HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ghanaian Designer Christie Brown delivers ‘A Few Of My Favourite Things’ to luxury retailer Temple Muse

Ghanaian design label Christie Brown launched her collection themed ‘A Few Of My Favourite Things‘ at Temple Muse on 18th December 2010.

The brand will be exclusively stocked at Temple Muse and is a great addition to the current list of established African brands within the TM Umbrella.

Guests were treated to signature TM Cupcakes & Pink Sangria which set the mood for an enjoyable afternoon all around.

Between the queen and the king premier

It was a night to remember on the 5th of December 2010 as award winning movie ‘Between Kings and Queen’ was premiered at the Silverbird Galleria in pomp and style.

Starting with a red carpet that lasted for about an hour and half, journalists and photographers had a field day interviewing and taking pictures of celebrities like Jim Iyke; AMBO box office winner, Bhari Mcwizu and others that were present that night.

The movie screening followed suite as journalists, movie practitioners and members of the audience made their way to a hall at the Galleria to watch the movie that has won international awards. The movie screening lasted for close to two hours with the audience laughing, screaming, exclaiming and purging out emotions as the mood of the movie dictated.

Happy at the success of the premiere, Mrs. Joy Dickson the writer and director of Between Queens and Kings, said “With the response I’ve gotten from the viewers at the screening, our effort has not been in vain because we have really put much in the production of the movie, from the directing, cinematography to getting the best cast and crew; ‘Between Kings And Queens’ is a movie to watch out for. It was guided by Director of Photography Michael Morlan, a 2008 Oscar nominee, and features breakthrough performances by Dajuan Johnson, Nakia Burrise, and Nigerian superstar Jim Iyke”.

Between Kings and Queens’ features Nollywood and Hollywood stars like Jim Iyke, Nakia Burisse, Dajuan Johnson and Trenton Rostedt, and tells the story of Kalu, a young prince from Africa who seeks to escape his royal duties by fleeing to America. His experience in the land of liberty quickly unravels as he finds himself working for a local deli and sleeping on his cousin, Nanna’s couch. Kalu soon crosses paths with the friend of a notorious drug lord in town, his journey takes him on a dangerous path. Enter Susan, a beautiful African-American woman who connects with Kalu as he becomes the target of the drug cartel and a pair of corrupt cops. On the run from both sides of the law, Kalu uses his creativity and stands by his ideals to overcome the challenges he faces in the land of liberty.

Speaking on his experience while working on set of Between Kings and Queens, popular Nollywood actor said, “I saw it as a cultural exchange of some sorts. I was basically the only African in the movie but you know the way thespians are , irregardless of the colour .We think alike, we are one minded people ,we are uniformed in our approach to things so in no time it was easy for me to blend in and work together to make things happen. The truth is that the key ingredients when shooting a movie is the talent and relentless effort of the director. It was easy to work and hang around with some really cool people.

Lilian Bach, yemie blaq dazzles in "Eletan"

For beautiful actress, Lilian Bach there is no better way to end the year than to set out plan to start the new one in a big way.

The actress who has been busy crisscrossing the world since the beginning of 2010 and putting finishing touches to her movie project has concluded plans to release her latest movie, Eletan (Deceiver) in cinema in 2011.

Eletan is the story of a woman who thinks she can have her cake and eat it. The more she schemes, the more she’s caught in her webs of lies. When the center could no longer hold, she decides to play her joker and that changes calculation of things for her and victims of her game.


The Yoruba movie which will be released in cinema in first quarter of 2011 has stellar cast such as, Yemi Blaq, Bolaji Amusan (Mr. Latin), Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Muyiwa Adegoke, Ireti Osayemi, Ayo Badmus and many others.


Lilian who is predominantly an English-speaking actress said the reason behind producing a Yoruba movie is to further show her versatility. ‘Yes, I am more of an English-speaking actress but don’t forget that I’ve done a couple of Yoruba movie too. Art has no language barrier; entertainment just like music is defined as a universal language. I am an actress and now a producer; language should not be a barrier, adaptability is an actor’s stock in trade’.

Bakky Adeoye, the production manager of the movie said Eletan is the best movie project he has been involved in 2010 while Mr. Latin who is known to have done over 100 movies in his lifetime said he has never acted the kind of character he pulled off in Eletan, ‘this is my best movie ever’ he said.

Anchor baby wins three awards in Los Angeles

Just when fans and critics of the Canada-shot award-winning movie, Anchor Baby are beginning to think that the movie, Anchor Baby has won all the awards it can, the flick goes ahead to win three more awards from the Los Angeles Movie Awards.

A well-thought movie that deserves all the awards it can win, Anchor Baby is nominated alongside movies by veterans and established actors and actresses like “The Deposition”, “Dancing On A Dry Salt Lake”, “Ave Maria” ,“The Middle Of The Middle” , “Je Vous Aime Tres Beaucoup”, “The Russian Cowboy”; Anchor Baby was given an award of Excellence at the Los Angeles Film Awards; it also won in the Best Screen play while Omoni Oboli was selected as the Best Actress for her role in the movie.

The new awards just won by Anchor Baby spells a good omen for the movie as the award is coming barely a week after the movie was premiered in style and pomp at the Silverbird Galleria on the 9th of December, 2010.

From the galaxy of Nollywood stars like Omoni Oboli, Stella Damasus, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Ifeoma Ejenobor, Uche Jombo, Joke Jacobs, Beverly Naya, OC Ukeje, Bhaira Mckiwu, Vivian Ejike to their Hollywood counterparts like Sam Sarpong, Terri Oliver that strutted the red carpet and an extensive buffet where all kind of small chops and wine were served.

The movie premiere was however not just a Nollywood affair as other celebrities and dignitaries like Timi Dakolo, Fela and Tara Durotoye, Uti Nwachukwu, Charles Novia, Sasha, Sammie Okposo, Adesuwa Onyenekwe, Soni and Betty Irabor also graced the five star premiere.

Starting with a red carpet event that lasted for close to two hours, celebrities in different attires sashayed the red carpet and press men had a field day interviewing the guests.

The movie screening proper began after the red carpet and was held in the most spacious hall of the Silverbird Galleria. Guests who had waited all the while to see if the movie was worth the while were not disappointed at the end of the movie. A guest at the event said “coming all out for the premiere of this movie is really worth the while, and in my opinion, it is the best movie in 2010. The suspense, the directing, editing and cinematography of the movie proves it to be a standard movie and I see it clinching an Oscar award”.

Already getting a lot of buzz at the cinemas, movie lover all around the nation are now beginning to conclude that ‘Anchor Baby’ is likely to be the movie with the largest cinema presence in 2010.
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Nigerian idol: first group of ten to release an album

It’s been two weeks since the contest got serious, and now sources at the Dream Studio have revealed that the first group of ten comprising of Immaculate, Olamide, Chito, Irene, Ruth, Naomi, Sadia, Abraham, Joe Blue and Bukky are on a quest to releasing a new body of work.

‘It has not been confirmed if it’s an album or simply a collection of songs, but we know that the team have started writing and putting together songs that they will eventually release soon.’

Producer Lillas Bode told us last week that ‘Although we have had just three groups since the top 50 phase started, this team happens to be one of the closest we have had, and hearing that they are coming together to release a musical project is not surprising, but sincerely, this is the first time I am hearing of such.’

Surprisingly some members of the team were available at the Sunday recording to support some of the other contestants from the second group.

Nigerian Idol first hit our TV screens on Sunday, November 21, 2010 and has since then become a must watch amongst TV viewers in Nigeria, Ghana, UK and USA.

Host Misi and Anis have so far done a great job of treating fans to the ups and downs of the show, and while many contestants have gone without receiving the grand prize, there is no denying the fact that they are grateful to the producers of Nigerian Idol.

“It is an experience I will never forget, I have learnt a lot since I came to Idols, and I’m grateful to the producers of this show” Ruth one of the contestants who auditioned in Lagos disclosed last week.

In the music industry, contestants of the Idols talent competition are held in high regard because they are seen as artistes who are versatile, brilliant, energetic and articulate, and last week all these contestants did not fall short of expectations

Sponsored by Etisalat in association with Pepsi and Royal Exchange, the winner of Nigerian Idol leaves with 7.5 Million Naira and a recording contract from Sony BMG. Nigerian Idol airs on 20 broadcast stations in Nigeria, UK and USA. Transmission details are available on www.nigerianidol.com

JOS MAYHEM: Nationwide red alert

JOS—SECURITY was tightened at state and federal secretariats, yesterday, as workers resumed for work after the holidays that were marred by blasts on Christmas Eve which claimed 80 lives and more than 176 injured This is just as suspected members of an Islamic sect, ‘Boko Haram’ struck again in Maiduguri, Borno State capital killing three persons including a retired senior police officer.

At the state and federal secretariats in Jos, workers at the complexes were subjected to vehicular and bodily checks by security guards attached to the secretariats. Although only few workers reported for work, the guards ensured that every vehicle was properly checked before entering or leaving the premises.

One of the security guards, Mr. Davou Sunday, told Vanguard that there was tension following the multiple blasts in some parts of the city. He said: “You must be aware that there is tension in town following the blasts. That is why we are trying to ensure that such act does not occur here.”

Brunt trailer following the Christmas Eve bomb blasts in Jos . Photos by Taiye Obateru

Many of the workers were still in shock and scared of events of the past few days. Their fears were heightened following report of another attempted blast at Barkin Ladi Local Government Council , Tuesday night.

The suspect, a school teacher is being interrogated by the police over an explosion in the school. The man was said to be putting together some items which he claimed to be chemicals at the Islamic Orientation School when the explosion occurred and badly burnt him on the face and hands.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, who confirmed the arrest of the man said he suspect claimed to be mixing chemicals for an experiment when the blast happened, adding that the police were investigating the matter with a view to ascertaining his claim or if there was anything more than that.

Okogie, Makinde warn against war

Meanwhile, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde and Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, yesterday, charged the Federal Government to immediately demonstrate its ability to govern the country by flushing out all those behind the blasts in Jos. The clerics said government risked throwing the nation into civil disobedience.

Responding to claims by an Islamic group, Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad, of responsibility for the Christmas Eve bombings and the violent attacks in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, Makinde described the development as not surprising.

He said the dangerous addition to the perennial religious disruptions in the North was not entirely unexpected because the Federal Government had foot dragged over the matter for too long. He, however, cautioned that the continued silence of the government amounted to toiling with the lives of the people.

In a statement signed by the church’s Head of Media and communications, Rev. Dapo Daramola, the Prelate said until the Federal Government made a scape goat of the so-called faceless group that has specialised in visiting pain and anguish on innocent people, the situation may even get worst.

Makinde, therefore, enjoined the government to go beyond the current reports that the blasts were evil machinations of people seeking to divert attention from the main issues and do a thorough investigation of the claims because, “there can be no smoke without fire.”

Okogie warns govt

Cardinal Okogie in reaction warned that if the current government failed to employ the necessary laws to deal with perennial sectarian crises, the people of this country would be left with no choice than to take the gauntlet and defend themselves.

He said: “It is not right for a country reputed to be the most powerful nation in Africa, parading the strongest military might, to be held by the jugular by a faceless group of individuals. Where then is the security of this country? Who are members of this group?

“My advice to the president is for him to show now that there is a government in place in this country by taking the bull by the horn.

If this situation is not arrested urgently…if the Nigerian Civil War did not teach us anything…were you in this country during the civil war?…if you were you will understand what I am trying to talk about,” he kept on lamenting the development, adding that if the current Nigerian leaders have not learnt anything they should go ahead and plunge the nation into another war.

Okogie said the current development portends grave danger for the nation, saying that unless the government stamps its authority now, it might loose control and the people would rise in civil disobedience.

He noted: “Islamic clerics are dismissing the group, saying that it is faceless, Christian leaders are calling on the government to do thorough investigations. Everybody claims to be preaching peace but where is the peace? Where are the security organisations in the country? For how shall we continue like this? If they want to destroy the country, let them continue. One thing I know, my brother, is that when the rain falls it won’t fall on one’s head.”

Mayhem Satanic –Sheikh Habeebullahi

Notable Islamic scholar and Head, Arabic and Islamic Centre, Agege, Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam also reacted to the blasts in Jos saying it was totally against the tenets of Islam and a total waste of precious human lives.

He said in a statement yesterday that the attack was satanic and uncalled for, adding: “We strongly condemn the action of those who claim to be perpetrators of the heinous crime in the name of Islam or Jihad because life in Islam is very sacred. Nobody has the right to take life except God, He gives and takes it.”

Sheikh Adam who said that every Muslim must adhere strictly to the principle of peaceful co_existence preached by the religion, appealed to politicians to desist from using religion as a disguise to achieve selfish purposes and the engagement of disgruntled elements in the society to destabilize the society.

Commercial activities back in Jos

Commercial activities, however, resumed in full in Jos, yesterday, as shops, restaurants, bars and banks were opened for full business, putting behind them the Christmas eve multiple blasts.

Business centres in other parts of the city also resumed normal activities, with traders displaying their wares on roadsides. Most commercial banks were thronged by a large number of customers who had formed long queues before the banks opened for business.

Although most of the banks opened for business, a few others, including Diamond, Guaranty Trust, Stanbic Bank and UBA, located in the city centre, remained shut, while their customers waited anxiously at the gates.

Boko Haram strikes again, kills 3 in Borno

Twenty four hours after an Islamic group claimed responsibility for multiple blasts in Jos, another Islamic sect, the Boko Haram, yesterday, struck again in Maiduguri, Borno State capital killing three persons.

The three victims, including a senior police officer, were killed on Tuesday when men fired shots into a teaching hospital.
Reports reaching our newsroom late last night indicate that several other persons were shot in a sporadic attack that was carried out by people suspected to be members of the dreaded militant group, Boko Haram Sect.

Confirming the development, a police spokesman said the militant Islamic group shot one person dead and injured three others, including a retired police officer.

The Borno State police public relations officer, Lawal Abdullahi, told Vanguard in a phone interview last night: “An investigation has already commenced but I can tell you that we believe the killings must have been carried out by the Boko Haram since it was their mode of operations. We have arrested suspected members of the Boko Haram group and they are being questioned.”

Feelers last night showed that one charismatic pastor, a staff of the University of Maiduguri and member of the Chapel of Grace, University Campus, was currently receiving treatment for bullet wounds received in the attack just as brave Christian leaders had launched a search party for the body of the slain victim who is yet to be found.

Others were locked up either in their homes or in some hiding places for fear of attack by a gang of young men parading the streets in motorcycles.

Another church that came under attack was the EYN Church in the College of Agriculture area of Maiduguri where a guard was killed.

A Muslim group identifying itself as Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad claimed responsibility for both assaults.
Members of the Boko Haram, which opposes Western-style education and draws inspiration from Afghanistan’s Taliban, attacked police stations across several northern cities in July 2009, prompting the government to deploy troops.

37thSTATE releases teaser trailer for supernatural thriller – “NKIRU”

Now this looks promising! 37thSTATE has released a teaser trailer for “NKIRU“. 37thSTATE is a new film studio headed by filmmaker, Bolaji Kekere-Ekun. NKIRU is the first in a trilogy of groundbreaking short films the studio plans to release in 2011.

The story of NKIRU centers around a group of friends who go to the beach and disappear under mysterious circumstances. With stellar performances from all of its fresh up-and-coming cast, this supernatural thriller takes a modern look at a familiar myth in Nigerian and African society.

The ‘supernatural’ genre is one that is explored quite often in Nigerian movies, however, it is usually from the same point of view. It is refreshing to see a younger, more modern take on this. Check out the teaser trailer below. The movie is produced by Nkechi Bakare.
The film is slated for release in the first quarter of 2011.

December 10th, 2005: The Day Our Lives Were Changed Forever

The day was just like any other day. I was home from school for the Christmas holidays. My brothers Ochai and Ogbe were coming home from their schools that day. Ochai was coming by road from Calabar and Ogbe by air from Abuja. We were all excited, but my mum was the most excited, ”My boys are coming home”, she kept saying throughout the week, she was so happy, we all were . We made chicken stew and Egusi soup which they both loved, we cleaned the house and looked forward to a blissful Christmas. We just couldn’t wait.

That afternoon, my Dad went to the airport to pick Ogbe and my sister was at a Christmas party at her school, so it was just my mum and I at home. I remember we were watching the Miss World competition. I remember that it was Omowunmi Akinnifesi that was representing us. I remember my mum ‘yabbing’ some of the contestants. She had also been feeling uneasy and she kept wondering what was keeping my dad. She called him and she couldn’t understand what he was saying, all she could make out was ‘I don’t know how to tell you’, he kept saying amidst his sobbing and wailing. Immediately she jumped up, ran to her room, wore her green bubu (she doesn’t wear it again), and drove out of the compound all the while saying, ‘God, let nothing happen to my boy, not my boy Ogbe’.

I was left alone. By now I knew something was wrong. I tried to pray but I couldn’t. I remember everything vividly. I put on the radio and by then the news was on. A plane carrying school children had crashed at Port-Harcourt International Airport. I called my father to confirm, ‘Daddy, is it true?’, I asked, hoping it was all a sick joke, ‘It’s true, my son Ogbe is no more in this world. Ogbe is gone’. He replied. hmmm… am not sure I can accurately describe what I felt, but i’ll try. My heart dropped. It was such a horrible terrible feeling.

What followed was denial, then shock, then the slow realization that all the people in your house were actually sympathisers, that the wailing and weeping wasn’t for nothing. Yup, someone had died. And death is as final as it gets.The days that followed were a blur, nothing seemed real except for the pain. The pain was and is still so real. It’s sharp, acute and physical. Nothing, absolutely nothing can hurt the way the death of a loved one can.

Ogbe Daniel Okpe was 13 (June 11, 1992-Dec. 10, 2005). Ogbe was a star. a genius. a clown. He was the light in our home and when he passed, the light went out. He was good at everything, sports, science, arts, clowning around and making people laugh, there was never a dull moment with him around. He wanted to be an aeronautical engineer from his childhood and he always told my mum he would build her a car that could fly because she always complained about traffic.

Sosoliso (the name should have warned us) flight 1145 crash landed at Port-Harcourt International Airport, burst into flames and there was no water at the airport. No water and no emergency services, that tragedy could have been avoided 100%. The plane crash killed 103 including 60 students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja,(some of the brightest minds of their generation), Pastor Mrs Bimbo Odukoya, Rev. Fr Aloysius Obi (who baptized my brother and 12 of his classmates) and so many others. Two people survived that crash, one of them the beautiful Kechi Okwuchi who remains an inspiration to all of us.

Its been 5 years since that horrible tragedy took place. In those 5 years, we have grown stronger and wiser. Death has a way of maturing you and also teaching you that nothing on this earth lasts forever. We have also grown deeper in our faith. A lot of people asked us why God would allow something like that, but God has not said we won’t face trials, He promised to be with us through the waters and through the fire (Isaiah 43:2) and He was with us. He brought us through and we are stronger than ever. 5 years on and I ask myself if anything has changed. Sadly, nothing has. Nigerians still die unnecessarily and there seems to be no solution. We haven’t learnt from the mistakes of the past and Nigeria’s future is paying heavily for that.

Even though the tears still flow and we still miss them, we will not spend our time thinking about what could have been. We will honour their memories by living life to the fullest and refusing to give up on this geographical mass called Nigeria for by giving up they would have died for nothing.

So this piece is dedicated to all those whose lives were changed that day, Families, friends, schoolmates, colleagues, teachers and even those who didn’t know anyone on that flight, but have faced some sort of tragedy because of our failed system, keep holding on, keep being strong and let’s honour their memories by fighting to make Nigeria a better place.

Can We Play Dress Up?

Every woman has a picture of the kind of man she wants to be with. Me for one, I have always envisaged getting married to a lanky man who is intelligent and has a great sense of humour, a great dresser, godly, respectful, very loving, faithful… the works! However, since I and all other women aren’t “God”, we can only envisage and pray our desired men into our lives, but it’s not a given that when they finally turn up, they’ll look and act the way we want them to. So, I’m left wondering… if my man doesn’t talk the way I want him to, can I keep him anyway and then work towards changing his diction? If he smokes and drinks a little too frequently, can I still keep him and then dedicate time to pray for him so that he’ll give up both? If he isn’t fashion-forward, can I tactfully change his wardrobe? Maybe I can influence him to toss some of his clothes and shoes… can we play dress up?

Due to my strong belief in human rights principles, I have always felt that people should be left alone to express themselves in whatever way they deem fit… as long as no one gets hurt in the process. However, lately, from my many interactions, I have observed that even though women mostly go into relationships with men whom they feel somewhat of an attraction for, as time goes on, they begin to note down some qualities that they would rather live without. Using these notes as a guide, they tactfully start to influence their men to change. Since women can be manipulative, they do this with little or no effort, but I’m left wondering… is this right?

I have seen men who have been “transformed” and the outcome appears to be for their own good (I think). At this point, I find myself struggling to choose between one of two conflicting views:

(1) The right to respect men (people) just as they are and deal with them accordingly and…

(2) The right to change men into what we want them to be.

A friend recently told me that she has been spending time with a certain person whom she possibly wouldn’t have granted any audience many years ago for one reason or the other. She has now discovered that she enjoys many of their conversations. However, she can’t get over the fact that she sees him as a “project”! While he is talking his head off, she, being a fashion-forward person, constantly visualises him wearing this and that and looking totally hot! “Why waste a potential hunk?” she said to me. She justifies her actions by telling herself that she is only trying to make him a better person. Is she for real… or not? Can we have it all? The obvious answer is NO!

If she is keen to be with a great dresser and her man hasn’t a clue, should she “chop him off” and then give the next fashion-forward hunk a chance or can she dress him up to be what she wants him to be? Do his own preferences count? Would he wake up one morning and find that he no longer recognises himself in the mirror and hate her for it or would he thank her profusely for adding even more “quality” to his life? What does “quality” mean? If you say it’s okay to dress him up, will his ego accommodate it? Is it wise to let trivial factors like a man’s dress sense or diction determine whether he can earn the position of “husband” in a woman’s life? Are these factors truly trivial or are we just ashamed to admit that they are important for fear that we would be seen as materialistic or fickle? Is it even possible to successfully change attributes of a fully grown man who is already set in his ways? So many questions…

Although we all want to have it all, it really never happens that way. That really great man can turn out to be unfashionable or a glutton! He can have a broken diction or whatever else we don’t want in a man. We just have to see our potential partners as imperfect human beings just as we are and not the “demi-gods” that we want them to be! However, since I never go down without a fight, I am certain that I will attempt to dress him up (if I find it necessary) with the knowledge and acceptance that should he refuse to change, I can remain happy with him… forever and ever.

Obsessed

I had started avoiding conversations with some people. It is that bad that I don’t pick up the phone. Everybody here is simply obsessed with marriage. Until I got drafted to the drive time show at work, then I started to understand the depths of this obsession.

Recently, we had an edition on our radio show with Chaz B titled “to what extent have you gone to get a man to put a ring on your finger” and believe me we were barraged with all sorts.
From women that buy an interesting kind of white powder from white garment churches and are instructed to smear it between their thighs, to tying up photographs and throwing it into the river. How can I forget the “kobnomi”.

Every seasoned professional in the world of haunting men for marriage at some point or another should have washed their private parts and used the fluids as stock to prepare a meal for consumption. This process is quite pedestrian in the grand scheme of things.

There were stories of breaking eggs, drinking eggs and eating eggs. The most exciting though was a lady that called, saying she had three men after her and she needed to know which of the men would be best suited as a husband. So of course she had been to a church for her first consultation which she paid for but she is still confused and wants to go for the second consultation. When we asked her why didn’t she just pray and wait, her voice became a couple of decibels higher as she informed us that she wasn’t willing to wait till she turned thirty, plus she was under a lot of pressure and we wouldn’t understand.

There was a time when people indulged in voodoo for far complex things, like trying to kill someone, or just cursing a rivals family and unborn offspring. Now it seems for anyone in need, there is a an Alpha, Babalawo, or prophet on speed dial. If you have a friend, she probably has a couple of complementary cards to distribute.
The need to be married has become a cause to declare “a state of emergency”.

It isn’t like I don’t understand the pressure. I have entered the second half of my twenties and I am very aware that in Lagos the ratio is now ten girls to one boy. But no matter what, there still has to be other things in life to embrace, enjoy and be besotted with. On my birthdays, my mother would normally call at midnight praying for me. This time around, she called not praying but stating “Unwana, success is already guaranteed for you. You have to find a man and manage, you can’t leave it too long. It is time”. Of course I listen to my mother’s rant and informed her that I have heard everything has said, knowing that she will be attending the Sacred Heart Of Jesus fellowship on a Wednesday praying fervently that someone will propose to me by December 31st.

Most of my male friends are completely terrified of women. They constantly whine that it seems like you can’t just meet a girl anymore, have a normal conversation and be friends without being accused of giving the wrong impression or being bullied into a relationship. I remember once, a friend and I were having a chin wag as to whether or not we needed to elevate from foundation to mineral powder, or up the ante on our high heels to obtain our pass into the coupling world. Our male friend who was gleefully enjoying his pounded yam and Efo Riro dropped his fork and with furry yelled “you women spend far too much of your lives talking and worrying about relationships, is it the end of the world, don’t you have anything else to do or talk about, na wa oo”. Though we burst out laughing as a result of his spontaneous combustion, he was telling the truth.

At work, I keep whining about the fact that I need a car, so that my okada hopping can come to an end.(in my head I pretend I’m on a Kawasaki Ninja) Rather than pray for me to get one or just damn donate to the car fund, they all start to pray for me to find a husband. It’s the same way we interviewed a lady with sickle cell who was made redundant by the company she worked for. Though she did mention that most of the guys she dated vanished once they found out about her sickle cell status, she got more prophesies about finding her permanent partner than actually getting a new job.

I’m more of an organic person and as clichéd as it sounds not all relationships are supposed to end in marriage. You meet people, if there is a spark and you are both on the same wave length, share similar values, interest and enjoy being around each other then you go for it. If it works out, fantastic. If it doesn’t, hopefully you can learn something from the relationship or perhaps salvage a friendship if necessary. Maybe you get to discover something new about yourself which is always a plus.
Life as an experience and journey has so much to offer if you allow yourself.

But I do accept that “to each his own”, so if white powder, eggs and vaginal juice cooking stock works for you, please do go ahead if you may. It just seems like an awful lot of work for things you have little to no control over.

Where is the ‘Best’ Place to meet your Mate?

The other week, one of my fellow male colleagues in the office chided me for working late. According to him, my ambitious life style is one of the primary reasons behind my single status. “If you stay couped up in the office from morning to night and spend most of your weekends indoors how do you expect to find a boyfriend?” he asked rather bluntly. I stared back in silence, for two reasons. One, my father had said the exact same thing to me the week before and two; I was beginning to think they both might just be right!

I discussed my dilemma with a few friends and we came up with a list of the tree top places for such romantic encounters….

We all agreed that the best place to meet someone was at a quiet, laid back, ‘get-together’. This is primarily because at such gatherings everyone is usually ‘at ease’ and more likely to mingle than at elaborate events where people tend to stick close to their own crowd.

Coming a close second was at weddings. According to my friend Temi, this is because weddings remind single guys that they need to settle down and there are always ample amounts of single ladies looking extremely hot! Whether this is true or not is off course open for debate!

Third, but definitely not the least was the almighty hook up! Yes, I agree that this isn’t technically a place but according to my friends, having someone who knows you (flaws and all) hook you up with someone else they know well, could actually be a match made in the stars.

We also concluded that the most unlikely place to meet ‘the one’ was at a club. This is primarily because there are way too many alcoholic contents floating about and the last thing on any guys mind at that point is looking for a bride.

Personally, I’m not too sure about strategizing or mapping out certain places to frequent in order to ‘meet’ the one. Call me romantic or naïve but when I do finally meet him I want to be pleasantly surprised and not secretly thankful that my ‘plotting’ worked. Plus, I also believe there is something to be said for letting fate guide you along life’s path without you second guessing each and every turn.

But what do you guys think? Have my friends and I totally missed the plot with our list? Do you have any other places in mind? If you are married, where did you meet your mate?

BN Hot Topic: The Best Break Up Ever!

In today’s world where people are jumping off bridges to meet the mate of their dreams, people are still breaking up! Believe it or not, but not everyone you see holding hands at the cinema is actually in a loving committed relationship. Some people are actually plotting for the best time to wave goodbye to their partner.

A friend of mine recently split up with her boyfriend of 3 months. According to her, he had way too many annoying habits and she just couldn’t put up with them any longer. While I don’t begrudge her reasons for breaking up with the said boyfriend, I did find her break up tactics a bit novel. She just stopped picking up his calls. The poor guy even tried coming to see her at home and she instructed everyone in her house to always tell him she was out! Two weeks later and the dude got the message. The phone calls and unannounced visits stopped. When I questioned her further about what seemed to me an unfair way to sever ties with another human being, she informed me that her method of breaking up was the best because it avoids the unnecessary emotional discussion of “it’s not you, it’s me”. I disagreed.

However, after my conversation with my friend, I started thinking about what really is the best way to break up with someone? Technically, a breakup usually affects parties differently. The person initiating the breakup, in most cases, is usually in a better position than the one receiving the breakup news. Particularly in situations when the other party assumed things were going on well. So given that at least one party will always walk away from a broken relationship hurt, is there really a ‘good’ way of delivering bad news?

Personally, I always believe in communication. I think it’s always good to give the other party a chance to know why you have reached the decision and as well give them a chance to say their own two cents. I also think breakups should always, where possible, be done in person. No over-the-phone, e-mail or BB breakups! That’s just plain rude! But I am an idealist, and I know not everyone agrees with me.

So what do you guys think? Is there really a good way of breaking up with someone? Have any of your exes been less than generous in their methods of ending your relationship? Have any of your breakup plans backfired?

Let’s Discuss!!!!!

Steph’s Through the Glass now on shelve

Multiple award winning actress, Stephanie Okereke has explained that the national and international release of her blockbuster movie, “Through the Glass” was planned to compliment the Christmas holiday break.

The much anticipated box office film which was written and produced by the actress hit shelves last week in Nigeria.

The film which is a romantic comedy starring sultry Steph and Garrett Mckechne had premiered elaborately in Los Angeles, USA, Lagos, Nigeria, Berne_Switzerland and Cannes, France to much acclaim and applause.

The movie was also released into the market during the week in Ghana.

According to Steph, 411 Films will be responsible for releasing it online on DVD in the United States

Ikechukwu fights in public

If you’re planning a party and you’re thinking of having Ikechukwu perform, please know that Lagos club REHAB is out of venue options for you.

“If u party at rehab pls don’t talk to me. That club is dead to me. A bouncer put his hands on me for what ????? F**k REHAB and all its f***king people”, the pissed rapper who’s called Killz exploded.

The incident happened in the wee hours of Sunday morning after the MAMAs was over. The rapper who had graced stage at the international event was probably still high on the achievement when Rehab bouncers jolted him back to life.

Ikechukwu

There is reason to believe that the rapper went to the club for reasons other than socializing since the club isn’t particularly his favourite. he could have had an appointment to keep as he explains why he doesn’t like the club: “I stopped going to Rehab ‘cos not only does the club just suck as far as space is concerned but it always has one funny smell.

Then I just can’t stand the people running the club. Feel among dey vex them. If I no gree be ur friend no be by force na. Ah jo oo”, Ikechukwu explained to fans on Twitter.

When the fume was over and Ikechukwu was calm a few hours later, it dawned on the rapper the light in which that single action must have put him.

The celebrity who has a no-nonsense image apologised to fans saying, “ (I) Just wanna apologize to my fans for bringing myself so low yesterday. This is not the kind of character I portray or expect anyone else to. People will always test u. Show strength with restraint. God bless”.

Kween weds at last

After many years of a relationship which has produced a child, singer Kween Onokala Tuesday December 21, 2010 at the Onigbongbo Local Government registry, Ikeja formally tied the knots with the father of her second son Dotun Omotoye.

Just when many were beginning to think the wedding plans would never materialise, Kween returned home months back, after two years hibernating in London.

Kween’s parents were absent but were represented by few family members at the registry that had only those very close to the couple in attendance including singer ‘Zeal’.

Surprisingly, Weird MC who is one of Kween’s closest friend was no where close to the venue.

Overwhelmed Kween amid constant laughter and cheer told NET ‘I’m so happy. I’m extremely excited that its happening finally’.

A reception at Mr Omotoye-owned night club ‘The Place’ which had more guests in attendance saw the sensual side of Kween and Dotun, as the MC Gbenga Adeyinka took them through several kissing sessions at regular intervals while Gloria Ibru and the ‘G’ notes band serenaded guests with their love and romance tunes

How Abuja rocks for R. Kelly

This year’s edition of the Star Mega Jam held on December 17, in Lagos, and December 18, in Abuja, lived up to the hype preceding it, as the biggest musical activation of the year.

R-Kelly

This year’s headliner, international R & B superstar, R. Kelly, who performed at both venues, threw the enthusiastic crowd into a musical frenzy, as he sang some of his greatest hits to their delight.

The audience sang along to his musical rendition, which included hits such as ‘Happy People’, ‘Fiesta’, ‘Bump & Grind’ and ‘Snake’, among other musical hits. At intervals, the musical superstar would acknowledge the cheers from the crowd, revealing that he did not know he had such a huge fan base in Nigeria.

Thrilling the Lagos crowd who trooped out to the Polo Ground, Lagos, venue of this year’s Star Mega Jam, were the dynamic duo of P Square, who serenaded the crowd with their deft dance steps while rendering some of their greatest hits. Musical sensation, 9ice also performed a medley of his songs while Nigerian rap star, MI, for the first time performed songs from his recently released album titled MI2.

Rounding off the musical concert was the Mo Hits crew comprising Dr. Sid, D’Prince and Wande Coal who kept the crowd roaring for more of their songs. Other acts that performed in Lagos were Jukebox, Diamonds and KC Presh, earlier winners of the Star Quest, which is a platform created by Star lager beer to discover fresh musical talents.

2Face, P-Square, Mo’Cheddah, Sasha, Liquideep, Fally Ipupa & Eminem win big at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards

*More photos and BN’s account of events at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 will be updated soon.

Congolese artist Fally Ipupa, and Nigeria’s 2Face led the winners at the third edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel (MAMA), each taking home two trophies at the music awards ceremony at the Eko Expo Hall, Lagos on 11 December 2010.

Nominated in four separate categories, Fally Ipupa scored wins for Best Video (“Sexy Dance”) and Best Francophone act while 2Face, a former MAMA winner from 2009, picked up trophies for Artist of the Year and Best Male.

Cabo Snoop notched up a music first for Angola by becoming the first ever Angolan winner at MAMA 2010, taking home the prize for Best Lusophone act. The inaugural Best Anglophone award went to Kenyan Gospel breakthrough artist Daddy Owen – the first time a gospel artist has won a MAMA.

Song of the Year was won by South African pop/R&B outfit Liquideep for their hauntingly lovely ‘Fairytale’. New MAMA award category Best Performance was won by Big Nuz, the South African house trio making waves all over the continent.

Nigerian vocalist Sasha scored Nigeria’s first ever win in the Best Female category after Kenyan dominance over the last two years. Nigerian R&B duo P-Square (Nigeria) added yet another MAMA trophy to their awards cabinet – taking home Best Group for the third year running! Rising Nigerian star Mo Cheddah notched up her first win in the hotly contested Brand:New category which recognises rising stars tipped by MTV for success.

D’Banj collaborates with Snoop Dog

Multiple award winning act, D’banj formerly called Kokomaster, and recently re-christened Mr Endowed, has continued in his efforts to retain his status as one of Nigeria’s leading artistes.

Early this week, news of a collaboration with American rapper, Snoop Dogg, on a track surfaced.

The tale became more believable when D’banj’s friend and label boss, Don Jazzy posted on Twitter a promo artwork of Mr Endowed remix with D’banj and Snoop Dogg on the cover. The ensuing responses were predictable.

Mr Endowed was released in May this year as Dbanj’s lead single off his expected fourth album titled after the single. Scapegoat was the follow up single. For now, it is unclear if Mr Endowed re_mix will be released as single No. 3 or if fans will have to wait for the full album which may or may not drop this year. The singer’s management is yet to make an official statement on the development.

The man Enahoro, by Bola Tinubu

FORMER governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was in the forefront of the struggle for a return to democracy and also a former chieftain of NADECO has described the death of Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro as a patriot of the highest crust.

In his reminiscence to the NADECO struggle, Tinubu enthused that “Chief Enahoro gave his all.”
Also, he went down memory lane of Chief Enahoro’s public life, from a youthful political agitator and journalist in the First Republic, his journalist record as the youngest person to edit a newspaper in Nigeria, his role through the Nigerian Civil War as Federal Commissioner of Information and his romance with conservative politics in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic.

Besides, he hailed Enahoro’s championing of the restructuring of Nigeria into a proper federation by pushing for a Sovereign National Conference and his role as national chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) after the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.

Aside this and perhaps for the for the first time, Tinubu revealed that the late nationalist lived in the Tinubu family house in Kakawa, Lagos, while he was a pupil at Kings College, Lagos.

He said “he (Enahoro) used to live in our house at Kakawa, on Lagos Island, while he was at King’s College in Lagos – but that was before I was born.”

In his tribute to the late elder statesman, he said “it is sad that Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, the great patriot who moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence, is gone. He lived to grand old age and he contributed his quota till he breathed his last.”

He, however, lamented that Nigeria still gropes around in her search for true federalism noting that “it is sad that he exited, while Nigeria still grapples to make real democracy out of civil rule that is going into its twelfth year.”

On Enahoro’s doggedness and consistency, the former governor explained that “you might not always agree with him. But you can’t doubt that he was a patriot of the highest crust. When democracy got threatened in our nation, during the jackboot Abacha years, he joined the younger elements, at great risks to his life, to fight the military to a standstill.”

“The result,” he stated, “is the civil rule we all enjoy today.”

It is a pity that Nigeria never became the democracy of Chief Enahoro’s dream. But that job is left for all of us he has left behind to do.”

Asked how best to help fulfil Enahoro’s unfulfilled dream, he maintained that the task was clear, if not so simple.

According to him, “we must ensure that the next general elections represent the will of the people. Every vote must count and be counted. The choice of the people must be installed to rule over them. That is the only way we can do tribute to the memory of this great Nigerian, who gave his all to the service of his country.”

Global summit on education highlights impact of innovative trends

Over three days, the World Innovation Summit for Education(WISE) witnessed a diverse range of innovations, experiences and emerging new ideas from around the world. From funding to curricula, from conflict and reconciliation to new skills, from assessment to improvement of the quality of Attendees, laureates and speakers came to WISE to advance international dialogue and propose realistic and effective solutions as well as new ideas.

In a plenary session on “Exploring Innovative Trends”, Lord David Puttnam, Chairman of Futurelab, said “If we are to be serious about innovation and improvement, then I believe Governments everywhere will have to treat investment in teaching and learning with far more consistent commitment than has tended to be the case in the past.

In this incredibly fast-moving environment, that means focusing a lot more time and attention on the continuous professional development of teachers than there has ever been previously.”

Lord Puttnam added that the development of online technologies offers the opportunity to dramatically increase the effectiveness of our educational systems, in both the pace and the quality of learning. “It is time we started to talk about the ‘productivity’ of education as well as it’s ‘effectiveness’ – as I find it hard to see how we are going to increase the one without the other,” he told the Summit.

Speakers at the recemt World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), Doha, Qatar.

James Bernard, Worldwide Director, Partners In Learning, Microsoft, cautioned that innovative teachers are ‘islands’ unless they have the support of school leaders, and innovative schools are ‘islands’ without the support of an innovative education system.

Illustrating innovation in a non-technological context, Martin Burt, Founder and CEO, Fundación Paraguaya and Co-Founder of the WISE 2009 Award-winning ‘Teach A Man To Fish’ initiative, highlighted the necessity for an entrepreneurial ethos in education, pointing to the principle of ‘learning by doing and earning’. He added: “Let’s try to believe that education can also pay for itself and that the solution to problems in education may be in appealing to the dignity of those we are trying to serve.”

Also addressing WISE on the topic of innovation, Dr Se-Yeoung Chun, President of the Korean Education and Research Information Service (KERIS), outlined how South Korea has used information and communication technology to reform its education system since the 1970’s. Through technology, the administrative workload of educators had been reduced substantially and parents now have better access to information about the students’ curricula and achievements.

He added that this sustained investment had helped South Korea become the highest ranking country in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA, published December 7th 2010).

Professor Rita Lewis, President of the International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA), addressing a session on “Creative Arts in Education”, said that “the arts show you that there isn’t one right answer and that imagination transforms understanding.”

As it draws to a conclusion, the WISE 2010 summit has provided a platform for a multi-disciplinary, international education community to generate dialogue, decisions and actions for the benefit of education globally.

On funding education, Mrs Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO, told the WISE Summit that “business as usual is not working. Aid disbursements to basic education have stopped increasing for the first time since 2000 – stagnating at US$4.7bn in 2008. Education is the way to invest out of the economic crisis. We must explore tangible proposals for innovative financing as decisions we take now will lay the foundations for the century ahead.

In this light, the starting point must be to demonstrate that education plays a central role in employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction. Quality education also promotes better health, democratic participation, gender equality and environmental sustain ability.”

Mr Steen Jorgenson, World Bank Sector Director said: “The way ahead will entail a shift in focus. Where the emphasis had typically been placed on an engineering approach to reform, such as building more schools and training more teachers, now incentives to better align inputs and performance with results and accountability are to be given priority. Innovative financing clearly has a role to play in this shift.”

Jorgenson maintained that the three fundamental principles for funding the education sector include: Protection of education budgets: It will be critical for national governments to protect their education budgets and invest in education as a solution to economic uncertainty.

Value for money: Educators must demonstrate that education is vital for economic recovery and that investment in education will result in a substantial return through increased employment and poverty reduction.

Future financing: Education requires innovative financing to secure the long term future and viability of projects. Innovative financing of education must happen in two ways: funds should be raised innovatively and they should be disbursed in innovative ways.

Regarding the future financing of education, Mrs Bokova cited the Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development’s Task Force on Education, which identified a tax on international financial transactions – a 0.005 per cent on transactions between four major currencies could raise US$30bn a year. Local currency education bonds, an education venture fund, debt swaps for education, public-private partnerships, and micro-donations from bank transactions were also identified as viable financing mechanisms which could be implemented without great difficulty.

The Chairman of WISE ended proceedings by announcing three major initiatives arising from the Summit which he intend to enact in the course of the coming year”. They include:

* the establishment of the WISE Prize for Education. This annual award will be the world’s first major international prize for education. In a sustained effort to raise global awareness of the crucial role of education in all societies, the WISE Prize for Education will reward individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to any field or level of education.

Nominations for the first WISE Prize for Education will be invited from February 1st to April 30th, and the prize will be awarded at the WISE Summit 2011. Selected by a jury of five distinguished personalities, the winner will receive an award of $500,000.

* the launch of a WISE publication and web portal. WISE will create a publication that will, for the first time, record major achievements and initiatives in the world of international education, including those at WISE. This key point of reference for innovations in education will be complemented by an enhanced WISE website that will host more in depth information and provide collaborative fora for discussion. Both should be launched between spring and fall of 2011.

* call for the establishment of a task-force dedicated to education system rebuilding in Haiti. The destruction by the devastating earthquake of Haiti’s entire educational system has been a focus of WISE 2010 and has resulted in an appeal for the creation of a task-force. This task-force will call for the global community to unite and build a new educational system in Haiti from the ground up. The task-force will report back with a concrete action plan for education in Haiti.

WISE has also called for an acceleration of best practices and support for innovative ideas in education. More than 40 projects and initiatives have been identified by participants at the Summit as existing and effective means to address 21st century educational challenges. WISE will provide support to share these experiences and connect projects leaders and potential partners in spreading these initiatives.

Fuji superstar Ayinde Barrister dies at 62

Fuji exponent Alhaji Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun (Ayinde Barrister) is dead. He died this morning at the age of 62 years in a London hospital.

The late musician is one of the founders of the popular Yoruba music Fuji and had a large folllowership in his days.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the demise of the musical meastro and Fuji Music superstar,saying his death was a great loss to the nation and the entertainment industry.
He also described Ayinde Barrister’s transition as “one death too many” coming at a time Nigerians are still mourning the deaths of many of its prominent citizens saying the present moment in the nation’s history seriously calls for a sober reflection.

According to the statement by the Senoir Special Adviser (SSA) to the governor on Media,Mr Mojee Jamiu, the late music maestro used his music to reform the society and counseled government on key government policies and
national issues.

Ayinde Barrister

Fayemi said the vacuum left behind by the artiste will be difficult to fill noting that the deceased turned Fuji music from a local Yoruba genre to an international brand enjoyed all over the world.

While regretting that the musician did not live to ripe old age, Fayemi said he derived consolation from the fact that the deceased touched many lives positively while taking his music to many parts of the world.

According to him, Ayinde Barrister used his talent to bring joy and hope to the depressed, warned against wickedness, promoted locally-made goods, enlighten Nigerians on their legal and constitutional rights, put dictators and bad leaders on their toes, among others.

He said Barrister’s demise came to him as a shock at a time the nation was yet to recover from the deaths of prominent Nigerians like the late Edo State first lady, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole and nationalist and politician, Chief Anthony Enahoro.

Fayemi noted that the industry of the late musician earned him a national honour of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), the Musical Legend of the Commonwealth (MLC), Africa International Music Ambassador (AIMA), honorary doctorate degrees and many chieftaincy titles.

He added: “Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s transition is one death too many, I am shocked by the news of his death which came at a time we are yet to recover from the best of Nigerian citizens who had contributed immensely to our collective development in key areas of our national life.

“The vacuum he is leaving behind will be very difficult to fill as his contributions to national development as a soldier, patriot, musician, entertainer, philosopher, reformer, businessman, employer of labour, cultural ambassador and devout Muslim are there for all to see.

“On behalf of my family, government and the good people of Ekiti State, I send our condolence to the family of our departed Fuji creator, his family, his kinsmen in Ibadan and the government and good people of Oyo State who are mourning this great and irreparable loss.

Aki survives surgery

This is definitely cheering news for Nollywood and the teeming fans of star actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as ‘Aki’ who recently underwent a successful operation for acute appendicitis.

Reliable information at our disposal indicates that bedridden Aki, who spent close to one week on the hospital bed recuperating, had been discharged and given a clean bill of health to continue with his life and career.

Aki, who’s unarguably one of the biggest names in Nollywood, as at the time of filing this report, we reliably gathered, was still resting at home in his Ogba residence, surrounded by few family members and friends, and would resume work as soon as he fully recovers.

The Uzoakoli, Abia State-born thespian, was reportedly rushed to Isalu Hospital, on Wempco Road, Ogba, Lagos, in the evening of last Saturday by some family members and friends, including his acting twin brother, Osita Iheme (Pawpaw).
“Upon arrival on Saturday evening, Aki was immediately admitted and later wheeled to the theatre in the wee hours of the following morning, where one Dr. Charles Davids, a consultant- surgeon, successfully performed the operation,” said a family member.

Confirming the story, the multiple-award winning actor who spoke via phone, said he cannot thank God enough for saving his life. “Sincerely, to God be the glory that the whole operation went well, I’m full of thanks and praises to God for seeing me through.

I also thank my family and friends that rushed me to the hospital and equally kept vigil throughout by praying fervently for me. I also thank my fans and colleagues who kept calling.”

On how the whole thing started, the HND Mass Communication graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, said he could not comprehend what could have led to it.

“I just knew that I was feeling serious pains that Saturday and when I could no longer bear it, I was rushed to the hospital and was on admission till the operation was successfully performed very early the following day. I feel strong and better now and cannot wait to go back to work.”

Aki, with over one hundred movies to his credit in Nollywood, became a household name when he alongside Pawpaw thrilled movie buffs in the monster hit movie, Aki na Ukwa, from the stable of Kas_Vid International. He was recently decorated with the MFR national honours award by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Biography of Ngozi Nwosu

Have you always wanted to be an actress?

All my life, this is what I have always wanted to be. It has been acting all the way. I remember that when I was in primary school, I was very much involved in drama. Everything about me has been entertainment throughout.

When I wanted to study at the university, I opted for Mass Communication. The course has to do with entertainment as well. So, everything about me has always been entertainment. Today, I am here and I thank God for it.

How has it been, getting to where you are now?

It has been tough; it has been smooth as well. Life is filled with ups and downs. Anybody for whom all things go smoothly should watch it, he will soon die. Life goes up and comes down, a little to the front and a little to the back; and then it gets stable.

You hit the limelight with Living in Bondage, and became popular after that. But you have not featured in too many movies ever since. Did you decide to take a break?

I never took a break. This profession is what I know how to do best. Inasmuch as I don’t feature as regularly as I used to in home movies, I am still in the entertainment industry.On whether I took a break, I think you should ask producers. They are the ones who have this notion that we are old faces and they would rather use new faces in their movies.Really, I don’t understand the politics that is going on in the movie industry. That is the truth. Your being an old face should be no reason for you not to get roles. In this our job, there is always a role for anybody at any age. This is a profession where there is no retirement. I don’t know what is wrong with our people sometimes.I had this problem of people saying that because I work for a particular person, it was the reason I was not getting roles.

But for crying out loud, a freelance artiste is a freelance artiste. Had it been I signed a contract with a particular company, then I would be restricted to that company without doing any other thing unless I have permission from that company.We are all freelancers. We work with whoever pays us. I don’t know where they get this idea that because I am working for Amaka Igwe, I am occupied and I cannot work for any other person. It is not fair at all.It may be because you don’t belong to the right caucus…

I don’t belong to any caucus. If you are good, you are good. Why should I belong to a particular group? Look, this is still a profession where your talent speaks for you. If you are good, you will certainly get jobs. You do not have to belong somewhere before you get roles. If you do, that means you do not have confidence in yourself.

To the best of my knowledge, I am a good actress. My awards speak for me. I know that with time, everything will normalise. That is the way I see it.

Are you really bitter?

Somehow, I am bitter. I have come to this world to make a living. What if I didn’t have any other means of livelihood, what becomes of me? That is why we have a lot of artistes today who are frustrated and they go into things that they are not supposed to do. Those who don’t have the wherewithal, they get themselves involved in so many trash and at the end of the day, they make headlines. This is because they are frustrated, besides the fact that they are also greedy.

An actor is not supposed to starve. We are not supposed to be redundant, unless you are not good. Even when you are not good, there are still jobs for you.They should stop this caucus nonsense. They should stop this ‘I am the piper, I call the tune’ attitude. It is not right at all. We should throw sentiments to the winds and embrace what is right.Your association recently denounced an actor for alleged drug trafficking…

How can they say he is not an actor? Once an actor, you’re always an actor. Whether he pays his dues or not, whether he is Nollywood or ‘No wood’, the guy has been acting for years. If he were a nobody, they wouldn’t have linked him to us. He is even a known face in the industry. Let us be realistic. Nobody should run away when there is a problem.It is believed that artistes are mostly into this crime of drug trafficking, using their profession as front…

I don’t know about that. Anyone who is in the drug business is greedy. I don’t believe an artiste should be involved in drug trafficking. We are the future. People want to emulate us, irrespective of the fact that they don’t know who we really are other than that they see us on TV and in the movies.Some of us are some peoples’ role models. A lot of people call me daily and tell me how much they appreciate what I am doing and how they would want to be like me.

Then, for somebody like me to be caught with drugs, what have I portrayed to the people out there who believed so much in me? How will I explain it to my fans? All the years I spent trying to build this name will vanish in the twinkle of an eye, everything will go down the drain. Mind you, nobody out there is interested in the reason you went into that crime. The name is soiled and it is over for you.

We should be careful what we do. Even if it were my mother who said I should carry drugs, I would never do it.

You are also popular for your role as ‘Peace’ in Fuji House of Commotion. How did it come about?

Amaka watched me for some time in some of the soaps I featured in.I was in Ripples where I played the role of Madam V Boot. She saw me one day and told me that she knew that we would work together some day.That day eventually came. I was called for an audition and I got the role.

People say some artistes are really what they act. In your own case, can you be a second wife?

I am too jealous for that. I can’t be a second wife. It is not as if I have not had offers, but because of my jealous nature, I don’t think I want to find myself in that second wife mess. I don’t know how I will handle it.

Most of your colleagues are into NGO ‘business’, you don’t seem to have joined them…

I don’t have an NGO and I am not intending to have one. Most of them are just trying to look for greener pastures in case of tomorrow. The way it is now, we are like a flower that has its time to bloom. Maybe they believe that there would be a time they would shine and a time they would die, so they are trying to establish something that would sustain them. You are entitled to do whatever you feel can make you happy.

What is your vision?

My vision is to see this industry go higher than high. I want us to get to where we can compete with Hollywood. I know that we will get there some day.There was a time artistes could not even afford to dress well, let alone buy cars. But look at us now, the story is very different. We are living big.

Have you been embarrassed by any of your fans?

I have been embarrassed one hundred and one million times.

Which incident are you likely not to forget in a hurry?

There was a day a man walked up to me and lashed me thoroughly. He insulted me from head to toe. He said I was a wicked woman, and that I should wait for his wife to come and deal with me.

Can you imagine? I was dumbfounded! What was my own with this guy? After abusing me, he walked away.

Don’t such experiences make you feel like quitting?

No matter what, I am not going to quit. This is a profession in which I have found peace and joy. This is where I will be until I drop dead.

Do the scandals that come with your line of duty affect you?

No way! When you allow such things to weigh you down, then you will go down the drain. Such is not good for an actor. Try as much as possible to be scandal-free. But some things are inevitable. We are all human beings and we are likely to make mistakes. When such comes, you take them in good faith.

Most artistes do not make good spouses…

When it comes to that, it is a matter of the heart. It happens in every walk of life. I don’t see the reason an artiste’s own should be any different. How come it is not celebrated when it happens in other professions? I have attended a wedding that lasted three days. How come nobody heard anything about it?

Marriage and divorce are matters of the heart like I said. It is he that wears the shoes that knows where it pinches him the most.

When you are in a relationship, it depends on what you see before you opt out. Marriage is not something people should dabble in. It is not something that should be discussed on the pages of newspapers. It is left for the couple to fashion out the way they want their thing.

Nobody should talk about marriage when he or she is not married.

You were married before…

I was married before. So? I am no longer married.

Why did you break up with your husband?

My marriage was hell. I don’t mind the way I am now. I am very much okay.

As an Igbo woman, the society usually stigmatises a woman who married and divorced…

Abeg forget that. That was in the olden days jare. I still say that he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches most. If you are not married, don’t talk about marriage because you will not understand it.

So you belong to the school of thought that believes that if your marriage is not working, get out…

Yes o! I believe strongly in that. When a marriage is not working, things could go wrong. It can lead to so many things. It can lead to hypertension, it can lead to death. That is the truth. Why would you want to lose your life because you want to remain married?

If you are happy in your marriage, I wish you luck. If you are not happy in your marriage, get the hell out of it!

Are you going to condemn the whole male folk because of one bad experience?

One bad experience is not bad enough for me to condemn the whole male folk. I am not saying I will not get married again, I will try again if I find what I am looking for. All men are the same. It is just that some are slightly different. Remember, I said slightly.

Do you regret your marriage?

Do I? No.