CHOOSING A CAREER II

Heroes Hour with Daniel Alfred

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Topic: CHOOSING A CAREER II



Last time, I discussed this topic introducing career and most importantly for those who where with me on this column in the last edition, I promised to get into details using a particular skill as key note. That I haven’t forgotten but before I commence, I want to believe that for those of you who were opportuned to lay your hands on the last edition of this paper, where my first article was published, I want to rather believe you where able to understand the great importance not with fear and not minding the risk involved in choosing a career. We have actually tackled the issue of what to do and how to get started. Right in this article, I shall be discussing how to turn your business skills and hobby into life time career.

I want to recall what I said earlier in my first publication. For those of you who came across the last write-up I did on this same issue, you will remember I made a statement in the second paragraph, where I said “So many young people desire to be professionals in their different areas of specialisation, such as doctors, lawyers, Engineers and so on”

Now what I want you to understand is that professionalism does not lie only in these areas specified above. No particular specialisation was made more important than the other, do not be deceived. Every field of specialisation is as important as you handle it. Do not think its just that man or woman with an Engineering certificate, that with a degree in Medicine or that person with LLB in Law, should be the best professional order than those with mastery in the theoretical and the practical of their works. I want to thank God almighty for using the president Dr. Good luck Jonathan to sign the Nigerian content Act into Law which states that no company must engage expert rates in carrying out activities in the country. Yes that is good enough and that means we shall soon flee from unemployment. That is very much beautiful but I am sorry to say that these youth will still remain unemployed with the condition attached, meaning that all graduates must be properly tutored and skilled in their areas of your specialty if they must find a place in the various sector of the organisations. This means that as an Engineer you are been appreciated for what you can do and not what you think you know because what you think you know cannot get the job done. To crown it all, it has also been stated by the institute of engineers that one who thinks he is a professional in Engineering must at least have eight years experience before he/she will be seen as one. Only then can they be certified fit to carry out jobs effectively. How do you now compare that fresh graduate, without a single knowledge of what Engineering tool is all about without that man who was never a graduate but knows much about the technicality involved in engineering matters? Please do not misquote me. I am not in any way insinuating that education is not good, neither am I saying that been a graduate is a bad thing. No! All I am saying is that as a technical man, you have better advantage with education but very dangerous when you believe just theoretical education is just the best bet, you are be getting it all wrong.

Talking about turning your profession into a likeable career, you need to first of all put value in that which you do, see it the same way you see the banking sector, the same way you see the oil companies and every other company that matters most to you in which you feel is full of milk and honey. No matter how small that business is, I will urge you to see it as one of the best in the whole world and by that, you begin to add value to that business of yours and by adding values, you are beginning to develop interest and with the interest you develop, success has no choice but to come your way.

Aliko Dangote got his breakthrough when he had the license to import cement but before then, he never had the believe that cement could be that lucrative or rather he saw a gap and was able to fill in the gap. Meanwhile before then, people have been doing cement business. That is the value I am talking about. He added value to the business and today, you and I have a way of adding to his account by purchasing one or two of his products and that has made him one of the richest men in Nigeria if not in Africa. That alone made his business so exceptional. He was never a graduate.

Bill gate the world richest man, dropped out of school, added value to his skills and today the whole world talks of him. He too was never a graduate. I deplore you to go into the life history of most great men and woman of the world, then you will understand perfectly well that it is not about what you think or know but what you can do.

Most importantly, every one today uses face book and we all enjoy it. But that is some ones initiative and the idea of a drop out. You see one unique thing about all these persons, is the fact that they all added value to what they taught they can do better in and to the ideas in which they concealed. They simply saw the value in their skills and today they are much better than that man who thinks his first class will earn him the world. Even the bible made us to understand that the work of our hands shall make a way for us and also the man without work, should not eat. you see it is just a simple logic and principle even from the world largest book of wisdom, “the bible”. Like I always tell those that cares to listen, we don’t know how to go to school, we think going to school and barging certificates is the most important thing. We think it is all about going to gather certificate. No! It is not. Infarct the irony of it all is that the situation require you to get the whole certificate you can get but at the end, you still don’t get that job you so desire because you do not have the required skill to carry out the task meaning that you still have to learn on the job. Meanwhile no company is ready to engage you under training process. They have no time any more. Now as an employer, would you rather employ someone you will have to teach instead of one who already knows the job? That’s the reason today, you hear them say “with two or three years work experience”. You can go through a training school and still been rated higher than those who are acclaimed university graduates, this is because what you have to offer is much more than that which he /she from the university has to offer. No body wants to know the grade in which you graduated with. I know of some one with a second class upper but still looking for a job but that person with a third class has already secured a place for himself in a industry. It is about what he knows how best to do. I have seen a diploma holder putting a degree holder through in an office, what then would you say about that?

Back to choosing your career, I believe you now have a better understanding that every thing you do in life is a career if only you decide to make it one. No one ever believed that photography can ever make a good career, not even me not until I saw someone put value into it then I realised the great importance, added value to it and today I will say the sky has always been my limit and as a media person, I have been able to find myself a place in the media industry. Even though I don’t want to work as a writer, I can tell stories using photography and at same time do an independent thing. Now it is what I have that I will offer. With all this skills, you don’t expect a fresh graduate to displace me in an office where the both of us are needed. I was able to realise what I needed to do very much on time and today I have everything going for me. This can happen to anyone, all that makes the difference is been able to realise it and act on it.

In a nutshell, all I have succeeded in saying for the past few minute is that it’s just the fact that been seen or called a professional, lies in the ability of what you can offer, do and give for people to identify within the nearest future and not what you think you know by mere reading and cramming. By adding value to that profession, it turns out t be a career that even others will emulate and remember you for. Any thing is just possible if only you can think it and by thinking it, you need to put it into action. That way, the sky will be your starting point and not even your limit.



For more information, you can read this piece on our blog above and to join as member to our forum, you can send us a mail, through the e-mail address above or you can send in your questions as well or hook up with me on facebook as Danny Alfred or dannie_alfred@yahoo.com

HEROZ-AFRIQ: Who is lying to you that a divorcee can’t re-marry...

HEROZ-AFRIQ: Who is lying to you that a divorcee can’t re-marry...: "Jerome of Get Captivated I hear so much when people talk to me telephone or chat with me via my BB. Have you ever listened to any religious..."

Fire all your proposal staff and then hire them all again

Periodically the pendulum swings. Companies alternate between having specialized staff to prepare proposals and leaning on their operational or sales staff to prepare their proposals. Companies hire proposal specialists to improve their win rates and efficiency, building up large proposal departments. Then, some years later they get rid of them all to cut costs or decentralize. The competing issues never get resolved, they just trade places. Each time it swings, the arguments for or against are always the same.

If you are a small business that is thinking about hiring a proposal specialist or creating a proposal department, it’s not at all clear what you should do. Should you invest in building a centralized proposal department, or should you decentralize it and instead invest in teaching your operational subject matter experts how to do their own proposals? Depending on which way the pendulum is swinging at the moment, you’ll get advice advocating both approaches.

But the issue shouldn’t be about whether to have proposal specialists, it should be about why to have them.

When a company has proposal specialists, you rarely hear them discuss why they have them. It's as if having them is the goal and once you've got them you don't have to think about it anymore. If you don't give them a strategic purpose, your staff will just do what they can to help. Most proposal groups are very helpful, but not very strategic. Even when companies do have a strategic vision for the role of the proposal department, you often see a gap between the reasons a company says they have a proposal group and their actual behavior.
Here are some of the reasons why companies have proposal specialists:

To improve their win rate. If this is the reason, then the proposal group should have a say over the things that contribute to the win rate, including pre-RFP pursuit, process definition and implementation, content planning, win strategy development, quality assurance methodologies, and metrics reporting. If they aren’t involved in those things — if they can't raise the bar in each of those areas — you aren’t maximizing your ROI.
To lower the cost of proposal development. If this is the reason, then you need to set the bar really low, probably by focusing the group on production. The higher you set the bar, the more expensive the resources required. While you can make the argument that a proposal group with more capability is a good investment, that’s a different consideration than cost control. You're either trying to maximize your ROI or minimize your costs. If your primary goal is to minimize the costs related to proposal development, then you need to focus more on efficiently pushing paper and make winning (which requires investment) a secondary goal.
To centralize knowledge management. If you do the kind of proposals that can benefit from recycling content (and if you’re not in a commodity or product business, you probably don’t), then it makes sense to have someone tending the content garden. It requires a lot of effort.
To define and implement the process. If you want to get good at proposals, you must have a process. What most companies do is hire proposal specialists, give them proposals to do, and never actually define the process. They end up with a way of doing things, but no fully documented process, and gaps where they make it up as they go along. Training is occasional, if at all. There is a difference between doing things in an orderly way and having a process. If you want defined roles, repeatable procedures, written guidance, defined quality, and something to actually train people on, you have to invest in making it happen. Creating it “between proposals” won’t get you there. If you want your proposal specialists to function as experts who define and implement the process, then don't use them as your primary writing or production resources.
To provide expertise. Good writing, solid editing, consistent formatting, and quick production all require significant expertise. Proposal management also requires significant knowledge and skills. Proposal management and proposal writing are completely different skills. It's not enough to create a proposal group to provide expertise; you need to understand what type of expertise you want out of them.
To provide leverage. A little bit of specialized proposal capability can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the resources coming from operations or sales. But are they teachers, producers, or resources? Are they one of the resources who make the proposal happen, or do they help others to make it better than they otherwise could? Some of the most successful proposal groups we've seen employed proposal specialists as on the job trainers or coaches, to help the team actually doing the proposal do it better than they could on their own. In this model, one proposal specialist improves the quality of many proposal contributors. But it can be difficult to find resources to complete a proposal, and it's easy for companies to start using their specialists to fill gaps when they can't find enough people to staff the proposal effort. When this happens, they lose their leverage and the pendulum starts to swing the other direction.
To take ownership. Of what? Of getting something submitted? Of the offering? Of the message? Of the resources that it will take to prepare it? Of winning? Or of the resources required to do that? If you want someone to lead the effort, you should be clear about which direction you want them to take it.

One of the reasons that the pendulum swings away from having a proposal group in a company is that they end up with the wrong expertise, level of authority, process, and cost structure to meet the needs of the organization. Creating a proposal group is a strategic function. These strategic choices can’t be left to a mid-level administrative manager without the resources or authority to accomplish them.

Strategically, it might make sense for your company to have a lean, quick, and low cost proposal support function that leaves the message to the sales function. Or you might want a group that can lead the development of the message and guide the company through how to win in writing. The approach that's right for your company depends on its circumstances and your strategic vision for how it should win new business. Resource ownership, cost structures, and where you think it’s best to invest in your company’s growth all factor into the choice. For the proposal group to remain an asset, it must understand what kind of group it’s supposed to be. In the absence of direction, most will seek to be helpful, seek to increase the company’s chances of winning, and quickly find themselves in turf battles over process and resources as they go in a direction that is different than where other people think they should go.

If you're leading a proposal group (or filling a leadership void), then go up the chain and talk about the company’s strategic vision and what it means in terms of roles, resources, and process. If you're an executive with a proposal group, start talking to them about what kind of group they should be, what their goals should be, and how they should accomplish them. It’s not so much the strategy, but the implications of it that matter. Most people will not fully realize those implications. Change will likely result. Maybe even disruptive change. But embrace it instead of fearing it, because the pendulum will bring on change if you don’t.

Who is lying to you that a divorcee can’t re-marry?

Jerome of Get Captivated
I hear so much when people talk to me telephone or chat with me via my BB. Have you ever listened to any religious teaching that says God has only one right person for you when it comes to marriage, and that if you miss that one person, you can never be happy with anybody else?

What about another religious teaching that says that every man has a missing rib and that that special rib is one special woman waiting for you somewhere, and you must do everything to find that rib [which is the woman you are supposed to marry]. Again, they say that if you don’t find that missing rib, you will never be happy in marriage?

As religious and spooky as these teachings on marriage may be, I do not believe it is based on the Holy Bible. There is nowhere in the Bible where these statements/teachings are validated. I know, based on the Bible, God says it is not good for man to be alone. He also made it clear that male and female made he them, not male and male or female and female.

I know it’s categorically stated that a man will one day leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and not his own rib. I believe it is also stated that a man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. I also know that a virtuous woman comes from the Lord. I can go on and on, not to proof a point but to displace myths we have taught the people in place of truth that the word of God stands for. That’s why I keep meeting people every day who are not even sure what God’s mind about marriage is.

I have never read anywhere in the Bible where it categorically says that men have a missing rib that can only be filled with just one special spooky rib.

There are a number of single men and ladies that are not dating again because they believe they have missed that one special person either to death or to someone else. Some are not dating because they believe their hearts have been broken, and so when it comes to love, you find some people are at a standstill; and they wonder why they fall ill easily, get depressed often etc.

It is a pity that love which is supposed to help us create balance in our lives has brought nothing but confusion to many, either from what they hear about one missing rib, or about that only one special person made for them. Yet, the Bible says “he that finds a wife” and not “him that finds his wife”. For those of you out there who believe you can never love again after a broken relationship or marriage, well I have got not only news for you, but good news: the possibilities of your experiencing happiness in love are not limited to one person.

The human heart has a tremendous capacity for loving. That means there is a possibility that you believe you have had the most interesting, romantic and memorable relationship with someone that if you ever break up with that person either through death, separation or divorce, you will never find someone else like that. I guess you need to realize that a new partner would never replace that person you have lost, but would offer an opportunity to experience a totally different relationship. Each true love we have stretches our heart in a different direction and each relationship serves us in a different way, which makes me believe that those of us who are not ready to give love a chance again are indeed missing out in many ways.

My wife was not the first woman I ever loved. I had once loved a lady before. The lady was then Ola Adeniji. We broke up and it was as if I will never live without her. I did everything to have her back as my girlfriend, but she was never going to come back to me. She had made up her mind and that was it.

I decided to live with it even though I didn’t think I would survive it. But the story is different today as I have not only survived it, but through my marriage to Lawrenta Omono Okosun, I have learnt that love has many colours indeed. Ola is also married and lives in the UK and I feel I owe her a lot of gratitude, because if she hadn’t dumped me, I would never have had a chance with someone as adorable as Lawrenta. But, it blows my mind to know that I can love again and so also can you.

“Hey Jerome! I want to marry again, but in my own case, I am divorced and the church will not allow me to even think about it, not to talk of mentioning it”.

Well, to that I will say marriage was made for man and not man for marriage. God considers marriage as very sacred, and I know, based on the Bible, that God had said “what God had joined together, let no man put asunder”. Even then, I believe that refers to WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER!

You and I know that it is not God that joins men and women in the sacrament of matrimony together most of the time. These days, it is the love of money, lust, selfish motives, social status etc. that join couples. And, as long as couples are being joined together by these wrong reasons, we cannot rule out divorce from becoming not only a household name, but also a household experience.

For someone like me who believes in the trinity theology, I believe God does not only believe that marriage is honorable unto all, but through marriage, He wants to help us understand how there can be three persons in one God, yet indivisible. If a man is using you as his punching bag every day, you better run, baby! Run before he kills you. It is better to lose that marriage than lose your life.

If you go into some of the archives of some newspapers and magazines around, you will realize that a lot of men in Nigeria, through physical abuse/wife battering, have killed their wives. In some of the obituaries that you read on the streets and newspapers, it’s usually written that she died after a brief illness or fell down at the bath tub and hit her head which led to internal bleeding, and her death. Believe me, some of these stories are lies. She was simply killed by her husband. Before she was killed, she kept on going to church to report the criminal and abusive situation at home, but the unfeeling counsellors that jam pack the churches these days, who know the letters and not the Spirit of the Bible, kept telling her to go back to her husband and pray for him!

Pray for him? Pray for a man that should be in the psychiatric hospital? Pray for a man that has multiple personality disorder? A man who is so pious in church, pro-active at work, respected in the society because of his humanitarian endeavours, yet is a beast of at home.

Who will believe her anyway? Even when she finally gets an appointment with ‘Mama’ in church, little does she know that most of the wives of pastors or bishops are the unhappiest people in the world. So, what do you expect Mama to say than to tell her to go back home and die? And these women die daily.

If he beats you, he is an unbeliever, and sooner than later, he is going to go after other women. When he does, just go on your knees and thank God for your deliverance has come, because the Bible says you are no longer bound to an unbeliever who leaves anyway meaning after he has left you and gone after all the Hagars, Delilahs and Vashtis out there, and you return to your parents, you can re-marry if you want as your divorce papers are complete and you have not been with him for over two years. You can open your heart again to someone else after thorough counselling. God says he hates divorce, but not the divorcee.

Religious people reading this might feel like strangling me now, because they think I am advocating divorce. I am not advocating divorce. I am only helping people to learn to start all over again after they have admitted that they have made a mistake in marrying the wrong person for whatever reason. I also want to advise strongly here that no one should accept that he/she has made a mistake until he has gone for counselling with pastoral counsellors, marriage counsellors etc.

It’s not usually the devil fighting us all the time, but what do you expect the devil to do when he, from the beginning of the marriage was our father-in-law? Maybe some other religious person may be screaming that “my marriage was terrible for twenty one years, yet God intervened”. My response is that’s your own business; as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God and not as many as are led by your so-called experience.

What about a situation where Paul says in the book of First Corinthians 7:10-11: “For those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband, but if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him, and the husband must not leave the wife.”

Yes what about it? Did you not realize that Paul was talking directly to those who God had joined together? And at this point, while he even made provision for the woman to leave her husband with conditions, he never gave the man a chance to leave his wife. So, it is men that we should keep asking to go back to their wives in our churches; instruct these men to love their wives to the point of dying for them as the Word of God commands; and, to stop compounding problems for the poor, abused women by telling them to just keep praying, when we know that it was not the women that prayed for their marriages or families in the Bible, but the men.

Paul continued and said in verse 12; “Now I will speak to the rest of you” meaning and for those of you that have doubts that it was not God who really joined you together because of who you are married to probably because of desperation to be married, attraction to an aristo, lust of the eyes etc, Paul encourages such a covenant person to stay, that he or she sanctifies the unbeliever he or she is married to, but then he now goes on to say in verse 15 that if the unbelieving partner wants to leave, the covenant child should allow them to go for he or she is not required to stay with them, and I repeat, not required to stay with the unbelieving partner for God has called his children to live in peace and not in pieces.

By Jerome Of Get Captivated
That is the word. Please let’s stop twisting it. God hates divorce, not the divorcee! I have never read where the Bible says the divorcee will go to hell, yet I have read where it says “all liars will go to hell”, and don’t we all tell lies today? Let’s start to remove the log in our own eyes before we try to remove the dust from the eyes of divorcees. Since we have no ministries for them in our churches, let’s leave them in peace.

I am not advocating divorce, (I even consult for and help pre-marital and married couples that have been separated for some time and want to come back together again do so). I am only letting those who will get divorced or have gotten divorced already to have hope in the Lord as we help more people learn that God is still in the business of joining together and giving grace for couples to finish strong even in marriage. I am challenging all divorcees to learn to love right, and also love the right person as they choose to remain right with God. Sooner than later you will realize that God indeed hates divorce, but has better plans for the divorcee.

LAUTECH medical students allowed to re-write exams

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN – Senator Abiola Ajimobi-led administration has rekindled the hope of medical students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso as the Medical and Dental Registration Council of Nigeria, MDRCN, Abuja has granted an approval to allow the students resit the medical examination.

The ownership tussle between the Oyo State Government and Osun State Government during the administrations of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, compounded the students problems.

A source told Vanguard that Governor Ajimobi, worried by the complaints of the students, some of whom have spent eight years and above in the school, set up a standing committee to find a way out.

Among others, committee, it was gathered, was charged to ensure that the state government facilitated a fast-track of the accreditation process of courses in the institution.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011, members of the committee, were said to have visited the MDRCN in Abuja, where the state government applied to the council for approval for the LAU TECH’s medical students to re-sit their examination conducted in Osogbo, Osun State.

It was gathered that the government’s application was processed after deliberations between the Oyo government officials and MDRCN.

Explosion rocks Police headquaters in Abuja

ABUJA – At least one person has been killed in an explosion outside police headquarters in Nigeria’s capital Thursday, an emergency agency said.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene said the blast occurred in the parking lot at police headquarters and more than 50 cars had been damaged and burnt by the explosion. The reporter saw emergency workers carry away a dismembered body hit by the blast.

Fire caused by suicide bombers at Police Headquarters in Abuja Photo sent in by citizen Samuel Osahon to citizenreport@vanguardngr.com

Yushau Shuaib, spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency told AP at least one person has died, but had no further details.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Thick black smoke could be seen from far away at the time of the blast, and fire services have since put out the fire. Army, police and emergency workers were also at the blast site.

CRISIS IN THE BEDROOM! JIM IYKE’S GIRLFRIEND TO THE RESCUE- - - -

There is a crisis in the bedroom and an urgent step must be taken to address and contain this crisis. So many otherwise good and healthy marriages have been destroyed; many other wise promising relationships have floundered and fluttered on account of lack of sparks in the bedroom department. This development has fueled infidelity, emotional distance, lack of affection and a severance of ties that bind souls and body to marriages and relationship. Simply put, there is a smoldering fire tearing down and destroying the most important element in a unionphysical intimacy.

Determined to bring back sparks and verve in marriage, Kethurah Hamilton – the long-time girlfriend of Nollywood actor – Jim Iyke fully conscious of the damaging effect lack of intimacy has wrought in relationships has decided to embark on a campaign to bring back intimacy into relationships and marriages. On June 8th, aboard a yacht and in front of a select audience made up Kethurah will launch her specially designed sex enhancement pill called “Sensual Turah.”

In a chat I had with Kethurah she had rationalized the reason why she went into this line of business “Let me tell you something: half of the problems that couple experience in their marriages or relationships, can be attributed to one area: lack of intimacy and sexual dysfunction. I have heard and read numerous stories of lovers and couple who, in spite of material blessings are just not happy. If you saw them at functions, you would think they are a picture of marital bliss and happiness, but deep down, there is a chasm – an emotional void, because the most important area of marriage or relationship no longer sparkle or thwartle. The light bulb in that department had either dimmed or went out all together, leaving the couple to grope in the dark alleys of emotional fulfillment. Sometimes, couples are too embarrassed to talk openly about it, but there is no doubt that it is killing relationships and marriages and I felt an urgent need to do something about it.

In my extensive travels to Africa – to model and shoot movies, I came across a lot of natural herbs that a lot of people don’t know are more effective than the much touted Viagra and I decided to go to work to put these herbs, which are all natural and with no side effects to use, and the result is the product called Sensual Turah. This product will certainly bring back the sparks in the intimacy department for most couples. As a model and an actress, I have come to appreciate the importance of combining looks and being sensual at the same time. With Sensual torah, you will experience “a passion in every drop.”

Keturah who has been enjoying a sizzling romance with Nollywood actor Jim Iyke was coy about the rumored wedding plans with the actor “Let me tell you something: You’ll be the first to know when we are ready to cross that bridge.”

....She has to kill me first

Recently, a picture surfaced on Face book and other news journals, showing sultry actress Genevieve Nnaji posing with a young lady who bore a striking resemblance of her. But shortly after, the actress tweeted a disclaimer saying the person in the picture is her fan and not her daughter.

She was quoted by a friend recently on the issue, she said and I quote;

It is over my dead body that my 15 year old daughter will dress like that; for a 15 year old to dress like that, she will have to kill me first, she said.

It seems Genny is a no nonsense parent? Na Wa O

Like mother like daughter

Ever since movie star actress Genevieve Nnaji made an entrance into the Nollywood scene, she has successfully managed to keep her private life in the dark.

Well, just a few hours ago, a picture of Genevieve and a young lady who bears a striking resemblance with the actress popped up on Social Networking site Twitter. Many claim that the unknown lady is Genny’s daughter which she had over a decade and a half years ago.

By mere looking at the photo above, you can make the assertions yourself…

The identity of the girl’s father remains unknown as Ms Nnaji has successfully kept that part of her life private desipte years of media intrusion.

NFC tried to reach Genevieve’s publicist but as at the time of this report but there no reponse to our e-mail.

I WILL BID FAREWELL TO ACTING AFTER MY WEDDING - Mercy Johnson

Nollywood and the entire showbiz industry are about to witness the most memorable wedding in history as stunning actress Mercy Johnson joins the exclusive list of celebrities to walk down the aisle with her longtime boyfriend.She is set to marry city millionaire,Prince Odianose Okojie.
In a recent interview with Vanguard, she was asked whether she will quit acting after her wedding, the sultry actress answered in the affirmative, declaring that “I’m going to quit acting.” She disclosed however that she is planning to go into television and also, to turn a movie producer.
The actress is getting married in a four-day event this August. The court wedding on the 25th, the traditional on the 26th, the white wedding on the 27th, and the thanksgiving on the 28th.
Without mincing words, I guess love is the only thing that could make one forsakes blossoming career.

Genevieve loses the next bond girl to british actress

Contrary to the rumour spreading like fire in Nigeria that Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji is the next bond girl, the News Of The World (UK) has named the British Actress and Pirates of Caribbean star-Naomie Harris as the next bond girl rather.

From what I read, the News Of the World which spoke to Naomie Harris is speaking with a louder and firm voice, not throwing out a rumour so it seems like the deal is sealed and confirmed. Genevieve Nnaji is not the next bond girl,maybe next time but for now, let’s kill this rumour with the fact…

Below is what the News Of The World wrote

PIRATES of the Caribbean babe Naomie Harris has jumped ship – and will shoot to megastardom as the new Bond girl.

Naomie, 34, will be Daniel Craig’s sexy sidekick in the soon -to-be filmed new 007 movie.

The British actress was spellbinding as Tia Dalma, the grotesque witch in the second and third Pirate films.

And her steamy love scene with Jamie Foxx in the Miami Vice remake proved she’s the right calibre for Bond. Naomie, who stays superfit doing pilates and yoga, says: “I’m totally comfortable naked.”

Her mind’s just as agile – she graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in social and political science.

Londoner Naomie revealed she isn’t recognised in the street, despite her movie success. “I like that,” she says. “I’ve got one of those faces that people don’t recognise.”

All that is about to change as she follows in the footsteps of gorgeous Bond girls like Ursula Andress, Jane Seymour and Halle Berry.

The plot of the new film, known only by its working title Bond 23, is being kept firmly under wraps.Judi Dench will again play M and Ralph Fiennes is in the running for a role. It is due for release in November 2012.

Figurine: “Pirates will never see me again” ----Kunle Afolayan

In this interview, Kunle Afolayan, an indisputable actor, director and movie producer in Nollywood, takes Adunola Fasuyi round his world as he speaks on his life and the award winning movie, FIGURINE.

You seem to be more of a director and producer than an actor. Why is this so?
Yes, you are right. I am more of a film maker than an actor and it is because I have always been very selective when it comes to the kind of movies that I want to act in. My belief in professionalism makes me choosy and selective when it comes to the script I would feature in, because it must be next to flawless.

I like perfection and because of this, some producers look at me from afar and even think I am arrogant, but it is not so it’s just that I like good, sense-making and highly professional films. That is why I am concentrating on making my own film as a film maker and also featuring as an actor.

I get some scripts in the aspect of acting and there are some that I featured in that just came out; so, very soon, people are going to see my face in more movies.

Directing and acting, which is more fascinating to you?
Let me put it this way, I prefer both because I started as an actor and I am sure a lot of people would want to see my face on the screen. Film making is something I also have passion for, so, I will just like to combine the two, whichever way.

Did you go into the business because your dad was one? Is it a family thing?
Well, I didn’t go into movie-making and acting because my father was one. In fact, when we were growing up, we did a lot of travelling with dad and going to the set with him, I never got fascinated about it, I never imagined then I would take it up as a career. We were just going with him then, though, it was also fun, but not to groom us to become one. Much later, I developed interest in acting; I discovered I had flair for it, so I left my banking job and started acting.

So, you left the lucrative banking job for acting?
Yes, I did and that is because I had to follow my desire and what I have passion for; basically, I felt the industry needed a change for innovation, creativity, dynamism and a change for the better. That is why, even though, I studied Business Administration at Lagos State Polytechnic, I went ahead and studied digital film making from New York Films Academy. This, I believe, instilled the professionalism in me, though I also learnt thoroughness from my late father. I started acting in 1998 but started film making in 2005.

Your award-winning movie, Figurine, is, no doubt, a hit. How did it make it?
Figurine is a movie we started writing and putting together for four years before we shot it last year. The movie is all over cinemas in the country and all over the world. It is basically shot for the cinema and so far, the recognition is superb.

I think the success has to do with the content which is good and the film is really entertaining, that is why the people keep talking about it. We started promoting the film from production stage and not after we finished.

When we went to do the location work, I uploaded the pictures and did some write-ups on facebook and some other platforms, coupled with the recent achievement with the nominations for award from AMAA. It got ten nominations, which was the first time a Nigerian film will be getting such number of nominations in a very competitive structure because, now, they get films from all over Africa and they are all well-made. And I just got an award as the best producer and director from the City People’s Award of Excellence not quite long too. All these would keep people wondering and those who have not seen it would definitely want to see it. I give God the glory.

The making of the film must have cost you a fortune?
The complete making of Figurine cost N50 million.

That is much. All that into one movie? How did you raise that sum?
Yes, all that into one movie and that is because I believe in professionalism. Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I got a loan from the banks and I also got sponsorships from some corporate companies and individuals. It was really drilling, but I am happy it’s worth the effort.

Do you think you can recoup your investment and even make profit with the level of piracy in the system?
Oh yes! I will. I will even make very good profit because as we speak, I have already realised half of the total investment, yet I have not released the movie. All that we do for now is showing it at cinemas. So, by the time I finally release it, I would have made good profit before any pirate thinks of running down my business. So, I am smarter than the pirates.

How can piracy be reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria?
The Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) and all stakeholders in the industry should come together and brainstorm on how to put a good distribution framework in place. The present framework is not reliable and it is susceptible to piracy. There must be a simultaneous release and distribution of works of art at the same time all over the country. With that, pirates will have no business as usual.

Do you think Figurine can pick nomination in Oscar?
I don’t think we can pick nomination in Oscar because the film does not have enough exposure.

For a film to have nomination in Oscar, it must have been done by one of the big overseas studios. Oscar involves a lot of politics, you have to be in the business, you have to have an agent that will push for you and lobby or work with the studio for them to give the film all the promotion it deserves, unlike in Nigeria where we do everything ourselves. You will create content by making the film and you still promote the film and look for a marketer as well.

Would you consider yourself a romantic person?
I am not! I am a complete African man. I don’t believe in buying roses, kneeling to propose to a woman and all those funny things oyinbo people do, but I can be if I want to but I really don’t believe in it. Even my wife says that I am not romantic. But I am very loving, caring and responsible at home.

Are there some roles you can’t act in a movie, like making love, smoking, etc?
As a professional actor/actress, you must be able to act any role. I am a professional and there is no role I cannot play, just mention it. It is not real as much as you try to make it real, so it’s just acting a script, so why not?

So, have you kissed or made love in a movie before that got your wife jealous?
I have been acting before I married her, so she knows I am just doing my job. But there was a particular one that she queried that I kissed too much and too close, but I reminded her it was just acting.

While trying to be professional, you kiss tongue-to-tongue. Can’t it cause you to be aroused, you are blood and flesh?
Well, for me, it cannot cause me to be aroused because I am highly professional. You cannot even get aroused because it is boring, you do it over and over again and you are being caught in the middle of it until you get the perfection the producer or director wants. So, it’s boring except if it is with a lady or guy one already desires. In that case, some people may do it for real behind the scenes, then it is no longer acting. But, I am professional with my job.

Any international actor or actress you really wish to feature in one of your films in the future?
Yes, I wish to feature Denzel Washington in my film in the nearest future. God knows I love that guy.

Do you have any regrets in life?
None at all until two weeks ago. I was watching one of my dad’s films, Taxi Driver. While watching it critically, I discovered some technical errors and I got really emotional and moved to tears because I felt if he was around, we would sit and analyse it together. I also regret that my dad is not alive now to see how well his children are performing.

Your happiest moment?
I have so many, but I think the day my wife first told me she was pregnant, I felt really good that I am strong and potent.

How was growing up like?
Well, I grew up just like every average Nigerian child, went to school like other kids out there. I was not a “butter child” and was not raised poorly too. We travelled a lot with my late dad and mostly on the set with him and it was fun.

Are you a car freak?
I love cars, good clean solid cars! But, now, I don’t have the money to afford them. I only have four cars for now.

Do you like more of formal wears or casuals?
Because of my background in the banking industry, I really like to be corporate. I like semi-formal dresses like shirts and trousers with blazers. Even when I put on jeans, I want to wear shirt on it. I really don’t like to look too casual.

I only wear T-shirts on weekends, but when I go for meetings or presentations, I have to look formal or semi-formal. I try to be conscious of the fact that I am combining creativity and business, so I have to find a level to balance both.

TEARS FOR LISA

The story of a young boy (Rich) who got his girl friend (LISA) pregnant,he tries all things possible to get rid of the pregnancy but all effort to that effect was not achievable. In the process, the visa he had long been waiting for came out as he eloped to the US. Lisa haven gone through all thick and tin with the pregnancy including rejection from her aunty, made her dejected as she gave birth and died in the process. 22 years after Rich returned in search of his abandoned girlfrien but was told that Lisa was dead but still leaves on in his daughter who was named after the mother. the baby was born with lots of deformity due to intake of drugs by her mother in an effort to terminate the feotus. That made Little lisa wild like a wild animal as she was at all times violent. But for the help of a psychiatric doctor, by the name Tony who at a point was also mentally deranged helped in bringing the young girl into shape.
The movie featured notable nollywood actors and actresses such as Muna Obiekwe, Chika Ike, as well as other notable actors. staring Daniel Alfred of vanguard newspapers.
Story and screen play by Collins Chinedu Okoro
Produced by Eyinna
Directed by Ifeanyi Ekwem ,dgn,

Rita Dominic as an African “Madame Butterfly” – Preview Rita’s First Set of Themed Photos

Rita Dominic is working on relaunching her new official website and will be shooting a series of themed photos.
Each set of photos will have a unique theme and the aim is definitely not “to look pretty”. Instead, it is all about expressing different artful themes and emotions.
For this shoot, Lola Maja transformed a simple black cloth into an outfit and also created the dark makeup look then Ugo worked with Rita to dream up this African-inspired “Madame Butterfly” hairdo.

Fall in Love with Kefee’s New Sound! Kefee presents “Eguono” featuring Skales – Listen to the song & view photos from the video shoot

Award-winning musician Kefee is back with a new single – the song is titled “Eguono” which means “Love” in Urhobo. The track features young talent – Skales and was produced by Tee-Y Mix. A video directed by Clarence Peters is currently in the works.

Dakore finally walks down the aisle with heartrob

The much awaited conjugal bliss between Dakore Egbuson and her heart rob Olumide Akande has finally come and gone with celebrities and dignitaries of all and sundry in attendance.
The wedding bell which rang for so long became the talk of town as the due seem to have come to crescendo of there life.
Atleast tongue would stop wagging now that both have come the end of road, tying the nuptial nut they both sort for.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Mbong Amata & Raz Adoti team up with Vivica Fox & Eric Roberts for Jeta Amata’s new movie “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta

They hope to tell the story from the perspective of people who have lived through it.
The people who have seen their land and rivers polluted by oil, the people that are struggling.
Jeta Amata Concepts/Wells Entertainment, Starkid Inc and Rock City Entertainment have just concluded shooting of “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta“.
The movie is described as a political suspense drama;

A powerful story of greed, murder and corruption in the murky waters of the volatile oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Black Gold is an epic film about environmental justice and the fight over the control of the scarce oil resources that the world runs on. The line between good and evil is blurred as corrupt government officials, greedy oil companies and violent rebels go on a war path over oil spills and degradation of the land, caused by oil exploration.

Black Gold features a Nollywood meets Hollywood cast, including Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, Heat), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Kill Bill), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco, Kill Bill), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendables), Billy Zane (Titanic), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Pirates of the Carribean, Hotel Rwanda), Razaaq Adoti (Black Hawk Down, Resident Evil: Apocalypse) and Mbong Amata (Inale, Amazing Grace).

Black Gold is currently in post production and according to the producers, “this movie is especially significant and will be of great interest as it is the first time a production of this calibre has ever been attempted in Africa. Usually, in movies like Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond, Hollywood comes in to tell the story, but in this case, the story of the Niger Delta is being told and produced for the screen by a group of film makers from the Niger Delta. There is no better time to showcase this project, as it deals with all the pertinent issues being faced in the region like oil spills, kidnappings and corruption.“

The movie’s executive producers are Walter Wagbatsoma and Suzanne Delaurentiis. “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta” was written and directed by acclaimed African filmmaker Jeta Amata and produced by Ori Ayonmike and Wilson Ebiye. Plans are in motion for the movie to premiere in Lagos and Abuja during the first quarter of 2011. Black Gold will be released in movie theaters across Africa and in select cinemas worldwide.

This is definitely an ambitious project and we are looking forward to viewing how the vision translates on screen. However, this is an absolutely fantastic way for our African film industry to start the year. We often complain when “our story”" is misrepresented by international filmmakers. It is time for us to take the reins. We are looking forward to seeing this!

The Igwe Twins: Bringing their Mobile Kitchen Dream to Reality through Service and Speedy Delivery

I met Afamefuna Titus Igwe at the Ford Foudation’s Youth Dialogue in Lagos last October where he had been nominated by the Fate Foundation to join the fifteen-member panel carefully selected across the country in discussing major issues concerning Nigeria and projecting for the next five decades. Over the course of the three-day programme, Titus showed us a bit of how passionate he was about Mobile Kitchen and making positive impact in Nigeria, especially among the unemployed youth. A few months down the line, the company is still blossoming and today we will explore the various experiences of this young man and Tobias, his twin brother with whom he started this laudable effort in the food service delivery sector of the Nigerian economy.

Titus and Tobias Igwe are 24-year old twin brothers who jointly run Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen, a food delivery services company in Nigeria. They were both undergraduates studying Business Administration at the University of Lagos (Distance Learning Institute) in 2009, when an unfortunate event occurred in their family. On Saturday October 24th 2009, they lost their father, in a car accident and suddenly became saddled with the responsibility of taking care of their mother and seven siblings. After engaging in a few menial jobs, it soon dawned on them there had to be a better way to approach life and achieve their dreams. Less than two years after that fateful day, they have set out on a journey to earn comfortable living by serving others and they are doing this quite well too. In this exclusive interview with BN Editorial Assistant, Gbenga Awomodu, they share their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

Could you tell us more about Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen?

Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen is a proudly Nigerian, world class food and services company of choice located in a serene environment at the heart of Apapa GRA in Lagos. At Speedmeals, working with the most sufficient technology in food processing so as to improve the lives of our customers is our primary motive. It is a registered food and services company that cooks and supplies food to schools and corporate organisations. With an annual turnover of three million naira in 2010, our company is driven by the knowledge that customers know and trust our services. Our food is produced from the finest ingredients with passion and pride. In 2010, we were declared the overall winner of Samsung Real Dreams initiative by Samsung West Africa. The future is bright for Speedmeals!

How did you start Speedmeals?

In 2009, after the sudden death of our father in an accident, we searched for jobs desperately to fund our studies at University of Lagos and also to assist our mum and seven younger siblings. After six months of no success, we decided to start up something on our own. We learnt how to make cakes and other snacks, but not with the mindset of establishing our own company. A friend, one day, advised me (Titus) to apply for the Samsung Real Dreams programme to learn how to manage a business. Tobias also attended the training in another stream. The rest, they say, is history. So far the success we have recorded has been overwhelming.

Did it require a large start-up capital and how did you obtain the start-up capital?

Really, all what is required is the will and determination to succeed. However, we also had to make some sacrifices. We used our school fees, what was left after our father’s burial, to start up, but unfortunately we were not able to recoup it so we had to apply for deferment, thus adding another one year to our undergraduate studies. It was really hard then; even to pay for deferment. Titus had to step down his education while I (Tobias) continued. We have learnt that business doesn’t just move. Titus is now enrolled in a Diploma programme (English for Professionals) after which he hopes to have an Executive Diploma in English for Professionals… While my brother does the operations, especially the cooking, I (Titus) also want to bring in something different. Tobias just concluded his 200 Level at the UNILAG Distance Learning Institute and, though we have several certificates baking cake, we plan to go for more professional trainings and even obtain a degree in Nutrition. Our three watchwords: Hygiene, Professionalism and Speed!

Which companies are your major competitors?

We don’t see other food vendors as our immediate competitors. Our biggest competitors are the local food vendors popularly called “mama put”. They control the larger part of the market.

What sets your company apart from your competitors?

We guarantee speedy delivery, professionalism and excellent customer service. This is what makes us different from others. With Speedmeals, expect no delays!! At Speedmeals, we understand what it means to be different; to be the leaders and set the pace for others to follow and to fill the vacuum that others have created. This is why we are always on point to meet the needs of our numerous customers. It’s so much more than what you think; we are excitingly different and unique! We know Speedmeals is not just about us.

What are your future plans for your company?

Our vision is “To be the most sought after food vendor brand in Africa with a global competitive edge”. We are going to be working with professional brand strategists and nutritionists. Tobias does the cooking, cake making, etc., while I (Titus) do more of the management. We currently have five contract staff that we pay on weekly basis, but we hope to expand our operations very soon. In the next five years, Speedmeals food should have been eaten by everyone in Lagos. Near every ‘mama put’, you should see a Speedmeal mobile kitchen. Most of the food sold by the local vendors is often prepared under unhygienic conditions. We are going to be employing professional nutritionists, taking Lagos as our primary market; then we’ll spread out to other states. We want to revolutionize the food sector in Nigeria and open up a new page. We are thinking of an enlightenment campaign to educate people on the importance of healthy eating. We do not intend to just put the ‘Mama put’ out of job; we are looking at selling them franchises and helping them to learn to be better service providers in the long run. If you want to remain relevant in the market, you know you have to step up.

L-R: Osayi Oruene Alile (Executive Director, Fate Foundation), a Samsung Representative, The Igwe twins (Speedmeals) and Timi Adamolekun (Brand Manager, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa) during the presentation of Best SRD project Award to Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen by Samsung West Africa.

What other things are you presently doing to achieve your futuristic objectives, especially helping unemployed youth?

In June 2010, we introduced the Speedmeals Academy as a subsidiary with a vision to train 1,000 youths within one year. In line with this goal, we introduced the Opportunity of a Life Time programme, an innovation to train unemployed youth on how to bake cake and make ‘small chops’ so that they can become self-reliant. We publicize the training in churches, mosques and social gatherings. We provide the facilities and platforms for others to be trained and work hard to ensure that we follow up their progress. There is a foundation programme for those who are very new to the business while the advanced classes are for those who have the basic idea already. Each participant is asked to pay a commitment fee of 2,500 Naira and this helps us sieve for people who would be serious with the skills acquired. In 2010, we trained 62 youth, usually 10 in a class over a period of 6 weeks. Many of them have now started their own businesses.

At the end of the programme, each participant is expected to train 10 other people within the first year after the programme. We encourage them to train others and charge fees as well, no matter how small, to make people show commitment to their training. In conjunction with the Fate Foundation, we are also providing entrepreneurship training for all participants through the Samsung Real Dreams programme, a training programme sponsored by Samsung and the International Youth Foundation (IYF). So far, we have trained sixty-two people in the first phase of the programme and certificates were awarded to them. We also give evaluation forms to participants to assess the quality of the programme and so far so good. The second phase of the programme will start in January 2011 and registration is ongoing. We have also sponsored feeding at a few events, including the last edition of CelebrityRead Africa last month.

What major challenges have you faced so far? How about taxation?

Every business has its own unique problems and challenges. For Speedmeals, I (Titus) think our major challenge now is logistics and infrastructure challenges. The banks too are not helping SMEs in Nigeria. We need more support in terms of training and funding. The company was officially registered in July 2010, after we started unofficially in February 2010. We have been to the Federal Inland Revenue Services and the Lagos Inland Revenue Services for clarifications on tax matters. We are still enjoying the provision for first two years being tax-free and as for income tax, our income is not up taxable income yet as we are using our funds to build the business right now. As an entrepreneur you have to be wise with spending…

What else do you have to say to the numerous young people who are unemployed out there?

I (Titus) believe everybody has talent. Young people should look more inwards and try to find what they can do with their own talent. Inasmuch as there are so many challenges in Nigeria, there are also so many opportunities. They should surround themselves with good people and capitalize on opportunities when they see one. It took me (Tobias) four years to think about this idea. We worked in a company as cleaners for three years, but when we visit the company now, we still see people who were there then greeting us “Good morning Sir”. The flip side of problems is opportunities. We need to think about what we can give to people and not what they ought to give us. The importance of education cannot be over emphasized, but people should not continue to see university education as a meal ticket. University education should not be seen as a gate way to heaven!
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About Samsung Real Dreams

Samsung Real Dreams (SRD) is a Samsung corporate social responsibility initiative, in conjunction with International Youth Foundation, which focuses on innovation and enterprise. The initiative started in 2009 in Nigeria and has partnered organisations, including the Fate Foundation, Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) and Pan African University’s School of Media and Communications, to promote technical skills acquisition for young, disadvantaged youths for successful, long-term careers and entrepreneurship.

New Year Special! Denrele Scandal Edun speaks!

My kissing game with Charly Boy
He needs no introduction; especially if you’ve seen a picture of Charly Boy kissing a younger chap. This is Denrele like never before

You keep popping up everywhere. What’s your mission here?

Denrele

We’re shooting ‘The return of Jenifa’ and I have a very hilarious role in it. I don’t exactly try to be everywhere but I try to be consistent and as relevant as possible. I also like to be in peoples’ faces. I don’t necessarily seek attention. It comes naturally. I’ve boycotted a couple of shows that I know the whole world is likely to be. I just seem to have my hands in everything .

How did you land the role?

Funke (Akindele) called me up one day and said she had a role for me in a movie called ‘Akorede’.We shot that but my Yoruba was faulty. She later told me about ‘The return of Jenifa’ and we’ve been lodged here on set for over a week. She practically hijacked me. My role is showbiz inclined. I’m a dance instructor in the movie.

We’ve been moving around sets from the hospital to the airport and we even had a concert in UniLag where eLDee performed.

For how much has Funke hired your service?

Funke has invested a lot of capital ,energy and time in having a large crew .We’re family .

Talking about boycotting shows, you were missing at the last SMVA. Why ?

After the scandal which I know we’ll still talk about, I just felt like being in the news again. I wanted to stir up trouble that will get every one distracted from the scandal .

Where do you work now?

I work with Soundcity. Just this week end, I was in Abuja to cover Face of Selera for my company I’ve been doing that for three years now this is the third edition. I recorded for Soundcity back stage and red carpet. I still work there.

So what‘s the true situation of things between you and your boss- Tajudeen Adepetu?

I and Teju are chums .He’s been a fantastic boss. He gave me a great opportunity so I won’t say any thing negative. I still work with him.

The only problem was that I didn’t go to work for two months and it pissed him off. I was busy chasing other stuffs. I will be sincere with you , the reason I didn’t go to work was because I’ve never gone on leave in my five years of working with Soundcity.

There was a time I was really craving Dublin’ ‘cos I’ve not seen my mum in ten years but there was no time, so I decided to take the time off. I traveled to Malaysia for my own show and to Dubai too. I know it was very wrong of me to take off time like that working in a company and I apologized when I got back .I don’t think my boss took it well but I needed the break.

How is Tilewa your girlfriend doing?

She’s doing fine. We just fought this afternoon because I missed her morning calls. But she’s doing fine in her office.

And how is Charly Boy?

Charley Boy is fantastic – my Popsy .He’s doing great with his wife and kids. His son is back. The first question he asked me was, what the hell is going on with you and my father? I said, ‘I don’t understand’. But over all CB is fine

What’s going on between you and Charly Boy? Did that picture happen or was it computer generated?

There are some things I like to be mysterious about. People have been going on and on about my sexuality like they really care. Finally, this picture shows up and it’s like they’ve found evidence. Meanwhile, the picture could just be a controversial agenda, a publicity stunt, a photoshop creation or even the real deal. People should make out what ever they chose.

Do you blame people for reacting the way they did to the picture ?

I shouldn’t say it was unfair the way they reacted to the pictures. Just that they were extreme .One minute they say, ‘Charly Boy’s wife is divorcing him’. Next thing, ‘my parents have thrown me out’. Then, ‘My boss is sacking me’. They’ve said all manner of things.

Let’s set things straight. Did you kiss Charly Boy?

What do you all think? I think that’ll remain a rhetorical question. I feel people should make out what they like.

Where were you when you first saw the picture? And what came to your mind?

I was in Malaysia. I was really shocked, I won’t lie to you. Somebody sent it to me on my BB from the US. I had just finished shopping and was really excited. But when I got the message I was dazed for the first five minutes. I’m a kind of person that nothing ever brings me down but for the first few minutes….Then someone from U k sent it to me, and then Germany, later Brazil, in fact Nigerians saw it late. Knowing how nasty people are, some people used it as profile picture and all sort. Even some friends.

What went through your mind in the first five minutes?

In that first five minutes, my reaction was ‘oh my goodness. If my parents see this what will they say’? You know because there ‘ll always be crazy members who ‘ll react. I just had to clear my head else I’d have been messed up.

I could have been hibernating because of that, but I didn’t let that get to me . I jolted back after the five

Denrele

minutes and told myself , “this should not bring you down”. I think I’m one of the strongest persons alive. I sat back, checked on Twitter and saw all the rubbish people were writing. I answered those I could, till my battery went flat.

I just went out clubbing to cool off. By the time I came back (to Nigeria) people started buzzing me right from the airport. Imagine what it’s like sitting in traffic and vendors are running after you saying “see yourself ,see wetin you do with Charly Boy . Buy it. buy it”. And then people are pointing at you from their cars… You get all sorts of sneers.

And how does all that make you feel?

I feel on top of the world, trust me. I’m used to people pointing at me. I just shut my mind to negative criticisms. I was thinking of how I could make positivity out of the situation, but I just didn’t see it .I couldn’t find a way to switch it around .Truth be told ,Charly Boy is a well defined brand but I was at the centre of it all. It was me people kept buzzing about it.

I just called my dad and said this is the deal get ready for this scandal that’s about to break out. My sisters even call me ‘scandal’ in the house. Because I was looking lighter when I returned from Malaysia, they said I had gone to Malaysia to bleach my skin. Then there is the funny one (rumour) that says I had a child in my teenage days .

That marveled me because the same people say I’m too sexually twisted to function so where did the child come from. I just decided to see the humor in every thing .

For fans who ask you sincerely if you took the pictures, what do you tell them?

Let me give you this instance. I went to Rehab for Halloween night. And some high school girls approached me asking where is Charly Boy. I said ‘I got tired of kissing him and moved on to some body else’. I just make them laugh about it.

Are you saying you had never seen that picture until some one sent it to you?
Yes and I’m very sincere. I have it on my phone now. I saved it much later. I have it for keep sake.

What do you make of this scandal?

For me I think that’s the height .There’s nothing worse that I can imagine any one else doing to me that could drag me down .

Was the picture familiar any way?

I’ll be very sincere, I could define that picture. The picture came right after I hosted Charly Boy ‘s Battle of the Gifted in Abuja. That was when the speculations began because of my close relationship with Charly Boy.

There was a time I stayed in his house for three days and we had a photo shoot for Charly Boy magazine. The outfits were Domini trick, militant and black because we wanted to look tough. I remember that hair do. It was the first time I was trying out colorful extension It was Sleek (hair range) that gave it to me. I hosted Face of Sleek last year December.

They hadn’t payed me so they called me to come and pick up (hair) extensions at least. I picked all the colors and stuck it to my head. CB’s picture looked very fresh . But that outfit I had on is an old one and I don’t even know where it is. I’m definitely more affected than Charley Boy.

Have you tried to imagine the source of the picture?

Yes I have. I actually sat down to ask myself during the first five minutes that I got the picture. I remember when we were having the photo shoot, they were father and son pictures. I had my head on his shoulder at some point.

Did you try to pinpoint who’s capable of doing such?

I tried but I didn’t want to flip the lid on any body so I don’t accuse any one falsely.

But why would any one try to scandalize you further?

I just think it’s a price you have to pay for fame. People like to drive the final nail into some one’s coffin. But then they didn’t consider my personality and strong will .The pictures I know that I took with CB magazine were taken on the streets and then his house. The ones taken in his house were in the presence of his older sister, his Aunt and Dad. We took them right in front of these people so about the whole kissing thing, let people make out what they like.

How did Tilewa take it?

She didn’t like it at first. Things get to her easily. Immediately those pictures came out , some of my friends just told me to alert my immediate family that will be most concerned. For Tilewa ,every body was sending the picture to her and she saw people’s conversation on the topic and together they got to her. I explained to her any way

So what did you tell your 69year old father?

I called every body into my room and announced ,”there is scandal o!”.And I told them what was going on. It’s just a Nigerian mentality. Some people looked at me and they like the whole regalia and boldness but they can’t dare it.

There are some people that are very hypocritical simply because they’ve not attained the kind of acceptance I have. I struggled to be accepted .I showed my Dad the picture on my phone. My sisters already had it .I just had to prepare his mind because I knew he would go to church and people would report me .
What exactly did you tell him?

I think that will let the cat out of the bag. So when he saw the papers he simply laughed over it. My Dad is am elderly man so he simply said the news will die sooner than we expect.

What is the twitter side of the story?

I wanted to see what people were saying about it so I contacted the CEO vie e-mail. I goggled up his name. I told him I am an On Air Personality in my country and I’d really like to know what people are saying about me.

So I gave him my name and all the likely spellings. That way every tweet mentioning my name pops up in DM. When I re-tweet some of them, people attacked me

Why do you re-tweet negative comment?

I read them and find them hilarious and I want others to read up what some people are saying so they can see how feeble minded some people are .

Did you lose any thing because of this scandal?

No I have not lost any thing yet. Maybe I might, may be I’m unaware. But I have a feeling that some things were supposed to happen and I must have lost therm because of this.

A major company (I don’t want to mention the brand ) had called me earlier for branding but because of the scandal, they dropped me .

Do you feel bad because of that?

Me, feel? I don’t let any thing bring me down. I never regret things happening to me. When I was alone the first five minutes, I wondered why this had to happen to me. I asked my self if I caused it or if it was bound to happen or what .

Did you contact CB when you saw the picture?

I did, but couldn’t get through on his phone so I sent a text saying what I saw. He sent me a reply saying I should deal with it for the first few days. I didn’t see the humor in it .

Do you fast forward to five or ten years from now and imagine what this picture could do to your future?
I’m happy that the pictures came out now. I remember Eve, the American Rapper’s story .She used to be a stripper when she was young and that was before she got into showbiz. Those pictures leaked .I’m happy that something of this capacity has come forth .I can’t think of anything bigger (scandal)coming up that would be worse than this. I think this is the height expected, some one probably take any naked picture

Any plans for your Dad’s 70th birthday?

To celebrate someone who has tolerated me for 27years, there has to be a major plan. That man let me express my individuality and swallowed horrible remarks from people for my sake. I will shake Lagos for him. He’s not the richest man in the world but he’s given me multiple respect. His birthday’s on November 17 and we’ll start celebrations from the church because he’s a ‘Fellow’ in church. I’ve told all the artistes you can think of; from Obesere to Pasuma and the Hip Hop artistes.