello University certificate scandal by Vice-Chancellor Ibrahim Garba, and the second and most current, ‘Do You Know’, a malicious gag made in reference to the incumbent governor of his state, Governor Yahaya Bello over allegation by some fleeing suspects that the senator supplies guns to them.

    Melaye began his lines like a town crier in this second ‘record’, denouncing all allegations: “Country people, make una come hear tory ooo; say Dino carry money, give thug say make e go buy gun, tufiakwa…  say Dina carry money give thug, carry gun give thug say make them go dey prerare for 2019, Oloun maje… they say me meet them for airport road, Allah kihaye… my brothers, the venom of a viper cannot do anything to the back of a tortoise. Omo Melaye ti lo, I don waka. But make I tell una o, Yahaya Bello, (bursts into a song) ‘Do you know yaya bello ma sewon leyin ‘joba, I know yaya bello ma sewon leyin ‘joba. (stands up to dance) do you know GYB ma sewon leyin ‘joba, I know GYB ma sewon leyin ‘joba, meaning that “Governor Yahaya Bello will face the law after his tenure”…Iwo yaya, you yaya… Aje kun iya ni’oje, aje kun iya ni’oje, eni ti a be lori t’oun se nu wuye, aje kun iya ni’oje, which translates as “you will be beaten mercilessly if you fight someone who is stronger than you”.

    Spotting a green Nike jersey upon red trainers pant with fez cap bearing his initials, the senator ends the 1min.13sec video by placing his index fingers below his two eyelids and dragging his skin down to reveal starry eyes, a mockery gesture associated with kids.

    For his political fans, Dino has not only scored another point by calling out his enemy via slapsticks that has only make him more popular. To the opposition, using buffoonery and horseplay to fight political battle may make him popular, they have not made him famous, and it is just a matter of time before he runs out of steam.

  • Poskii features Jimi Solanke in ‘Moods Extracted’

    Nigerian highlife music will get a new addition as Poskii is set to launch and stage a listening party of his debut album, ‘Moods Extracted.’

    The event which is scheduled for 4pm on April 8, 2018 at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos will also feature performances from other artistes as well as side attractions.

    Poskii, a medical officer whose real name is Ade Adebajo said the album is an eclectic mix of classical highlife and contemporary music.

    “Highlife is a bundle of all sorts of music,” Poskii who hails from Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State said.

    “I can tell you even some of the beats you’re hearing nowadays from hip hop artistes are of highlife origin. When you’re listening to highlife, you don’t really bother about the language. You don’t want to know whether it’s a Ghanaian or somebody from Senegal or somebody from Eastern or Western Nigeria.”

    ‘Moods Extracted’ has five tracks – E Gbami (Accept Me), Ife Baba Agba (A Song for the Father), Way Home, Instruments For Life, Ajimu (Early Merry) – and a bonus track, Freedom Way, which he performed with some artistes who regularly performed at Freedom Park.

    Ace entertainer Jimi Solanke added his voice to one of the track, ‘Ife Baba Agba,’ which pays homage to fathers.

    The 76 year old expressed concern about the decadence of good music in the country and commended the songs on the album.

    “As you listen to it, you find that each of the tracks are classic,” said Solanke who had earlier sang a similar track titled ‘Baba Agba’ in the 1980s.

    “What they’re saying in it are part of the things I would say in an album if I am making one soon.”

    Poskii, the last born in a family of five children said he and his siblings were exposed to music by his dad even though his dad told him to only do music as a hobby. Amongst his father’s collection was Ambrose Campbell whom Poskii described as his mentor.

  • The elephant called Big Brother

    I’ve seen people wondering what Big Brother reality show is ‘really’ all about. They hear about the various criticisms and say ehen, I know it is just a senseless assemblage. They get the media buzz but can’t seem to fathom what is it that excites people about some ‘jobless’ youth locked in a room for three months, only to eat, drink and dance – and while they sleep, people stay awake to watch how they snore away.

    If you are a passive follower, this is the kind of confusion you get. Because while crossing from the kitchen to your bedroom, your eyes probably catch Rico braiding Cee-C’s hair, or Teddy A puffing at his cigarette in the garden, or Miracle and Nina lying beside each other, gossiping about other housemates. All these don’t make sense, right? Yes, they probably don’t. It is just like walking in in the middle of a television drama. Nothing grips you unless there is an outburst of emotion, a pandemonium, or in the case of an action movie, a violent scene.

    For a candid reality show that puts contestants on the spot 24/7 through 90 days or so, you don’t get an outburst by accident unless you are a follower. Life itself is a potpourri of activities: some hot, some cold; some fast, some slow; it is about tears and laughter; conflict and peace. These things happen sometimes naturally and because the Big Brother show is not scripted, great moments on the show don’t announce themselves.

    Big Brother is a character game and you do not expect the greatest of them to be entertained. Besides, who defines ‘great’? Sometimes it doesn’t matter that a dumb person is in the house. That on its own is a virtue because it gets people talking. Same for any wow factor displayed by any participant.

    Big Brother is a conversation-generating show and you can bet that from the buzz, within Nigeria and outside, the conversations are limitless. Wondering why sponsors are enormous for the show? It is a show for active followers, and the show has got loads of them. This is what matters to notable brands, including Heritage Bank, Payporte, Pepsi, Nokia, etcetera who are sponsors of the Big Brother show.

    The show as an advertising avenue is not only for these brands but for the individual brand of the contestants to show their stuff to the world. For any young talented participant, it is a school that could graduate them into fortune, depending on performance. It is free advertisement for what they do, and many have come out into the waiting hands of talent hunters in different spheres of human endeavours.

    As a rewarding show, the ongoing Big Brother Naija stakes N45 million on the eventual winner. That is worth spending three months to get, albeit in a confinement that offers free food, free clothes, shoes, medical attention, fun moments, even as the brain and body are tasked for fitness.  Leo and Ifu Ennada who are out of the show left with N2.5 million each, and by the average salary rating in Nigeria, that amount is about two years earning for each.  This is aside other freebies, including an all-expense paid trip to London for the One Africa Music Festival and one year supply of Pepsi for winning the Pepsi “Roc da mat” challenge.

    In the same vein, Tobi and Rico Swavey won the sum of N2 million, Nokia 8 Bothie phones and shopping vouchers in the ‘Duo Clip’ special task sponsored by Nokia.

    Meanwhile, because entertainment is relative, some people would choose skits over short film, others would choose shorts over feature films, while some are enamoured of series. In terms of genres, fans are also divided in their choice for romance, horror, action, adventure, epic, film noir, war film, martial arts etc.

    Big Brother is not an adventure reality show, but a lifestyle genre. Thus, it has its own flavour which is basically in the understanding of human characters in relationship with others. It is not exclusively a game of strength, but it teaches endurance, tolerance, diplomacy, alliances, team spirit, creativity, and love – virtues that are capable of defeating strength on the field of human relations.

    And just as how different blind men made to feel the elephant would each define the animal based on the part they have touched, Big brother is to each man according to their level of acquaintance.

  • NFC trains 115 Lagos youths in film production

    Youths of Lagos State have asked both the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Lagos State Government to sustain its partnership on the Film Training Workshop Series for the interest of their future. Speaking on Wednesday, March 28th, at the closing ceremony of the one-week film training workshop which held in Lagos, cross section of participants, mainly Youths, drawn from the 57 Local Government and Development Areas of Lagos State said that the film training workshop has armed them to be able to seek alternative sources of wealth and job creation, and not wait for government for employment.

    The excited participants praised the NFC for the level of resources deployed for the workshop and promised to effectively deploy the skills acquired during the training for a better Nigeria. The Government of Lagos State was equally commended for creating the opportunity for the training workshop, which the youths craved, should be sustained and expanded to accommodate more youths.

    NFC’s Managing Director, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe at the closing ceremony admonished the trainees to create the impact required of them as a result of the one week training. He assured that the Corporation has taken up the issues of training and capacity building for the film industry and is frontally addressing them. Dr. Maduekwe was represented by Mr. Simon Inegedu, Zonal Director of NFC Lagos Office.

    During the one-week training workshop, participants received one-on-one coaching in digital cinematography,  scripting and directing, production management, still photography, editing and sound design and production; as well as the development of post training networks that comes with valuable addition to the training.

    Participants undertook the production of a short film titled “Ashake” which was shown as part of the closing ceremony on the one-week film training workshop.

    Earlier at the opening ceremony on Monday, March 26th, Mr. Dele Balogun, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film & Video Censors Board, charged participants to ensure that they adequately took the opportunity offered them by the State Government seriously. The Lagos State Government “remains strongly committed to capacity building, entrepreneurship empowerment and sustainable youth development” Balogun said, while presenting his address to participants.

    A total of 115 Youths participated in the one-week film training workshop.