The Nation Newspaper

Tag: entertainment

  • Onyeka Onwenu for NEBA’s Entertainment Extravaganza

    Onyeka Onwenu for NEBA’s Entertainment Extravaganza

    AS this year’s edition of the Nigerian Elite Business Awards (NEBA) takes place on Saturday, November 9, organisers have announced its fusion with a gala nite, tagged Entertainment Extravaganza, to be serenaded by live music from artistes including the elegant stallion herself, Onyeka Onwenu.

    Advisory board member, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, former Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, affirms that the awards event will hold at the posh Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos amid glitz and grandeur.

    “The Entertainment Extravaganza will avail attendees a networking session, multi-layered live music, comedy, African dance, sumptuous local and continental cuisines, quality wines and non alcoholic beverages,” he assured.

    NEBA, Ohuabunwa explained, is an initiative of Elite Business Africa Network (EBAN), a business advocacy group comprising a compendium of select highly cerebral and integrity-laden business entrepreneurs and professionals with its operational focus on the African continent in order to propagate professionalism, innovation, adherence to corporate governance, probity, excellence and global best practices across Africa.

    Ohuabunwa also stated that companies and individuals would compete and win in the following award categories; Governor of the Year, Business Enabling State of the Year, Company of the Year, CEO of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Life Time Achievement, Bank of the Year, Insurance Company of the Year, Shipping & Marine Company of the Year, Oil & Gas Company of the Year, Telecoms Company of the Year, Consumer Electronics Company of the Year and Foods & Beverages Company of the Year.

    Expected at the event as Special Guests are His Excellency, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, renowned economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, among other eminent Nigerians drawn mostly from the corporate world.

  • Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Majid get GIAMA nominations

    Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Majid get GIAMA nominations

    A number of Ghanaian filmmakers have appeared on the nomination list for the 2013 edition of the prestigious Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA). The nomination list which was officially released on August 19 had hot screen names as Yvonne Okoro, Yvonne Nelson, Jackie Appiah, Roselyn Ngissah, Umar Krapp, Adjetey Annang, Majid Michel and John Dumelo as some of the strong contenders this year.

    According to the organisers, the GIAMA organization serves as a platform to ensure consistent acclaim to individuals and groups that have exemplified competence, diligence and innovation in the African filmmaking industry. In addition, it is to showcase rising stars who have earned the right to share the global stage.

    Ghanaian Director, Pascal Amanfo, producer Abdul Salam and musician Tiffany were also nominated. Yvonne Okoro and Jackie Appiah were nominated for the Best Actress category for their roles in ‘Contract’ and ‘Hunters’ respectively.

  • Why I didn’t voice out on time when I became ill

    Why I didn’t voice out on time when I became ill

    Being 50 ordinarily is a landmark celebration. For Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, there may never be another celebration like it again considering a major health challenge, which could have marred her chance of attaining her golden jubilee. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the Fuji House star actress, who was recently feted to a 3-in-1 party which was graced by top Nollywood celebrities, opens up on her ordeal, the lessons and life at 50.

     

    HOW do you feel being 50?

    I feel young. I’ve always felt young.

    Nollywood has decided to fete you at 50. Will you say this is the best birthday you’ve had?

    I think this should be the best really. Considering the circumstance, I thank God; I made it to 50, yeah. This should be the best.

    When exactly was your birthday?

    1st of August.

    What did you do that morning?

    That morning, I was not in Nigeria. I was in England. I had breakfast in bed – that was after my morning prayer. My girlfriend surprised me by serving me breakfast in bed. And I was like wow! I’ve never had that before. It was nice turning 50, you know (laughs).

    Who were those who called to congratulate you?

    From midnight, I started receiving calls from people, friends, my family in Nigeria.

    Did you ever think you would get to 50?

    Well, there was a time I thought I wouldn’t get to 50, but with God all things are possible. And I never gave up and here I am.

    You look very pretty, how have you been able to get back to shape?

    My dear, it is God. I just thank God.

    Why did you conceal your health challenge for a long time?

    I don’t think you were here when the doctor was educating us on health issues. As he rightly said, it is nice for you to voice out your problem on time. But to me I felt it was something I could handle on my own. It wasn’t as if I deliberately kept quiet. I was handling it on my own, thinking it will be over soon until God said, ‘no, my daughter, I think I will handle it the best way for you.’ And here I am today.

    At a time, there were so many insinuations regarding your state of health. What was the worst thing that was said about you?

    My dear, so many silly things; I don’t even want to think about it. I just want to thank God that I’m alive. And to them all, I just want to say thank you because either way they’ve contributed to making me strong and I thank God I’m still alive.

    What are some of the lessons you’ve drawn from the experience?

    Some of the lessons I have drawn from the experience; I’ve learnt to be myself, believe in God and always help the needy because you don’t know tomorrow. Nobody knows the tomorrow. Today it is my turn. It could be your turn tomorrow. I remember when I went for ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ to play a charity game to raise money for Samanger because his health was failing him.

    I thank God I won one million naira for him. But the point is I didn’t know it would be my turn someday. I thank God that when I was called upon for that show I didn’t turn it down. I’ve also learnt that you should never trust in anyone but God because those you believe in will be those that will let you down and it has also shown me the amount of people or the kind of people that will come to your aid when you need them.

    This is Africa where people desert you when you have problems. What was your experience in this regard?

    I would rather not talk about it. To me, I’m 50, I’m enjoying it to the glory of God and all that is behind me now. They are in the past.

    How many more years would you like to spend on earth?

    My dear, God should just keep adding it and adding it until He says, ‘my daughter, you’ve finished your work on earth, come home.’

    You were spotted recently at a location. Are you hale, hearty and ready to work?

    Spotted at a location? No, I’ve only gone to Fuji House. And you know in Fuji House, I play a key role there and they’ve been waiting for me all along. And they’ve run out of episodes, so I had to be there to play a little of my part, just to tell people I’m still alive and I will be back on track, that was why I went to see them before I went back to England.

    So, are you fully ready for work now?

    Yes, yes, yes but I still need to rest. If at all I have to work now it’s not going to be fully. I’ve not gone back to work fully, no!

    I learnt you were on location of Yaws and Mine, that was why I asked that question…

    Before I went back to England for my treatment I was there just to see them, because I was actually supposed to be with them on the second season which I told them I couldn’t do at that time as I wasn’t fit to work. So I just went to tell them ‘well done, I’m still with you. I will be back.’

    What are things that you cannot do now by virtue of your age and the health challenge you just overcame?

    There is nothing I cannot do because of age now, but by virtue of health for now, if you notice you will see that my walking is not really smooth; that I use working stick. That is the only challenge I have for now. I still walk at a slow pace for now, but when I’m back to my normal Ngozi Nwosu certainly there will be nothing stopping me.

    What is one special gift that you have received on your birthday?

    Well, I have received the grace of God; that is the first special gift. God has given me back my life. I really thank God. I call it the second coming of Ngozi Nwosu. Then the second gift I have received is a wonderful gift of breakfast in bed by my girl friend in England because I had never received that before.

    What is your greatest achievement?

    Life.

    What is your greatest desire from God?

    I pray that God should give me long life, not like Metusellah, because I don’t want to live the life that you will be blind, you will be crippled and you will become a nuisance to the society. I want a live long life but I want to be fit; even if I’m 80, 90, or 100. That’s the kind of life I want.

    What has life taught you?

    Life is a decision and life is by choice.

    So many things have changed since the time you travelled and now. You’ve gotten back to shape. How have you been able to achieve that?

    I thank God. It is not by might, not by power.

    Some of your colleagues who weren’t lucky to get financial assistance passed on, but you were lucky; you had the goodwill and the money came on time. What do you think can be done to prevent these health issues?

    That is why I’m happy that my president, Ibinabo Fiberisema, came. I’m glad they now have a health scheme for thespians. I will encourage them to please hook on to that because life is too short. The things we think might be nothing could turn out to be something. I know that from the time I took ill till this time there are so many people that have dropped dead while I went to hell and I’m still standing. That is why I say God has given me a second chance.

    Who are your childhood friends?

    So many, they are there. Some are gone while some are still hanging in there.

    How about in the industry?

    Industry? I do not have friends.

    Any reason?

    When you are rich they are your friends, but when you’re not they are not your friend. Most of them are a flash in the pan.

    What’s your take on Nollywood at present?

    For now, I can’t say because I haven’t been working for two years. All this problem started with pile, so for almost a year I couldn’t do anything. I was battling with the pile until finally I had an operation and just when I was being myself back, I did one or two jobs before the kidney thing started.

    So really I cannot say the state, but from what I am seeing, I think Nollywood is higher yeah! But I want to quickly point out that our script writers are not doing enough work, because most of what I was watching while I was resting were based on one story copied from one English movie or the other, and before you say Jack Robinson you know where it is going to end and I don’t find that interesting.

    When it comes to your health, what are the things you want to do differently?

    I have learnt that there are so many things you don’t take and especially when one is aging, it is important that you get hooked to a doctor and seek advice because it’s only a doctor and a nutritionist that can actually educate you on what to do and how to take care of yourself properly.

    There is the notion that kidney diseases most times have a lot to do with alcohol intake. What is your take on this?

    I don’t think it has to do with alcohol. Let’s just pray that we should not be sick. There are so many people out there, even kids that have kidney problems, do kids take alcohol? So it doesn’t have to do with alcohol. Though it may have something to do with it, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with it. Like I said, let’s just pray not to be sick.

    What else would you wish for in life?

    I wish for the best things of life. In fact, I just wish somebody will come and park the latest car in my house now because this one that we are talking is talk, talk. Somebody should come and park the best car in my house and build a house for me. I don’t want to be like the Nigerian flag designer who almost died before they recognised him. Yes, o! When they are talking about Nollywood, I thank God I’m still alive. I am part of those who made it what it is today.

    Your health challenge as it was then made you trend in the media like never before, even till now you are still trending. Would you say it’s a blessing in disguise?

    Yes, a big one. It’s a blessing, my dear. To those who felt this was the end of Ngozi Nwosu, I just want to tell them: this is the beginning of Ngozi Nwosu.

  • Cinemas not the main market for Nigerian movies

    THE main market for Nigerian films is not the cinemas. We need to quickly establish this and have a consensus on it now that the FGN’s N300 billion grant is set for disbursement. Anyone doubting this assertion, especially those in government at any level should please ask him/herself a question of when he/she last went to a cinema compared to when last he/she last watched a Nigerian movie bought or hired from a video shop or from TV, cable or terrestrial.

    In the context of today’s Nigeria, cinemas are elitist form of entertainment which have little or no impact on about 95% of the filmmakers. Even to the elites, going to the cinema rates second to their noisy and wasteful Owambe parties! Again, anyone doubting this should go to the nearest public market and ask the traders when last anyone of them went to watch a movie at the cinemas, compared to when last that person watched a movie bought or hired from a video shop or on TV, cable or terrestrial. Our high profile producers who have made a ritual of cinemas screening are doing so largely to impress their sponsors or attract new sponsors. Devoid of the financial might of such sponsors, they all know it is business suicide to rely only on the cinema box offices returns. If anyone of them wants to challenge this, the right and simplest thing to do is answer why after so many of their blockbusters, they are still unable to fund their new productions by themselves or how much returns they have been able to make to their investors.

    From the quality of our movie productions as regularly seen on television, the main reason why the bulk of producers prefer to stand on a long queue to hawk their works to the only paying cable TV in the country now is for no other reason than the stark reality of poor financial returns from the cinemas. If it had been a paying proposition, we have producers whose productions can meet the quality benchmark of any cinema house in the country or internationally. It is not also correct to blame the paucity of the cinema houses as the reason why producers do not embrace the cinema option. I recall my late uncle, Adeyemi Afolayan, better known as Ade love, confidently telling us at Surulere Super Cinema where the third or fourth of his film was screened that he could start to rely on the patronage by people of his films to fund the future ones. Few days later at his Orile Igannmu house he proudly showed us his fleet of vans taking his films to nooks and crannies of the country as his antidote to the high government entertainment taxes. The point here is that any producer that believes cinemas are his/her market need not wait for more to be built but can hit the road with his own distribution van and projector to screen the movies at hotels, event centres and the schools.

    The scaring reality of such a move, however, is the major reason why after some half-hearted attempts at cinema screening, everyone puts the work for public home distribution, or if that fails, get it on the pay TV. It is not for nothing that we are known and referred to as the first and perhaps only Direct-To-Home, DTH, industry in the whole world. Cinema business is capital intensive and will not bring return in less than a year. Almost all the running costs are fixed from electricity supply to manpower and equipment. This means that unless a certain level of revenue is consistently generated, bankruptcy will follow. Even now in America and across Europe, cinemas record impressive income only at students’ holidays and during festivities because of stiff competition from triplex screening, on-line downloading, not to talk of pay TVs and other modern day modes of entertainment. DVD sales and hiring incomes on the other hand keep growing. Not long ago, Nigeria too paraded a set of flourishing cinema houses but that was when the economy was relatively buoyant and the populace had a reasonable level of peace of mind to spare a thought for going to cinema. Then cinema patronage was stimulating to intellectuals as it was to the royalties, courting couples, families, proletariat and potentates. But with the decline of our economy came the twin problems of transportation and insecurity to lives and properties, which affected the patronage to the extent of all the cinemas closing down or getting converted to warehouses, event centres or churches!

    Added to those two now is the battle for survival that keeps everyone on the move for an average of 16 hours a day! Where then is the time or inclination to go to cinema? That is why and how watching the movies at home become the most favoured option to the people. It is also why the focus of the grant should be on strengthening our Direct-To-Home, DTH, distribution. A single grant to build even the cheapest cinema will comfortably put about 10 producers to profitable work, 100 cast and crew members in gainful employment and will be more than enough to help almost all the licensed regional distributors activate their business with all the community retailers of that same region formalising their retail trade to give piracy a frontal attack. Cinema screening is not entirely useless though, its focus should be behind that of our DTH distribution.

    —By Yinka Ogundaisi; a writer, filmmaker and marketer

  • Like Subomi Balogun, like Mike Adenuga

    Like Subomi Balogun, like Mike Adenuga

    Otunba Olasubomi Balogun and Otunba Mike Adenuga have many things in common. Besides the fact that the two are successful businessmen, they are also citizens of the world. Any nation would be proud to have them as citizens. They both hail from Ijebuland in Ogun State and are numbered among the movers and shakers of the polity and economy.

    Balogun, generally regarded as one of the pivots of modern banking in Nigeria, is set to celebrate 30 years of his First City Monument Bank (FCMB). The colourful man of means is lucky in more ways than one. A few years ago, he installed his second son as the Managing Director of FCMB.

    For Adenuga, his reputable telecommunication company, Globacom, is now 10 years old, having commenced operation in 2003. Since then, the company’s growth rate has been astronomical, making the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to brand it the fastest growing in Africa.

    The company is reputed for pioneering several value-added services in the Nigerian telecoms sector, which made observers and operators to recognise it as one the most innovative at different times. In the last 10 years, Globacom has won several awards in recognition of its good services, while Adenuga, the chairman of the company, has been applauded for his vision.

  • Tunde Kelani in Sickle Cell movie

    MAVERICK filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, is a thematic freak. Little wonder his movies explore subjects that are uncommon in the Nigerian movie space, judging by his previous blockbusters like Ti Oluwa Ni Ile, Saworoide, AgogoEewo, Oleku, Kosegbe, Magun (Thunderbolt), Campus Queen, Arugba and Maa’mi.

    The problem of sickle cell anemia is one area where mortality rate could be controlled if the rules of engagements are followed adequately. Not many couples take this into consideration, leading, in some cases, to an unfortunately health situation and consequent finance drainer for the parents.

    In Dazzling Mirage, an ongoing film project by the veteran cinematographer, Kelani focuses on the theme of sickle cell, bringing to the attention of all, a matter that is staring us right in the face, but is rarely talked about.

    The cast members who are on location are excited about the project, believing that their involvement will add up as fellow campaigners for genotype sensitivity.

    but like a relishing potpourri, the movie, according to the filmmaker juxtaposes love, sickness and sacrifice in a cinematic mix that is guaranteed to get fans misty eyed.

    According to Kelani, it is unfortunate that many people, especially in Nigeria are aware of how the scourge comes about: “Ask anyone about sickle cell disease in Nigeria, and you would be surprised that they know virtually nothing about it. I think the first step is to create the awareness. Besides the film, which is a form of entertainment, it’s important also that we develop the necessary awareness concerning this scourge. After watching Dazzling Mirage, I’m sure there would be no doubt as to what people have gotten out of it.”

    Kelani talked about his commitment to the African course: “I think it will be irresponsible of me as an African filmmaker to ignore the areas of needs of the people, and this ailment is one that is prevalent in Nigeria. Presently, we have more than 40 million carriers; therefore, the information should be available everywhere and that’s the aim of this project.”

    He noted that he is not alone in the project, making the outcome a collaborative effort, “because it is adapted from a novel by Yinka Egbokhare, and the screen play adaptation is handled by another woman, Ade Sholanke, in London and there are other inputs because it’s important for us to research, so we teamed up with Sickle Cell Foundation in Lagos and a number of individuals who are knowledgeable about the sickle cell disorder. During the development of the script, we were able to bring together a lot of young people who are volunteers on the project and these are a crop of young and talented Nigerians who are good at what they do. We’re also looking at web and graphics animation and social media, which are part of the project as well.”

    Unlike most of Kelani’s movies, the language of Dazzling Mirage is English, although set in Yorubaland. And the filmmaker is pooling some of his old acts together in the project. They include Khabirat Kafidipe, Bukky Wright and Kunle Afolayan among others. “The language of the film will be English, though there wouldn’t be any doubt as to where this story is coming from. Having some familiar faces on this production is a natural progression, because we are interested in each other’s progress as we advance in our careers, and occasionally, we can tap into each other’s resources for mutual progress. On a lighter note, you know, Bukola Awoyemi, (also playing Bukky in the film), acted with another member of cast, Segun Adefila, in the movie Arugba, and they promised to get married to themselves in that film after their education. It’s like a continuation, and I think they will get married in Dazzling Mirage.”

    The filmmaker put the budget of the movie at an estimate of 40 million naira, which he said is temporary. “And I think we are barely half-way because Lagos State government has given us part funding, and my sister, Oyinda Adeshina’s, company, Hygea, has been of great help; they actually gave us a soft loan to start up the project in the first place. As I’m speaking to you now, my heart is in my mouth because this is the crucial time we need extra funds to complete this film. Presently, we need 20 million naira to complete the film, and it’s really giving me nightmares, because we have reached out to corporate organizations, but we are yet to get any response; we’re still waiting though.” He said, adding that, “my hope is that people will appreciate the film; I can also sum it up with our slogan which says, ‘be sickle-smart.’ After watching the film, many will go for their genotype test.”

  • Destiny Child season II auditions hold in Abuja, Markudi, Owerri

    FOLLOWING the success of its season I, Destiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt began the quest for Season II on a high note in the city of Abuja, the city that produced Isreal Funsho, the winner of the first season. The audition train, which began at Agura Hotel, Abuja, continued at Hotel Reuphina, Markudi and later moved to Rockview Hotel, Owerri.

    Season II hosts, Quest and Iphy were on hand to receive the boisterous crowd of hopeful contestants at each of the three zones. However, the premature enthusiasm soon drained from the eyes of the contestants, soon after they were confronted with the reality of keen competition, with only two finalist spots up for grabs.

    At each of the zones, the auditions held for two days, beginning with a pre-audition screening. It continued the next day to pave the way for the two finalists who will proceed into DC City for the main competition. The rigorous screening exercises recorded some exciting performances of popular gospel tunes, ranging from R&B to contemporary African tunes, as well as hip hop, leaving room for only the best. In Abuja, the duo of renowned gospel musicians, Asu Ekiye and Solomon Lange, teamed up with the show producer, U-Cheena.

    One of the highlights of day II in Abuja was the visit of Isreal Funsho, who rode into the venue in his brand new car, with a customized plate number Destiny 1. The Abuja-based singer, whose first album was released on the imprimatur of Autographs Records, also had a few advices for the contestants before he left the scene.

    The two finalists from Abuja, Markurdi and Owerri will now proceed into the DC City, where they will slug it out with other finalists from other regions.

    The winners of the show will smile home with fantastic prizes, including a 1st prize of a brand new car, N1million and Autograph records deal, worth N3million. The first and second runners-up will go home with Autograph Records deal, worth N2million and N1million respectively.

  • The Project Fame journey ends for Ayoka

    IT was an evening of soulful renditions as the contestants paid tribute to James Brown and Ray Charles of blessed memory. After the group performance, the four contestants on probation took the stage one after the other to fight their way out of probation.

    To bail themselves out, they repeated the songs that landed them on probation and the judges noted the significant improvements over last week’s performances. After all said and done, the moment of truth came and all four contestants were summoned on stage.

    While Jimoh was saved by the viewers, Niniola found favour in the sight of the judges and Johnny narrowly escaped elimination as he fell on the popular side of the other contestants’ votes while Ayoka was eliminated.

  • Family, colleagues surprise Funke Akindele on birthday

    IF there is anything like a harmless lie, then star actress, Funke Akindele fell for one on her last birthday. She had been told that Glo will be engaging her on an official assignment scheduled to take place Last Saturday night at The Place Club by Papa’s Entertainment. Of course, this was not without the cooperation of some of her co-Glo ambassador who could have confirmed to her upon enquiry that indeed, they were aware of an official evening by the telecommunications company. Her flight was fixed from Enugu where she was on a film location. Her hotel was booked and so was the venue of the event and an exquisite looking birthday cake that had the celebrant dummied in the Jenifa’s costume and branded with Glo, Vitafoam and Olasco Films’ logos. She walked into her carefully plotted surprise 36th birthday where fellow actress Kate Henshaw led the Happy Birthday chorus, and the actress simply broke into tears.

    Chief among the organisers were Funke’s bossom friend, Ariyike Akinbobola and her elder sister and manager, Ayo Ola Muhammed.

    Ola Muhammed had feared that their cover may be blown and the outcome unpredictable: “her instinct is strong and she is beginning to ask too many questions,” she noted a few hours to the show.

    “I feel so honoured,” she said amidst tears. “I mean not even at this period. I feel so blessed. I just thank God about my life. And I just have to say this now. For everybody who has come out to celebrate with me, I’m alive and they love me, God bless you all.”

    But tensioned tension and surprises gave way as the show entered full gear, with the celebrant taking pictures, hugging and dancing almost with every guest with DJ Spinall on the wheel of steel.

    Some of the celebrant’s colleagues who arrived the venue before her were Kate ‘the Great’ Henshaw, Uche Jombo, Tiwa Savage, Sound Sultan, JJC and Funke Kuti.

    Other guests include Alhaji Hakeem Balogun (Olasco Films), Tee Billz, Sexy Steel, Eniola Badmus, award winning producer, Ty Mix, Ariyike Akinbobola, Ayabime Okpoh, star comedian, AY and his wife, Reminisce, African China, Bantu, Osahon Asemota, Frank Okamigbo, Busayo, Sexy Steel, Victor Olaotan, Biodun Kupoluyi, Segun Banjo, Femi Davies, Busayo Folarin, Kaffy, Layole Oyatogun among others.

  • KSB escapes death

    ANOTHER death in the entertainment industry has being averted. Foremost gospel singer, Kenny Saint Best, was involved in an accident at Ojota. An obviously elated Kenny, who was with her driver when the incident occurred, sent a broadcast which reads: “I just had an accident by Ojota. A truck without brake ran into us. I’m alive and my driver too.”

    When contacted, Kenny who couldn’t hide her joy said, “it is true but I survived it. A heavy duty trailer’s brake failed and used my car to stop itself. Na God o.”