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Tag: Nollywood actor

  • Five Nigerian actors who are politicians

    Five Nigerian actors who are politicians

    While the worlds of entertainment and politics may appear distinct, several Nigerian actors have successfully bridged the gap for the greater good.

    When we think of Nigerian actors, we often envision their talents in blockbuster films.

    However, a growing number have embraced a new challenge, politics. These individuals are leveraging their fame to make a positive impact in their communities and drive much-needed change.

    Nigerian actors are increasingly stepping into political roles, using their influence to promote good governance and address pressing community issues.

    This trend reflects a commitment to public service and highlights the importance of youth involvement in governance, which has sparked a significant shift in the Nigerian political landscape.

    Read Also: Comfort Booth makes Nollywood debut with The Hotel Room

    This transformation is especially evident in the entertainment industry, where many celebrities are now actively pursuing political careers, with some achieving success as candidates.

    Below are five Nigerian actors who have joined the political landscape:

    1. Desmond Elliot: A prominent Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot transitioned into politics in 2015, winning a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly representing the Surulere Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has focused on youth empowerment and community development during his tenure, which has included a recent unopposed re-election in 2023.

    Desmond Elliott
    Desmond Elliott

    2. Kenneth Okonkwo: Known for his role in the classic film ‘Living in Bondage’, Kenneth Okonkwo has become a significant political figure, serving as the spokesperson for the Labour Party during Peter Obi’s presidential campaign in 2023. His legal background complements his advocacy for social justice.

    3. Olubankole Wellington (Banky W): A celebrated singer and actor, Banky W entered politics by contesting for a House of Representatives seat in Lagos in 2019. He aligned with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for his 2023 campaign, but eventually lost the election.

    Banky W
    Banky W

    4. Funke Akindele: A well-known actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele contested as Lagos Deputy Governor under the PDP in 2022.

    Funke Akindele

    5. Olumide Oworu: The model has joined the political scene, contributing to the rising number of politically engaged young people in Nigeria. At just 28 years old, Oworu ran for a seat in the Lagos State House of Representatives for the Surulere Constituency 1, representing the Labour Party (LP).

    Olumide Oworu

    Oworu however lost the election to his senior colleague in the movie industry, Desmond Elliot, who has held the position for the past eight years.

  • My aunt wrote me off, said I won’t do well as an actor

    Anambra-born Nollywood actor, Stanley Ebuka Nzediegwu, popular known as Stan Nze, is a trailblazer who has defied all odds to be famous in the movie industry. In this Interview with BRIDGET ONWUNEME, the Tinsel-actor who was recently featured on BBC Igbo, speaks on his pet project for kid actors, called ‘Kids Can Act Project’ and how watching some top Nollywood actors encouraged him to pick interest in acting. Excerpts.

    Can you share your grass to grace story?

    I basically started acting without knowing anybody in particular. I can remember that when I started, they used to say, ‘you need to know someone, either a producer, director or a film star’, but I did not know anyone. What I had was talent to give and I believed in God and was hoping that something good would come my way. When I started, it was hard for people to believe in me. I did not know where I was heading to. I was just like every ordinary boy who could not do so much for himself, but striving hard to be heard. Then, one of my aunt’s had said, ‘this boy would not be able to act’. As God would have it, it’s been 10 years down the line. I started from the bottom and now I am here. Although, not yet where I would love to be, but for coming this far in my career, I am grateful.

    What inspired you to go into acting?

    Basically, one thing that inspired me into acting was watching TV. I remember that when I had finished secondary school, I saw a couple of things on TV. One of those programmes were ‘Arise Africa’. I also saw an opening which read, ‘if you want to act, contact us’. Then I saw a couple other people around me who were into acting.  One of those persons was Oge Okoye. She actually stayed in the same compound with us back then. She was a sort of inspiration to me as well because I could see her go out every day, and saw her  living that life that really got me interested. I saw how she differentiated her real life from that which she interpreted in her roles as an actress. I thought that was something I would like to pull off. Another actor who inspired me was Mike Ezuronye. I felt his acting was phenomenal and really hoped to replicate that if I ever got into the movie industry. So, those were some of the inspirations that launched me into my acting career.

    Which movies brought you to limelight?

    There is no one I will say in particular that brought me to limelight. At different points in my career, different films I featured in have changed my life in some ways. I’ve done different things on different sets. One of my first major breaks was Tinsel. I got in on the set of Tinsel in the year 2011. It was the biggest thing on TV at that time, if not now. It was a big deal for me. I had auditioned for season two, but was not picked. I auditioned again for season four and got a really good role. Even till now, people still recognize me as ‘Ohakanu’ of Tinsel. That did a lot for me. After that, I did my first major movie titled ‘Murder in Prime Suite’, which stars Joseph Benjamin, Keira Hewatch, Okey Uzoeshi, Chelsea Eze and myself. That was the first time I was in a film, playing a supporting role. I got a couple of nominations after that at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) and African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). After then, I acted  in a film titled, ‘Just Not Married’ in 2016. That, I’ll refer to as another major break. It was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it gave me my biggest nominations so far. I was nominated as best actor in Best of Nollywood Awards and Best Actor for Zulu African Film Awards (ZAFA). Basically, the year 2016 was a break-out year for me. I also got nominated, and won Most Fashionable Fast Rising Actor at the Nigerian Model Achievers Awards. It was like the year everyone said, ‘Oh! Eyes on Stan Nze’. All of the awards and nominations came because of the glamour, promotions and how people loved and received the movies.

    Tell us more about the ‘Kids Can Act Project’?

    The ‘Kids Can Act Project’ is one for children from age eight to 14. I initiated the project to discover kids that could act, train them and launch them into Nollywood. For this year, we had the kids sending in videos  because in as much as we want to train these kids, we need to be sure that they have some talents already. That’s why we asked them to send videos. We had close to  100 videos, out of that we screened and selected about 23 of them, who would eventually get into the camp. We did trainings for the kids for two weeks, and had actors like Chinedu Ikedieze, Somadina Adinma, Samuel Ajibola, and Ebele Okaro coming to encourage and give them a boost. We did a short film with them titled ‘Beautiful Things’. We wanted to give these kids a real Nollywood experience as well as prepare them for the industry through this film. It was amazing and phenomenal. I’ve already been receiving calls from people requesting for kid actors.

    How do you gather these kids and what facilities do you have to equip them?

    We had put out promotional materials on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp asking people to share, because we wanted to give every child an opportunity into the Nigerian movie Industry.

    Are you currently working on any other project?

    This year I have been trying to work on different things aside acting for films. I have got a training I did in May in which I shot a short film myself and I am also working on a stage project. I am actually rehearsing for a stage play called ‘Night Food’, which is going to be showing every Sunday in the month of September at the Terra Culture Arena.

    The stage play will be shown there every Sunday, except September 15th. The rehearsals have been intense and tiring. I am pretty nervous and sometimes develop cold feet, because this is not my terrain. I am not used to stage plays but have always been acting in films. This nervousness is happening because for films, if I make a mistake, the director could always cut and make me take it over again, but it’s not so for stage plays. This is a one-take thing, and it freaked me out a bit.

    How was it working on the set of Tinsel?

    I have not shot on Tinsel in almost three to four years now. Although my experience then was fun, it was one of the greatest experiences I have had. It was such a professional set and it thought me a lot of things.

    I had even learnt producing, work ethics, and different other things. The actors on set were wonderful. I am glad I was exposed to such knowledge in the early stage of my career.

    You were featured on BBC Igbo recently, tell us more about that?

    Yes I was on BBC Igbo. Actually, they had been trying to get me on the show for quite a while, but my schedule was a challenge.

    I finally made it for the show this month and it was pretty fun. The show is a cool and relaxed platform, were I just had to express myself in Igbo language, answer the questions thrown at me to the best of my ability, making it fun for my fans. I enjoyed every bit of it and hope to do more.

     Aside acting, what else do you do?

    Well, aside acting, I produce films and also model. I have actually been producing films since 2015.

    I produced my first film titled ‘Backdrop’. It stars Kalu Ikeagu, Sandra Eze, Mary Lazarus and I. Before the ‘Kids Can Act Project’, I had formed a management for kids, where one can get qualitative kid actors anytime, anyday.

    What has been your source of inspiration this far?

    My greatest source of inspiration is God. He can never fail me. He is my run-to person anyday and anytime. He is the one I talk to when I begin to experience some sort of crossroad or roadblock in my life. Asides that, I get really inspired by my community and environment.

    I learn from everyday stories. I take stories out of gist which I might eventually turn into a film. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but God is my major inspiration.

    You once said you were not ready for marriage, have you changed your mind on that?

    (Laughs) that interview where I said I was not ready to get married took place like five years ago. I am ready to settle down now. It’s one of the things on my mind. That is the much I can say about that.

    How do you handle advances from female fans?

    For that, I actually ask God everyday for the grace to handle advances. Sometimes I ignore, other times I try to act nice, but of course I cannot reply every DM, chat, or take every call.

    I try as much as possible to be there for my fans, because they are the reason am doing this, and for being relevant in the society. If they say they are no longer watching my films, I might as well pack my things and go back to my village. They are the ones that keep me going and I try to give them the attention they deserve.

    What is the craziest experience you have had with a fan?

    I have a lot of decent fans. Although I’ve met a couple of ladies once in a while who would see me in public places and exclaim, ‘Oh my God, is that you? Can I get a hug?’ and things like that. I try to grant that request most times though. Once, I went to buy bread at a bakery and one of my female fans had spotted me there. The lady was just all over me and it was like the only thing left for her to do was to follow me home that day. That very experience was a bit embarrassing though. But it still gave me joy to know that I am loved by people and they actually love my works. I have not had any extreme embarrassing moments with a fan.

    Can you share something we do not know about Stan Nze?

    One thing a lot of people do not know is that I am a lover of God. Like I love Jesus, I love God with all my heart. God influences my decisions and my career.

    Some people think I am a bad boy, because of some roles I play in movies. I am a cool, calm, and calculated gentleman. The notion people have about me being a bad boy because of some movie roles, is wrong. I am gentle.

    Who are your role models in the industry?

    I love RMD so much. He is one person in the industry I look up to. My other role model is Mo Abudu. She is an amazing person.

  • Chioma Akpotha: I was shy as a young girl

    Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha is a leading Nollywood actor and producer. In 2007 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a leading role”, and the Afro Hollywood award for best actress in a lead role in 2010. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the energetic woman talks about the things that make her tick, her inspiration and challenges.

    Who or what inspired me to go into acting?

    As a grown up little child, I always had the flare for the arts. I just wanted to sing in front of people, dramatise and make people happy and laugh. For me, it was an escape as a little child because I was quite a very shy one. I used it as a medium to express my inner self and it gave me joy, inner peace and I knew that it was something that I wanted to stick with. I was still going to school but I wanted to stick with it. Also where I grew up was the hub for home video producers and actors. So, seeing all of them just made me solidify my decision about wanting to be an actor, perform and something of that sort. I hadn’t quite decided at that time as a grown up little girl if it was acting, singing or whatever it took. I just knew that I just had that flair and I prayed for God to direct me on the right path. I am grateful He did and here I am.

    Which was your first film?

    My first film was The Apple in year 2000 but before then I had done things like dramas, montages for churches. It was produced by Theodore Anyangi and directed by Lancelot Imasuen; the executive producer was Emma Nsikak.

    You read banking and finance, what was the experience like?

    Growing up in my house, you have to go to school first. If you want to be a bricklayer, you must go to school first. Banking and finance was great because I liked to deal with figures, I loved to count and all of that. But I kept thinking ‘this thing is going to lead me to the Promised Land, let’s just be doing it’. So, I didn’t just connect with it. However, I did it and did it well. It was fun balancing sheets and all of that. It actually dawned on me working in the bank and still acting. But it didn’t come to pass and so just for effect, you see me doing that for film. I enjoyed all my subjects and had issues with the advanced ones and with extra tutorials I found them very, very easy.

    What about some memorable moments as an actress?

    My first memorable moment was my first major film, The Apple. It was out of this world; I was a greenhorn tossed right in the middle of the ocean and I had to learn on the job. I had no single idea or clue of what I was supposed to do. I didn’t know my camera angles, I didn’t know the point where I was supposed to talk or keep quiet. I didn’t even know that you were supposed to keep taking a particular scene until you got it right. So, those moments I cannot forget and then when I saw my face on the poster of my next film, The handkerchief, that was just it. It was mind blowing and I was like, ‘na my face be dis?’ (Is this my face?). It was all over the street everywhere and in those days, once people saw you they kept asking if you were the one on the poster. All those things were the highlights of my career and then I started to get more jobs.

    Then my major breakthrough was when I shot the film called Disguise and people all over the world were excited. They said this girl has come to stay and all of that. Another memorable moment was when I did my first production on Bended Knees, I shot it in 2011 and it was such a nostalgic moment for me because my first director then, Lancelot Imasuen, happened to be my first director as a producer and he said waoh! I had told him on set once that, who knows, you might just direct my first film and it came to pass. Sometimes, the things we say actually happen. Then when I won AMAA’s Best Actor in a leading role in 2007 with my baby bump and all of that, the whole world saw me there. It was awesome. Also being ambassador for many brands; there are so many memorable moments in my life and career.

    Did you encounter challenges?

    As an actor, the regular taking up of roles that you have not done before. Acting with big shots and having to deal with some people who are not professionals or who are not so dedicated to the work. The challenge in my growing years was just learning on the job; it was too much for me at that time. And having that major break after a period of time, all the scripts kept coming and I was taking large bites and chewing really, really fast. So, that was my major challenge and I know that when people ask female actors, what is the major challenge, they expect to hear that ‘this producer asked me to remove this side of my pant and do this and do that’. It is such a cliché but I am sure that by now people know that those things are here to stay. It is just how you are able to keep your standards and discipline yourself, know what you are here for. Asides that one, you find that each job has its own different challenge. It was just my ability to understand and go with the flow and know that this director is different from this person, different location and all that.

    Do you have any person who has influenced you in your career?

    I think God. I absolutely believe and know that if it wasn’t for God, I would not be here today. I wouldn’t have gone the farthest that I have gone this far. And also for the influences of one or two strong disciplinarians in the industry like Kate Henshaw, Pat Uzorkwor, Pete Edochie and Ramsey Noah. I just like their work ethics and I followed suit. I picked a few things from them; but above all, it’s God.

    What has changed between when you started and now?

    A lot of things have changed in terms of the kind of films, the kind of story we tell and the kind of cameras. A lot of people have gone to understudy the art of film making itself, camera angles and so many things. So, it is different now and we tell our stories in such a way that it is tastefully done these days. And you can tell by the kind of films that we are churning into the cinemas and all that. Everything is really, really different from where we were; we are not where we were ten years or fifteen years ago. So, we have come to stay and we have come really far.

    Are there changes you would like to see in the sector?

    Funding and finances. Film villages, professionalism and I want to see collaborations between Nollywood, Hollywood and Bollywood. I want to see expansion and I want to see actors go to gain more knowledge outside and within; so that we are not stagnated because we feel that we have arrived. I want to see those changes; I want to hear that there is a Nollywood actor that has a star on works of film. So many things like having our own work of films.

    Tell us about life as a role model

    I wake up every day thinking of my family, having them at the back of my mind. I wake up every day knowing that there are some people looking at me, I must not fail. I must not let my family down, I must not forget where I am coming from and I must not forget the things that I was taught as a child. I must not forget the legacy of the family; I must not forget my mother who fought tooth and nail to make sure we came out right. Also, I must not forget the one that has given me life in its entirety. That is it. So, I must not forget that a lot of lives are tied to me and that there are some decisions or things that I might do today that would cause someone to take either the right decision or a wrong decision. So, that alone is fearful to me.

    What is your definition of style? What are the things that you wouldn’t do in the name of fashion?

    My definition of style is comfort. If it is not comfortable, I won’t wear. Style for me has to be comfortable and decent. By decent, I mean I am able to express myself without feeling the need that I have to hold back. I want to be able to walk, dance, do everything that I am doing and still feel comfortable; dress appropriately. I believe in that thing people say, ‘dress the way you want to be addressed.’ First impressions matter and all of those. Keep it simple, you would never go wrong. I can’t go naked in the name of fashion. I can’t show things that are meant to be inside, outside. But I can wear ‘suit’ at the beach.

    What are the things that you treasure most in life?

    Family, friends and life.

    How do you relax?

    I just lie down after I have done everything; I sleep. Go to the movies if I can but I like to stay indoors and just hibernate. If need be, I can go out with the girls, hangout with them, shout, dance and come back to lie down again.

    Who are those you admire as role models?

    There are lots of them. I love Kate, Ada and Ufoma; I love the girls. I love them to bits because they make my life a bit easier.

    You are also a professional cook, what does this mean to you?

    I am a professional local cook. My siblings tell me that I cook close to my mum. She owned a restaurant and that was basically where she single handedly raised her children from. So, she tossed it over to me. It means a lot to me because aside loving to cook, I love to feed people.

    I love to see people eat and say okay it is nice. Sometime, towards the end of this year or first quarter next year, we hope to see something berthing from my cooking.

    If you had to advise young people who want to go into acting, what would you tell them?

    Be creative, be simple. Dare to be different. Let your work stand for you, don’t do copy cat. Don’t go and steal someone’s work. Let your creativity come through from a place of inner search. Look for it, you will find it. Study, research and if the goal is there, search it out and do it. Be yourself and dare to stand out and be tasteful.

  • Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo to contest Enugu guber

    Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo to contest Enugu guber

    Ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has thrown his hat into the ring for the position of Enugu State governor.

    The ‘Living In Bondage’ star declared his ambition over the weekend under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Enugu with the immediate past governor of the state, Sullivan Chime, in attendance.

    “I just declared my intention to contest for the Governorship candidate of APC in Enugu State,” Okonkwo who is also a lawyer, announced on his Instagram page on Sunday.

    “It was heartwarming to receive the blessings of the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Gov Sullivan Chime. To God be the glory.”

    Born in Nsukka, Enugu on November 6, 1968, Okonkwo was one of actors that pioneered Nollywood in the early 1990s. In 2013, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) on a Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood.

    Adding to his intention to run for the office of the governor of Enugu State, Okonkwo also wrote: “It’s time for Nollywood to produce an Executive to fulfill our Nollywood dreams.”

  • ‘How Nollywood actor motivated me’

    ‘How Nollywood actor motivated me’

    After bagging a Second Class Upper in Political Science, Tochukwu Okechukwu’s dream was to hit the labour market after his mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corp’s ( NYSC ) programme. But fate had other ideas. He shares his story with ROBERT EGBE.

    Family

    I am Tochukwu Georgecollins Okechukwu ( TGO ), from Adazi-ani in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am the second child in the family of Mr. & Mrs. Okechukwu Boniface Offor.

    Education

    I am a graduate of Political Science ( 2007-2011 ) and Law ( 2012-2016 ), with Second Class ( Upper Division ) honours from the University of Nigeria ( UNN ), Nsukka. I attended the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School ( 2016/2017 ) and graduated with a Second Class (Lower Division) honours.

    Choice of law

    My choice to study Law wasn’t actually my entire personal plan. During my National Youth Service Corp ( NYSC ) year in 2012, all I wanted was to hit the labour market afterwards. However, the plan changed when I received a phone call from my dad, informing me that I should apply for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) direct entry admission to study law. I went for the entrance examination without any preparation just to fulfill the biblical obligation that says “Child respect your father and mother so your days on earth will be long”. During the examination proper, I got the motivation to study law when I noticed that a popular Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, also took part in the examination.

     Law school

    Law school is an interesting environment for learning. I must appreciate the efforts of the Council of Legal Education and the academic team of the Nigerian Law School (Lagos campus in particular).

    Law school marking scheme

    I don’t have any problem with the law school marking scheme. I believe that if you want the best, then you must aim and work for it. Nevertheless, we can’t underestimate the grace of God as one of the determining factors.

    Most memorable day

    My memorable day in court was as a law school extern in Hon. Justice Idowu Alakija’s court at Igbosere ( Lagos ), when Mr. Kanu. Esq (NLS, Lagos campus lecturer) moved a Motion for an interim injunction. After I heard his motion, I never studied how to move a motion for bar final exams.

     What I would change about law

    What I would like to change about law is to unify some of our local laws, especially in the areas of criminal and civil law.

     Personal achievements

    I hold a diploma in Latin from St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, (Affiliate of Pontificia Universitas Urbaniana, Roma). I also held the positions of Assistant Secretary-General National Association of Political Science Students ( NAPSS UNN CHAPTER 2009-2010 ) and Judge Law Students Association ( LAWSA )  Court of Appeal, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (2015-2016).

    The future

    I plan to practise up to the height of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at least and possibly to go into politics at some point.

  • Nollywood actor dedicates award to family

    Nollywood actor dedicates award to family

    Popular Yoruba comic actor, Olatayo Amokade, known as Ijebu, who emerged ‘Best Comic Actor of the Year’, at the City People Movie Awards held last Sunday has dedicated the award to his family.

    With congratulatory messages already pouring in from fans and colleagues, the comedian has been filling is Instagram page up with pictures of the event.

    Captioning one of the pictures, he dedicated the award to Almighty God, his family and to his parents in person of Mr and Mrs Kolawole Amokade a .k .a Iya funmbi & Baba funmbi, and others.

    The well attended event saw bigwigs in the movie industry in attendance as they celebrated with the elated actor who was all smiles as he displayed his well-deserved award.

    The talented actor, who has carved a niche for himself by playing comical roles in movies with his mastery of the language and artistic dexterity, recently released another movie ‘Jungunu’, which focuses on the story of an Ijebu Kung Fu Master.

  • Nollywood actor, makes case for united Africa

    Nollywood actor, makes case for united Africa

    Nollywood actor, John Okafor, says Africans need  to be more united to attract the attention of the international community.

    Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday that the process should start from individual countries  through the sub-regions to the  continental level.

    “ The process of unity should start from our individual countries to the sub-regions and then on to the continental level.

    “ We need to be more united at a time like this  to get the desired attention from the international community,” he said.

    Okafor said that media reports emanating from Africa were  always about conflicts and disasters.

    “ In some of the sub-regions, you do not need a visa to enter individual countries. My vision is that Africa should go beyond that.

    “ Let there be an  Africa without  borders. If you are an African, you should  get a visa at the point of entry.

    “ Let us endeavour  to become one united Africa. I am proposing one brother, one nation,” Okafor said.

    The artiste also canvassed a common currency in the continent, saying  Africa has the abundant natural and human resources to support its economy.

    “ The African Union should champion this cause and ensure that the continent is formidable, united and gets the desired attention from the rest of the world.

    “ Africa is not far from Europe. We can do so many things together for the benefit of our people,” the actor said.

  • Nollywood actor Obi Madubogwu is dead

    Nollywood actor Obi Madubogwu is dead

    Nollywood actor, Obi Madubogwu, popular for his role in the movie, ‘Battle of Musanga’ as the lead actor, died on Monday afternoon after battling with acute diabetics foot ulcers.

    Some months back, the actor who was said to be recuperating from diabetic sore at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Lagos, said his Nollywood colleagues had been refusing his calls since he became ill.

    In 2016, the actor was reported to have gone into a coma but recovered even though his leg was left in bad shape.

    And not long before his demise, Madubogwu thanked Nigerians who had helped him out financially and urged them not to give up on him and but to assist him complete the final stage of his treatment which entailed flying out to a US hospital.

    His other movie roles include ‘Mark of the Beast,’ ‘Mothers-in-Law,’ and ‘The Last Vote’ among others while his last cinematic outing was the 2015 movie he produced, ‘Grave Dust,’ which starred Ramsey Nouah, Joke Silva and Joseph Benjamin.

  • FG, entertainment experts to discuss financing Nollywood at summit

    FG, entertainment experts to discuss financing Nollywood at summit

    Entertainment experts and officials from the federal ministry of information, culture and tourism will meet to discuss ways of ensuring access to long and short-term finance by the movie industry.
    The creative summit, which has been scheduled to hold on July 17 and 18, will take place at the EKO Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos.
    Speakers expected at the summit include Kene Mkparu (Film House Group), Jason Njoku (Iroko TV), Alex Okosi (MTV Base), Adeola Bali (finance expert), Kemi Sulu (Live Nation), Sanjay Kumar (media guru), among others.
    “The Creative Nigeria Summit is a free two-day event organized by the federal ministry of information, culture and tourism, in conjunction with Think Tank Media and Advertising ltd, to take the industry to a golden era with smooth access to short and long term financing, world class management and local and international distribution,” a statement from the organisers read.
    The Creative Nigeria Summit will feature plenary sessions and presentations on themes related to the challenging issues in the creative industry.
    “They include – Fundamentals of financing film, television and music production; marketing film, television and music production; the cinema business in Nigeria, case study of Film House Group; the Bank of Industry experience in financing film (Nollyfund); government’s role in funding the creative industry.”
    Television, film and music industry experts, banks, venture capital firms and institutional investors, copyright lawyers, artistes and government regulatory agencies are expected at the summit.
  • Nollywood actor Victor Eze is dead

    Nollywood actor Victor Eze is dead

    After being ill for several years, popular Nollywood actor, script writer and producer, Victor Okechukwu Eze died on Monday night.

    The death of Eze who played Alika in Fuji House of Commotion was confirmed by the former President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze.

    While battling a stroke, the Lagos-based actor and founder of Vickez Productions,  relocated to his village in the East in 2011.  He wrote the 2013 movie ‘Stigma’ and has acted in many Nollywood movies including Mouth to Mouth, Across the Bar, Ungodly Woman, The Last Army, Chop-Money, and Changing Faces.

    Early sympathisers included former Big Brother Naija housemate, Thin Tall Tony.

    “Was looking like a great day until I heard about your passing sir,” he wrote on Instagram.

    “He (Mr Eze), ladies and gentlemen, has been my biggest influence in characters on stage (he was too good on stage and a Lord in switching roles) he could play 6 roles in one production and you couldn’t tell the difference.

    “We dancers, stage actors from the national theatre will always miss you.”