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Tag: OC Ukeje

  • Joke Silva, OC Ukeje speak on ‘Potato Pohato’

    Joke Silva, OC Ukeje speak on ‘Potato Pohato’

    Having been screened in film festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Durban Film Festival, British Urban Film Festival and others,  ‘Potato Pohato’, by Ghanaian producer, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, centred on divorce, but told in a comic way, is set to hit Nigerian cinemas from November 24, 2017.

    Two major casts of the movie, Joke Silva and OC Ukeje, shared their experience and what attracted them to the script.

    On her role as the mother-in-law of Tony played by OC UKeje, Joke Silva says, “I read the script and I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.  Many times, mothers-in-law are portrayed as difficult women who never relate well with their child’s spouse. ‘Potato Potahto’, shows another side to this; it shows a woman who takes her son-in-law as her son. It portrays a woman who allows her daughter make her choices, while gently nudging her on the right path. It is a truly wonderful movie.”

    For OC Ukeje, the professionalism of the job, attracted him to accepting the role, “First of all I have a bias for Shirley Frimpong-Manso because she is a great person, an accomplished director and her work is pretty defined. Her team is strong and professional. And I had the advantage of working with Joselyn Dumas on a project previously so it was easy to tap into aspects of our chemistry. All those elements came together to make it a good call.”

    According to the producer Shirley Frimpong-Manso, “The movie was really just wanting to write something fun: A romantic comedy that treats a serious topic differently.

    The movie tells the story of a couple, who decide to still live in their matrimonial home even after they split.

    ‘Potato Potahto’ will also be released in South African cinemas on November 24th and Ghanaian cinemas on November 30th, 2017.

  • OC Ukeje renews deal with MultiChoice

    OC Ukeje renews deal with MultiChoice

    Trending actor, OC Ukeje, has just renewed his endorsement deal with MultiChoice for the second year running as brand ambassador for the continental media giant.

    OC, has he is imply called maintains his ‘character’ in the brand’s commercial campaigns, as host of its events and as its representative across the globe.

    ”I am pleased to be part of a brand that has contributed in no small measure to the development of media and entertainment in Africa… Here is to another successful year ahead,” said the actor.

    With this renewed deal, OC would be joining the likes of footballer Odion Ighalo  and others who have in the past represented MultiChoice in different capacities as ambassadors.

     

  • OC Ukeje is Nigeria’s star of Durban 2015

    OC Ukeje is Nigeria’s star of Durban 2015

    WITH skills and humility, Nigerian famed AMBO star, OC Ukeje, is fast capturing Africa with his movie character charm. The actor made a remarkable presence first at the Durban. Film Festival last year, through the film, Gone Too Far, a British Film Institute advocacy movie written by Nigerian Bola Agbaje. It is not clear if that outing paved the way for his debut in a South African film, Ayanda, which opened the Festival on July 16, but the actor is sure on a path of collaboration outside Nollywood.

    Nominated for the MTV Base Africa Music Awards(MAMA) Personality of the Year, but lost to South Africa’s Trevor Noah, Ukeje shone on the MAMA red carpet and stage as one of the presenters on the night, before returning to the series of Ayanda screenings for the regular Q and A sessions.

    Directed by Sara Blecher and produced by Real Eyes in association with Leading Lady Productions, Ayanda, a coming-of-age story of a 21-year-old Afro-hipster, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she fights to save her father’s legacy, is set in the vibrant, Afropolitan community of Johannesburg’s Yeoville. Ukeje is male lead of the film.

  • Mr Nigeria launches surprising campaign against domestic violence

    Mr Nigeria launches surprising campaign against domestic violence

    Emmanuel Ikubese, 2014 winner of the Mr Nigeria competition has joined the campaign against domestic violence awareness campaign in the most unexpected way.

    Teaming up with tcd photography, each photon portrays type cases of battered women. The campaign is tagged ‘Project R.A.W’ which stands for ‘Respect A Woman’.

    He expressed  “I believe no man will ever hit his mother because of respect. If such respect can be applied in relationships/marriages this will significantly reduce the rate of domestic violence in our society. My vision is to see men make this pledge to Respect A Woman and apply them in their Relationships. For Women in such violent Relationships its high time they run away from this deadly act.”

    The campaign photos feature stars like Bryan Okwara, OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Chopstix, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Kiki Omeli, Chinyere Adohu, Marie Miller, Shaydee, Korede Bello, Di’Ja, Lilian Afegbai amongst others

  • Wedding bells for OC Ukeje

    Wedding bells for OC Ukeje

    Fast rising Nollywood actor Oc Ukeje is officially off the market as he is set to marry  Ibukun-Togonu in an intimate affair this Saturday, 8 November.

    He confirmed this in a message that  read: “Ibukun & I are gettin married. Pls come celebrate with us. We appreciate your prayers & hope 2 see you.”

    His relationship with Canada based lover has been a very low profile one. Word on the street is, Ibukun and Osi used to be romantically linked in the past and have only recently rekindled old flame.

    Not much is known about Ibukun except the fact that she is not in the entertainment business and she seems to handle his large female fan base very well.

    Oc Ukeje’s claim to fame was the Amstel Malta box office reality show. He has featured in many award winning films including Two Brides and a Baby, Hoodrush, Alan Poza, Confusion Na Wa and  more recently,Half of a Yellow Sun.

  • Amstel Malta signs Genevieve, Mikel as ambassadors

    Amstel Malta signs Genevieve, Mikel as ambassadors

    With the sensational unveiling of a new Amstel Malta commercial (TVC), featuring football star, Mikel Obi and screen diva Genevieve Nnaji, at the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), at the Eko Hotel and Suites, last Saturday, the lid is finally off the leaked photos of the two celebs and their upcoming movie, The Journey.

    Genevieve, who was signed to telecommunications company, Etisalat, has confirmed another romance with the acclaimed low sugar malt drink.

    Although there is no word yet on how much the stars were paid, or the duration of the contract, the deal, we gathered, was sealed earlier this year, with the initial campaign themed around inspirational journey to success stories.

    The commercial, which was aired at the star-studded AMVCAs, highlights the individual career journeys of both stars, ending at a point of triumph.

    Mikel was not present at the awards but Genevieve, who presented an award with OC Ukeje, spoke with Amstel Malta red carpet host Vixen on her own journey to success and how she hopes this project would help young Nigerians make the best of their own journeys.

    “It’s been a fantastic night and I’m delighted with Amstel Malta’s efforts in celebrating our own with the world,”says Genevieve, who is the first Nigerian actress to be profiled on the popular Oprah Winfrey Show.

    “I am very excited about the opportunity this platform gives me to inspire youths, and I will definitely do my best to support this noble cause,” she stated.

    Mikel, who was captured in a video, emphasised how glad he was to be a part of the project. “I’m very happy to have an opportunity like this to inspire young Nigerians to be the best they can be. Life is not always a bed of roses, so we all have to learn to make the most of it even in the midst of the struggles that we might face,” he said.

    The film follows Amstel Malta’s new campaign weaved around inspiration, using the iconic stars as models. The flick portrays the odyssey of their rise to national and global acclaim – the humble beginnings, the struggles through uncertainty, initial breaks and major breakthroughs.

    “It’s a message to young Nigerians,” says Amstel Malta Brand Manager, Hannatu Ageni-Yusuf.

    “We all have to prepare and plot our journeys to success and Amstel Malta is committed to empower our consumers all the way. That’s why we have constantly supported MultiChoice in rewarding the best of Nollywood, through the AMVCAs,” she said.

  • OC Ukeje, Rita Dominic shine at Nollywood Movies Awards

    AT the Nollywood Movie Awards held on Saturday, October 12, 2013, two of the industry’s finests, OC Ukeje and Rita Dominic, emerged Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. While the awards serves as the third for the AMBO star in three different awards ceremony, Rita is clinching her first title as Best Actress for her role in The Meeting.

    So far, Ukeje has emerged Best Actor at the AMVCA, NEA and now the NMA. Funke Akindele emerged Best Indigenous Act with her role in Tunde Kelani’s Maami while Belinda Effah took home the award for Rising Star (Female) for her role in Kokomma.

    Other winning acts included Imeh Bishop Umoh, Best Actor Indigenous; Uti Nwachukwu, Best Rising Star (Male); Mildred Okwo, Best Director and Obi Emenloye, Sound Design for Last Flight To Abuja, among others.

  • Ukeje battles Late Esiri, as AMAA unveils nominations in Malawi

    Ukeje battles Late Esiri, as AMAA unveils nominations in Malawi

    The best actor category in the next edition of Africa Movie Academy awards (AMAA) has late veteran actor, Justus Esiri contesting the laurel with fast-rising actor, OC Ukeje, and five other in Africa. Rsiri was nominated for his last film on earth, Assassin’s Practice’, and Ukeje for Charles Novia’s latest wor’, ‘Alam Posa’,
    In the Best Actress category, Nigeria’s Rita Dominic, through her film, ‘The Meeting’,  will be battling Malawi’s Flora Suya  for her lead role in  ‘The Last Fishing Boat’. Other nominees in the female category include: Manam Quedrogo (Moi Zaphir), Mbutung Seikeh (Ninah’s Dowry), Yvonne Okoro (The Contract) and Florence Mazebe (Elelwani)
    President Joyce Banda of the Republic of Malawi, on Saturday night hosted an array of movie stars from Nigeria and other African countries in the country’s capital, Lilongwe, where the nominations into the 2013 edition of the awards were unveiled.
    The event which took place at the Binju wa Mutharika International Conference Center, also had the husband of the President, Chief Justice Richard Benda (Rtd), otherwise refered to as the First Gentleman of Malawi and members of her Executive Council.
    “The Nollywood stars that we see on Africa Magic channel have finally come to Malawi,” began president Banda who showed so much excitement at the event.She had expressed her enthusiasm for Nigerian films, stating how she had to stay awake late into the night to watch various Nollywood dramas.
    Banda, while emphasising her passion for African unity, said there was need for the continent to rise to its challenges, and help one another in all spheres of developments.
    Malawi’s Mimister of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Rachel Mazombwe, expressed gratitude to her president for accepting to host the AMAA nomination night, saying the gesture will encourage the country’s film industry which she said is in its infancy.

    Mazombwe noted that Malawi is quite acqainted with Nigeria, having been familiar with Nigeria’s cultures through Nollywood movies. She thanked the president for her promise to help the Malawian film industry to grow, saying  that this will enable the country’s culture and tourism potentials to be exported through the medium of film.
    The nomination night was a beehive of entertainment activities: from a poetry rendered by a young nationale,  Chigo Gondwe, to a sonorous rendition in Chichewa, their local language by an 11-man band known as the Kamuzu Barracks Gospel Singers, the mood of the evening picked with excitement.
    Chief Executive of AMAA, Peace Anyiam Osigwe described the country as one which is not only blessed with beautiful lakes and landscapoes that are suitable for movies, but also talented youths with passion for creativity. The AMAAs had, prior to the nomination event, trained about 200 aspiring filmmakers in Malawi.
    She promised to establish a film academy in the country through the Africa Film Academy. Umbrella body for AMAA. Osigwe noted that it is pertinent for Africans country to look beyond their physical borders and promote the African ideals through her unique stories, told through the movies.
    Chairman of AMAA College of Screeners, Mr. Shaibu Husseini noted that the academy received a total of 671 movies and that the competition had been very keen, because quality of entries have improved.
    Members of Jury: Asantewa Olatunji, Ayuko Babu, Berni Goldblast, Keith Shiri and Steve Ayorind, all took their turns to announce the various films being nominated in the 26 categoriess of the awards.

  • Appiah,Ukeje,Omotoso shine at Africa Magic awards

    Appiah,Ukeje,Omotoso shine at Africa Magic awards

    The first edition of the much publicised Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday night with popular Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah  and Nigeria’s emerging talent, OC Ukeje winning the Best Actress and Best Actor categories respectively. But the ovation was overwhelming for Nigerian filmmaker, Akin Omotoso, who did not only clinch the Best Director trophy, but also won in three other categories through his film, Man on Ground.

     Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the event, pooled a large number of artistes from all sectors of the entertainment industry, as there was hardly any known entertainer who did not attend the show. Nigeria corpotate giants  , led by headline sponsors of the show, Nigerian Breweries Plc, through its Amstel Malta brand were also in attendance.

     Perhaps, portraying government’s solidarity for the motion picture industry was the presence of three serving Ministers: Edem Duke, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment, and Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event.

     The award ceremony was broadcast live from Lagos to DStv and GOtv audiences in more than 50 countries across the continent of Africa.

     The AMVCAs, held in association with MultiChoice and Amstel Malta, recognised Africa’s best film and television talent in a glittering four hour ceremony, hosted by Big Brother’s IK Osakioduwa and StarGist’s Vimbai Muntinhiri.

     The pre-event red carpet captured all the glamour of the gala event with a team of on-air personalities, including Big Brother alumni Uti Nwachukwu and Nic Wang’ondu alongside Eku Edewor, Dolopo Oni, Sarah Hassan and Helen Paul.

     Big individual winners on the night included Nigeria’s Mercy Johnson (Best Actress – Comedy) for Dumebi – The Dirty Girl, Ghanaian Jackie Appiah (Best Actress – Drama) for Perfect Picture, Nigeria’s Hafiz Oyetoro (Best Actor – Comedy) for House a Part and his compatriot OC Ukeje (Best Actor – Drama) for Two Brides and a Baby.

     Category wins for Best Supporting Cast in a Drama went to Uganda’s Matthew Nabwiso for A Good Catholic Girl and Kenya’s Maureen Koech for Lies That Bind. The prestigious award for Best Director went to Akin Omotoso for Man on Ground. The Best Movie Overall and Best Television categories were the climax of the event, with Otelo Burning and The XYZ Show scooping the honours respectively.

     Rounding off an unforgettable night, veteran Nigerian actor, Olu Jacobs was named the recipient of the Industry Merit Award while AMBO girl, Ivie Okujaye, was declared the TrailBlazer of the Year.

    Organisers say that the judging panel was drawn from experienced personalities around the continent. The team was led by Nigeria’s Femi Odugbem. The jury were said to be responsible for selecting the winners in non-viewer voting categories. The panel included Antonio Katakwe, Charles Asiba, Desiree Markgraaff, Joyce Fissoo, Kole Omotoso, Linus Abrahams, Simon Ratcliffe, Steph Ogundele and Zik Zulu Okafor.

    One of the attractions on the night was a performance by Nigerian Afrobeat superstar, Femi Kuti. Other musical performances were rendered by Sauti Sol, Tiwa Savage, Banky W and Chidinma, along with Ghana’s Efya.

  • OC Ukeje stars in The Awakening

    OC Ukeje stars in The Awakening

    FROM the stable of Studio 84 comes The Awakening, a thriller starring Nollywood sweetheart, OC Ukeje. At a press preview of the film held at Silverbird Galleria on Friday, January 25, producer of the movie, Theresa Ananenu, explained the decision to do the film was borne out of the need to step up the quality of Nigerian movies.

    The Awakening is a story of a young advertising agent who starts to have premonitions of death and actually they begin to happen. He meets with a female journalist who is inquisitive and wants to get a better handle to his story. Together they begin to find out that all the deaths are connected and they find out why it is happening. The movie also touches on sundry issues including romance, especially as the journalist also has some mysteries happening in her life as well.

    Lead act of the movie, OC Ukeje, explains his decision to be a part of the project. “Apart from the fact that I thought the story was really unique from the kind of stories we do in this part of the world, it was well written; I liked it and I was very interested in being a part of the project, even before we had discussed terms and agreement. I knew that I would gladly do it. I didn’t need much convincing. I was already bought over by the script,” he said.