The Nation Newspaper

Tag: TV

  • UNILAG set to open TV station

    If it obtains the license,  University of Lagos (UNILAG) will make history as the first higher institution to operator a television station in Nigeria.

    Officials of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last week visited the institution’s Department of Mass Communication to inspect digital equipment acquired by the school to oprate the station.

    The inspection process ended with the NBC officials expressing confidence in the department’s capacity to manage the television station.

    Students practised a live recording in the studio to demonstrate the school readiness to begin operation.

    Speaking, former Head of the department, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, said the ambition to establish a television station by the department had been top of its agenda for many years.

    He explained that a proposal for fund was forwarded to the World Bank to make the television station a reality. The proposal, according to him, was granted. This, he said, enabled the department to purchase needed equipment and facilities for the station.

    The Acting HOD, Dr Abigael Ogwezzy-Ndisika, expressed optimism that the department would be licensed to operate the station.

    She said: “The issue of licensing is concluded. From what we heard from the team that came to assess the facilities, it is obvious that the department stands out. Our students too are on top of their game. We are currently a UNESCO-rated centre of excellence, and we are working on moving to distinction. We have the first radio station in Nigeria and we are also being licensed for the first television station in the country.”

    She praised Prof Ralph Akinfeleye for making great efforts in the licensing bid.

  • ‘Foodies & Spice’ enters new TV season

    ‘Foodies & Spice’ enters new TV season

    After a season of tutorial kitchen experience with trendy local cook, Geena, host of wapTV cooking show and her celebrity guests, producers have announced readiness for another 13 weeks, with sponsorship coming from Flour Mills Nig. Plc., through the Golden Penny Pasta brand.

    Tagged ‘Pasta Parri’, the new season which premiered on June 28, featured guest appearances by several celebrities, while recipes and clips from the show is expected to elicit interactions from fans on www.foodiesandspice.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/waptvs.

    The online forum is where fans of the programme around the world compare their creations, after following the recipes, and stand a chance of winning cartons of Golden Penny Pasta.

    “Lovers of tasty and healthy food are in for a joyous ride as Flour Mills Nig. Plc. has partnered with the show,” said Geena, who presents the programme in Pidgin English, adding fun to the art of cooking through her jokes, style and ever-smiling mien.

    A production of Geenamoore & Associates and wapTV, the show airs on wapTV every Saturday at 7:30pm with repeat broadcast on Thursdays at 5pm.

  • TV reality shows, traditional platforms battle for survival

    TV reality shows, traditional platforms battle for survival

    Reality shows appear to be gradually becoming a new platform that generates emotional bonding to viewers thus delivering on media investment than traditional platforms. ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI reports that the trend poses danger to the survival of traditional platforms.

    Fake and edited, reality TV shows  have been criticised for lacking any clue of reality but the curiosity they create in the minds of the audience has continued to endear the platform to advertisers and brand managers in the Nigeria marketing communication industry.

    In spite of the feelings among critics that the platform, with its growing audience base, is creating a very bad effect on the minds of the youth, the impact the shows have on youth in discovering their talents have made such misgivings to become irrelevant.

    Beyond the job it creates for art directors, producers, creative agencies, modeling agencies, make-up artists, the huge revenue the platform generates for TV stations is unprecedented. But media buying pattern trend-spotters are having concern that the level of corporate sponsorship enjoyed by the platform may have caused revenue loss to other traditional media such as press, outdoor as well as other TV contents which hardly secure advertisement.

    TV reality shows have become the place where advertisers put their sponsorship money because of the higher return-on-advert-spend it offers. With the level the platform engages consumers, it has become a stronger touch-points where brand handlers can reach out to all demography apart from the youth.

    The Group Managing Director of SO & U, a leading marketing communication agency, Mr. Uffot Udeme, said reality shows have become a platform that came with spontaneity. He said: “Over the years, Reality Shows have caught the fancy of the younger generation of consumers. These shows offer a certain spontaneity that excites the audience and any opportunity for involvement is an added bonus.”

    Uffot explained further that TV reality show has become an extension of social media lifestyle.  “To me, this is an extension of the social media lifestyle where people delight in being involved in each others’ lives no matter how geographically remote they may be from each other,” he noted.

    With the level of sponsorship enjoyed by the platform, other platforms especially, press and outdoor has continued to suffer revenue loss while indication showed that the huge budget on reality shows has continued to lift the TV advertisement revenue.

    According to the 2012 edition of Mediafact, a publication of MediaReach OMD, a media planning, buying and strategy agency, media investment for both press and outdoor declined last year while TV recorded rise in media investment. The figure showed that advertising industry spend on Above-the-Line Advertising activities dropped by 10.6 per cent to N91.846 billion in 2012 as against N102.755 billion in 2011. The decrease, accordingly, was due to reduced media investment of 43.9 per cent on outdoor advertising and 41.7 per cent on press while media investment on TV and radio grew by 7.2 per cent and 20.1 per cent respectively.

    Although there are no explanation as to why the investment level has continued to drop in favour of reality TV shows, The Nation spotted the trends based on the level of sponsorship and growing adoption of global reality shows by Nigerian brands. It suggests that the platform is the rave of the moment while producers and franchisees of these shows are making fortune at the expense of some traditional media. For instance, the chairman of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) Mr. Charles Chijide has complained about revenue loss in the sector while a lot of its agency members have fled the industry into politics as a result of dwindling fortune. Also, other sub-sectors in the industry aside  media agencies which invest clients media spend on the best platforms, have never had any cause to complain about revenue loss.

    Findings also show that other TV contents that have suffered low sponsorship as a result of growing strength of reality shows in delivering target audience to brands include but not limited to animated series, breakfast television shows, television comedy, comedy-drama, docudrama, educational television, interview, mockumentary, paranormal television, participation TV, political drama, public affairs (broadcasting) and reality TV shows but the one that has enjoyed higher corporate sponsorship and adaptation to brands sole-sponsorship remains TV reality shows which comes in various content forms such as court show, food reality television, game opera and game show, hidden camera, masterchef among others.

    The TV reality genre of TV content began in earnest between the early and mid 90s with The Real World. It then exploded as a phenomenon in the late 90s and early 2000s with the global success of the series Survivor and Big Brother. These shows and a number of others (usually also competition-based) became global franchises, spawning local versions in dozens of countries.

    For instance, the show became popular as a result of the success of the global TV reality shows. As the show continues to generate massive audience and sponsors, many producers and advertisers began to adapt the global shows that have become a brand such as Big Brother, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Dancing with the Stars, Fear Factor, Got Talent, Pop Idols, Project Runway,  The Apprentice,  X Factor among others.

    Some local brands who, however, have appended their brand name to some of these TV shows to increase shows as way of enhancing top-of-the-mind awareness for their brands. Glo X-factor, Airtel’s Nigeria’s Got Talent, Etisalat Nigeria Idols, MTN Who Wants To Be  A Millionaire are some of the global reality shows franchised to some brands in Nigeria. While producers of these shows have continued to innovate in other to remain relevance to changing consumer’s behaviours, a music reality TV show, Star Quest, which has produced major Nigerian stars like Kcee, Klint D’Drunk, Mr. Raw, was recently rested by its organisers after 10 years but the producer of the shows have replaced it with a new one, ‘The Winner Is’ which will feature entries from soloists and groups, as contestants battle for a cash prize of N10 million and brand new car.

    Also, recently, Guinness Nigeria bought into one of the reality shows Airtel Nigeria’s Got Talent as co-sponsor. The show is produced by Rapid Blue Format, a global trendsetting and independent production company, but now with a local franchisee in Nigeria to tap into multibillion naira advert budget for reality shows. However, beyond the façade of the excursion into talent discovery, Guinness Nigeria has seen the show as a potential point of engagement to promote the premium products from the stable of Guinness, Malta Guinness.

    The Director, Marketing and Innovation, Guinness Nigeria, Austin Ufomba said  Malta Guinness’ decision to sponsor Nigeria’s Got Talent is because the show embodies the passion of the brand.

    Also, Coca-Cola last year designed Coke Studio Africa, a new and exciting music television show, to sustain its brand awareness and leadership in the continent where it features musical icons from each participating country to bring every market into consideration.

    The Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olufemi Ashipa, said through the Coke Studio, fans will be able to access content from the show on the new Coke Studio Africa while the entire episodes of the show will also be available on the CocaCola official YouTube channel as viewers across the continent are expected to win various prizes including autographed posters, coke studio kits and branded merchandise through the show.

    With this trend growing, a senior lecturer, marketing, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, Dr. Peter Iyiegbuniwe, said the trend is gaining popularity because of its entertainment impact. He said:  “This is a new trend in the marketing communication industry in Nigeria. It is fast becoming a platform to engage consumers because of its entertaining features. It can be used to stimulate the desire of their target market.”

    Also, a brand analyst, Mr. Tomi Ogunlesi, said Nigeria as a late adopter of reality and games show, has got to wait after eight decades after an American, Allen Flunt had popularised the concept. Ogunlesi said: “It seems we’ve been late adopters, however, over the past decades, the association of brand names with popular television shows has become a trend on the ascendancy, particularly by companies and brands in a quest to increase their market share.

    “Flipping past channels on both terrestrial and cable TV channels these days, the sheer avalanche of reality shows that is aired assails one. Contemporary television programming has clearly become incomplete without them, or so it seems!”

    Iyiegbuniwe said for any brand-sponsored reality show to make the desired impact on consumers, “it must be localised. It must reflect the culture and values of the people. It must not be offensive and must be of quality standard in production.”

    However, the Managing Director of Media Share, Mr. Dele Odugbemi, said traditional media should improve its content to drive revenue which is being loss to reality shows. “Print media is losing market share largely to digital media so it’s not a surprise the numbers have been declining over the past decade. The medium will need to reinvent itself so that it can remain relevant in the digital age.”

    He said radio and TV continue to thrive because they have incorporated digital media into their offering, adding that a radio station can interact with its audience via its Facebook page or Twitter account. When faced with declining advertising revenues, TV stations reinvented themselves by changing the type of content they offer so one now has soap operas and reality shows.

    But Uffot said in spite of the growing trend, not all reality shows are crowd-pullers. “Not all Reality Shows are crowd pullers. They can only be a threat to other television exposure opportunities by their appeal to, and resonance with the desired audience groups.

    “Content, personalities involved and quality of production are key elements that will determine attraction, followership and value for money for the advertiser,” Uffot insisted.

  • She was one of the best brains on TV – Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

    She was one of the best brains on TV – Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

    It is a tragedy and this particular death is very painful. We fought, but we were also very close. She was one of the best TV brains in Nigeria.

    The motion picture industry in Nigeria and Africa will sorely miss this revolutionary who raised the bar of professionalism and artistic excellence early in Nollywood when it was not fashionable. Amaka Igwe gave herself and applied herself to producing films and soaps that are pacesetters. She was a creative entrepreneur of outstanding qualities who came, saw and conquered in her 51 years of existence on earth.

    Amaka Igwe worked with us as a Jury member of the Africa Movie Academy Awards at the early stage of the awards and her contributions were far-reaching and rewarding. On behalf of the management and staff of AMAA, I extend my heartfelt condolence to her husband, Mr. Charles Igwe, the children, her immediate and extended family members and loved ones. May God continue to stay with the family at this period. May God rest the soul of our departed heroine of Nollywood.

  • Featuring unknown models in TV commercials for brand positioning

    Most brand managers brainstorm before they choose a known model for television commercials (TVC). Considering scandals often associated with celebrities, brand managers believe using them could mar their brands positioning.

    In its latest advert, The Odyssey, Heineken decided to do the unusual: feature non-professionals for a TVC.

    The models have never enjoyed the limelight that is often the reserve of actors, models and celebrities. But through rigorous scripting and directing, they are Legends. Remarkable for its novelty in the recent Heineken Legend’s platform as well as a departure from the norm in advertising campaigns, particularly TVCs, where advert creative directors rarely feature non-professionals, the brand’s TVC, which is sure to thrill viewers, parades 20 non-actors who demonstrate unique skills and legendary talents.

    While the aim is to prove that every man, regardless of age, race or status, has the talent to do something legendary, the storyline is created for the Heineken brand by Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, hence, following its ‘Legends’ platform, which saw a series of ‘Men of the World’, who are pushed to discover their limits and overcome them.

    Filmed in Barcelona, Spain, on a specially built boat, the advert showcases the adventures of a legendary castaway who climbs aboard a ship, entertains, charms and impresses the passengers and crew with his skills and wits. From climbing a rope unto a moving ship, participating in a limbo contest, sliding a bottle perfectly, to tap dancing, the advert demonstrates the uniqueness of each of them.

    It follows a symmetrical pattern showcasing the 20 legendary men who are costumed as castaways with striking resemblance to each other but differentiated by their show of varied skills. Each character is immersed seamlessly into the role he is playing which gives the advert a good story flow from the beginning to end.

    Opening with a moving boat where a rope climber hastily climbs atop the boat, the scene showcases the skill of John O’Grady, a talented rope climber who proved his talent at the auditions. The stunt is immediately followed by the legendary Rail Jumper who effortlessly jumps aboard the boat. The Ads goes further to show the skill of the Jacket Buttoner whose story is indeed an interesting one.

    The Jacket Buttoner auditioned as a dancer but by a twist of fate, the director spotted the amasing speed at which he inadvertently buttoned his jacket while performing his dance routine which led to his selection.

    Next up in the ad is the Limbo Dancer, who is seen showcasing his limbo dancing skills amid cheers from onlookers. This was immediately followed by the amazing bottle opener whose skill in opening bottle corks with almost anything is phenomenal. He opens a bottle of Heineken with the claws of a crab. This climaxes with the legendary Bird Caller showcasing his skills by making sounds which attracts birds. After making bird-like sounds, he tosses the crab upwards; a bird catches it midway and flies away.

    Not done yet, the ad showcases the skills of the amazing disrober, whose speed in undressing is extraordinary. In a matter of seconds, the disrober is able to disrobe himself of his clothing. After this, the skills of the legendary Pool Diver and Rail Slider are showcased. This was followed by the Synchronised Twins.

    The twins’ legendary status is buttressed by the fact that they are able to synchronise their movement in perfect harmony in such a way that the audience would be tempted to believe they are seeing a reflection in the mirror. The synchronisation skill motivated their selection during the auditions. Their demonstration is followed by that of the wonderful Eyebrow Raiser whose skill at raising his eyebrows to extraordinary lengths distinguished him.

     

     

     

    Another magnificent showcasing of talent in The Odyssey ad is that of the Bottle Slider. He is able to deftly slide a bottle to a particular spot with precision in a seemingly impossible way. The ad also features the Legendary Ballroom Dancer and the very skilful Dancers made up of a Russian Jumper, Krumper, Conga Dancer and a Break Dancer. They are able to charm passengers aboard the boat with sublime display of dancing skills. The ad ends with the delightful dancing skills of the Lady Thrower and the Tap Dancer.

    With this TVC, Heineken believes that all of its drinkers have a legendary talent inside of them but just need a chance to show it to the world. The Odyssey provided that platform for 20 ordinary men to show the world what they’ve got.

    The brand also issued a response to sceptics’ comments on this latest advertising campaign after debate was sparked online about whether the men in it were truly skilled. Mr Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc said: “When we saw the comments about the Odyssey TVC, we wanted to show that there are no boundaries between real and fake, proving that real men have unique skills, and everyone is legendary at something.”

    He added that, “Our Legends campaign is an entertaining homage to our drinkers and their legendary behaviours. We are convinced that many of them out there have at least one legendary talent. They just need a chance to show it to the world. This is why Heineken decided to offer its next film, The Odyssey, as an opportunity for 20 young men to show us what they’ve got. And they are all legendary.” The brand has no doubt brought a new vista in the area of TVC production.

     

  • I might remarry if…– Nollywood actress Doris Simeon

    I might remarry if…– Nollywood actress Doris Simeon

    Doris Simeon, one of the crossover actresses in Nollywood, has featured in a number of award-winning flicks since she came into the industry some years ago. However, since her marriage to Daniel Ademinokan, a movie director, broke up in 2012, the fair-complexioned actress has had to deal with a lot of issues. In this no-holds-barred interview with MERCY MICHAEL and DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, the mother of one, who is presently in South Africa for a TV series, talks about her crashed marriage and future plans, among others.

    YOU look good as always, so what is your beauty regimen like?

    Sincerely, I don’t use creams as such because of the harsh weather. When you are under the sun, you sweat a lot and when the sweat gets to a particular point, it creates a burn. So, it is better you don’t even use cream in the morning or afternoon. It’s always just good to do that at night because the weather is cool and you are indoors.

    I understand you will be going to South Africa for a TV series soon. Could you tell us the secret behind this?

    I would say it’s not by my doing. It’s just the grace of God. For someone to insist that it’s Doris Simeon that must be used for this particular project, it can only be God. It’s a new TV series, just like Jacobs Cross. It’s a lovely story. These guys called me early last year to tell me about the project they were working on and they promised to get back to me.

    But from that time till last year, I didn’t hear anything from them. At a point, I thought they had gotten someone else. This is one thing I tell people; if it’s your job, they will definitely find you. By the grace of God, this year, I got a call from them. When I even got the call, I thought they were joking until they asked for my passport. They first asked me if I still have my South Africa visa and I said it had expired. Then, they asked me to send my passport to them. So, they processed it and eventually sent it back to me.

    Why did you think you were chosen for the role?

    It’s God’s grace o! Some people are better than Doris Simeon, but it’s just what God has ordained. I just thank God, so I would rather not boast that it is by my doing.

    Have you seen the script? If yes, what is really fascinating about it?

    I’ve seen the script and the story line is fantastic. I couldn’t drop the script until I finished reading it. When I finished reading it yesterday, I told my younger ones that by the time they shoot this movie, it should just blow out to Hollywood, not even our Idumota here (laughs). Hopefully, that’s where it’s going to.

    What role are you playing in the series?

    It’s a story about a family, where the children are raised in a spoilt way. The children grow up to spend lavishly and then one of them gets married. The person he gets married to is the character I’m playing. In-between the story, they all have secrets that they are now revealing. Meanwhile, there is someone in that family who wants to revenge and that is the character I am playing. I have to revenge because of what their father has done to my own family.

    Could you recall ever revenging in real life?

    No. I wasn’t brought up that way and one thing I always tell my younger ones is that God, who created us, forgives our sins every blessed day; so, why won’t we forgive one another. What is the worst thing that somebody can do to you? Maybe someone will kill your child, brother, mother or someone very close to you. If you then revenge by killing that person, will that make you feel fulfilled? I would rather leave the fight for God. It might hurt and, therefore, hard to forget and forgive, but you have to find a way to forget it and move on. This is because if you don’t forget and forgive, you won’t move forward in life. I would rather forget and focus on my future.

    Could it be why you seem to have achieved more lately?

    I think so. Therefore, rather than dwell on the past, I will think about how I can better my life. I will rather think of how I am going to be successful. Instead of thinking of how I am going to revenge and spend my money trying to revenge, I will rather leave it for God. By spending money to revenge, you might become broke in the process. Before you know it, you start to go hungry or your landlord will start to knock on your door and disgrace you because you are a star.

    So, I will rather go out there, make money and even pay before my rent is due. My landlord and I are the best of friends because I pay my rent promptly. Any little thing I complain about, he takes it seriously. I am too preoccupied with a lot of positive thoughts so much that I don’t have time to dwell on negativity. And one of things that give me fulfillment is helping people. I derive pleasure in helping the less privileged.

    Do you have your own foundation now?

    I don’t have a foundation and I really don’t think I want to have one for now probably because a lot of people have abused it. I will rather support any other person that has. I have a strong passion for those who do not have because I know where I am coming from. I know what I went through to get to where I am today.

    When was the last time you were on location?

    It was in November for Iyabo Ojo’s latest flick, Silence.

    Could you tell us about it?

    It was very interesting probably because I like to play a lot. It is always fun for me whenever I am working. But if the job is taking a longer time than necessary, then, I will be thinking of my business. It’s a lovely film. I worked for the first time with Joseph Benjamin, Alex Osifo and some other stars. We chatted like we’ve been working together for a very long time. It is about domestic violence and step-parenting. I love doing movies that will educate and entertain.

    Let’s talk ‘Faaji Extra’, the Yoruba programme that you present…

    Acting in Yoruba is not the same thing as presenting in Yoruba. It was challenging because the first few episodes I shot, I had to stop the shoot to return the following day because I didn’t like what I was doing. But I was determined not to give up. And then, presenting, I think, is also part of entertainment. It was difficult for me for the first three episodes, but I just picked up afterwards. Right now, I don’t want to stop anymore. And the feedback has been good. A whole lot of people and sponsors wish to be parts of the programme.

    Who is the producer?

    The producer is Olaniyi Stevens. He is based in Ibadan and we shot in Ibadan. But I think the next season will be shot in Lagos State probably in April when I come back from South Africa. Hopefully, it’s going to be bigger and better this time around.

    Did you have to audition for it?

    No! When I was called up, I felt like of all the Yoruba actresses, omo ibo le fe (it’s an ibo girl that you want). But he said that is the whole idea, which he wants to sell: an Edo girl doing a Yoruba programme. In fact, some of the guests that came on the show were like, ‘Mehn, let’s clap for this woman’. It was fun shooting the first episode.

    You said the reason you go all out to help people is because of your experience…

    Well, I would say my growing up was fun. Sometime ago, I was coming back from the market with my younger ones and was listening to Olamide, where he sang that they usually lined up to enter the toilet and all those things. So, I tapped my brother, Victor, and said, ‘Do you remember those days when we would line up and you would be holding your bum, saying, ‘ Who dey inside toilet now.’ He was still a baby then. I thank God, at least, we had a roof over our head then, but some people didn’t even. One of my friends said recently that she was listening to a radio programme, where they said it is at night in Lagos that you will know how many people are homeless. You will see people sleeping on pavements and every other place and then you will thank God.

    What was your dream then?

    I dreamt to be as big as this, even bigger than this.

    Have you always wanted to be an actress?

    I have always wanted to be an entertainer. I loved entertainment when I was growing up. I loved TV a lot. I dreamt of becoming great in life and providing for my parents all they need. Though I have lost my parents, they enjoyed a little before they died. I thank God I grew up to know them. Some people did not even grow up to know their parents.

    Were they still married to each other until their death?

    Yes, they were still married to each other. I think it was even the love they had for each other that took the two of them because it was just a year interval.

    Did you ever imagine that you were going to be separated someday?

    No, I never thought I would be separated someday. Yes, it definitely hit me when it happened. But life goes on.

    But a lot of people had the impression that you couldn’t be bothered and that you wanted this freedom?

    No, if I wanted the freedom, I have it now; so, why am I not exploring the situation? Instead of that, I am trying to make money. I have a lot of responsibilities. So, rather than sit down and mourn all day, I have to face the reality.

    My mother was a strong woman and I learnt a lot from her. She went through a lot, which I knew of from when I was a little child. In spite of all that she went through, she kept moving on. My mom had a stroke and survived it; and she still looked radiant. My mom jumped from one trade to another. When I think of that, I would be like, this woman, na you born me, I must do that thing wey you teach us. Those are the things I just look back and then I just move on. I have a child that I need to work for, so that he won’t face the kind of suffering I faced in the future.

    Will you consider marriage again?

    I don’t know, but I am not ruling it out because I am human. I might just fall head over heels in love again. But let me still be doing what I am doing. Wherever the Lord takes me, I will go.

    What would you do differently when you find love again?

    I will probably right the wrong things I did then. I mean I will do the right thing three times over.

    What were those things?

    Can I even point them out? I can’t point them out.

    Was it that you didn’t have enough time for the family?

    It wasn’t that in anyway. It is just one of those things you have to deal with. People will say one thing or the other to defend their own sides. When I’m on set, I want to quickly do whatever I am doing. This is because I see a movie script as an examination; and when you have an examination you want to quickly do it and then relax. That is the way I work. I just want to do it and know that I am done with this script, so I can face my family. So, it’s not that I get carried away with work. I just want to do the best I can at that particular time that I am doing that job and get out from that set and face my family or face whatever I need to do next.

    At a time, you and Daniel were one of the best couples in Nollywood. What could have gone wrong?

    Anything could have gone wrong. Anything could have triggered a fire anywhere. You don’t know what might happen the next minute. We are just trying to make things go right, but God has the final say. Yes, things happen in life and till eternity you keep asking that question what went wrong. But if you dwell on that, you won’t move forward because everything that happens has God’s hands in it. There is a reason why anything happens and it has been written that it will happen that way.

    After a year, what did you do?

    Funny enough, after a year, I was like, ‘Doris, how do you think you want to move on with your life? What should you do to move on? That was when I decided not to dwell on the past; otherwise, I will go hungry. People that want to laugh at me are out there, so I will rather make them say, ‘Aha Aha, what’s happening? And I am moving ahead with my life.

    What is the relationship between the two of you now, given that you have a child for him?

    We have a child, so we talk. The boy is there, so why won’t we talk? We cannot be sworn enemies forever. Not every relationship leads to marriage, yet the people involved still talk.

    But how do you feel knowing that your colleague is supposedly married to him?

    She’s a woman and he is a man. Na man I go still follow so (laughs). In this industry, most of us are colleagues; it is not that we are close friends or something. No be say na my mama born am now.

    What about all those statements credited to you that you will deal with Stella Damasus?

    I don’t know where they got all those stuff from. As a matter of fact, The Nation is the first newspaper I’m opening up to so much on my marriage because I know that you guys are not here to get something scandalous from me. Recently, somebody used my name on BBM to get money from people. I now traced that to a Facebook account. The person’s Facebook has my name, my pictures and everything. And they were probably getting their stories and stupid talk from all the things the person was writing. In fact, the person’s fan page has more likes than my own original fan page. Can you imagine? The person has a BB with Doris Simeon and she was telling people she wants to do a movie that they should send N10,000 into a certain account.

  • New TV reality show makes debut

    A new TV reality show tagged: “Jewel of Africa’’, a continent-wide culture-promoting concepts has been inaugurated to compete with the Brother Africa (BBA) in contents and moral values.

    ”Jewel of Africa” is a culture-promoting concept of TV reality show, designed to restore Africa’s ravaged cultural values.

    Senator Ibrahim Mantu inaugurated the Governing Council of the Africa’s first cultural tourism television reality show in Abuja on Friday

    According to him, the TV reality programme will be a must-watch for all, which will beat the BBA after its take-off.

    Mantu said that the TV reality show was a way to add value to the country, adding that the culture and tradition of Nigeria must be respected and promoted.

    He said that a nation without history was doomed, and that the programme would go a long way in promoting and preserving the people’s culture.

    He expressed optimism that the programme would be accepted by all as the people would patronise it considering the content, value and what it meant to add to the nation.

    Senator  Olorunibe Mamora, the Chairman, Governing Council, “Jewel of Africa” TV reality show, said the programme was designed as television cultural tourism reality show.

    Mamora said it would bring back to life and showcase the fast-eroding African value system and culture.

    He said the show would be a complete departure from the well known ones.

    “Jewel of Africa is a continental multi-dimensional culture-promoting concept; comprising a television reality show, award and exhibition.

    “It is aimed at reawakening the consciousness of all Africa at home and in the Diaspora to the value inherent in our rich history, culture and tradition,’’ he said.

    Mamora said the programme was intended to be a tool for the promotion of harmonious co-existence, integration into the global culture, tourism matrix and employment generation.

    He said the show would serve as a catalyst for sustainable youth employment, and that it sought to highlight the “fascinating” natural spectacle that Africa had to offer tourists.

    Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Dr Umar Jubril, said the programme was a “golden mine” for Nigerians, and must be supported.

    He said Kano State Government would fully support and subscribe to the programme as it would generate revenue for the country.

    Mr Kolawole Ogungbe, the organiser of the TV reality show, said that with the huge support the programme had received, it would blossom into important tool for the promotion of harmonious coexistence.

    Ogungbe said  it would help in exposing the continent’s hidden natural treasure which would serve as a public campaign platform for moral rebirth, social integration and repository of cultural knowledge.

    He said the programme was aimed at reawakening the consciousness of all Africans to the value inherent in their culture.

    The house mates will portray latent moral values and hospitality that Nigeria is historically known for and no cohabitation of male and female contestants will be allowed as the case in BBA.

  • Emerald TV drama brags content, directing

    Emerald TV drama brags content, directing

    A new drama series, Emerald has been touted as a work that will redefine Nigeria’s TV drama landscape. Unveiled at the BheerHugz, Ikeja Shopping Mall last Wednesday, cast and crew of the play were on hand to add their voice to the new soap.

    Directed by John Njamah, the drama stars, Kunle Bamtefa, Carol King, Joseph Benjamin, Lillian Esoro, Bayray McWizu, David Ogbue, Sumbo Oladipo, Femi Branch, Judith Audu and Felix Jnr Omokhodion among others.

    Shot on full HD format, Emerald which enters its Season One, airing on two television networks in Nigeria; NTA and AIT beginning from this month, is said to be typically Nigerian with a mix of all the issues that affects the people in their daily interactions.

    Executive Producer of the series, Dapo Ojo is optimistic that viewer will be inspired by the different characters as they identify with them through their pains, suffering and joyful moments.

    “It took us six months to audition, and we picked a cast of about 100 for the drama. Our job is to create content that people would yearn for. You may have seen these actors in other dramas, but the difference here is the story and directing.” He said at the unveil ceremony.

    According to Ojo, the story explores the age-long truth that when it comes to emotions, the barrier of status, whether rich, middle class or poor, is broken down.

    Most dramas in Nigeria are character-based, but Jude Chukwuka, a cast of Emerald says, this one is ‘character match story’.

    Emerald Drama Series is the first to be produced by Ojo’s SevenSeries Limited, a TV Content Production and Distribution Company, in conjunction with FirsTV Studios, a complete, fully equipped one-stop TV production facility.