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Tag: Muma Gee

  • Music star Muma Gee alleges police brutality

    Music star Muma Gee alleges police brutality

    Popular musician High Chief Dr. Muma Gee has cried out over what she described as a violation of her fundamental human rights and a grave threat to life.

    The celebrated artiste recounted a terrifying encounter with officers of the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Police, who allegedly attacked her vehicle in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    According to Muma Gee, the incident occured late Tuesday evening while she was dropping off her relatives at Rumuokoro Junction, off East-West Road, following their return from her brother’s funeral in Odiabidi Village, Ahoada East.

    “I was just trying to park when, suddenly, armed police officers jumped down from their van, rushed at my vehicle and began violently hitting it with their guns, demanding that I wind down my glass,” she said.

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    She explained that upon lowering the window, two officers forcefully entered her car and began ransacking it, while others stood by, their guns cocked, threatening to shoot if she made any move.

    “When they noticed I had a law student sticker, they  jumped in their van and took off. I ran after them and drove into their CTU along Rumuokoro Rumoahoro axis .

    ” When i parked and asked the security men on duty, they said no vehicle got in there. I insisted we enter to report to a superior officer on duty, they refused. At that point , we rushed to Rumuokoro police station to make an official entry and statement.

    “As I speak to you now, my car is tragically damaged due to the brutal force and constant pounding by their guns while they attempted to force their way in,” she lamented.

    Muma Gee called on the Inspector General of Police and relevant authorities to rein in the excesses of the police, stressing that such unchecked brutality and misconduct endanger the lives and properties of citizens.

    She decried what she termed “high-level rascality, irresponsibility, and extortion” by police officers, questioning how a nation can function when law enforcement agents act with impunity.

    “If these excesses are not checkmated, then the safety of Nigerians remains in jeopardy,” she warned.

  • Muma Gee returns to scene with African Talent Pool

    Muma Gee returns to scene with African Talent Pool

    After a brief hiatus from the entertainment scene, theatre arts practitioner cum popular singer Chief Muma Gift-Eke aka Muma Gee has returned to the scene.

    Muma Gee returned with an initiative to impact on the lives of Nigerian and African indigenes with Rivers state as the kick-off point.

    In a recent chat, Muma Gee unveiled the African Talent Pool, an initiative under the Muma Gee Foundation, to media practitioners on September 27 in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The entertainer and leading ambassador of Rivers State hinted that several youths across communities from the Local Government Areas will be groomed and their talents harnessed under the initiative.

    Muma Gee also stated that the African Talent Pool is a human capital development project/programme aimed at eradicating poverty, insecurity, l vices, terrorism, and cultism by harvesting and grooming teeming youths in Africa for the attainment of self-reliance and sustainable development.

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    Eke said a team of experts including entertainment impresario Don Tee would work closely with the youths while reiterating that the project is focused on youths and individuals between the ages of 13 and 50.

    She also said the identified talents would be groomed in various artistic talents and craftsmanship.

    In the same vein, the media director of the project, Wariso Wariso, added that the initiative would tour the local government and states in Nigeria before extending its tentacles to other parts of Africa.

    The ‘African Juice’ singer also commended the State Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for emphasising his administration’s focus on human capacity development while applauding him for the proactive steps taken following the murder of a police chief in the state.

    She expressed appreciation to prospective partners from within and outside the country who had indicated interest in supporting the project.

  • Ruggedman, Doris Simeon, 10 others for ‘Celebrity Housemate’

    Ruggedman, Doris Simeon, 10 others for ‘Celebrity Housemate’

    Twelve celebrities have been selected to participate in the maiden edition of reality tv show called ‘Celebrity Housemate.’ The reality show which is scheduled to hit the screen between January 12, 2018 and February 11, 2018 will be shot in Amen Estates, Lagos.

    Celebrities selected to live together under one roof for the four-week show include Ruggedman, Doris Simeon, Muma Gee, Emmanuel Ikubese, Yomi Fashlanso, Funky Mallam, Ada Ameh, Peggy Ovire, Eniola Badmus, Frederick Leonard, Ogenna Ekwubiri and Bolanle Ninolowo.

    The celebrity contestants are selected across different spheres of the entertainment industry including comedy, acting and music. They will be placed on series of daily challenges and tasks and the contestants will prove their entrepreneurial acumens through various challenges on the show.

    Also, other top celebrities and role models in the society will visit the housemates in the course of the show.

    The winner will get a Seven million naira star prize while other contestants will also get cash prizes.

    The organisers of the reality show revealed that N2m would be donated to two charity homes by the winner and N1m also goes to selected viewers.

    The executive producer, Kemi Otegbade, said, “we are using this show to converge the Nigerian cultural values with the ideal lifestyle of celebrities and entertain Nigerians in an educating and exciting way. We have been working on the content format and I can assure Nigerian of engaging and exciting experience on television and online when this show comes on TV and also confirm it will be a yearly feature on television.”

    The consulting producer of the show, CEO Dope Tv, Sola Fajobi said “I can imagine the challenges when you put twelve established celebrities in one house, we want to see how they will co-habit together, we also want to see how they can help to redirect and influence the lifestyle that we have in Nigeria now where the social media generation tend to not understand what living means.”

    Fajobi also said the show aimed to promote unity which is why the contestants are selected from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

    “We also believe that the fact that we are taking celebrities from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria means we want to see wan reunite again, how we can remove the ethnicity bias,” he said.

    “It is a convergence of so many things and we cannot event predict the total outcome of the show but we are quite optimistic that it’s going to be a fantastic experience for TV viewers and Nigerians generally.”

  • Muma Gee I created my own style

    Muma Gee I created my own style

    Multi-talented singer, Chief (Mrs.) Gift Uwame-Eke, popularly called Muma Gee, is noted for her Afrocentric music. The Rivers State-born graduate of the University of Port Harcourt who is also the managing director and CEO of Mgee Group speaks with ADETUTU AUDU on her career and marriage.

    Musically, what has been happening to you?

    I am recording my latest album which will be dropping on my birthday, 18th of November.

    What should we expect from the album?

    A whole lot, considering my wealth of experience and maturity in the creative industry. I have ensured that anyone in any mood or state of mind must have something to enjoy as I have gone contemporary.

    You are multi-talented and into so many things – fashion designing, acting, music and business. Which is fulfilling for you?

    I am passionate about all. But I am more of a musician.

    Where do you draw your strength and what influences your choice of songs?

    My strength naturally comes from the Almighty God and my choices of songs are inspired by nature and happenings around

    You are a global brand, what has been the high point of your career?

    There has been many special moments and lots of highlights, each time I have to perform on an international stage and at jazz festivals. For me, performing on the same stage with one of Africa’s great acts, Mariam Makeba (her soul rest in peace), at the Royal Festival Hall in South Bank, London, was the greatest highlight.

    No doubt, marriage has been treating you well. How are you managing your career and the home front?

    I am coping very well. My marriage has survived the vulnerable stage and I have also mastered the act of running my home with detailed attention and also keeping up with other businesses, including politics.

    What do you like about being married?

    Being married to your best friend is sweetest.  It makes you feel excited and very blessed.

    Why did the marriage rites take that long?

    I am a chief in my place, so I have to go through the normal process. My traditional marriage went through about six stages. I was even wondering if my husband will get tired and give up, but he didn’t.  Sometimes he was not permitted to see me; it was so formal.  The traditional marriage took place in two states; in the morning we were in Rivers State and later we moved to Imo State.

    What is it like to be a role model to your people in Ekpeye land?

    More responsibilities, to be honest.

    What has been happening with your clothing line? The buzz seems to have gone down.

    The clothing line is still very much on, we are producing, we are also shifting base to Port Harcourt which is my home.  We are going to have the clothing line in Lagos as well as Abuja and Port Harcourt.  Not just the brief, we are also producing ball gown, urban wears.  I believe anything you do you must be thorough with it.

    Now that you are married with children, what has changed about you?

    Basically, my rate of working; I work double hard now. Before, it was just me and my career but now there is somebody in my life, he is in charge.  Before now, I didn’t cook my food, but now it is mandatory because my husband doesn’t eat outside, unless in some situation. I personally cook his food.

    New crop of female artistes have emerged unlike when you started. Do you feel threatened?

    No artiste can be a threat to me because Muma Gee is a very unique African brand with features that cannot be found in others. I feel honoured to be the pioneer of most features and characteristics I see in most of these artistes of today. I can confidently say I created this style and genre but they took it to another dimension. And I am ready to take it to the next level with my new album.

  • I lost a lot of money during election, says Muma Gee

    I lost a lot of money during election, says Muma Gee

    After losing out in the last General Elections, Nigerian songstress, Gift Iyumame-Eke, aka Muma Gee is back in the studio, even as it appears she is adding beauty business to her art.

    “I have gone back to the studio,” she reveals. “But then, I want to set up a spa/ salon. Apart from music, I love fashion. I am setting my hair line. But that doesn’t mean I have forgotten about politics. I will certainly come back again in 2019.”

    Perhaps the beauty parlour business is also meant to boost her financial status, after spending the made during electioneering campaigns.

    “I lost a lot of money. I am in red now but I know I will recover,” she said.

    She however said there were ‘no elections’ in Rivers State, as the event was full of irregularities.

    “All I know is that there were no elections in my State. I don’t regret that I wanted to salvage the ruins in my community and liberate my people. It was just that somebody robbed us of the chances of doing that. If the people had the privilege to vote, I would be representing them by now. There was so much violence,” she added.

    Muma Gee had contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives to represent Ahoada East LGA constituency in Rivers State.

    The actress came to limelight with her song, Kade, which became the title track of her first official album, released in 2006, and received five nominations, including two from the AMEN Awards (Best Picture and Best Costume) and one each from the Nigerian Music Video Awards, the Headies Awards, and the Sound City Music Video Awards.

    Her profile also rose to greater prominence in 2010 as a contestant on the celebrity edition of Gulder Ultimate Search.

    In 2011, she married actor Prince Eke, and gave birth to a set of twins on April 18, 2014.

  • Muma Gee excited over pregnancy

    Muma Gee excited over pregnancy

    TWO years after she got married to her heartthrob, Prince Eke, singer Muma Gee has confirmed that she is pregnant.

    According to her, “Is there anything wrong with fulfilling the essence of my womanhood? It is a special feeling, I must tell you.”

    Muma, who revealed that she is back to music with her album, Motherland, further said, “I will be performing with my baby in my womb. I may not be jumping up and down, but I will be doing something milder and classier. I featured Sammini, VIP and my producer, Cobhams, in the album. It is classier; it is a more contemporary style. I had to upgrade my style.”

    Muma Gee met her husband, Prince Eke, shortly after the 2010 celebrity edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search, where she and Emeka Ike had participated. Emeka had reportedly introduced the couple to each other then.

  • Being married is wonderful —Muma Gee

    Being married is wonderful —Muma Gee

    Gift Iyumame Uwame, popularly known as Muma Gee, is getting prepared for her music concert, tagged ‘Help Save a Life Relief Concert with Muma Gee’. Having spent close to two decades on the scene, the River State-born artiste has remained one of the most sought-after in the industry. In this interview with AHMED BOULOR, this eccentric, but talented artiste reveals the secret that has sustained her over the years, among other issues.

     

     

    WHAT is the focus of your concert? The focus of this concert and the Muma Gee Foundation is that we will definitely make noise and campaign until the United Nations comes to our aid. A lot of people have been suffering and they’ve been rendered homeless as a result of the recent flooding in some states in the country. If the United Nation’s does not come to our aid, the side effects of the flooding will pose a huge health hazard to our people living in areas affected by the flood, especially those in the Niger Delta.

    This is the time for us to pull resources together and call on well-meaning Nigerians to contribute their quotas towards making life more meaningful to those affected by the recent floods. We want the United Nations to come to our aid, and I know if this has had happened in Sierra Leone, the UN would have intervened. I am surprised because nobody is taking into consideration the plight of the people that have been affected by the floods. People are in need of help, they are in need of warmth and succour. However, I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Ahoada West Local Government Council for supporting the concert and for also lending their voice to help save the lives of people affected by floods.

    Are your colleagues in the entertainment industry helping in any way to pass across this message?

    We have not really sought the help of others in the entertainment industry because this is more like the beginning of the whole process of trying to get help for displaced people. But we hope that the few that get to hear the message we are putting out will contribute their own quota towards making life more meaningful to displaced persons affected by the recent floods.

    What happens after the campaign?

    We held a concert, tagged “Help Save a Life Concert with Muma Gee”, on Sunday, November 4, 2012, at the Ahoada West Local Government in Rivers State. It was powered by the local government. There will be another one on the 18th of November at the Aztech Arcum in Port Harcourt. I also have a theme song that is dedicated to this cause, it is entitled ‘Iji’. The song will be released and launched on the 18th of November.

    Why did you decide to stage the concert on your birthday?

    The 18th of November is supposed to be my birthday, but we decided make that day unique by launching the album for the victims. The song is especially dedicated for the flood victims, and we will be looking at how much we will be able to raise to be able to assist them and get to rebuild their lives all over again.

    Let’s talk about your forthcoming album…

    Cuts in…My forthcoming album is entitled Motherland and I have a video for my latest single, ‘African Woman’. The album was originally due for release in February, 2013, but I had to halt production to put together some songs to add to the album, including the theme song ‘Iji’, which means flood. The idea is to raise funds for affected victims. The theme song will be launched with other songs on the Motherland album on my birthday, which will also coincide with “The Help Save a Life Concert with Muma Gee” concert. The concert will witness performances by Prince Eke, Arthur Pepple, Kamboye Sinclair, JJC, Fingerman Flash, Burna Boy, Prince Hezekiah and Romeo without Juliet among others.

    I hear you have a foundation; when was it set up and what is the focus?

    The Muma Gee Foundation was set up n 2002, and we have been involved in a couple of campaigns. We had campaigns on HIV/AIDS sometime ago. We’ve also been concerned with aged people and the girl-child in the society. But we feel more moved to be involved in giving a better life to people displaced by the recent flooding. And that is why we are doing what we are doing now in order for us to get the message out there. I think God has blessed me so much, and He has also placed me on a pedestal where I can use my status to rally round and give support to those in need. I have a plan to mobilise those in the music industry, and luckily my husband is an actor, so he will take care of mobilising those in the movie industry.

    What is motivating you in this latest effort?

    I have always been a passionate person when it comes to humanitarian services, and that is because of what I think God has created me to be. I get easily moved because I am an emotional person. I wouldn’t say this is a doctored venture, it is just happening now and I am being swept away by the plight of the people affected by the recent floods. When I started my career as an artiste, I used to make it a point of duty to visit the motherless babies’ home. On the other hand, it is not everything you do that you go public about because service to humanity is between you and God.

    Do you apply any of the survival strategies learnt while you were part of the Gulder Ultimate Celebrity Showdown in trying to give succour to those affected by floods?

    I have always been a very daring person. And as a daring person, I try to go beyond my limits. We got pictures and clips of the damage done by the floods, and we had to be daring enough to take such pictures because of the nature of the terrain. I am naturally made strong, and that is why sometimes when I perform, people ask me where I get my energy from.

    Despite the fact that hip-hop seems to have taken over the airwaves, you have managed to remain relevant. What is the secret?

    What makes me wax stronger is the uniqueness of my style as an artiste, which I call the ‘Afrotastic Skillashy style’. And the fact that I promote African values and heritage with my songs even makes me to wax stronger than others, though you may want to say that too much attention is not being paid to such style of music for now. Come to think of it, hip-hop is African, but it is more youth-oriented. My latest album will tilt towards current times, as I intend to make it more contemporary. But it will still have traces of the past.

    You’re also into fashion designing. Do you design your dresses?

    Yes I do…

    How long have you been in the trade?

    I have always tried to look different from others ever since I started doing music. Most people describe my style as bizarre, while others see it as creative and African. It has been me all the way, and I hope to open new frontiers for myself in the world of fashion in years to come.

    We also learnt that you have ventured into acting…

    Yes I have…

    Did you embrace acting because your husband is a thespian?

    No. Not really. I had always been into acting before I started music; I read theatre arts at the University of Port Harcourt. Acting was a platform to define myself and I later evolved into music. But music was, and has always been my first love and I naturally chose it despite the fact that I was trained to become an actor.

    A recent report had it that you and your husband won a multi-million naira movie project. How true is this?

    I am sorry… I am not in the right frame of mind to answer that question. I will comment on that when the time is ripe enough.

    What has it been like being a wife?

    It has been a wonderful experience and I pray that God grants me and my husband more exciting days ahead.