Pics: Actor Chiwetalu Agu grabs actresses boobs on movie set

Lol. Wonder what was going on here to make him grab, not one, but two actresses' boobs like that. Photos taken on the set of a new movie produced by Great Favour Production and also stars Ini Edo

Mr.Ibu signs contract with Merrybet, Launches N100million Merrybet Predict promo

Merrybet Gold Limited, the leading sports betting company in Nigeria whose platform provides world class bookmaking services on merrybet.com, recently signed ace Actor/Comedian Mr. John Okafor (AKA MrIbu) as one of its brand ambassadors. Continue...

Speaking at the event, the Chief Communications Officer of the organization, Mr. Odiase also launched the Merrybet “Predict & Win” promo, the first of its kind and the biggest ever in the country where over N100,000,000.00 will be won.

Every Wednesday, ten (10) football games will be uploaded for the week and every registered userwould be given a free prediction.  All people have to do is signup on merrybetpredict.com and get their game on.

There are three winning categories

1. Weekly Jackpot (fixture result prediction):  Every week, a jackpot of N1, 000,000.00 will be up for grabs. In a week where no one wins the jackpot, it is rolled over to the next week continuously, thereby increasing the total available jackpot balance.  All a user has to do is predict the result of each fixture (1, X, 2).  That is, if a football game will end in a win for the home team, a draw or a loss for the home team.  A user has to get a minimum of eight of ten games correctly (the scores don’t have to be correct) to get a strike, 2 strikes equals a Jackpot. Users have to get 2 strikes in two different weeks to win jackpot.

2. Highest Point Weekly (score result prediction):  Users will be awarded different points based on correct winning prediction, correct scores prediction and correct goal difference prediction.  The customer with the highest number of points at the end of the week gets a N100,000.00, 2ndgets N50,000.00, 3rd gets N30,000.00 and customers between the 4th-103rdposition get a N1,000 airtime of their choice.

3. Leaderboard:  at the end of the  prediction year, the user with the highest points gets a whooping N15,000,000.00, 2nd gets N12,000,000.00 and the 3rd highest gets N10,000,000.00. The leaderboard starts when the 2014/2015 English premier league resumes, this would create a level playing field for all users. Other winning categories are currently active.

Mr.Odiase stated that the promo was geared at empowering Nigerians and increase awareness on the potential benefits and rewards in sports betting.  He reiterated the commitment of Merrybet to continually delivering ground breaking products and services in the world of sports betting. 

There is sexual harassment in Nollywood'- actress Banke Adewunmi

Upcoming Nollywood actress Banke Adewunmi says that sexual harassment is real in Nollywood and it needs to be curbed. Speaking with Encomium magazine recently, Banke said;

"There's sexual harassment in the Industry. It's not easy making it without being sexually harassed. Some people think its like trade by barter. It's real. There should be a level playing ground for all without attaching any dirty conditions. People should be allowed to showcase their God-given talents without any hindrance" she said.

Freeze Coolfm finally receives his Nickelodeon Award plaque

riday, May 30, 2014

Cool FM OAP Freeze made history as he became the first Nigerian to win the award for Favourite Nigerian On-Air Personality at this year’s Nickelodeon’s 27th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in LA which held on Saturday 29 March 2014.

He finally received his award plaque or Blimp as it's famously called on the 29th of may.

Freeze who was nominated along side top OAPs like Beat FM’s Toolz, Rhythm FM’s Toke Makinwa and Wana Wana of Inspiration FM walked the orange carpet with international superstars from the worlds of film, music, sports, television and more. Congrats to him.

6Upcoming artistesto rock Airtel One Mic on Democracy Day

Six students from three tertiary institutions in Ogun State will slug it out in Abeokuta on Thursday, May 29, at the finals of the on-going One Mic Tour, amusic talent-hunt sponsored by leading telecom service provider, Airtel Nigeria.
 

The students emerged victorious after scaling through a series of auditions which involved about 100 talented students from The Bells University Otta, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY). Continue...

The finalists are Christian ’Dakris’ Olamide, a Year Two Computer Science student and Omoniyi Temidayo whose stage name is Zlatan Ibile, an ND 1 Business Administration student from MAPOLY,as well as Adegoke ‘Tmax 9’ Adebanjo and Koleowo Adebayo aka Rossady, both Engineering students of The Bells University.

The duo of Lasisi Mabayoje aka Ajanaku and Adebiyi ‘Liltorn’ Jubril, students of the Department of Animal Production and Health of FUNAAB make up the list of finalists.

The finals is billedto hold at OK Events Centre, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta and the lucky winner of the competition will be rewarded with a brand new KIA Picanto as well as a recording contract with ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes.

One Mic, which commenced on May 5, 2014, is aimed at discovering and promoting musical talents fromtertiary institutions in Nigeria, with Ogun state being the debut location. The preliminary stages which had taken the state by storm over the last three weeks has generated great excitement and competitive optimism amongst the youth  who are keen on seizing the platform to hone their skills and discover opportunities to achieve their dreams in the entertainment industry.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, describedthe project as one of the ways which Airtel Nigeria continues to help discover and empower talents in Nigeria. In his words; “thestable of the telco is replete with quality initiatives designed to help Nigerian youths achieve their dreams and aspirations. As an innovative Telco, Airtelremains a trailblazer in helping Nigerian youths to come alive.”

According to him: “four months after the successful completion of the Airtel sponsored Season 2 of the Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT), the company’s objective towards One Mic is to create additional avenues to uncover and tap the rich talents, creativity and skills of Nigerian youths”. 

This initiative is in line the company’s commitment to consistentlyencourage and empower Nigerian youths to achieve their dreams through various platforms, including music. The second phase of the project is billed to take place in selected tertiary institutions in Lagos, later in the year.

Photos: Nollywood stars march for missing Chibok girls

Photos: Nollywood stars march for missing Chibok girls

Some Nollywood stars including Chinedu Ikedieze, Thelma Okhaz, Mercy Aigbe and led by Patience Ozokwor, today May 29th took to the streets in support of missing Chibok girls. They marched from Allen Avenue to Alausa Secretariat where they met with the state House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji. See more photos after the cut...

Photos: Actor/director Femi Ogedengbe and wife welcome twins

 Nollywood actor and movie producer Femi Ogedengbe and his wife Nkechi Kenneth welcomed a set of twins recently - a boy and girl - and the proud papa showed off his new bundles of joy. The couple already have a four old son. Congrats to them.

Wahala dey o! Rick Ross tattoos 'Rich Forever' on his chin...:-)

Rapper Rick Ross, who is worth roughly about $30million, shared a pic on his instagram page yesterday showing his new chin tattoo...he tattooed the phrase 'Rich Forever' on his face...

He's being massively criticized for it with one fan writing "He's not rich enough that he doesn't have to worry about money for the rest of his life. The way he spends it he may be broke soon...the life of a rapper is short lived" but I guess it's a good thing, the tat will remind him for a long time to spend money wisely so he can live up to the phrase on his face. I'm sure he wouldn't want to one day change it to 'Used to be rich!" lol. See another pic after the cut...

D-Banj Visits Nyanya Blast Victims, Urges Youths To Shun Violence

— April 22, 2014

A popular Nigerian musician, Mr Dapo Oyebanji (D-banj) on Tuesday in Abuja urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace.
D-banj made the call when he visited some victims of the Nyanya bomb blast in company of the FCT Health Secretary, Dr Ademola Onakomaiya, at the Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja.
According to him, government alone cannot do all that is required for peace to reign in the country.
“I am a Nigerian and I am affected by any tragedy that befalls us and particularly in the spirit of Easter, I came to show the victims support.
“I have seen that the survivors are responding positively to treatment and thanked the medical team here for the efforts.
“We are appealing to the perpetrators of these acts to have a rethink and support the peace initiative so that our people would not be subjected to such wickedness,” he said.
D-banj said that terrorism in Nigeria was strange as Nigerians were known to be peace loving and advised them to embrace peace in the interest of development.
He said that artistes should be concerned about achieving peace in Nigeria because if the violence continued, the entertainment industry would be endangered.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that D-banj donated several gift items to the victims and also settled some hospital bills.
The hospital management told NAN that over 27 corpses and 26 victims were brought from the blast but 16 were still receiving treatment as others had been discharged.
The FCT Health Secretary urged artistes to support the Federal Government’s fight against terrorism by creating awareness in their performances.
Onakomaiya urged people in the entertainment industry to unite and produce songs, plays, paintings that would condemn and discourage terrorism.
He said that the potency of art as a communication tool amongst Nigerian youths would make it an effective medium in creating awareness.
According to him, security is the responsibility of all Nigerians, therefore, should not be left in the hands of government alone.
Onakomaiya said that the visit of D-banj would go a long way to lift the spirits of the patients.
“You can see that some of the patients are really excited to see a renowned artiste like D-banj visit them; it is very commendable,” he said. (NAN)

Oscars Approves Nigerian Committee For Screening Of Nollywood Films— May 4, 2014

SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH writes that ahead of the 2015 Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has approved a 12-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders, the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), to consider Nigerian entries for the world’s most prestigious awards for films 
Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar; only five films are chosen from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language film.
“This is a great opportunity for Nigeria to have a voice in the international film arena,” said Chineze Anyaene, filmmaker and committee chairperson.
The NOSC members comprise of outstanding professionals who have over time proved their mettle as some of the finest in the movie industry. They include Chineze Anyaene, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba, Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Biola Alabi, Charles Novia and Shaibu Husseini.
According to Academy rules, the members will consider submissions on seven criteria, which are: story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.
Shaibu Husseini, another member of the board agrees. “The Nollywood film industry needs to play globally so people will begin to look towards us.”
Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movies from eighty-five (85) other countries for the coveted Best Foreign Language Film Award. Academy members will then pick a shortlist of five foreign language pictures ahead of the awards ceremony.
The approval of NOSC represents a milestone for the nation’s movie industry which has been recognised as one of the top largest movie industries globally. For years, stakeholders have been trying to further improve its standards and this represents a move in the right direction. Sooner or later, Nollywood movies will win – maybe consecutively even – the Oscar statuette for Best Foreign Language Picture.
About The Committee Members
Chineze Anyaene – Chairperson
Chineze Anyaene was born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria. She graduated from Regina Pacis College, Abuja and later attended the university of Abuja, Nigeria. In 2005, Chineze moved to Los Angeles, California for a one-year filmmaking programme at the New York Film Academy. While at NYFA, she was recognised for creating an outstanding epic folktale, noted as the best “foreign film” of her graduating class.
A first time feature director, her directorial debut IJE: THE JOURNEY has received several awards both locally and internationally including the highest grossing Nigerian film by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and has still remained unbeaten till date. In March 2012, Chineze was part of the panel at a conference in Harvard Business School discussing the entertainment industries in sub-Saharan Africa. She sits as the chairperson of the Nigerian Oscar Committee.
Charles Novia
Charles Novia is generally acknowledged as an avant-garde Nollywood filmmaker. Over the years, he has been involved with Nollywood in various capacities as a Scriptwriter, Producer and Director as well as a foremost creative entrepreneur. He’s the first major Nollywood filmmaker to write a book on the workings of the film industry in Nigeria and the book; Nollywood till November: memoirs of a Nollywood Insider since its publication in 2012, has been well received by critics and scholars of the film sector in Nigeria.
Emeka Mba
Emeka Nkem Mba, recently appointed the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is considered by many of his peers as a leading visionary in the converged fields of media, entertainment and technology, with over 23 years cross functional experiences in the converged fields of media & broadcasting, communications technology, and regulatory policy management. Emeka had served for seven years between 2005 and July 2012 as Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, whilst at the NFVCB he undertook groundbreaking work in restructuring the Nigerian film industry.
He has extensive experience in the media and communications fields, and is currently studying law from the External Programme of the University of London.
Chioma Ude
The enigmatic founder and Executive Director of African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is an ardent film lover. An avid film watcher and commentator, her passion for the industry grew more intense after her involvement in the production of the 2007 Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) UK Roadshow. The ensuing relationship culminated in Chioma producing the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the institution of a brainchild of hers called the AMAA Charity Benefit. This novel initiative was designed to be an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform for industry practitioners and stakeholders to give back to society.
In 2009, Chioma went on to become the local producer of the ION International Film Festival (IONIFF), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. She enjoys fund-raising for filmmakers and has produced some premieres for some of the best films in Nigeria.
Ramsey Noah
Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah is an actor and Stunt Director, Nouah’s acting career kicked off when he starred in the Nigerian TV soap opera Fortunes. Nouah has since then appeared in numerous films starring as the lead role. In 2010, Nouah won the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Best Picture award winning film The Figurine. Ramsey is considered to be one of the most sought-after actors in Nigeria. To his credit are one hundred and forty-five (145)-actor credit and more.
Mildred Okwo
Mildred Okwo is a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Benin Creative Arts Department (UNIBEN). In 1993, she bagged a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and practiced Civil Rights, Employment and Entertainment Law in Los Angeles, California for several years before returning to Nigeria in 2007.
In 2004, Mildred presented family friend and film producer Ego Boyo with the first ten pages of her screenplay 30 Days. The idea for 30 Days was inspired by conditions Mildred observed in Nigeria, and by December 27, 2003 an article written by popular Nigerian columnist Simon Kolawale motivated Mildred to insist on writing and producing movies that gently prick the conscience of its audience. Further, Mildred wanted to offer a better quality production to Nollywood viewers. 30 Days became her directorial and producing debut, and it received several accolades.
Her second film titled The Meeting is the result of that hiatus. The meeting, released in October 2012 has received and continues to receive several accolades which most recently includes Best Nigerian Feature & President Goodluck Jonathan’s award for most authentic Nigerian Feature, African International film Festival (AFRIFF) 2013.
Shaibu Husseini
A widely traveled Culture/film journalist and critic, Shaibu writes for Nigeria’s flagship newspaper-The Guardian. Reputed to be one of the most consistent documentarians of the Nigerian movie industry dubbed Nollywood, Shaibu, an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) of the United States Department of State is an astute commentator on arts and film development in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Shaibu has written extensively on the state of the performance arts and runs columns on film/video industry in several newspapers and journals.
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Rihanna with pinned nipples on LUI Magazine front page

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From opened boobs, to naked butt pop sensation Rihanna continues to dazzle recent fashion magazine covers with her ‘amazing’ nakedness and no one is complaining! A leaked photo of Rihanna latest photo shoot with French magazine LUI just landed online and we cant seem to get enough of what we see. Even though the pic came from an anonymous source, Rhihanna appears with piercing on her nipples. She donned a navy blue hat,  strange braids, and was her on her phone all through as stated by Pulse.ng

Actor Neil Patrick Harris takes it all off for Rolling Stone magazine

He plays for the other team so #BBnotintestedface! :-). The actor pictured right with his partner, actor and chef, David Burtka.

2face, T-pain To Perform At AFRIMMA

Organisers of African Muzik Magazine Awards [AFRIMMA], Big A Entertainment, have confirmed the acceptance of another set of music super stars who will be performing at the award show, scheduled to take place on July 2, at the Eisemann Center, Richardson, Texas, United States.
The new addition; Nigerian singer, song writer and record producer, Innocent Idibia a.k.a 2face, and multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning American rapper, Faheem Najm, better known as T-Pain, will be thrilling the crowd individually and collectively, especially on the remix to 2face’s song, Rainbow, which features the American star.
The song is 2face’s popular single, which debuted on his 2012 album release Away & Beyond.
No doubt, 2face will be the cynosure of all eyes at the event, having raised the bar of international collaboration with the success of Rainbow, and featuring on T-Pain‘s new single, If I Got It, which also has Senegalese-American artiste, Akon.
Founder/CEO of Big A Entertainment, Mr Anderson Obiagwu said his company is determined to sustain the drive towards a world class African award show, through its “crossing boundaries with music” mission.
“This event will not only celebrate the music of Africa, but celebrate the unique sounds, culture and artistes that tell the stories of our continent as a whole,” said Obiagwu.
“AFRIMMA represents growth, celebration and pushing the culture and music of Africa continuously forward for the better. It will be an amazing night celebrating the artistes who have influenced and impacted the culture as well as the pioneers who laid the framework for the music of today,” he added.
The much publicised event will be hosted by celebrity comedian, Basketmouth and Nollywood actress, Juliet Ibrahim.
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Chidinma Wraps Flavour In Oh Baby

Samuel Abulude

— May 7, 2014

It’s a fresh video from Ms Kedike, Chidinma. The petite singer celebrated her birthday on Saturday, May 3, 2014 and to crown her joy, she released Oh Baby (You & I) and what a singer to collabo with her but highlife crooner, Flavour N’abania.
It’s a romantic song. Oh Baby was produced by Yung D and to bring out the beauty and spice in the song, ace video director, Clarence Peters was at work with his unique touch.
Chidinma is releasing singles upon singles for her debut album. The singles include Emi ni baller, Bless my hustle, Carry u go, Run dia mouth and not forgetting Jankoliko, her first single with Sound Sultan featuring. All these make her self-titled studio album ‘Chidinma’ on music platform spinlet.

Rihanna shows off butt cleavage in very low slung dress at Met Gala afterparty

I'm sure she thinks we are all already bored with seeing her titties and wants to give us something else to talk about. The singer wore this very low slung gold dress that showed her butt cleavage to last night's Met Gala after-party. No bra, no pata. Rihanna, dia iz God oooo. See more photos after the cut...

Tunde Kelani: Filmmaker Extraordinaire, Telling African Stories To The World

Home / Entertainment /  Nollywood / Tunde Kelani: Filmmaker Extraordinaire, Telling African Stories To The World

Tunde Kelani: Filmmaker Extraordinaire, Telling African Stories To The World

Jumoke Rufus

— January 17, 2014

Internationally acclaimed film-maker, avid reader and seasoned cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, is a pace-setter and legend of some sort. With over 16 movies under his belt, he started as a photographer but cut his teeth as a cameraman and, since then, has never looked back. Having a knack for promoting his cultural beliefs, Kelani started his own production company Mainframe in 1992. Since then, he has become a beacon for movie makers in the continent and beyond.
BY JUMOKE RUFUS

How did you begin your career as a film-maker?
It all started out of a love for reading, then my interest in photography grew. This led me to become an apprentice photographer. From photography, I developed huge interest in theatre, production and film-making. That is how it all started.
Your movies are known, not only for their quality, but for storylines that are relevant to our society, often incorporating core beliefs of the Yoruba people – Magun is a good example. Is this a direct reflection of your style as a film-maker?
Yes it is. I use the Yoruba language and culture for a global view, so I can authoritatively say that I have identified the importance of literature in cinema.
Tell us about your new movie, Dazzling Mirage? 
It is a love story themed on sickle cell. The principal character lives with the sickle cell disorder, but despite the usual pessimism about her condition, she overcomes social stigma, prejudice and low self-esteem to achieve the three things she considered to be of uttermost importance; a good education, career success and family. How did she achieve these? That’s the main purpose of the film. It is set for release in April 2014.
You are credited with discovering talents such as Kunle Afolayan and Kafilat Adedipe, amongst others…
(cuts in) One of the exciting factors of film-making is the collaboration part. These collaborations may, sometimes, be literary, personal or even technical.  Usually, people involved are smart enough.  First of all, these actors have talent and we have developed the talent through collaboration. Usually, I don’t take credit for discovering them; they are already talented. Besides, you have to determine the quality and standard of your routine, as these people have set a standard and level for themselves. They choose what they want to do, not anything thrown at them.
Your use of mainstream Yoruba thespians in English-speaking roles is legendary. How do you achieve this?
It is important to note that these actors and actresses are versatile people. When the idea for the movie comes up, we think about the character in the story. Our main interest is the story and that determines who will play the role. It is not necessarily because of their ‘popularity’; rather, it is all about their versatility and the broad experience they can tap into to interpret the roles given to them better.
How do you come up with your various stories, what inspires you and how do you handle book adaptations?
I read! I read a lot. I’ve been reading since my primary school days and I still do. In fact, I just finished reading Americana by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and before that it was a book written by Tony Allen. It is all about reading. Some of my movies are book adaptations. I have done adaptations as much as any other African film-maker if not more. It is very interesting when you take the original works of others and interpret it, like Maami (a book of the same title written by Femi Osofisan). The end of the book cannot be the same with that of the film, but we have to write some things into the story and develop it just for the film. It is interesting when you work with a writer and he sees his work in another medium, with a different interpretation.
Funke Akindele’s role in Maami is different from other roles she has played in the past. What made you cast her for that role?
I’ve been following Akindele’s progress as an actress and I knew it was time for us to work together. Also, I knew she was the best person at that time to play the role. Using Nigeria as an example, some of us have passed through the ‘Maami Experience,’ though some might not have been as drastic as others.
Each new movie you produce is seemingly better than the last. What drives you to do more?
It is a natural process and everything I have made, so far, has been good. But I am getting to a stage where I can do greater works. I have had a long period of gestation and I have everything, except funding. Thank God we know have technology on our side. On the home-front, we can never run out of resources, as we have a rich, great cultural heritage.
Pirates have long been considered a scourge in the Nigerian film industry. What do you think can be done to curtail this practice?
We have to look for solutions for the challenges facing the industry, especially issues relating to infrastructure – there are no cinemas, electricity and broadband Internet. There is also a problem with physical distribution, because the pirates have destroyed everything and there is no solution to the threat of piracy. So we have to continue to look at other platforms, since there is no proper distribution channel .We have to look for technological solutions and we are working on them.
As a film-maker who features ‘A- list’ actors and actresses in your movies, you are bound to have ego clashes on set. How do you manage your actors?
We usually don’t have ‘A-list’ actors. We just assemble people who we feel are committed to what they are doing. There is no time for distractions, because they are professionals.
How do you feel having Kunle Afolayan as your protégé?
I’m really proud of him; we are seen now as colleagues rather than father and son. We are always excited whenever we are in each other’s company. I wish we could have many more like him. Eventually, I will have a film school but I need to concentrate on doing some more work.
You are considered a pioneer in your chosen filed (film-making), especially Nigerian films. Do you think you deserve the accolade?
No, I have mentors who are still alive; I cannot be a pioneer when my creative uncles like Frances Oladele and Ola Balogun are still alive. I’m just happy to have contributed something.
What are the challenges you’ve experienced as a Nigerian film-maker and how have you done to overcome them?
As an independent film-maker, you are working with serious handicaps; you cannot make things happen where there is no electricity. You also need people to watch your movies, but how will they watch when there are limited cinemas in the country to show the movie? Also, business opportunities and funding are not enough in the movie industry, as the proper infrastructure is non-existent and this makes it difficult for one to make profits.
Which works inspire you, locally and internationally?
All kinds of cinema productions inspire me, because I’ve studied all kinds of cinema. I’m inspired by American, Japanese and Indian cinemas, to name a few.
What else are you working on and what should your fans expect from you in future?
I am currently studying D.O Fagunwa’s books, with a view to adapt some into movies. I’m also considering some Yoruba classics. I hope I get to do a movie on Sango – it all depends on funding.  Sango is a mixture of myth and mystery. I could do something different from what is already on ground. For example, I could focus on his personality. Was he weak or was he strong? Was Oya his wife stronger? I could also focus on the intricacies of their relationship. There are so many ways in which the story can be captured.
What is your all-time favourite movie?
There are many of them. Space Odyssey (2001) and Lawrence of Arabia are some of them.
What do you enjoy, besides making movies?
I’ll say making more movies (as movie-making is my one-true joy).
What is your secret career wish if you could be anything but the ‘legendary’ Tunde Kelani?
I would definitely be in information technology.
If you had your pick of international actors to cast in one of your movies, who would be at the top of that list?
None, because I’ll be telling stories from my cultural experience and I don’t think they’ll be able to relate with that.
What do you like most and least about yourself?
I made a right choice of career, though I wish I could do more than I am presently doing.
Who is Tunde Kelani?
Tunde Kelani is Tunde Kelani… I’m just a human being, passionate and determined.

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Home / Entertainment /  Nollywood / Nollywood’s Most Expensive Stars

Nollywood’s Most Expensive Stars

ABAH ADAH, CHINELO CHIKELU, PAUL CHIAMA

— April 11, 2014

One of the most significant phenomena that portrays the rich cultural heritage of the people of Nigeria and indeed Africa in an entertaining style, is Nigeria’s movie industry popularly called Nollywood. From humble beginnings, Nigeria’s truly home grown and funded film industry is now ranked as the third largest producer of films, behind Hollywood and Bollywood. In just over two decades, Nollywood has grown into a $250million (about N41bn)-a year industry, employing thousands of Nigerians.
Nollywood productions, which also include Kannywood films, are hugely popular all over Africa and sought for in Europe and the USA, with growing impact on the global stage. Nigerian stars are household names across Africa and beyond. LEADERSHIP Friday here takes a brief look at Nollywood’s most expensive stars.
Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie is one of Nigeria’s outstanding actors who have worked hard to get Nollywood to its present status. Edochie was born in 1947 in Enugu, in eastern Nigeria. A seasoned administrator and broadcaster, he came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time bestselling novel, Things Fall Apart. For close to two decades now Edochie has starred in many home movies. The veteran actor was considered one of Africa’s most talented actors by both Movie Awards and Movie Magic’s Africa Magic Cable Network.
Edochie got into radio broadcasting in 1967 as a junior programmes assistant and rose through the ranks to the level of a director before his resignation.
Olu Jacobs
Oludotun Baiyewa Jacobs, whom every household in Nigeria knows as Olu Jacobs, is another Nigerian veteran actor, who has starred in over 120 Nollywood films. In 2007, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Born in 1947 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olu Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He then featured in various British television shows and series in the 1970s such as The Goodies, Barlow at Large, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals, etc, as well as in several international films like John Irvin’s war film, The Dogs of War and others. Jacobs is married to Nollywood actress, Joke Silver.
Nkem Owoh
Nkem Owoh whose popular stage name, Osuofia, has eclipsed his real name, is a foremost Nigerian comedian and actor. In 2008, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Owoh’s acting career began during his days as a student of engineering at the University of Ilorin, when he featured in various television and film productions.
He became widely known as Osuofia when he starred in a Nollywood movie titled Osuofia in London. The versatile and untiring screen icon is also known for I Go Chop your Dollar, a song about advance fee fraud popularly referred to as “419”. The song was used in the film The Master, in which Owoh plays the scammer. But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) later banned the song from further circulation.
Chinedu Ikedieze
Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known by the nickname “Aki”, is a frontline Nollywood film star best known for playing alongside Osita Iheme (popularly known as “Pawpaw”) in most movies, after their breakthrough in the movie titled Aki na Ukwa. Chinedu who is of small stature, as is his on-screen twin, Osita, has stood tall in the Nigerian movie industry for close to two decades now. In fact, the duo, through their comic roles in most Nigerian films, has attracted many within and outside the country to Nollywood films, thus proving that they are, though small in physique, giants in their chosen career.
Osita Iheme
Osita Iheme, widely known as “Pawpaw”, the character he played in the film Aki na Ukwa alongside Chinedu Ikedieze, is one of Nigeria’s most popular actors. Both he and his stage partner Chinedu received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Iheme was born in Mbaitoli, Imo State, Nigeria into a family of five children. He studied Mass Communication at the Enugu State University. With his unique comic style, Osita has featured in many Nigerian home videos, thrilling his teeming fans in Nigeria and beyond.
Mercy Johnson Okojie
Popular screen goddess Mercy Johnson Okojie, is widely rated as the most expensive actress in Nollywood. This widely admired movie celebrity is noted for her versatility and ability to fit into and execute different roles, ranging from high class, down to a “pure water” seller, as she did in Dumebi, the Dirty Girl, or a village girl who fights at the slightest provocation, as she acted in Royal Fighter.
Mercy charges a whopping N2.1million just to play a role or feature in a movie. Her charges recently rattled the Nollywood Movie Marketers Association and producers to the extent that she was banned for being too expensive in the industry. The ban, which was placed towards the end of last year, was however lifted, making her once more highly sought after.
Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji has expanded her relevance from acting to also modelling and music. In the Nollywood family, she is one of the highest paid stars. To feature in a movie, the Mbaise, Imo State-born movie star charges N2m. In 2005, she was the winner of the Africa Movie Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Her early start in acting is certainly paying off well for her. She began acting at the age of eight in a popular television soap opera run then as Ripples. Then at the age of 19, she embraced the Nigerian movie industry with her role in Most Wanted, a movie that stirred the market in 1998.
Genevieve later featured in several other movies. As at today, she has featured in over 80 Nollywood movies. The year 2004 was remarkable in her life. It was when she signed a contract with EKB Records, a label based in Ghana, for her debut album titled One Logologo Line. The album had R&B, Urban Contemporary and Hip-hop twined into a melodious musical mix.
Ini Edo
The amiable Iniobong Edo Ekim, better known as Ini Edo, is among the highest paid stars in Nollywood. She got into acting in 2000. She featured in a popular movie titled Thick Madam in 2003, when she started acting fully. The Akwa-Ibom State-born movie star is always a delight to watch on screen. Her talent in acting began to show at a tender age, in church and at school.
To take a role in a movie, Ini collects a charge of N1.8m; in 2007 she featured in up to 30 films! Having starred in over 100 movies, it is not out of place to say that this admirable actress has raked in a good chunk of money through acting.
Patience Ozokwor
Madam Patience Ozokwor, popularly known by her fans as Mama G, is always sought after by producers in the movie industry. She has perfected the art of playing the role of a villain, so much so that some people assume that that’s how she must be in real life.
For such roles, Patience charges N1.6m or slightly more. This movie star, who is from Enugu State, is also a singer and businesswoman, with investments in landed property. Despite her wealth, she prefers to live in the village, coming to the city when she has a movie production to attend on location.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
The charming and graceful Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, popularly known as “Omo Sexy”, is at ease with her fortunes as an actress. The Lagos-born star from Ondo State made her debut in Nollywood in 1995. Since then, she has acted in about 300 movies and has endeared herself to producers and marketers.
“Omo sexy”, who is also a singer and philanthropist, is a multiple award winner. To pick a role in a movie, Omotola charges N1.5m, but most producers don’t mind, considering her quality delivery. She was recently reported to have celebrated her birthday with an elaborate party that gulped N300m. Omotola was honoured in Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, along with the likes of Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.
Nonso Diobu
The last in a family of five children, Diobu showed early signs of acting at a local church in Anambra State. He became a professional actor in 2001, with his parents blessing, featuring in the movie entitled Borderline, directed by Adim William. The movie didn’t gain the actor much popularity. However, he hit it big time in 2008 and 2009 when he received awards for the Best Supporting Actor for the years 2008 and 2009.
On February 12, 2009 he, alongside other Nigerian artistes, signed a two-year Glo Ambassador contract worth N50m. In 2012, he was rumoured to have bought his mum a furnished mansion at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State. As a businessman, Diobu noted on his Twitter page of September 9, 2012 that his businesses and profession keep him well occupied.
He ranks number 9 among the 10 richest Nollywood actors and is considered one of the sexiest in the industry. He has starred in over seventy movies.
Mike Ezuruonye
On January 19, 2014, Mike Ezeruonye tweeted, “I’m coming alive with AIRTEL,” confirming his status as the new brand ambassador for AIRTEL, just months after his two-year N50m Glo Ambassador contract ended. The AIRTEL contract is worth millions. He had also held a million naira contract as the Face of Amstel Malta for a year, from December 2009.
The fair-skinned Nnamdi Azikiwe University graduate honed his acting skills as a young boy, working behind the camera and writing scripts. He played the arrogant, illiterate but hilarious footballer character “Wonder Boy” in the movie The Celebrity and has featured in over 80 movies.
The movie industry recognised his acting skills when he was nominated for Best Nollywood Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Nollywood Actor in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2008 and 2009. He won Best Leading Role in a Yoruba Movie in 2013.
John Okafor
John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, is indeed one of the most admired stars in the industry. He shaved heads and repaired home appliances to earn an OND in Mass Communication at the Institute of Management Science and Technology (IMT) Enugu. It was during his school days that he landed his first acting role as a “wakapass” in the old Bendel State. He later featured in a few TV dramas, before moving to the movie industry. He came into limelight with the movie Agony, in which veteran actor Pete Edochie co-starred in 1997. He played the role of an imbecile. Then, he starred in the famous titular movie Mr Ibu, and the name stuck!
Ali Nuhu
Ali Nuhu is a household name, especially in the northern part of the country. The personable Nuhu made his debut in Kannywood – the Hausa home movie industry and an integral part of Nollywood – in the early 90s. He has diversified into music, movie directing and production. Also, he has enjoyed endorsement patronage for ambassadorial corporate deals with advertisers.
This Gombe State-born movie star has also extended his tentacles to Nollywood, where he now features regularly in movies. He has so far featured in more than 50 movies, cutting across Nollywood and Kannywood. Nuhu was the winner of the MTN Kannywood Best Actor Award in 2013, for his role in Matan Gida, a Kannywood movie. He charges between N.5m and N1m to feature in a Kannywood movie.
Sani Danja
Sani Danja, co-owner of the 2effect Empire, is another highly popular actor in Kannywood. He has several awards added to his laurels. Just like Ali Nuhu, Danja has also stepped into Nollywood’s corridors, where he is sought after by producers from time to time for certain roles.
Danja is also a musician, having started his musical career at the age of 21 in a five-man local band called “The Young Kiddies”. He was the winner of the Best Entertaining Kanywood Actor in the recent MTN Kannywood Awards held in 2013.This movie star receives between N.5m and N1m per role in a movie.
Adam A. Zango
Adam A. Zango is a Kano-born star who draws attention in Kannywood. He also sings and has interests in farming.  Zango has featured in about 70 Hausa movies since he joined the industry.  He is best known for his role in Dijangala, a film released in 2008.
Zaharadeen Sani
Zaharadeen Sani is one of the superstars of Kannywood who have successfully expanded the frontiers of the Hausa film industry in Nigeria and can indeed be classified along with the weighty Nigerian actors that are proudly setting global standards in Nollywood. A northerner, the film star has featured in several Hausa films. At the 2013 MTN/BON awards, Zaharadeen won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Fulani.
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I Once Walked The Wall Of China For 7 Hours – Michelle

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I Once Walked The Wall Of China For 7 Hours – Michelle

Samuel Abulude

— April 20, 2014

Michelle Bello is the award-winning film maker having produced Small Boy and Flower Girl, both winning local and international awards. The UK-born movie maker and CEO of Blue Star Entertainment spoke to SAMUEL ABULUDE on her next movie project, trends in the industry and of course, her charming personality. 
Congrats! How do you feel that Flower Girl won three awards at AMVCA?
I feel very excited. I am so, so happy. Flower Girl took four years in the making. I came up with the idea of the story when I was doing my Masters in 2010. We were asked to write a feature script and I have never done that before, I’ve shot a lot of short films before. I said, why not let me do a romantic comedy, I like romantic movies a lot. So I came up with it and that was the birth of Flower Girl. Then I gave it to my brother, Jigi Bello and he revamped the whole script, he wrote the draft and all that- Jigi made the movie into what it is. He is absolutely amazing when it comes to writing. I feel so happy that I was able to work with him. He is someone I respect so much and he is so talented. To see the success Flower Girl has achieved is actually amazing. I just thank God for that. It is only by God’s grace that a year after the film was released, it’s still going strong, it’s still winning international awards, the AMVCA and we haven’t even reached DVD yet.
And what do you think makes Flower Girl unique?
I think the theme of the movie is very powerful, LOVE- it’s a universal theme- whether you are an American or an African or from another continent. It’s what we human beings can relate to, and we’ve all been in a relationship whether good or bad. And so with Flower Girl, a romantic comedy- it’s very funny. It’s got great characters, a good story- a young girl wants to get married. Everyone can relate to that. And we have guys fighting- all kinds of things going on. It’s not just a chick flick like everyone will say. There’s something for everyone. Like in Nigeria, they were taking their families to watch the movie. So many people have seen it over and over again. People have become part of the story and loved the character. And with the quality and production level, a lot of money, a lot of skills went into crafting the movie. It wasn’t a rushed project at all. In this entertainment industry, we represent quality. We are passionate about everything we do and we strive for excellence. And I learnt so much working with the cast and crew. I’m excited about working on my next one.
What of the budget for Flower Girl?
Flower Girl had a N50 million budget. That’s what we had to do and I’m happy that cinemas had been built and more emphasis are on Cinematic films. So efforts should be made to do movies for the cinemas, movies for the international audiences. For Flower Girl, we got screened at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in LA.
What inspired you into movie making?
I loved telling stories, that was a passion to me. Even when I was in school, I would go into a library. While I was a teenager in Coburn hall, Kent in UK, I’ll be writing stories in my book and I found it few years ago. I’ll literally be writing stories and my friends will read the short stories and they will love them. So for me, it was second nature, I just loved telling stories. I noticed from a young age, people loved listening to my stories and how I will tell them. How you tell a story is key especially the director. So for me when the choice of what am I going to do in the University, there was nothing else for me other than to study Communications. From that I got to know about Film, TV, journalism and that was when I really realised my passion was in film making. Making something from stories.
Your mum with interest in Arts must have inspired this too?
Definitely! Through her Arts outfit, Amasoma. She did, Africa ‘95 which was huge back then and she’ll take! me and I’ll go along with her. Seeing the work she is doing with the troupe, we were in the Kennedy Centre in Washington and in the UK, we performed there as well. So I’ll be there watching her doing everything and I’ll be just wondering Wow! I took something from the foundation. So watching her, her passion for African Arts inspired me, showing it internationally as well as here.
Did you ever think of acting?
Never! I’m a behind the scene person. So many of my friends are trying to get me into acting in the movies and I always tell them, I’m not an actress. Acting is a completely different skill level and a completely different craft. It’s something you work on your whole life just like directing, just like producing. I’ve always been a shy person, I guess that’s why, I’m behind the scene as a storyteller. So, no acting for me.
How was it like for you to bring all that you learnt to work here?
My plan was always to bring everything I learnt in America and bring it here. I use everything that I have learnt in working with all the casts that I have worked with. It can be challenging and fun working with different kinds of people and also doing different projects. I don’t mind training people on the spur, I find out that people get trained here as they work on the job. I also like to test people to be sure we are on the same level before embarking on the project. In America, it’s a complete different mentality. You can come to work for a big studio like Disney and do it for free, they do it as a work-experience for three months. Here as a people, it is different, the poverty level is a lot higher than in the western world. It is important in this industry that you keep an open mind and to focus on always learning and developing your skill level. And you know here, it can be challenging, there is a lot of egos, people don’t want to learn from others- they fell they know everything.
You can never know everything, no one knows everything. You need to study, it’s not a case that you just want to be a director and you have the passion. How many acting books have you read? That was why I went to study more before doing Flower Girl, I had to study film making, improve my skills and learn more on how it is done internationally. And I think it was the best decision I made and I’m so glad I did because my experience has widened. And I can see my level of growth from Small Boy my first feature and Flower Girl and I want to see my growth again from Flower Girl to the next one and that is how it should be. There are so many people out there who want the same thing as you do, what’s gonna make you stand is the knowledge you keep acquiring to do something different.
Beyond movie making, who is Michelle Bello?
That is an interesting question, who am I? (She laughs) I’m down to earth, I’m a real person and I strongly believe in my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ and know what he’s done in my life. I’m so grateful to God. I’m a God fearing person. I’m a passionate person. Whatever I do, I’m very passionate about. I love to travel. I love to meet different people. I’m very adventurous, not many people know that. I actually walked along the wall of China, I mean the proper way. And it took me seven hours! I love watching movies, TV shows. I love people, I’m actually a people person but I’m shy as a person. I’m very blunt and say things as they are.
What are your dreams?
To keep getting better in my craft. Keep telling our stories to the world, impact lives and inspire people for the better. There are so many people out there and it is important to let them know that there is hope. Whatever you want to do, you can do and make positive differences in the country. My goal in life is to be a blessing both in my personal life as well as my professional life. Personally, I would like to get married and have kids.
And when will that be?
Only God knows. God’s time. (She laughs).
What do you do when you are not working?
I sleep. I love sleeping (laughs), I also hang out with friends. I just go to the cinemas and watch movies, visit art galleries when I have the time.
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D-Banj Visits Nyanya Blast Victims, Urges Youths To Shun Violence

Home / Entertainment / Nollywood / D-Banj Visits Nyanya Blast Victims, Urges Youths To Shun Violence

D-Banj Visits Nyanya Blast Victims, Urges Youths To Shun Violence

NAN

— April 22, 2014

A popular Nigerian musician, Mr Dapo Oyebanji (D-banj) on Tuesday in Abuja urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace.
D-banj made the call when he visited some victims of the Nyanya bomb blast in company of the FCT Health Secretary, Dr Ademola Onakomaiya, at the Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja.
According to him, government alone cannot do all that is required for peace to reign in the country.
“I am a Nigerian and I am affected by any tragedy that befalls us and particularly in the spirit of Easter, I came to show the victims support.
“I have seen that the survivors are responding positively to treatment and thanked the medical team here for the efforts.
“We are appealing to the perpetrators of these acts to have a rethink and support the peace initiative so that our people would not be subjected to such wickedness,” he said.
D-banj said that terrorism in Nigeria was strange as Nigerians were known to be peace loving and advised them to embrace peace in the interest of development.
He said that artistes should be concerned about achieving peace in Nigeria because if the violence continued, the entertainment industry would be endangered.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that D-banj donated several gift items to the victims and also settled some hospital bills.
The hospital management told NAN that over 27 corpses and 26 victims were brought from the blast but 16 were still receiving treatment as others had been discharged.
The FCT Health Secretary urged artistes to support the Federal Government’s fight against terrorism by creating awareness in their performances.
Onakomaiya urged people in the entertainment industry to unite and produce songs, plays, paintings that would condemn and discourage terrorism.
He said that the potency of art as a communication tool amongst Nigerian youths would make it an effective medium in creating awareness.
According to him, security is the responsibility of all Nigerians, therefore, should not be left in the hands of government alone.
Onakomaiya said that the visit of D-banj would go a long way to lift the spirits of the patients.
“You can see that some of the patients are really excited to see a renowned artiste like D-banj visit them; it is very commendable,” he said. (NAN)

Aki Goes on Holiday

Aki Goes on Holiday

Nollywood actor,Chinedu Ikedieze knows how to have a good time when he's not working on set.
He posted a few pictures online of him and his missus on holiday in the States.Carry go my brother