The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Femi Branch

  • I’m still an actor, says Femi Branch

    I’m still an actor, says Femi Branch

    Nollywood actor, Femi Branch has kicked against reports insinuating he has left the acting business.

    The thespian was reacting to questions from fans on Instagram at the weekend.

    He said: “I get surprised when people say they have not been seeing me in movies like in the past. There are lots of movies out there that I have featured in. I think what people meant is that they have not been seeing me in Yoruba movies like before, which is not my design; I do all kind of  movies I have lots of movies online and series on TV.”

    The father of two, who is also preparing to mark his silver jubilee as an actor, is the writer of the much-publicised play, Shalanga, which features Yaw, AY and other acts.

    Branch also shared his opinion about Darey Art Alade’s Pray for Me video, which he says got him enraptured: “First, this song #Prayforme by @dareydarey got me enraptured and now the video does it sweet justice. My heart breaks to pieces every time I watch it, especially the part where the mother @ajokesilva dies and when the father @olujacobs finally bursts out in prayers for his son @dareydarey and the heavens open for him.

    “There is no greater breakthrough than when your parents, especially your father, support your toil with his heartfelt prayers. I have said it several times and will say it again, @dareydarey remains one of Naija’s best and true Music-makers.”

  • FEMI BRANCH SET FOR 25 YEARS ON STAGE

    FEMI BRANCH SET FOR 25 YEARS ON STAGE

    CROSS-OVER actor Femi Branch is set to celebrate 25 years on stage. Though he is yet to give the full details of the event, the actor is already promoting the flyer for the show; which is expected to attract top personalities.

    The event is tagged: Femi Branch; 25years in the entertainment industry, celebrating God’s faithfulness.

    “Many started this race before me, many after. Most have more talent in their little fingers than I have in my entire body but the world is yet to know their name. This proves the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong. It is not according to him that willeth or to him that runneth, it is according to God that showeth mercy. Mo ri aanu gba ni! So, am saying thank you to all the fans who have made the journey such a thrill, I thank my family for bearing the brunt of my excesses and I thank God for counting me worthy and having my back even when I didn’t deserve it. I am truly grateful.

    “In these glorious 25 years, I have played very colorful characters; I have played the high and also the low. I have played Kings and also the insane! Acting is one profession in which you can play your highest fantasies and even roles you detest! I have played the rapist, the abuser and all manner of unimaginable depictions. In all I am thankful to the fans who have always kept me on my toes to make sure I never lose track of living up to their expectations. I truly hope I have not disappointed you guys too much,” he added.

    Femi Babafemi Branch is a Nigerian poet, playwright, film actor, director and producer.

  • Femi Branch in debt scandal

    Femi Branch in debt scandal

    POPULAR crossover actor, Femi Branch, is in the news again for the wrong reasons.

    The bulky thespian, who recently fought hard to deny reports that he could not pay his rent, is now enmeshed in another controversy.

    This time around, a 32-year-old lady, Olabisi Aberuagba, has alleged that the actor owes her the sum of N130, 000(One hundred and thirty thousand naira), which she lent him in 2012.

    In an interview with The Nation, Aberuagba, who was then an employee of a popular hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said: “Femi, who was one of the hotel’s regular customers, happened to run out of money during a film project. I felt pity for him because he had just survived a ghastly motor accident and the said movie project was his only hope of financial uplift.”

    However, the show of fellow-feeling was not reciprocated, as Branch has allegedly refused to pay back the debt, contrary to agreement.

    Aberuagba further disclosed that she had explored all avenues to make Branch pay back the money to no avail.

    “I have pleaded with him to pay back my money, but he has refused. The total money was N180, 000, out of which he paid back N50, 000 in March, 2013, after I had reported him to his pastor. When he stopped picking my calls, I took some policemen to the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, where he was taking part in a stage play on Sunday, October 6, 2013. Though he wrote an undertaking to pay me the following day, he failed again to fulfill his promise.

    “In fact, I personally took a letter written by my lawyer to his home at Adigbe in Abeokuta, Ogun State on January 11, 2014. My lawyer had given him a seven-day ultimatum to refund the money, but he has continued to make air promises. He must pay me my money because I am ready to take the matter to any length,” she added.

    Late last year when our correspondent sought his reaction on the matter, Branch had promised to pay Aberugba, but he did not. Also, further attempt to get his comment met a brick wall as he refused to answer his calls.

    The same thing played out during the week when he refused to pick his calls and even failed to reply to the text the message forwarded to his phone.

  • Femi Branch blows hot over ejection rumour

    SEVERAL rumours may have been carried about Nollywood actor, Femi Branch in the past, but a recent one suggesting he is owing his landlord some months’ rent and that he has been warned to pay up or face ejection is really hitting him hard.

    Apparently vexed by the negative press in the social media, the thespian in a statement signed by his publicist, Bunmi Odunowo, has threatened the publishers of the story with litigation, claiming it was total falsehood.

    “It is unfortunate that some people who lack intellect, pedigree and even the common comprehension or application of simple grammatical nuances would wake up one day and decide that the best way to advance themselves, is to rubbish a name they have no inkling as to its evolution! An irritating upstart came up with a story that I am facing eviction from my house. And that I am struggling to return to Nollywood, ordinarily I wouldn’t dignify this kind of blabber with a response but seeing it is going viral and my friends, family, fans and well-wishers have been urging me to react, I thereby have to do this. I have no idea what this simpleton is talking about. The clown even claimed I was a former Glo Ambassador, which goes to show the level of research that went into his story and its attendant ‘credibility’.

    “Credible journalists who have interviewed me in recent times will note that he plagiarised some of their articles by stealing comments I made there and claiming I said them in response to his story. The clown (name withheld) has unwittingly shot himself in the foot and he will soon hear from my Lawyers. The time when so-called journalists or self-styled bloggers will mess up the good and hard-earned names of hard-working professionals whose only crime is that their job puts them in the limelight is over.

    Others will learn from Mr. (name withheld) when the law takes its course. May God continue to bless my wonderful fans who saw this rubbish for what it is and have refused to be deceived and sent on a fool’s errand of spreading falsity? God bless. Femi Branch.”