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  • My passion is more important than my profession – Teebee

    My passion is more important than my profession – Teebee

    Although budding afro-pop artiste Abiodun Akinpelu took his career professional in 2011, he says that music is all he has ever done, even as a kid. Fresh with a single titled Alagbon, the graduate of Biochemistry from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology speaks with OVWE MEDEME on his life as an artiste, plans for the industry and sundry issues. 

    As one who started music early, why didn’t you study it as a course?

    While growing up, music was just a hobby to me. It was something I did effortlessly. So, I did not really feel it was necessary for me to attend a music school because I was already doing well in it. I was a science student in school.

    And you know, the normal thing is that if you tell your friends that you want to study music, they would ignore you thinking you are not serious with life. I would have you know that I actually wanted to study medicine, but ended up with Biochemistry. I decided that if I go for medicine, the music in me might die

    How did your parents react when you took music professional?

    It was just natural that they would kick against it. You know the typical Nigerian parents are sceptical about some courses, particularly music and theatre arts which has to do with acting.

    Then, my parents objected to my choice of career. They asked me why I was going into music even though I was doing well as a biochemist. My parents really didn’t believe I would go into music; they thought it was a child’s play because they saw me playing around music and were not bothered. But after my university education, I told my parents that music is where my passion lies.

    Do you have their support now?

    My parents are very supportive of my career and they listen to my music. In fact, they are the first persons to listen to my music anytime I drop a single and even before recording. My parents are supportive.

    Do you play any musical instruments?

    I play the voice only (laughs). But actually right now, I am learning how to play the keyboard. I don’t intend to be a producer, but I want to be able to produce my own sound. So, I am learning.

    You released Gbaduwe when you were in school after which you took a break…

    The break in music was necessary because you cannot chase two birds at once and catch them all. You definitely will lose them all. I felt that music is in-born, so I said music was not going to leave me. I also had to go for my one year compulsory service. During my NYSC, I was recording and writing music almost on a daily basis, but I didn’t drop any single. I needed that pause in order to go back to the drawing board and then come out with something massive which reflects in my latest single, Alagbon.

    Does Alagbon refer to the popular police station?

    Well, at first glance, one is tempted to conclude by the title of the music that it is a reference to the popular Alagbon Police Station, but Alagbon is an area in Lagos. You have to listen to the song to get the gist. That is what I always urge my fans to do.

    How well do you think the title will sell the song?

    I’m very sure there is no other song titled Alagbon out there. So, the uniqueness of the song makes it a catch because it is not a regular title. Again the lyrics and rhythm of the song make it unique.

    With your music, what message do you hope to pass to Nigerians?

    One thing everybody is talking about in Nigeria toady is the current economic hardship. Things are really difficult now. My music is meant to make people feel good. I call my songs good jolly songs that make people forget about their sorrows and problems in order to be happy. In my music, I preach happiness, peace, love and togetherness.

    Are you working on an album?

    Not at the moment. Right now, I’m pushing Alagbon. I’m also just concentrating on releasing singles. Very soon, the video for Alagbon will be released.

    Are you signed on to a record label?

    Not at the moment.

    How would you describe yourself?

    Well, I‘m a cool person. I’m also a go-getter; that is one thing I know about myself. If you ask anybody that knows me, they will tell you I am a go-getter. I don’t just do things but I break out of the norm. I go the extra mile to do something different from the way other people do theirs and come out the big way. I’m God-fearing and I always want to be happy.

    What genre of music do you play?

    I play afro-pop music.

    What Nigerian artiste would you like to collaborate with?

    If there is one Nigerian artiste I would like to do a collabo with, he or she has to be very good because you know our sound right now is going global and everybody in the music industry is really putting in their best. But If I must choose one, I would go for Davido.

    What do you see in him?

    I like his style of music. One thing I like about Davido is that he is very determined; he is my kind of person. He is a go-getter and he’s very hard working, like myself. I feel we’ll do good music together and that would be a good blend.

    What would you say sets you apart from others.

    Well, let me start by saying I am one unique kind of person. I just want to break out. My kind of music is totally different. I do afro-pop music, but if you listen to my sound you will hear the uniqueness in it. The unique sound that Teebee gives stands him out from any other artiste.

    Are you married?

    No, I’m not married. I’m single.

    And ready to mingle?

    (Laughs) Well, something like that.

    What does Teebee stand for?

    Teebee is a nickname given to me by my friends while growing up as a child. You know then we did give each other peculiar names. So that is how the name Teebee came to be.

    If you are given an opportunity to choose a record label in Nigeria, which would you go for?

    We have very many fantastic labels in the country and they all support good music because they are good brands. It would be difficult for me to choose now because they are all good. I’ll let the spirit lead me.

    As a full time artiste, do you intend dropping your course of study?

    I don’t think so. What I believe is that my passion is much more important than the course I studied in the university. Yes, education is key, and it is good to acquire good education in order to get the platform, knowledge, exposure and edge. But my passion for music is so immense that I can’t even drop it. Even when I was in the university studying Biochemistry, I would go for shows, events and studios. So, basically, music is where my mind is right now. Music didn’t stop me from doing well in school in terms of academic performance.

    Do you still intend to practice Biochemistry?

    I don’t think I ever will.

  • FAMILY IS MOST IMPORTANT, SAYS OMONI OBOLI

    NOLLYWOOD actress and producer, Omoni Oboli, was recently given a Pacesetters Awards, by the film video producers and marketers association of Nigeria, at the Investiture Awards 2016, held at the Rockview Hotel, Festac Town.

    The mother of three boys, who spoke with The Nation, revealed what makes the new award, special and different from the ones she has won in past.

    “This is quite different because it’s from the film video producers and marketers association of Nigeria, which I am also a member. Knowing full well that without them Nollywood will not be where it is today. From day one, they have been the one behind Nollywood; pushing with their work, and knowing well that it is going to get better as time goes on,” she said.

    On combining work and home, the actress/producer who has three teenagers explained that, it has been easy for her as she is hardly seen on every location.

    “For me, I have always known the most important things in life; and one of the most import things is my family and they come first. That’s why as an actor, you don’t see me jumping from one set to the other.

    “I don’t do it, because I have got to have time with my family. There are times that I don’t do anything for months; you will only see me marketing my movies online and other channels. You will not actively see me on movie sets. That is because I plan to have quality time with my family,” she added.

    Oboli took a break after graduation; she got married right after university and started having kids.

  • FAMILY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY–KEMI LALA AKINDOJU

    FAMILY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY–KEMI LALA AKINDOJU

    Since 2005 when she came into the acting world, Kemi Lala Akindoju has not looked back in her quest for excellence. Having concentrated on stage plays, the thespian decided to take her game a notch higher when she broke into Nollywood. With over 70 stage productions and lead roles in some of Nollywood’s highly rated movies to her credit, the young Kemi speaks with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on her passion for womanhood, her life’s goals and a host of other issues

    YOU have always been a stage person; tell what was it like coming to TV production?

    I started my career on stage, because I wanted a certain level for my career. And because I wanted to be a certain kind of actor. I did strictly theatre for five years. Working in front of the camera has always been part in the plan; it was just a means to an end. I believe an actor should be able to perform on any platform; be it stage or TV. Right now, I am an actor who performs on every platform. And every platform has different techniques and styles; in each one, you have to apply the techniques. There is no transformation or transition, because when you are transiting, it is like you are moving from one to the other.

    Tell us about the V-monologue production?

    It was my first production on stage. I am passionate about women issues; I have done similar productions twice before that in 2008 and 2010. The third was in 2013. Being passionate about women, I felt the story about the African woman would be a good one with the support of an NGO. These are the things that motivate me.

    What was it like working with top actresses on the production?

    Because people are yet to understand the theatre, I felt it was just best to bring in the gurus; and you know theatre is where they started. For Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, I just went to her and introduced myself and explained to her what I wanted to do. It was my first time and she hasn’t done stage in Nigeria for a long time. It was after that period that people realized that she was back. It wasn’t easy, but because I believe that if I think of something, I can actually do it, it wasn’t difficult.

    They were wonderful. You know there is this myth that top actors are difficult, I haven’t had that experience.  They are always ready; I mean they won’t want to spoil the image of the legacy they have set in the industry. What I mean is that if you package it and they see it is good, they are always ready. In fact, I have more friends as senior colleagues; because they are more supporting and encouraging.

    As one who is passionate about women, are you planning to float an NGO?

    Honestly there are so many NGOs around. Where I stand right now, I don’t plan to run one. But what is on my agenda is to support as many NGOs as I can; to practically help the girl child. I am still finding my way. It is not like I have money kept somewhere. But I believe in mentorship, because I was mentored and I’m still being mentored. So anybody that I see is ready to work, I bring them closer and show them how things are done. And with the art we have, which is a powerful tool, there are so many stories to tell. For me I would think of a story where the woman is the lead first, before thinking of the man. Call it being partial, but there are a lot of scripts where the female characters are strong. In my little way I would try.

    Tell us about your desire to be different?

    I believe so much in purpose; there are things that I can do that you can’t do and vice versa. God has placed a special gift in everyone. I found myself in the arts and I have to use my talent. Money is physical; I have gotten to the level that I know hunger cannot kill me. I am certain that if I don’t have money in my account and no food in the house, hunger cannot kill me. The fear of dying from hunger is not there, so I must aspire for more. There has to be more to everything we do. There is more to money, life and purpose. For me, I don’t do anything for doing sake, because if it is not going to be great, then there is no need doing it.

    There are lots of mediocre out there. I am a very passionate person and there are some things that you must try to change. You have to be true to yourself; ‘know yourself’ is the 11th commandment. It is not a curse. And I am not knocking down anybody that is after money, because money is good; it helps. Kunle Afolayan told me about the journey of his movie, Figurine; what they went through while shooting the movie. You know how you are forced to press on when you hear some stories. There is this glory; it is like the word in the scripture that says, for the suffering we going through now, nothing compares to the glory that awaits us. So there is more.

    How do you set these goals for yourself?

    It is not as if I am from a rich home; lately I thought about the kind of parents that I have, and how they taught me and made me understand that love and family are more important. Those things matter to me more than money. So I insist on being the best in everything I do. And my parents are amazing, because if they hadn’t allowed me to do what I wanted to do, I wouldn’t be here today. I mean, I started doing things for myself very early; I have been in the industry for 10 years now, and I am not yet 30. So there is a level of freedom that my parents had to give me. I studied Insurance, so it is not like I set out to be an actor. These things just happen with the help of God and the Holy Spirit. When I discovered that I wanted to be an actor, I had a list of actors that I wanted to be like and they are all presently in my life now. All these people, I walked up to them, introduced myself and told them I wanted to work with them.

    How have you always gotten your roles?

    Working with Uncle Tunde Kelani, I went to his office when he was shooting Maami, but they were done with casting. So when they started work for Dazzling Mirage, he cast me without seeing me. He did it by following his heart. That is one thing about this work; you follow your heart. Anybody that treats his cast on the surface won’t last. Every step of the way, I just put myself in God’s hand. I have had my years of praying and confessing what I wanted, and favour has always been the answer.

    Do you still go for auditions?

    Yes, there is nothing wrong in it. I have done my years of that. There is a level you get to, that they cast you, but you will still need to go to audition for them to see if you fit the role; to find out if you understand the lines.

    Kunle wasn’t trying to find out if I had talent; he wanted to see how I can fit into the role. For me, I was honoured. If I didn’t get the role, it won’t mean that I am not talented. It could just be that maybe I didn’t interpret the role well enough.

    How do you feel when you don’t get a role?

    I feel disappointed. I’m also a casting director. I have learnt over the years that casting is not just about talents; there are features that you have to look at for a particular role. Any time I am going for audition, I try to put in my best, because those few minutes are like my whole career is coming to an end. There is this role I lost this year, but I know that it was not because I wasn’t talented that I was not picked. It just didn’t work out. And I know that what is mine won’t pass me by. The role that will take me to the next level will surely come.

  • ‘Three points more important than fancy game’

    ‘Three points more important than fancy game’

    Chief coach of the Super Falcons Edwin Okon says that mattered most was the three points his team secured from the game against the Brave Warriors of Namibia and not whether the team played well or not.

    Okon, looking obviously frustrated, told NationSports after the game that he decided to rest some of his key players since the team had already qualified before yesterday’s encounter, adding that at the end of the game he was satisfied that the Falcons were able to eke out three points.

    “I don’t want to dwell so much on the general performance of the team. For me, the most important thing was the three points we secured against the Namibians.

    “When I chose this team, I knew that all the players could be called upon to play in any game and I’m happy that we won the game.”

    The Rivers Angels’ tactician also gave kudos to the Brave Warriors of Namibia for putting up a stiff opposition against his team.

    “The Brave Gladiators are playing at home, in front of their home crowd which spurred them on. Besides that, I think they are a great team and I want to commend them for their performance despite their ouster,” he said.

  • Important timeline of Chibok girls’ abduction

    Important timeline of Chibok girls’ abduction

    April 14: The Government Girls Secondary School in the village of Chibok reopened for exams.  Armed men in Nigerian military uniform stormed into the school at night, telling the girls they would take them to safety.  The students soon realized the men were not real soldiers; they were actually from Boko Haram, a terrorist group based in northeastern of Nigeria whose name figuratively means “Western education is a sin”.

    April 16: The government of Borno state announce a reward of $300,000 for information leading to the rescue of the school girls. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan calls a National Security Council meeting in Abuja to review security measures to determine the best way forward. The Nigerian military issued a statement that almost all of the girls had been freed. The next day, the military retracted their claim.

    April 24: Parents of the missing girls and other Nigerians take to social media to call the attention of the international community to their plight and to put pressure on the Nigerian government to take action. Ibrahim M. Abdullahi, a lawyer in Abuja, sends the first tweet using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

    April 30: The “Million-Woman March, held in Abuja, gathers about 500 people who were mostly women dressed in red. They marched to the National Assembly and delivered a letter,  complaining that the government was not doing enough to ensure the release of the girls.

    May 2: President Goodluck Jonathan announces a “fact-finding committee” to help in the search of the girls. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Washington “will do everything possible to support the Nigerian government to return these young women to their homes and hold the perpetrators to justice. That is our responsibility and the world’s responsibility.”

    May 5: In a video statement, Boko Haram leader acknowledges that his group was responsible for the kidnapping of the schoolgirls. He declares the students “will remain slaves with us”. The White House confirms that the United States is helping Nigeria in the quest to find and free the abducted schoolgirls.  There is some speculation that the girls may have been moved into nearby countries.

    May 7: Boko Haram attacks the Nigerian village of Gamboru Ngala on the border with Cameroon. Over 300 people are killed in the attack. In Paris, French president François Hollande offers Nigeria a “special team” to look for the girls and Britain says it will send a team of experts to Nigeria to help with the crisis. China’s Premier Li Keqiang, on a visit to Abuja, promises that his country will make any useful information acquired by its satellites and intelligence services available to Nigeria’s security agencies.

    May 12: In a new Boko Haram video, the leader of the group Abubakar Shekau claims to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls. The girls say they have converted to Islam and the terrorist group declares they will release the schoolgirls in exchange for all imprisoned militants.

    May 17: United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, William Hague, President Goodluck Jonathan and French President, François Hollande are among attendees of a summit in Paris on the growing threat of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. William Hague offered Nigeria assistance in the form of military advisors, but has insisted that the country must take its security responsibility seriously in the face of ongoing attacks from Boko Haram.

    May 21: Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US Professor Ade Adefuye responds to disparaging remarks made by Senator McCain at a meeting in Washington DC. He said the Nigerian government was doing everything possible to secure the safe release of the Girls and assured that #our girls will be back.

    May 27: The military says it knows where the girls abducted by Boko Haram are, but ruled out using force to rescue them.  Nigeria’s president was sent a new video of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in which they plead with him to spare their lives through a prisoner swap. The Nigerian government has denied that any deal was on the table, and has so far neither confirmed nor denied the existence of the video.

    July 12: Pakistani human rights activist Malala Yousafzai visits Abuja and meets, first with five of the girls who escaped (July 13), and then with the President (July 14).

    July 15: Jonathan’s planned meeting fails to hold as the parents reportedly cancel it the very last moment. Goodluck Jonathan blames #BringBackOurGirls campaigners for whisking away the parents who were to visit him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    July 16: Parents explain that they did not shun the meeting with President intentionally, but were unaware of it saying they received the invitation already on the day of the visit scheduled by Jonathan.

    July 17: Presidency sends another letter to the girls’ parents and the event gets rescheduled to the next week.

    July 22: Jonathan meets with the parents of the Chibok girls at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

  • Emenike: trophy important for my career

    Emenike: trophy important for my career

    Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has admitted in an interview with a Turkish Sports website that winning the coveted African Cup of Nations trophy is important for his fledging career.

    Emenike is one of the greenhorns selected by Coach Stephen Keshi for a debut appearance in Africa’s biggest football showpiece which gets underway this weekend in South Africa and the Russia-based striker has said he is ready to make the best of the chance given.

    “I would like to win the Africa Cup of Nations, that is our aim at the championship.

    “I ‘m going to try as much as I can to score but that does not matter; what is most important is that Nigeria emerges champion.

    “This championship is extremely important in terms of my career,” Emenike told ajansspor.com.

    Nigeria have just two AFCON titles in her kitty after victories in 1980 and 1994 and are keen to complete a hat-trick of wins in South Africa.

    Emenike has been in good form for the national team scoring twice in two of the tune-up games played by the Eagles in Faro, Portugal.

  • Nigeria more important than our personal differences, says Jonathan

    •N60m raised at Armed Forces Emblem launch

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the country is more important than personal, religious and ethnic differences.

    He urged Nigerians to rise above individual differences and promote values that bind the country together.

    The President spoke at the emblem appeal launch for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration. The event was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

    The President also urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to champion the cause of unity and national cohesion, adding that the Armed Forces remembrance affords the nation the opportunity to celebrate the gallantry of its military; those living and those who had paid the supreme sacrifice during World War II, the civil war and various peace keeping missions.

    He urged Nigerians to refuse to be divided by those who impose ethnic and religious meaning on every national issue.

    President Jonathan said: “For me, the strongest message is that of unity. The men and women that we remember today were drawn into national service from all parts of Nigeria and they served gallantly, regardless of differences of religion or ethnicity.

    “They were united by the same purpose – to keep Nigeria secure. Their oneness of purpose and spirit remind us of the significance of national cohesion. Together we can achieve a lot.

    “Whatever may be our differences; religious, ethnic or personal, Nigeria is more important. We must be united in rising above our differences and promoting values that bind us together.

    “We must refuse to be divided by those who impose ethnic and religious meaning on every national issue.

    “Soon, it will be 100 years since Nigeria emerged as one country; it is a heritage that we all must be proud of.

    “The legacy of our past heroes is something we must cherish as we strive together to leave an even worthier legacies for future generation.”

    The Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem launch, according to the President, is significant, coming four days after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi, their aides and pilots.

    The President pledged to support the families of the victims.

    “We remember today the heroes that have fallen and also our serving military men and women. We remember today the sacrifice that our armed forces have made and are still making so that our country can continue to live in peace and remain secured.

    “To those who have served and those who are still serving, we thank you for the sacrifice that you have made, sacrifice that is borne out of patriotism, sacrifice that is strong message of inspiration to the rest of us,’’ Jonathan said.

    Minister of State for Defence Mrs Olusola Obada said the nation deserved to honour those who had laid down their lives for her unity.

    She said the fund realised would be used to, among other things, support the families and loved ones the departed heroes left behind.

    The President, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, were decorated with the emblem.

    Also decorated were former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former President Shehu Shagari, Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Mrs. Obada.

    Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Ibrahim, the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, Ministers and other dignitaries were decorated with the emblem.

    Business mogul Aliko Dangote, who was also decorated with the emblem donated N30 million and announced donation of another N30 million on behalf of Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

    Mrs. Stella Okoye, Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical, announced a donation of N10million worth of drugs for military hospitals.