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Tag: MAN

  • WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR IN A MAN– NOLLYWOOD STAR IFEANYICHUKWU EDNA ONOJA

    WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR IN A MAN– NOLLYWOOD STAR IFEANYICHUKWU EDNA ONOJA

    As one who has spent three years in the highly challenging film industry, Ifeanyichukwu Edna Onoja admits that it hasn’t been a walk in the park. But that is not to say the years have been unkind. She also says that she has had fun moments.
    With such films like Festac Babes, Bold 5 Babes, Diamond Ring, Desperate Models and Reloaded Models in her kitty, the actress believes that she is here to make her mark. She speaks with OVWE MEDEME on such issues like her taste in men, sexual harassment in the industry, and the challenges she has had to deal with, among other issues

    FOR how long have you been an actress?

    I have been acting for the past three years. I have done about ten movies. Among the films I have acted in are Festac Babes, Bold 5 Babes, Diamond Ring, Desperate Models, Reloaded Models, Efe the Benin Girl, Okada Girl and some others. Like I said, this is my third year in the industry and it has been fun all the way.

    Why did you choose to be an actress?

    I’m thinking of the best way to put it. I don’t want to sound cliché and say I was born to become an actress. I would rather say that I love acting. I have a passion for acting. When I’m at home with my parents, each time we are talking, I am always in the moodto act. Everything I do is just like I am acting. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to be an actress. I love acting. And when Mercy Johnson started acting and I first saw her on screen, the way she carried herself got me moved and it gave me the courage to go into it formally. I love acting and I’m so proud to be called an actress.

    Did you study too become an actress?

    No, I didn’t study anything acting related. I studied Accountancy.

    With all the love you have for the profession, why didn’t you study to become an actress?

    I also love Accounting and the truth is that, I won’t be an actress forever.

    But there are people who have been actors all their lives…

    You are getting me wrong. What I’m trying to say is that I might act forever but I won’t be in the profession forever. What I mean by that is, with or without studying a course like Theatre Arts, acting is already in me. So what is the essence of studying it?I studied Accounting because I want to do something apart from acting. I want something that when I eventually get married and I settle down, should my husband give me a condition to quit acting, there would be something for me to hold on to. I want to act forever but nobody knows tomorrow

    Talking about marriage, is there something in the works?

    Not really? For now, I am still single.

    Why is that? Are you not thinking in that light?

    Let’s just say I have not found the perfect person.

    How would you describe the perfect person?

    It is true what they say about aperfect person being hard to find but for me, I need only one thing from a man; and that is truthfulness. If I have a man who tells me the truth all the time, there is nothing more I will be looking for. We can go ahead and get married.

    Three years in the industry, how challenging would you say has it been?

    Well, it has been challenging in so many ways. For instance, when I started out, in some movies, there are scripts that they give to me that got me so carried away. When I first started out in the industry, it was very challenging and the issues I had to deal with are different from the ones I face today. I can boldly tell you now that as time went by and as I got more attached to the profession, it became a bit easier. The movie industry in Nigeria is easy and at the same time, it is hard. At the end of the day, it is just how the industry is. Sometimes, you just have to push on.

    So far, have you been a victim of sexual harassment?

    No, I’ve never had to deal with that kind of issue. I guess maybe it’s because of the kind of person I am.

    A lot of actresses complain about being harassed. How did you manage to escape that?

    I won’t say there has not been any or that I have not been approached. Therehave been so many incidences but one thing I always tell myself is that I am not a desperate actress. I know how to act. I was born to act. I will not bring myself too low to sleep with a director just for him to give me a script. If you call me for a job, you give me a script and you tell me I must do this to get the script, I will tell you to hold your script. If you want me to act, you give me the script and we negotiate. You pay me and I do your job. That’s as simple as it gets. I cannot do less than that. I cannot sleep with an actor or anybody to get a job.

    Aside acting, what else are you into?

    Aside acting, I intend to go into some other stuff like travelling abroad to bring in consumer products. I am still processing it but hopefully, soon, I will swing into action. There are so many other things I intend to go into but I don’t want to disclose them now. At the right time, I will let the cat out of the bag.

    Like most of your colleagues, do you intend taking a course in filmmaking?

    For now, I don’t think I want to do a course in filmmaking or movie directing for that matter. I just want to be an actress.

  • Man charged with N2.5 m theft

    A 33- year- old man, Nyah Etoo Sunday, is facing trial at the  Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding one Ekaete Margaret Archibong of the sum of N2.5million.

    Nyah was alleged to have defrauded Ekeate of the money under the pretence of facilitating a student visa and university admission for her daughter in France.

    He was said to have conspired with others at large  to commit the crime at Church Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos.

    Nyah pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The offence, according to the police prosecutor, Mr Adegoke Akinlabi, contravened Sections 407, 313 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    His counsel, Imelda Adebambo pleaded for bail in the most liberal terms.

    The presiding magistrate, O.I Adelaja admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sum .

    The case was adjourned till September 9 for mention.

  • Man urges members to maintain status quo on MYTO 2.0 

    Members of Ikeja branch of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have resolved to maintain the status quo and continue to operate on Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.0), pending the determination of the suit they filed at the Lagos High Court challenging the decision of  Ikeja Electric to increase electricity tariff.

    MAN also admonished members to strictly adhere to MYTO 2.0 on tariff and fixed costs, noting that members, who criss-cross, do so at their own peril as it is not acceptable to MAN and Ikeja Electric.

    The decisions were contained in a communiqué issued after a crucial meeting of members of Ikeja branch of MAN, held during the week at the MAN House, to look at the recommendations of a 10-man Joint Committee of MAN/Ikeja Electric earlier set up to brainstorm and proffer solutions to some of the issues raised.

    At the end of the meeting, manufacturers unanimously resolved that manufacturers should effect prompt payment of energy bills as at when due, to enable Ikeja Electric have funds to defray its costs of operation.

    In the communiqué signed by Chairman and Executive Secretary, Ikeja branch of MAN, Prince Oba Okojie and Joseph Emoleke, manufacturers also resolved that Ikeja Electric should appreciate urgently the use of prepaid metres, while MAN and Ikeja Electric encourage and strengthen the stakeholders’ consultative forum as a veritable platform to iron out grey areas.

    The communiqué, made available to The Nation, further said Ikeja Electric needs to upgrade its information technology system and have robust financial platforms to accommodate payments by cheques, drafts, funds transfers etc.

    Besides, Ikeja Electric the communiqué said, should be mindful of losing more customers as some manufacturing companies now generate power. It also said manufacturers are always at a great loss due to the quality of power supply (outages), none metering as the use of best of judgment (BOJ) is not only unfair, but also unethical.

    MAN added that it looks forward to an enlarged working relationship with Ikeja Electric, noting that it is the only way forward.

  • Govt: it’s a rambling of an old man

    The Ondo State Government has described comments credited to the impeached deputy governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, on the petition he wrote to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a rambling of an old man, whose blind ambition has driven him to a political dead end.

    Reacting through the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the government said Olanusi needed not “to go to town after writing a petition against the government”.

    It added that rather, he should allow the agency to act on the petition he wrote and come out with its findings, if indeed he has a genuine case against the government.

    The statement reads: “The EFCC is an agency of government with the statutory responsibility of investigating allegations. Instead of jumping the gun, Olanusi should allow the agency do its job, except he is telling the world that the agency is not competent enough or reliable enough to handle his petition without any bias.

    “Government wonders if Pa Olanusi’s expectation is that the graft agency should ride like an invading army arresting and detaining everybody in Ondo State on account of his petition.

    “Apparently Pa Olanusi is dazed as he has lost in his own game and his plans to impeach his boss fell flat on his face. Now spent and left in the lurch, he wants something to keep him in the glare of the public and political relevance.

    “Where was Pa Olanusi when the alleged N18 billion was diverted? What action did he take? Or was he just discovering the alleged graft now that he had been fried in his own stew? What are the particulars of the alleged theft and what are the proofs behind his specious claims?

    “Now that he has assumed the position of EFCC spokesperson and petitioner rolled into one, Pa Olanusi can jolly well provide the juicy details of his phantom theft, including what he got then as a serving deputy governor.”

  • Man arraigned for alleged impersonation

    The police yesterday arraigned one Blessing Edmond before an Isolo Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for alleged impersonation as a lawyer.

    Prosecuting Officer Oluwasayo Ajayi said the accused last October at a fast food joint in Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos obtained the sum of N513,000 from one Onyinye  Eze pretending to be a legal practitioner with license to practice in Nigeria and other African countries.

    According to Ajayi, Edmond promised to help Eze bail her brother from Ghana Police custody.

    The prosecutor said the accused fraudulently obtained another N120,000 cash and also the sum of N513,000 worth of property with false pretence of been a lawyer, from the same victim.

    He is standing trial on a five-count charge.

    Ajayi said the offence contravened Sections 378, 312, 278 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate A.O Adebayo granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties.

    The case was adjourned to September 3.

  • Man dies in Ogun after being struck with charms

    IT was a shocking sight yesterday as a 25-year-old bricklayer, Ahmed Azeez, slumped and died at Ifo, Ogun State.

    He was allegedly struck with charms by an official of the Articulate Motorcyclists Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), after an argument.

    It was learnt that Azeez, who occasionally rode a commercial motorcycle, popularly called Okada, to enhance his income, was asked by Adegbite to pay for the mandatory N450 daily ticket.

    An argument, which degenerated into a fisticuff ensued over what Azeez called “outrageous levy”.

    A witness said other members of AMORAN took sides with their colleague.

    It was learnt that the official allegedly struck the bricklayer with a charm he brought out of his pocket.

    The AMORAN official, who saw Azeez gasping for breath, attempted to flee.

    But sympathisers compelled him to take the man to a clinic.

    They later took him to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters, where he was taken into custody after it was discovered that Azeez was dead.

    The deceased’s brother, Akeem, said: “The action of the AMORAN’s official was a clear case of murder, which should not be swept under the carpet.

    “This is murder and should be treated as such. They killed my brother for no reason. And we have been hearing from their group that they would get away with any crime because they have the backing of the three tiers of government,” he added.

    The Chairman of AMORAN in Ifo, Nurudeen Jimoh, who expressed shock at the incident, said: “Killing is a clear violation of the union’s mode of operation.”

    Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident, which he said was being investigated.

     

  • Man charged with N12.8m fraud

    The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) yesterday arraigned self styled Bureau De change operator, Hassan Aliyu, for alleged fraud.

    The prosecution said Aliyu obtained $64,700 (about N12.8million) from Alhaji Lawal Shittu after claiming that he would convert it to naira.

    SFU said the defendant obtained the cash without giving the complainant its naira equivalent.

    The offence of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence contravenes Section 8A of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006.

    The accused, who said he could not understand English, had the charge translated to him in Yoruba. He pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned to August 7 for hearing of the bail application.

     

  • Man electrocuted by high tension wire in Kano

    A resident of Kano Musa Lalaji, 39, of Gadun Albasa quarters, has been electrocuted by high tension wire at Kano Zoological Garden Shopping Complex.

    Alhaji Balarabe Kabara the state Director of Fire Service, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Kano in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the incident happened on Monday when the deceased climbed the roof of one of the shops at the complex to carry out some functions and accidentally touched the wire.

    He said that the remains of the victim had been deposited at the mortuary of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.

    Kabara advised the management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company to either relocate the high tension wire or increase its height to prevent such accidental contact.

  • Man stabs self in the neck…two years after he attempted to cut off his manhood

    Residents of Ago Oko area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital were shocked penultimate Tuesday when a man simply known as Baba Kogi stabbed himself in the neck.

    The man was said to have told his neighbours that he was looking for death.

    He was also said to have made a failed attempt to cut off his male organ about two years ago.

    It was learnt that Baba Kogi was saved by one of his neighbours who raised the alarm that attracted other people in the neighbourhood.

    A source, who asked not to be named, said: “But for the timely arrival of one his neighbours who opened the door to Baba Kogi’s room, he would have succeeded in killing himself with a knife.

    “It was the said neighbour who raised the alarm that attacted other people in the surrounding. He was first taken to Ijaiye General Hospital, Abeokuta, from where he was referred to University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, for treatment.

    Our correspondent learnt that his relatives however returned him to his house behind Oba Adedamola area of Ago Oko, citing lack of money as reason.

    “We do not know why his relatives have abandoned him to his fate. Baba could not eat for some days after he was returned home by his family members. But he is regaining his appetite gradually and can now eat, though slowly,” said a resident who craved anonymity.

    Residents who spoke with The Nation said the man was in a very good mood prior to the incident and had even patronised a herbal gin seller in the area before attempting suicide.

    The spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, was not available for comment at press time.

     

  • Man stabs sister-in-law to death, commits suicide

    Man stabs sister-in-law to death, commits suicide

    A man who was identified as Uba Okoroafor has allegedly stabbed his sister-in-law to death in Aba, Abia State.

    He was also said to have committed suicide after committing the crime.

    The incident, according to sources, was said to have occurred at No. 209 Hospital Road in the commercial city.

    Though information on the incident was sketchy at press time, it was gathered that the man committed the crime after he was resisted by the sister in-law from going out because of the state of his mental health.

    A source who claimed to have been reliably informed about the incident, said that Okoroafor after stabbing his sister-in-law stabbed himself and “fell off from the building to the ground where he later died”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke confirmed the incident, saying that Ndiegoro Police Division under whose jurisdiction the incident happened, was  already investigating the matter to ascertain the true picture of the incident.

    In another development, Abia state police command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang terrorising the state capital and its environs.

    Ifeanyi John, a native of Obigbo, Rivers State, was said to have been kidnapped by the gang at Nsukwe, Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state, along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway but was lucky to regain freedom at the border of Imo and Abia states after a police team from Ubakala Police Division gave them a hot chase.

    It was gathered that while the police team at a checkpoint in Obowo, Imo State had flagged the suspects down for routine checks not knowing that their guests were also being trailed by another police team from Abia.

    The Imo team were still with the suspects when the Abia police arrived at the scene.

    While Ifeanyi was not lucky like his colleagues who drove off with the victim’s car, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia State Command said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing, promising that they were going to  collaborate with their Imo State counterparts to track down the escaped members of the gang.