The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Entertainers

  • Group seeks synergy among entertainers

    A group, Africa Entertainment Network (AEN), has called for unity, synergy and networking among entertainers and business professionals. The group,  a growing platform for entertainers, made the call during the unveiling of its social networking website, www. africaentertainmentnetwork.com at the Centre for International and Professional Studies, CIAPS, Ikeja, Lagos.

    According to its President, Mr Emdee David Makezela, the website will enable every artiste to have a unique profile page where they can promote their work for other entertainers and business people or investors to see. “The pages will also be promoted by AEN for global reach” he said.

    The event was an opportunity for AEN to explain to the world what the group has done and what it plans to do. Present at the event were Nollywood actors, producers and directors. They included Tony Akposheri (Zacky of the rested TV drama, The New Masquerade); Jude Chukwuka; Stella Idika; reggae icon, Righteousman; producers and hosts of GOGE AFICA, Isaac and Nneka Moses; and the Center Director of CIAPS Lagos, Prof. Anthony Kila, among others.

    “It is of utmost importance for African artistes to be united and network together, using the digital platform which ensures a profitable synergy. There is nothing like collective efforts: synergy would help artistes to accomplish great things together,” Makezela said.

    With a mind of building a network of all the elements of entertainment in Africa and other nations of the world, he said AEN was established to meet the need of  unorganised practitioners, which has deprived many talented artists of achieving their professional goals and the privileges they could get collectively from government and corporate organisations.

    Makezela said: “We want entertainers to be entrepreneurs through our AEN ventures. AEN now has business ventures, which include AEN Music, AEN Fashion line, and movie production outfit. It’s the entertainment platform, which comprises practitioners in all genre, e.g., actors, musicians, models, writers, OAPs, directors, producers, marketers, media practitioners, etc.

    “We will hope to discover, groom, promote and market creative talents and ideas, giving everyone an opportunity to be economically empowered and professionally progressive AEN has grown in the past eight years of its existence to have branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Edo/Delta and also in Ghana, Finland, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States(US). We synergise among ourselves, promote ourselves and our businesses, careers, events, etc. It is a forum to also educate ourselves on different subjects, culture, health, entertainment, events, history, and entrepreneurship. “

    He said AEN also seeks to collaborate with health, financial, and international institutions to provide health and life insurance for projects, travel and tour privileges for practitioners, who choose to be part of the network. “Our mission is to build the biggest, vibrant, and profitable network of African entertainers and business professionals where all genres of arts and entertainment in Africa are brought under one umbrella and provided with care, privileges and opportunities to become professionals and successful in their chosen careers to connect talents with resources.”

    Prof  Kila, a professor of strategy and development and CIAPS Centre Director, who gave the opening remark at event, described AEN’s vision as “noble”. While warning that although such vision may witness lots of challenges, including funding and people’s attitudes, he advised the group to have proper planning and management of talents to surmount such huddles.

    The legendary reggae musician, Righteousman, said he would be part of the initiative to groom and promote young artistes.

    Isaac and Nneka Moses also agreed that such platform was long overdue as individual efforts have not led them far. They both agreed to provide opportunities for young and new talented presenters to co-present their Goge Africa show from any part of the world they are based.

    Akposhere, who has been a member of AEN for over five years, said he believed the platform will grow to become the largest single body for entertainers in the world where artistes will be treated with such care and respect and assisted to realise their dreams. He said up and coming musicians, actors, models and producers need to tap into the vision of this networking platform.

    The group’s president said AEN was also preaching peace and unity among African nations, adding that it was the reason it embarked on the Africa Unity Tour to Ghana in November last year. “We are planning another Unity Tour to South Africa this year. This is an effort to make artists talk against xenophobic tendencies witnessed in some African countries.  AEN is seeking for support from ECOWAS, African Union and other diplomatic bodies to enable it reach as many nations as possible so that Africa can truly be united. Entertainment is a good platform to realise this. Entertainers are influencers, once they get the message and spread it, it goes wider and faster,” Makezela said.

  • ENTERTAINERS OF THE YEAR 2018: Enter Fayose and Adeleke

    ONE was the son of a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) pastor; the other’s father was a senator. Ayodele Peter Fayose, the preacher’s son, became a governor, was removed in controversial circumstances but staged a comeback years later by uprooting an incumbent to occupy the office for a final term of four years. His co-winner slot of our Entertainer of the Year, Ademola Jackson Adeleke, was busy having fun in Atlanta, United States and elsewhere. The death of his brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who was a former governor of Osun State and senator, pushed him into public consciousness and against all odds, he ran to replace his brother in the Senate and won convincingly. Months later he almost won the governorship election.

    No political figure entertained Nigerians like the duo this year. It will take years before Nigerians forget Fayose’s live performance on national television. On the show, he made a hit record ‘I am in pains. I’m in severe pains.’ As part of the performance, he had a neck brace on. His hand was also in brace and hung on the ‘sick’ neck. Not on his shoulder! One or two tears dropped as he tried unconvincingly to tell the world that his pains were inflicted by police who tear-gassed him and slapped him to prevent him from campaigning for Prof. Kolapo Eleka to succeed him. His facial expression was good— an Oscars act!

    The theatrics broke the internet. Online clips of him shedding tears three days to the election appeared like the act of Peter the Rock to curry last-minute electoral favour for Eleka, whom he went all out to back financially and otherwise. It was the first time many saw a wailing Excellency. He cut the image of a toddler deprived of a yummy ice cream.  He sought the international community to save Ekiti from the siege of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Peter the Rock’s viral performance came not long after he was said to have lost consciousness and rushed to the hospital! Thanks to Fayose, jesters got ready-made comic material for online and offline usage. Various versions of “Severe Pain” video clips took over the cyber space by storm and Nigerians had good materials to bring smile to their faces.

    Unlike Fayose, Adeleke, aka the Dancing Senator, did not have to perfect theatrical skills, he simply dazzled all with his natural ability to twist almost all parts of his body rhythmically. Long before he was shoved into the political space, those close to him, especially family members, were privy to this great skill that could earn him millions of dollars in the American entertainment industry! Some who later abused him because of this skill once enjoyed him entertaining them on political hustling. But he was marked when he crossed the line and sought power when all he was good at in their estimation was to just dance, dance and dance and make them forget their sorrow.

    The uninitiated obviously do not know how so good is he that his super star nephew, Davido, screamed “If you dance like Jackson, omo iyen ko kan mi o” in his song titled “Dami Duro”. Davido was not acknowledging the dancing skill of the late Michael Jackson in that song; he was simply paying homage to the twirling wizard who God made his uncle.

    This son of an Ede man and an Igbo mother, who was born May 13, 1960 in Enugu, was not interested in debates and all those intellectual endeavours while campaigning to be Osun State governor. He was just interested in entertaining his way, sorry, dancing his way to the Government House, Oke-Fia, Osogbo!  He just wanted to shock all with his ‘gbagaun’ ways. ‘Gbagaun’ is a slang he uses to conclude most discussions and to depict his belief that the Government House is his for the taking. What a spectacle it would have been if he had been sworn-in as governor: Davido will be singing and Jackson will be twerking to the seat of power. He still believes the court will make him governor and the great dance will still take place.

    Until then, Nigerians will not remember him for one reason only. Not because of his trial over alleged examination malpractice, but because of his feet-and-body-twisting skill. This is the only factor that will keep him in our minds even into the New Year.

    Long live Fayose, long live Adeleke—our joint winner of the much-coveted Entertainers of the Year! Step forward and claim your crown.

  • Entertainers voice against gender-based violence

    As November 25 marked the beginning of the International #16daysofActivism against ‘Gender-Based Violence’ campaign with entertainers around the world pledging their support in a trendin video.

    The awareness campaign is put together by European Union in Nigeria, one of the 136 EU Delegations around the world which officially represents the EU’s interests in Nigeria and ECOWAS.

    Actress Adesua Etomi said Nigerians need to end the cycle of gender-based violence.

    “When campaigns like this come along, it’s very easy for most of us to tune out,” she said.

    “However, the truth is, you only have to look at the numbers to see how close to home this is hitting. Nigeria has to end Gender Based Violence everywhere, or it could very well be your daughter, sister or Mother that eventually ends up as a victim, God forbid. Violence against women and girls includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and socio-economic violence.”

    On his part, veteran actor Richard Mofe Damijo said, “we cannot longer watch in silence, the time to take decision is now.”

    Also, actress Omoni Oboli said, “we must all come together with one voice, to end gender based violence.”

    Others who pledged their support included Waje, Ebuka, Banky W, Cohbams Asuquo, Ik Osakioduwa, MI, kid comedian Emmauella, Uti Nwachukwu, Timi Dakolo and Dakore Egbuson.

    The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls around the world. Originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991, the campaign runs every year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

    In Nigeria this year, the European Union and its member states, The Royal Norwegian Embassy and High Commission of Canada have collaborated to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights around the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The theme for this year’s campaign is #HerStoryOurStory.

  • Osinbajo lauds entertainers for job creation

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has praised Nigerian entertainers for their creativity and job creation.

    He spoke at The Platform, a programme organised by The Covenant Place which had as its theme, ‘Get Involved.’

    At the event which held in Iganmu, Lagos, Osinbajo said the task of nation-building is unending.

    “The builders confront new problems every day,” he said.

    “Today, we are confronted with the remnants of Boko Haram, the farmer/herdsman clashes with the potential of ethnoreligious conflict. And we have to feed ourselves, we provide millions of new jobs as everyday, more people are added to the population. The job of the builder is not to complain.”

    Earlier in his speech, the Vice President recognized the creative talents of the entertainment sector and gave kudos to the likes of Don Jazzy of Mavin Records, Banky W, Olamide, Davido, Elenu, Tiwa Savage, and Mo Abudu among others, for putting Nigeria on the global entertainment map. He also praised Jason Njoku of Iroko TV who created an online streaming portal that showcased Nollywood to the world.

    Speaking on the way out, Osinbajo said the solution lies in building the Nigerian bridge.

    “It is one that would be built on the strongest materials of all – our will to excel as Nigerians, our commitment to build a new society, men and women of a new Nigerian tribe.”

    The VP rounded off his speech by giving ‘accolades’ to hardworking Nigerians to which he received a thunderous applause from the crowd.

  • Entertainers kick over plan to stop production of Nigerian shows abroad

    Entertainers kick over plan to stop production of Nigerian shows abroad

    Following statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the Federal Government has taken steps to amend the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to discourage the production of Nigerian movies and music outside the country, some entertainers have criticized the move, calling it an attempt to gage creativity.

    Mohammed had decried the situation whereby films, reality TV shows and music, were made outside Nigeria during his visit to Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)’s new office in Lagos, on Saturday, saying the situation had hampered the development of the entertainment sector and the nation’s economy in general.

    “This government has agreed that henceforth, whatever we consume in Nigeria in terms of music and films must be made in Nigeria.

    “We cannot continue to go to South Africa or any other country to produce our films and then send them back to be consumed in Nigeria.

    “The Broadcasting Code and the Advertising Code are very clear on this.

    “For you to classify a product as a Nigerian product, it must have a certain percentage of Nigerian content,” the Minister said.

    Reacting to the statement, singer Shakar El, in an Open Letter to the minister, noted that, if Nigerian public holders continue to seek medical care outside Nigeria, entertainers could as well do the same.

    He said although the patriotic concern of the minister is understandable, most times, entertainers shoot outside Nigeria because of the concept of that particular project and in some cases due to lack of logistics to produce such movie or song in Nigeria.

    He argued that only a handful of Nigerian entertainers/ production companies can actually afford to produce their project outside the shores of Nigeria.

    “In the few cases where some artists can afford to produce abroad then it is not much of a problem since they will be using their own money for such expenses and not at the expense of Tax payers.

    “Honourable, I wish you can use your office to push against medical tourism by Nigerian Public office holders which appears to be a major problem to our economy and Development as a country than Entertainment tourism/Exchange,” he said.

    In the same vein, Peter Okoye of the PSquare music group also decried the move in a social media post, saying he feels ashamed to be called a Nigerian, going by this development.

    “Dear FG, for your information! All the Shame way una dey bring for dis our country, na we entertainers dey cover una Nash! Ndi ala #SMH

    “Sometimes, I’m ashamed to be called a Nigerian because this people…Tufia kwa

    “Another Nationality Loading.” He tweeted.

    The minister had likened a situation whereby Nigerians shoot their music videos abroad and call it a Nigerian product to ‘deceitful’.

    “It is like somebody going to China or Japan to make a product that looks like palm wine and bring it back home to label it Nigerian palm wine.

    “As long as we are not able to implement our own code to ensure local production of Nigerian music and movies, our young talents will not get jobs.

    “It is Nigerians that pay for the consumption of these products and therefore they must be allowed and encouraged to participate in their production.

    “I am going to meet with the relevant stakeholders over this, to see that whatever amendment that is needed to be made to our Broadcasting Code in this regard, is done urgently.”

  • Okoroji hopeful of better year for entertainers

    Okoroji hopeful of better year for entertainers

    •Says Private Copy Levy, others will improve lot of artistes

    After disbursing royalties to the tune of N200million to members last Yuletide, Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Tony Okoroji, has promised that 2017 holds more bumper rewards to entertainers, given government’s willingness to effectively activate a number of initiatives that were ignored in the oil boom days.
    Okoroji, in his New Year message to the industry, urged practitioners and investors in the industry to have faith and take every necessary step to professionalise, as the industry will play a key role in revitalising Nigeria’s struggling economy in 2017.
    Okoroji noted that government is beginning to understand the huge potentials of the creative sector and has shown the willingness to effectively activate a number of initiatives that were previously ignored.
    “Just before the end of last year, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation assured me that he will take all necessary steps to ensure that the Private Copy Levy scheme is activated without further delay. That will bring a new stream of income to musicians, movie makers, authors, publishers, etc. The AG also promised that the Nigerian Copyright Commission will be revitalised and given the muscle to protect producers and investors in the creative industries. That should have a major impact on income.
    “At the end of 2016, we began a major conversation with MTN, the biggest telecommunications company in the country. We do have a significant meeting of minds with Airtel. I am looking forward to what has so far been an adversarial relationship with the telecommunication industry becoming a virile partnership in 2017. Imagine the possibilities if we begin to speak with one voice with the ‘telcos’ and work together to harness the huge potentials of the Nigerian entertainment industry for the benefit of all the parties and our country”
    Chief Okoroji also said that he has had several conversations with the Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and that he is convinced that the Minister is ‘pumped up’ and wants to take those steps that will energise the industry.  He said: “The Minister is clearly taking steps to get the National Endowment Fund for the Arts up and running. This should provide badly needed funding for different projects in the sector. There is the growing engagement with the Tony Elemelu Foundation which the minister is supporting. Anybody who knows Tony Elumelu, knows that he has no business with failure.”
    He reiterated the acquisition of the proposed ‘COSON HOUSE’ in Ikeja and that in the second quarter of 2017, COSON should move its operations from Opebi to the ultra-modern edifice with the space and technology to properly drive a forward-looking organisation.
    Okoroji assured all members of COSON that the organisation will robustly protect their interests in 2017 and work towards increasing the distributable income to members.

  • NSE woos entertainers with long-term capital

    NSE woos entertainers with long-term capital

    Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has expressed its readiness to provide a platform for artists and promoters in the Nigerian and African entertainment industry to raise long-term funds to boost the growth of the industry.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema, who spoke at a Music Week Africa event hosted by the Exchange in Lagos, said substantial capital is required for the music industry to achieve its potential in Africa.

    He said the NSE has positioned itself as the African Exchange of choice for African issuers and global investors looking to use capital markets to raise both equities and debt capital.

    “Globally, long term growth is often achieved through public quotation on an Exchange. We believe that this growth and more can only be achieved by having companies in the entertainment industry listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. As Nigeria’s foremost Exchange we are certain that we are well positioned to help your industry achieve its full potentials, as well as reduce the cost of raising capital and building infrastructure to be globally competitive,” Onyema said.

    He said the Exchange would continue to support the event that seeks to explore and develop the various aspects of the African and global music industry, with a view to creating jobs and wealth accumulation through the capital markets.

    According to him, with a total market capitalisation of N15.7 trillion across all of product categories, the NSE has implemented far-reaching transformational policies aimed at strengthening and providing products that are aligned to investors’ requirements, improve market access, while ensuring a fair and orderly market.

    He noted that these deliverables have improved investor confidence and repositioned firms listed on the Exchange as attractive investment opportunities, urging the entertainment industry to look seriously at leveraging the opportunities that abound in the  capital market.

    “We are, particularly, proud to partner with Music Week Africa to promote the business of music and accelerate the growth of this sector in Africa. The Music Week Africa platform provides opportunities for sector players, investors and collaborators to close deals, network, connect as well as increase their capacity to develop profitable and sustainable business models for the music and entertainment industry on the continent,” Onyema said.

  • Entertainers to storm MBGE Pageant 2016

    Entertainers to storm MBGE Pageant 2016

    Popular Nollywood stars Afeez Oyetoro a.k.a Saka, Hakeem Rahaman, Leonard Slaboh and Amanda Ebiye would lead other entertainers to grace the 2016 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl In Eko Beauty Pageant which will take place at Divine Fountain Hotels by Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi Ikeja Lagos on Monday, June 27, 2016.

    According to the General Manager of Ereon Pageantry, Miss Taiwo Samson, who is also the Supervisor of The MBGE 2016, other entertainers like Prince Wadada, Melody4comedy, Aman, Zule zoo, Om shanti, Emperor Zig-zag, Kuvu, Adasounds and a host of others are expected to thrill the audience. The master of ceremony is princess Aisha Hiris.

    Miss Samson also said the 2016 edition of the MBGE would produce six winners – Most Beautiful Girl In Eko (MBGE QUEEN) , MBGE Tourism Queen, MBGE Entertainment Queen,  MBGE Environment Queen, MBGE Commerce Queen, and MBGE Model Queen.

    The MBGE is supported by the Lagos State Government and endorsed by the Federal Ministry Of Information and Culture, Abuja while it has as partners White Technology, Ritzy Couture, Consat Tv, Coca cola, Hollandia Yoghurt, Divine Fountain Hotels, Ikeja Capital City Hotel etc.

    The Most Beautiful Girl In Eko Beauty Pageant is a registered trademark in Nigeria. Executive director of Ereon Pageantry, Funmi Bolatiwa Quadri, advised government to prosecute beauty pageants without trademarks as it is done in other parts of the world.

  • Entertainers to storm MBGE Pageant 2016

    Entertainers to storm MBGE Pageant 2016

    Popular Nollywood stars Afeez Oyetoro a.k.a Saka, Hakeem Rahaman, Leonard Slaboh and Amanda Ebiye would lead other entertainers to grace the 2016 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl In Eko Beauty Pageant which will take place at Divine Fountain Hotels by Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi Ikeja Lagos on Monday, June 27, 2016.

    According to the General Manager of Ereon Pageantry, Miss Taiwo Samson, who is also the Supervisor of The MBGE 2016, other entertainers like Prince Wadada, Melody4comedy, Aman, Zule zoo, Om shanti, Emperor Zig-zag, Kuvu, Adasounds and a host of others are expected to thrill the audience. The master of ceremony is princess Aisha Hiris.

    Miss Samson also said the 2016 edition of the MBGE would produce six winners – Most Beautiful Girl In Eko (MBGE QUEEN) , MBGE Tourism Queen, MBGE Entertainment Queen,  MBGE Environment Queen, MBGE Commerce Queen, and MBGE Model Queen.

    The MBGE is supported by the Lagos State Government and endorsed by the Federal Ministry Of Information and Culture, Abuja while it has as partners White Technology, Ritzy Couture, Consat Tv, Coca cola, Hollandia Yoghurt, Divine Fountain Hotels, Ikeja Capital City Hotel etc.

    The Most Beautiful Girl In Eko Beauty Pageant is a registered trademark in Nigeria. Executive director of Ereon Pageantry, Funmi Bolatiwa Quadri, advised government to prosecute beauty pageants without trademarks as it is done in other parts of the world.

  • Internet downloads: Entertainers task govt on levy

    Internet downloads: Entertainers task govt on levy

    As more and more intellectual property materials are being downloaded freely by users of the internet, the Digital Music Monitoring Group has asked the Federal Government to activate the Private Copy Levy, which awards compensation to right owners, as provided in the Nigerian constitution.

    The group, during a meeting in Lagos on March 8, 2016 averred that Section 40 of the Nigerian Copyright Act makes the Private Copy Levy necessary in the digital age, and urged the government to activate same without further delay.

    They reasoned that the activation of the levy scheme will help reduce the effect of the unauthorized and debilitating acquisition of a large amount of music without any payment which is threatening the survival of the Nigerian music industry in the digital era.

    The meeting had in attendance, top music industry practitioners and stakeholders from related digital service providers and regulators such as Mr. Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City Group, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, COSON; Mr. Obi Ezeilo, Lagos Zonal Manager, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC); Mr. Joel Ajayi, Chairman, Music Label Owners Association of Nigeria (MULOAN); Engr. Sharon Wilson, National President, Music Producers & Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN); Mr. Efe Omorogbe, CEO, Nowmuzik; Mr. Lawrence Wilbert, CEO, Ajilent Wireless; Mr Chijioke Ezeh, Coordinator,   Wireless Application Services Producers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) and Intellectual Property Lawyers, Mr. Afam Nwokedi, Principal Partner, Stillwaters Law Firm; Mr. Justin Ige, Managing Partner, Creative Legal and Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, COSON and Secretary of the Group.

    According to Maikori, if the government was serious about the development of the creative industries and the hundreds of thousands of jobs tied to the industries, the government needs to act without delay to save the industries from imminent annihilation, adding that there is no way that the industries will survive with the free-for-all copying of music, movies and books going on in the country.

    Engr. Sharon Wilson of MUPMAN said that members of his association were finding it difficult to continue to invest in an industry in which ‘monkey is working and baboon is chopping’.

    About 23 years ago, Nigeria became the first country in Africa to provide for the levy in its laws. However, the country has been unable to implement the scheme.

    There has been growing agitations across the creative industry for the activation of the private copy levy scheme. With the advent of new technology, millions of people in the country no longer buy music cassettes, CDs or DVDs. They obtain their music by freely downloading, file sharing or using blue tooth technology and deny owners of the works and the investors in music significant revenue.

    To compensate for this huge loss which threatens the survival of the creative industries, in many countries around the world, a small levy is charged on the gadgets used for this stealing of intellectual property. The money collected from the levy of such gadgets such as MP3s, MP4s, cellphones, memory cards, flash drives, etc, is distributed through the collective management system to the artistes, writers and producers whose music, movies and books are stolen.