THREE movies by Nigerian filmmakers are among the huge line-up of screening at the ongoing Durban International Film Festival.

Although the big one, Half of a Yellow Sun, had aroused interest based on huge publicity and its affiliation with the British Film Institute (BFI), B for Boy by Chika Anadu and Gone Too Far by Bola Agbaje also made interesting outing with their thought-provoking themes.

Half of a Yellow Sun, which will be released in Nigeria on August 1, was sold out during its first showing last Friday at Suncoast, one of the several venues dedicated to screenings at the festival. The movie, a feature directorial debut by Nigerian/British playwright, Biyi Bandele, has continued to generate interest, going by its account of the Nigerian civil war, as re-enacted in Chimamanda Adichie’s book from which it was adapted.

B for Boy, on the other hand, is the also the feature film debut of a burgeoning filmmaker, whose shorts films AVA, was listed in the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. The film explores the phenomenal desperation for a male child among Igbo men in Eastern Nigeria, and how vulnerable a character like 38-year-old Amaka played by Uche Uwadili becomes in the hands of her mother-in-law.

The fever pitch is the threats and sense of insecurity in the marriage, where the man could opt for another woman.

The practice, as portrayed by Anadu in this movie, leaves no option of adoption, and one can only tell what woes will betide a childless woman in such tradition.

Although a regular Nollywood storyline, it comes across as news to the diverse audience at the festival.

Bola Agbaje’s film, Gone Too Far, is a fully BFI-sponsored movie, and so goes the credit  never portrayed as a Nigerian film.

A British film by Nigerians, Gone Too Far, explores racial disparity among blacks in a white man’s land.

Directed by Destiny Ekharaga, the film features British-Nigerian teenager Yemi (Malachi Kirby) who is ashamed to let his peers know that his just-arrived, socks-and-sandals-wearing Nigerian brother Ikudayisi (OC Ukeje) is his biological brother.

The underlining message in the comic film climaxes with an exposé of the folly of denying one’s identity in a bid to feel British among fellow Africans, even when the British don’t see them as one of their own.

Another remarkable presence of Nigeria at DIFF is the AfriNolly Showcase, a short film collection by a mobile application company that also grooms young African filmmakers through cash prize competition. The company is run by Mr. Chike Maduegbuna and his wife, who were both in attendance at DIFF.

For some time now, popular Yoruba actress, Omotunde Ogundimu, has been off the movie scene. But if you think she has found another passion, then, you are wrong. At the moment, the mother of three is battling a debilitating ailment that has since removed the shine from her acting career. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, she ventilates her pains and hope, among other issues.

You seldom appear in movies these days. So, what really is responsible for this?

I have been ill.

So, how do you feel now?

I am still very weak. I was at the clinic and the doctor revealed that, even if I have the money readily available, I can’t undergo the surgery now because I have lost so much blood. So, I was given some drugs to help boost the blood back to the level it should be.

Which hospital is that?

It is called Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo, Ibafo, Ogun State.

What is the nature of the ailment?

My period comes like 10 to15 days; then, it will stop and come again. I menstruate twice in a month. I noticed it last year before my husband passed away. Anytime we had intercourse, I would always bleed. I took it for something else, so I didn’t really pay attention to it. But when he became sick and we couldn’t have intercourse any more, it (the bleeding) stopped. Then, I didn’t have time to study it at that period too.

But what I noticed is that my menstrual circle changed, so I would menstruate twice in a month with very heavy flow. So, at that time, I just felt it was one of the signs of menopause because I am way above 40. But last year, I had to go to the hospital to complain and the doctor said I had fibroid, even before the tests and scan were conducted. When the scan was done, it was discovered that the fibroid was fully grown in my womb.

You said during the period your husband was sick, you were not having intercourse. But were you having the heavy flow at that time?

Then, it was normal. But the only time it became abnormal was when we had intercourse, so I thought I was approaching my period.

What do you think is exactly wrong with you? Don’t you think it might be a spiritual problem?

No; I don’t think so. You can only say something is spiritual when you don’t get a solution to your problem. But in my own case, I have been able to find out what the problem is and the remedy. Every woman has fibroid, but it is only when it is overgrown that it becomes a problem that needs to be attended to. When it started, I had people who shared their own experiences with me and I was directed to the hospital.

So, how have you been coping, financially?

Well, I am presently in Ibafo, Ogun State, which is close to my home town. When my husband passed away, my family asked me to come back home, so as not to be left alone in Lagos, where I don’t have anybody. So, I came home and rented an apartment. But my children are in one of the boarding schools in Lagos. I didn’t want to change their school.

Whenever they are on vacation, they come here and we spend time together. Sending them to one of the best schools in Lagos is part of my huge financial commitments. But I am glad that I can do that for them because I want them to have the kind of education that I didn’t have.

With your state of health, you definitely need some help. Is anyone living with you?

Some of my siblings do come over to help. But most of them are married and I cannot force them to come and stay with me. So, whenever they volunteer to come, I am always glad to have them around. If not that it went online, nobody knew I was sick. I am a very quite person.

Why did you have to make the ailment hidden for this long without going public with it?

I am just a private person and I just felt I could raise the money and go for the surgery before anybody could know that I was sick.

I don’t go to functions anymore because of the state of my body now-I am so lean.  Nobody will see me without asking what is wrong with me. Even the last time I was on location, many of my colleagues felt I was dieting and they complained that it was too serious.

As a crossover actress and one who is popular in both the Yoruba and English sectors of Nollywood, one would expect that you would have a lot of people coming around you.

As I said, the news just got online some days ago and I have been receiving calls from every one of them, promising to do something in any way they can. Most of them didn’t know I was sick and the news going online has drawn their attention to my plight. I also got a call from the AGN president, Ibinabo Fiberesima, asking me to send my details and home address; she promised that they will visit me.

How much do you need to undergo the surgery?

N500,000.

Are you sure the N500, 000 you are requesting for is just for the operation?

I pray the money will be enough. The actual money for the surgery is N350, 000. But I just feel I’ll need some money for my upkeep till I am able to stand on my feet and get back to work. That is the reason I summed up the whole money to N500, 000.

But do you think you need as much as that to undergo a fibroid operation?

Yes, that is true. But it is a private hospital and for someone like me to come out and say I need N350, 000, people will say I should be able to afford such an amount of money because I am an actress. But people do not know what I have been doing all the while. I have single-handedly been training my three kids and I have been struggling to ensure they go to the higher institution, which I did not attend.

Also, the treatment and drugs that I have been taking have cost me a lot of money. Right now, I don’t have any other business I am doing apart from my acting career. I was hoping I would be able to save some money and set up a business. But all that is on hold now.

Does that mean your in-laws were not in support of the union?

The circumstances that surrounded my husband’s death are best known to them. He was married to five wives and he died at the age of 41.  After his death, they sold one of his property in Abeokuta and shared the money among us his wives and gave a whole building to my children. After that, no calls to even ask about the welfare of their children.

What is your position among the wives?

I am the second wife.

Didn’t you know he was married?

I never intended to go into the marriage. But sometimes in life, some things take place that you do not plan. You know when you are in love with a man, you believe everything he tells you. When we were courting, he only told me he had someone that bore him a child. When I was pregnant with my first child, he took me home to meet his father, who asked me if he had told me about my senior (the first wife); so, that was when I knew.

I didn’t understand what he was saying until he told me that the man I wanted to get married to already had a wife and a child living with him. I left and told him I was going for abortion. But he went to my mum in Ibafo to inform her about my decision and she came down with him to Iyana Ipaja that same day to plead with me. He knew I am the only child of my mother and that she was already looking forward to having grandchildren. That was how I found myself in a polygamous home. And then, I was working as a clearing and forward agency at NAHCO, Ikeja, Lagos.  I had my own apartment, so he was always at my place. But he was a lovely man and a good man. He took care of me. But you know, when there are so many women involved, it is a different story.

Is it that you do not have friends in the industry because you said none has paid you a visit?

(Laughs) That was before! You know, it is said that no matter the multitude, there will always be a disagreement. But at the moment, I am not fighting anybody. So, I have been receiving calls and prayers from most of them, promising to come and pay me a visit. Most of them didn’t know I was sick. As I said, I am a very private person.

We have had cases of stars seeking help from the public. So, is it that you people do not save for the rainy days?

I understand what you are saying. But in my own case, I have been managing on my own all the while without asking anybody for assistance. But the truth of the matter is that the money we are paid here is nothing to write home about. It is all about helping your colleague, when he or she wants to shoot a movie. So, it is whatever the person has that you will collect. All the stories they tell about some people collecting N600, 000 for a roles are lies.

But most of you live flamboyantly; so, where do they get the money from?

I don’t know o! I only know about myself, my sister. Yes, some of them earn well and are into other businesses. As I said earlier, if I get back on my feet and start working, I will get something else doing aside my acting career.  Some make money from the movies they produce, especially if the movies sell well.

Having been in the industry for over a decade now, what can you say about your experience as a producer?

I have done three movies: Temidun, Origun Meta and Abiamo Toto. I would have produced another one, but I don’t want to produce any movie that will be below the name and standard that I have been able to build for myself over the years. But my first three were hits in the market. That was when movies still had values. What we have now are marketers who always complain about low sales.

And I can proudly say I was able to make good use of the proceeds from those movies. I opened a wholesale wine shop, but that is history now because that was where I was collecting money when my husband fell sick. And you know how business is, once you don’t add more to it, it will collapse.

I learnt Tope Alabi brought you into the movie industry. Why have you not sought her assistance?

We were in the dance group, Sunny Wonders Performing Group, before she left. We were into dramas and stage plays. But after a while, we met again and I stayed with her at her parents’ home, which was not far from my uncle’s house where I was living then. But when we met, she started telling me about finding my way into the Yoruba movie industry, instead of wasting my time with the group that promised to take us abroad to perform. That was how she introduced me to Alade Aromire Group. But I don’t have her contact and that is the reason I have not been able to reach her for assistance.

I am someone who does not like to bother people. Sometimes, when you expect help from a particular person, you might end up being disappointed. And at the end of the day, you will feel bad. That is the reason I don’t like telling people about what is happening to me. I am a fighter, if not for the fact that Mr. Idris Bello of Shybellmedia got in touch with me and asked what was wrong. I told him I was sick and he came visiting the next day.

When he saw me, he told me not to keep mute on the issue. He said I should let people know about my state of health, stressing that those who would come to my aid will do and those who will talk will talk.  I told him they would say, ‘Is she not an actress? Why wouldn’t she be able to afford such an amount? And he told me that I have my life to live.

Actress and movie producer, Omoni Oboli, recently made her directorial debut with the movie, Being Mrs Elliot.

But as questions are being asked about her credibility as a movie director, the thespian has disclosed that she did not jump into an unfamiliar field without seeking adequate knowledge.

“Not only have I picked up on-the-field experience, I also went to one of the best film schools in the world, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) to learn directing specifically. My lecturers were impressed with my project and I remain one of the few female practitioners in the industry who have gone to the school. If my years of experience and NYFA education don’t qualify me, I wonder what will. For those who know about movie and those who have taste for good movie, Being Mrs Elliott will more than impress,” she said through her publicist.

Being Mrs Elliott is the story of a successful married woman, who is torn between two worlds after a life-changing incident. She finds out that the best life has to offer is not necessarily things, but moments.

The movie opened the Nollywood Week Film Festival in Paris recently and got 11 nominations at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) in California, USA.

Come Thursday, July 31, the book, Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, will be unveiled at the Agip Recital hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

The book, which examines the highpoints of Kunle Afolayan’s award-winning film, The Figurine, is a collection of scholarly essays devoted to the work of a single Nigerian film director.

Already, stakeholders in the motion picture industry, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), have expressed support for the publication.  Also, industry stakeholders like the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) are among those that have identified with the project.

The Managing Director of the NFC, Dr. Danjuma Dadu, said: Auteuring Nollywood was a welcome addition to the body of knowledge on film discourse in Nigeria.

Both Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Dr. Ikechukwu Obianya, Director, Nollywood Study Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, will be reviewing the book at the public presentation.

Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, a former Minister of National Planning and a respected patriarch of the arts, will chair the ceremony designed to be one of Nollywood’s greatest moments.

Contributors to the book include: Dr. Sola Osofisan, Dr. Dele Layiwola, Dr. Chukwuma Okoye, Jane Thorburn, Matthew H. Brown, Gideon Tanimonure, A.G.A Bello, Foluke Ogunleye and Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi.

An ‘Afterword’ on “Neo-Nollywood and its Other” by the prolific scholar, Dr. Onookome Okome, is also provided in the book, in addition to a series of interviews with key actors and technicians that featured in the film.

Kunle Afolayan is one of the two AMAA ambassadors selected to celebrate AMAA’s 10th anniversary throughout this year. His elder brother, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, a lecturer at the Philosophy Department of the University of Ibadan, edited the 455-page book.

Fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, is set to thrill his numerous Oganla family, fans and other music lovers in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State to a special Ed-el Fitri celebration on Tuesday, July 29, at Sablak Events Centre, Sanyo Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Pasuma, who will headline the event being organised by ADK Links Ventures, said he is poised to give his fans the best to celebrate the successful completion of Ramadan.

It will also feature Taiye Currency (Apesin Oganla), Tiri Leather and fast-rising Tungba exponent, Femo Lancaster.

Speaking on the show, Adeniyi Kazeem, CEO, ADK Links Ventures, said his organisation had put everything in place to ensure that music fans have a memorable Itunu Awe celebration.

“Adequate security has been put in place with all the artistes. Pasuma has also promised to make the day one to relish for so long in the ancient city and its environs,” Kazeem said.

For wave-making artiste Davido, 2014 is certainly the year of awards. The latest of his laurels came again last Saturday in faraway Dallas, United States, where he emerged African Artiste of the Year at the maiden edition of African Muzic Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).

This feat makes the third time the talented singer will be the awarded this year, having won the ‘Best West African Artiste’ diadems at the MTV Africa Music Awards and BET Awards.

The Aye crooner defeated Wizkid, Flavour, Ghana’s Sarkodie, SA’s Mafikizolo and Tanzania’s Diamond to clinch the award.

Just when a number of his fans were lamenting the seeming eclipse of his singing career, mask-styled musician, Lagbaja, like a bolt from the blue, caused a stir at the weekend when he reportedly shunned an offer by the Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation to perform at the grand finale rally and reception for President Goodluck Jonathan scheduled to hold in Osogbo, Osun State, next week.

The Koko Below crooner had reportedly been approached to thrill supporters of Senator Iyiola Omisore, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.

However, the award-winning act, who would not want to sell his conscience for a pot of porridge, stoutly declined the offer. For a man who is seen as a social commentator of sorts, especially considering the oeuvre of his music, he was said to have rejected the offer purely on moral grounds.  In a very biting and soul-searching piece, he said: “Though the court of the land discharged and acquitted you (Omisore) in the murder case against the former Minister of Justice in Nigeria, the late Cicero of Esa-Oke and foremost nationalist, Chief Bola Ige, I have deep-rooted innermost conviction that you are culpable in the death of my mentor and benefactor. If you offer me all the allocation of Osun State during your four-year-tenure peradventure you win (which I seriously doubt), I will not perform for Iyiola Omisore governorship election.”

Since the news went viral, there have been strong reactions from his fans saluting what some described as his daring stance, unlike some other artistes who would prioritise pecuniary motive over any other consideration.

For ace filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, last Friday will go down as most memorable, as he was honoured with the ‘The Custodian of Yoruba Culture’ award, amidst fanfare, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The colourful ceremony was organised by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, in conjunction with the Yoruba Redemption Foundation, at the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.

Since the event held, there have been a deluge of congratulatory messages from his far-flung fans, a development that has further confirmed that it was a well-deserved honour for the respected culture activist famously called TK.  In a Facebook post, actor and TV presenter, Yemi Sodimu said: “Congrats, TK. Well deserved.”

In an interview with The Nation, TK, who was full of joy over the honour, said: “I’m excited about the award.  It also suggests that people have taken note of my works and interest in the Yoruba culture and tradition. So, I see it as an extension of what I have always done. It is, no doubt, encouraging.”

When asked to state his responsibilities as the “Custodian of Yoruba culture”, the 66-year-old filmmaker further said:  “Like the mission statement of Mainframe Productions, we will not only produce meaningful films, but we will continue to document the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba language and culture.”

Meanwhile, the acclaimed cinematographer is putting finishing touches to his forthcoming work, Dazzling Mirage, an adaptation of Olayinka Abimbola Egbohare’s novel. The movie centres on a talented young sickle cell sufferer who overcomes social stigma and prejudice to achieve her dreams.

It stars Kemi (Lala) Akindoju, Kunle Afolayan, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Bimbo Manuel, among others.

Timbuktu, a celebrated Malian film about an Islamic extremist group, has won the best feature film laurel at the just-concluded Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), South Africa. The award had a cash prize of R50 000, equivalent of N770, 496.

Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, the movie was listed for competition alongside several others, which the international jury described as having dealt with “individuals coping with ideological, social and political pressures whilst trying to find their own identity and humanity in a world increasingly under distress.”

Also from the movie, Director of Photography (DOP), Sofian el Fani, won the Best Cinematography, while the Best Actor diadem was shared between Timbuktu’s Ibrahim Ahmed and Cold Harbour’s Tony Kgoroge.

It would be recalled that for his effort on Timbuktu, Sissako was celebrated at the Cannes International Film Festival, France recently, where he shed tears, while discussing the subject of insurgency in his home country, Mali.

The filmmaker’s portrait of the unrest in Mali, captures Islamist zealots, as they ban innocent pleasures such as music and football, and throwing themselves with cold relish into lashings and stoning for adultery. The situation is not too different from the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, where innocent people are killed indiscriminately.

The story revolves around the death of a cow, affectionately named ‘GPS’, a satire for a country that has lost direction.

With visual creativity, Sissako portrays the harrowing real-life takeover of Northern Mali by Islamic fundamentalists.

The extremist group, which likens itself to puritans, appalls the local Imam, who has long upheld the existing tradition of a benevolent and tolerant Islam. The local Imam, in this movie, can’t understand why the new sect would march into the mosque, carrying arms. Even then, he thinks this defies logic. This is because besides being addicted to cruelty and bullying, these men are enslaved to their modern devices mobile phones, cars, video-cameras (for uploading jihadi videos to the Internet) and, of course, weapons. And as the filmmaker puts it, Timbuktu is no longer ‘tombouctou la mysterieuse’, the magical place of legend, but a harsh, grim, unforgiving place of bigotry and fear.

Announcing the results during the closing ceremony of DIFF last Friday, cast and crew of the movie got accolades from movie buffs, with many struggling for photo opportunities  at the Suncoast CineCentre Supernova, prior to the screening of its closing film, Million Dollar Arm.

Nigeria was also represented at the festival with films such as Half of a Yellow Sun by Biyi Bandele, B For Boy by Chika Anadu and Gone Too Far by Bola Agbaje.

The festival rounded off on a successful note, with significant increase in attendance, as many films screening were sold-out to audiences.

Festival Manager Peter Machen expressed satisfaction with the event when he said: “I was extremely happy with the success of DIFF 2014, and it was very gratifying to witness both the large amount of sold-out screenings and also the huge enthusiasm for the festival, both from local audiences and from the hundreds of guests attending the festival from around the world.”

At the ceremony, the festival unveiled its new statuette, the Golden Giraffe, designed by Durban artist, Caryn Tilbury.

Machen said of the new statuette: “We are extremely that the festival finally has an iconic award. Venice has the Golden Lion, Berlin has the Golden Bear and now Durban has the Golden Giraffe. Caryn Tilbury’s beautifully idiosyncratic design is perfectly representative of the slick but edgy nature of the festival,” he said.

The jury commended Sissako’s film for being “an impressively well-made film that makes us aware, in an extraordinarily human and gentle way, of the fight for dignity and freedom of individuals against oppression and violence. Beautifully crafted and showing mature accomplishment on all levels the film illustrates the absurdity of war and ideological dogmatism and offers humour, gentility and humaneness as a possible solution to the madness that seems to engulf so many regions in the world and on our continent. It embraces cinema as a weapon of love against violence and intolerance.”

The award for Best South African Feature Film, which carries a prize of R25 000 went to Jenna Bass’ exciting first feature Love the One You Love. The local jury stated that they chose the film “for its stylistic and narrative freshness”, calling it “a playful, quirky and idiosyncratic debut made with curiosity, warmth, heart and sensitivity.” Bass was also honoured with the prize for Best Direction in a South African Feature Film, with the jury describing the young director as “inquisitive, innovative and with a unique voice and luminous cinematic sensibility, who shows us a contemporary universe which is as imaginative as it is true”.

The accolade for Best Documentary went to Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours.  According to the jury, “This intimate, affecting and often humorous debut feature is a portrait of three generations of exile in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon, a Palestinian pocket of hemmed-in buildings and stifled hopes. Fleifel may have set out to tell a small domestic story about the loved ones he has left behind but the result is a powerful tale of the human cost of a political nightmare, the end of which seems very far away.”

Best South African Documentary was awarded to Rehad Desai’s Miners Shot Down. The film was also awarded the Amnesty International (Durban) Human Rights Award, which carries an award of R10 000 sponsored by the Artists for Human Rights Trust. The film was chosen “for its profoundly moving portrayal of the Marikana miners’ massacre. The human rights abuses so vividly portrayed include the right to life, the right to justice, the right to protection by the police, the right to know, the right to peaceful protest and the right to human dignity.”

I MET FRANCIS, MY HUBBY ON PALMCHAT (PART 2)

So like I mentioned I work as a Human Resource Manager and well my name is Bimpe Ajayi-and don’t even ask ‘cause I’m not telling you how old I am. Anyways, because my job entails managing people, I had to devise a ways to maintain a steady two-way communication with my staff (…trust me, emails and intranet don’t always work these days). I use instant messaging mobile apps a lot; any of the platforms that my staff members are active, I use it. Be it the Whatsapps, 2gos, BBMs, Wechats and I must say Palmchat (…will tell you why in a moment).

Instant messages are hard to resist (ladies you know now); once that beep comes in, you just kind of pick up your phone and reply almost without thinking. So my staff can’t resist infos or notices etc I send across to them through these platforms. As for Palmchat, I developed a personal attachment to the platform. Remember when I said I was stuck in traffic running late to work and had a marathon presentation to make to my boss?

I drifted mentally into a two-minute or so daydream; where I saw myself in the arms of my new found love, Francis dancing to the slow rhythms being played by a high life band at La Tropicana resort. He was about kissing me; slowly closing in like on a Close Up TV commercial when…’honk, honk’ the car behind me shattered my daydream and threw me right back into reality. I am actually in a stupid traffic and heading late to work for a presentation which I hope will go down well. I picked up my phone and sent Francis a ‘Hi dear’ on Palmchat and of course he replied almost instant with ‘sweetie I stuck in traffic…bumper to bumper’

It is funny how I so clicked with Francis, I met this sweet guy on Palmchat and sometimes it feels impossible. I didn’t say it, but why I was running late to work that Wednesday was because I spent such a good, good time with Francis the night before (hey, not quite what you are thinking…not yet). It was close of work and I wasn’t minding sitting out a little while before embracing my mattress, so I chatted up Francis on Palmchat and told him to meet me at Radisson Blue. That was to be our second real meeting; you know, face to face not online. Our first real date was at the Leisure Mall, Adeniran Ogunsanya street Surulere and it wasn’t a bad one except that, you know, I didn’t know what to expect and quite honestly, stuffs were running through my mind like: ‘I hope I am not making a stupid mistake leaving my house to meet some guy I don’t know?…. I hope the mall is safe and nobody will be stalking me or something? And I am buying my drink, no free drinks…thanks’. With all that going through my mind, our conversation was kind of stale; it lacked energy and was completely cautious but all the same, I could tell he was a sincere guy. Like when he blushed (he has such cute dimples on his cheeks by the wayJ) and said that our meeting was his first blind date, I could tell it was not only his first blind date but his first date…and guess what happened next? (…seriously I can’t believe that I am living my fantasy)

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Again, fun lovers, in spite of the inclement weather, had a swell time at the weekend during the Stand Up Nigeria Sallah edition held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

It was obvious that the different groups of people who turned out to watch the show were weary of the tensed atmosphere that has, for some time, permeated the country, thereby seeking some moments of comic relief. This was particularly true as the hall was almost filled to capacity during the show, which climaxed with the performance by popular stand-up comedian, Odogwu.

Each show featured performances from a number of budding comic mongers who put the enthusiastic audience on the edge of their seats. They all literally seemed to be armed with their different pouches of jokes that made the audience totally immersed in the show. At intervals, some established acts also thrilled the audience with their repertoire of jokes.

Among the stand-up comedians whose performances received enthusiastic responses were Davidson, ATM, Longman, Odogwu, Bash and Omo Baba.

Some of the celebrities who graced the event were acting couple, Toyin Aimakhu and her husband, Niyi Johnson,   Ibrahim Chatta, Omotunde ‘Lolo 1’ of Wazobia FM, Katherine  Obiang, Kofi and  Princess, among others.

Stand Up Nigeria, an entertainment show featuring talented stand-up comic, was created by Bunmi Davies. CEO, Afrotainment Productions.

ll 16 contestants in the ongoing Project Fame music reality show have been berated by the judges for what they described as low performance.

Clearly, past performers on the show had taken the bar higher, and the three judges; Bibie Brew, Ade Bantu and TY-Mix, who are being returned for the 7th edition spared no words in chiding the new contestants, even though it was their first appearance.

The judges used words such as ‘cold’, ‘flat’ and ‘average’ to described their performances. Advising them to work harder, music producer, TY-Mix, said that the competition is in full swing already, and that the contestant must bear that in mind.

He however went soft on Flourish who rendered Whitney Houston’s I didn’t Know My Own Strength, saying she did better than the rest.

But one man who thought the contestants were still trying to adjust to the Project Fame Academy was Nollywood actor, Joseph Benjamin, co-host of the show. The ebullient star was sure that the contestants will perform better the next time, having received their first baptism of fire.

Benjamin is emceeing the show alongside new host Olukanni Bolanle, who was elegantly dressed and spoke impeccable grammar.

The audience, who hardly knew the difference, thoroughly enjoyed themselves, basking in the euphoria of great love and inspirational songs of yesteryear.

Looking dashing, Ogechi was applauded when she rendered When You Believe, originally sang by Mariah Carey – So was Shola, who roused everyone within earshot – the song, I Believe I Can Fly, seemed to have been one of his favourite – save for some flat notes here and there.

There was also Jeffrey, who rendered Michael Jackson’s Heal the Word ; Lamey who did Hero by Mariah Carey and David who performed Heal Me by Michael Bolton.

The audience also became emotional when Christian performed When a Man Loves a Woman and Ricky, Jennifer Hudson’s If This Is Love.

Other contestants such as Ugo, Kofo, Taiwo, Debby and others also thrilled the audience their best way.

Delta State Commissioner of Culture, Richard Mofe-Damijo, has continued to enjoy his place as a Nollywood actor, in spite of his current place as a political office holder.

The veteran actor who still walks the red carpet at local and international film events, is being bestowed an honorary title of Dike Ohana Nollywood by organisers of Nollywood Igbo Film Festival.

Founded by Nze Harris Chuma, the event, which enters its 4th edition this year, will take place from August 27 to 30, 2014.

Chuma said RMD is being honoured for his contributions to Nollywood. The actor-turned-politician, who has in recent times shed some weight, with the aim of leading a healthy life style, has also been added among top Nigerian artistes, featuring in a new campaign tagged Go Ahead, an initiative of telecoms outfit, Globacom.

The Go Ahead campaign, according to the management of Globacom, depicts the essence of the network, dynamism of its services in voice, data and fixed lines among others.

With keen interest for the prize of N10 million and a brand new car, Star The Winner Is TV game show resonated at the weekend with a battle that pitched the males against their female counterparts.

That episode of the duel had been tagged ‘Boys VS Girls’ by show host, Uti Nwachukwu, who so far, has inpressed many with his delivery.

Incidentally, the evening turned in favour of the ladies, who knocked out the men, and leaving Brenda Adigwe to join Philip Otuya in the semi final rounds of the competition.

Franchise for the popular American vocal game show was acquired by Star, a premium brand of Nigerian Breweries Plc., making it Nigeria’s first ever music game show.

Performing hit songs from a wide variety of genres, Brenda, Godson, Victoria, Tasie, Sandra and Henry kept the 101-jury on the edge of their seats all the while, as they voted for the brightest voices in each duel.

Singing Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti, Opera singer Sandra Osamor proved incredible, when she seized all 101 votes from the jury, beating her opponent, Tasie Richard whose rendition of 2face’ Only Me did not impress the judges.

When it was obvious that Brenda had stolen the hearts of the 101 jury members, Sandra made a very smart decision to walk away with 400,000 naira, thus, she was knocked out of the final round.

Interestingly, Brenda delivered an impressive opening of the episode, performaning Pharrell’s hit single Happy. She went on to thrill the audience with a rendition of Royals by Lorde and a sensational delivery of Seyi Shay’s single Murda, thereby claiming her spot in the semi finals.

Perhaps like the contestants, Uti, is also relishing the new experience that comes with the show. “It is a whole new exciting experience for me and I am undeniably humbled by the love that my fans have shown me as host of this incredible show,” he said. “It is completely different from anything else on Nigerian television right now and I cant tell you enough how delighted to be a part of such a pace setting feat’.’

The show’s airs every Saturday on African Magic by 10:00pm, Sundays on AIT and wapTV by 10:30pm and on Thursdays, on ONTV at 10pm.

In the music game show, an unusual 101-jury, consisting of music enthusiasts and specialists, vote for the best performer. The contestants must test their nerves by resisting a cash offer from the host, Uti Nwachukwu, to leave the game for good or wait for the jury votes to see if they have made it to the next round and one step closer to the life-changing grand prize of 10Million Naira and a brand new car. 

They say love comes to those who believe it and if anything, love is homecoming on Palmchat social platform as many young and honest seekers are connecting to someone true. The active user rate of Palmchat has soared in five years as more people are using the apps instant messaging and online dating capacities to connect to people around the world.

Ronke, a 21 year old undergraduate says: “I am not afraid to connect with people I don’t know on Palmchat because I am careful to only engage people within close proximity and in areas that I am acquainted using the Look-Around custom feature. It’s kinda like a binocular; so I chat up someone I can see and trace…I’m comfortable with that”

The Look-Around feature of the Palmchatis not the only feature driving the hits on Palmchat; the Shake-Shake is also driving engagement amongst the young people.

“The fact that whenever you shake your phone with the Shake-Shake activated, you will connect to someone or peopledoing the same thing (shaking) as you, near or hundreds of miles away from you on other parts of the world is simply fascinating” says AdemolaIdowu, a Marketing Consultant.

The Palmchat platform is also highly incentivize with free gift being made available to users most of the times. For instance, during the Brazil 2014 World Cup a lot of free gifts were given out to Palmchat users who participated on the Predict and win promo; from airtime vouchers to HD LED display TVs.

“Ladies enjoyed the level of experience which Palmchat offered in partnership with some of the most exquisite lounges in Lagos mainland for the Palmchat Ladies Night Out campaign which ran for weeks. The Miss Nigeria 2014 contest is running now on Palmchat and we see lots of Nigerian ladies participating on the platform. The excitements thatPalmchat always bring with promises of gifts help drive engagement on the platform” says MounirBoukali; the Head, Public Relations, TRANSSION Holdings.

So in whatever way you might wish to define love; be who you might meet or what you might win, Palmchat makes you simply engage love actively.Palmchat is Nigeria’s trending social platform with over 5,000 daily sign ups and 95% active user rate. It is truly love at first post!

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Controversial Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, caused a stir yesterday, showcasing a dramatic picture that suggested he was fleeing Liberia, for fear of contracting the Ebola virus.

The actor had posted the picture on Instagram, with the caption: “Monrovia unfinished business; leaving tonight. Not ashamed to admit this scares the Jesus outta me #Ebola.”

But for a mask clutching his nose, the actor was dressed casually, while sitting in the airport’s luxury first-class lounge. His pant was also rolled up, revealing bare legs. He was also spotting a short-sleeved shirt.

In a series of comments that accompanied the story on the social media, fans believed the actor took the virus for a joke.

Obviously, there was a huge contrast between Iyke’s image in a first-class luxury and the thousands of terrified Liberians who are living in fear of contracting the deadly disease. Already, about 600 people are said to have died of the disease in Liberia.

Fans berated the actor for wearing an expensive face mask to protect himself, whereas he was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt.

Apart from chiding the actor for trivialising the virus, other Nigerians took him to task for travelling back to the country without having been tested to see if he was infected.

“Please ooo, James Ikechukwu, aka Jim Iyke, should be quarantined,” one said.

Ebola is transmitted through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals, and in many parts of West Africa, people are being told to cover as much of their body as possible to ensure the infection doesn’t enter their bloodstream through a small cut.

Perhaps one of the harsh comments was that Iyke was giving false information about the virus. “Ignorance is a true folly! My dear Iyke, the Ebola virus is not airborne. Did he not bother to pick up a newspaper or tune into news stations there whilst in Liberia? I’m sure it’s all over the news and all networks! So besides telling us that he has no clue about what’s going on where he is, he thought it best to show us his foolishness too! Granted, it is a scary situation. But as a so-called celebrity, can he not publicise his ignorance on social media? There are people out there looking at his updates 247, can he take it upon himself to spread the right information for the sake of his other illiterate followers! It’s the least he can do,” said an observer.

However, others thought that the actor might be acting a portion of his popular reality show, Jim Iyke Unscripted.

With the second season of the TV show being concluded, the actor had earlier released a teaser for season 3. In the trailer, the actor and Ghanaian beau, Nadia Buari, are seen flying in private jets, playing hard, partying hard and attending events together.

The contest was tough for Shanuolu Adesola (Sholz), Rodney Brown Edemhanria (Rodney) and Abimbola Olugbenga (Raptitude), the three finalists in the maiden edition of Naija Street Champ, judging by fans’ reaction and dlemma of the judges; but in the end, Rodney Brown Edemhanria stole the day.

Amidst the popular British band Right Said Fred’s ‘Stand Up’ victory song, the audience, mainly youths, went ecstatic at the Eko FM Hall, LTV studios, Ikeja, venue of the grand finale, as the name of the 25-year-old burgeoning artiste was announced last Saturday.

Rodney the Monster, as he is fondly called, represented Ikeja zone in the competition, and thus had more crowd at the venue who echoed his victory – his contenders stood agape as he was lifted to high heavens.

The package for the winner was a cash prize of N1 million and a three-year recording deal – Rodney, posing with show jurors, Terry G, ID Cabassa and D’Tunes, smiled to the cameras, as the dummy cheque was being presented.

The evening held great promises for all finalists, including Sulaimon Idris (Dabreez) who was the first to be evicted among the four in the first round of performances.

Sholz, Rodney and Raptitude, the only lady standing, had performed twice on stage, thrilling the enthusiastic crowd with their songs done on beats produced by Terry G and ID Cabassa. And when there was no clear winner, the judges asked for another round of performances, this time, a freestyle show by the three contenders.

Despite Rodney’s win, the judges also had kind words for the two other contestants whose musical career they promised to help actualise. In the same vein, D’Tunes announced that he would be giving the sum of N300, 000 each to the first and second runners up.

Taking inventory of the first edition of the Naija Street Champ, Project Manager Oladehinde Fajana described the show as a huge success. He was optimistic that subsequent editions will be greater. He also urged brand custodians to take the opportunity of the project to reach their targets, especially the youth market.

Rodney, while speaking to the press, congratulated other contestants on their wonderful performances, courage and showmanship, saying he would be willing to work with them in the future.

Fast-rising rapper M-flow has joined the league of label owners, with his new outfit, Team the Motive.

Coming under the auspices of Sar Eliud Entertainment, the first artiste to be signed in by the entrepreneur is Ogun State indigene, Mac Bizzu.

M-flow said the vision of the label is to use the little finances within his disposal to help burgeoning artistes.

He argued that there are so many talents in Nigeria, waiting to be discovered.

The new act, Mac Bizzu (real name Samuel Adebayo Ajayi), is an energetic Afro-pop and Raggae singer, who is said to have started music in a church as a choir member at the age of 10.

It will be a night of music, dance and gaming as Nigerian nightclub, Quilox re-opens for business on Friday August 1.

Management of the outfit said the club is now optimised for more posh partying, following a brief hiatus occasioned by the just-concluded Ramadan fast.

The rebound comes with the introduction of the VVIP Friday night gigs, as well as restaurant, karaoke and the innovative Quilox pocket money.

To host the Friday night gig is RnB sensation, Banky W.

According to the founder of the club, Shina Peller, “The re-opening presents more opportunities to further the innovation that Quilox brings to clubbing experience in Lagos.

“We are excited to return with a magnificent VVIP event after a brief hiatus for Ramadan. With party rocker, Banky W and guest jockey, DJ Cuppy as the host for the re-opening of Quilox, it is safe to say that clubbing is just about to get interesting.”

Banky, according to Peller, will work with Femi Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy, who is guest jockey, as well as Quilox in-house Disc Jockey, DJ Consequence.

The club, since its opening on December 20, 2013, has held numerous events aimed at boosting nightlife in Lagos.

The much-anticipated African Muzic Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), which held at the weekend, has again confirmed hip-hop act David Adeleke, aka Davido, as an artiste to reckon with in 2014 – the singer clinched the diadem for Artiste of the Year and Best Male West Africa, making it the third of such awards this year.

Davido had contested the category with three other Nigerian artistes, Wizkid, Iyanya and Flavour; two Ghanaian acts, Sarkodie and Shatta Wale and Ivorian singer, DJ Arafat.

As if destined for the same journey, Tiwa Savage, who alongside Davido won the Best Female Act in the MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA) also beat her West African counterparts at the AFRIMMA award. She defeated Nigeria’s Chidimma, Senegal’s Viviane Chidid, Ivory Coast’s Teeyah, Benin Republic’s Sessima and Ghana’sEfya.

High musical renditions were part of the activities that made the night thick. Expectedly, the show featured spectacular performances from top artistes from Africa, including a duet from hip hop act, Tuface Idibia and Grammy award-winning rapper, Faheem Najm, alias T-pain.

During the awards show which held at the Eisemann Center, Richardson, Texas, the two artistes thrilled the crowd individually and jointly. Their duet was the remix of Tuface’s song, Rainbow, which features the American star. The song is Tuface’s popular single on his 2012 album, Away & Beyond.

Anchored by comedian Basketmouth and Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim, the show also featured performances by Kcee (Song of the Year), Iyanya (Best Dance in a Video) and Flavour (Best Video of the Year) among others.

AFRIMMA’s founder Anderson Obiagwu, who was excited about the success of the show, noted that his company was determined to sustain the drive towards a world-class African awards show through what he described as its “crossing boundaries with music”.

Other Nigerian winners at the awards are: Best African Group 2014- P-square, Best Dancehall Artist 2014 – Timaya, Best Traditional Artist 2014- Flavour, Best Dance Group 2014- Imagineto, Leadership in Music Award 2014- 2face Idibia and Transformational Leadership Award 2014- Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio.