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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Prof Pat Utomi Champions a New Distribution Structure for the Nigerian Entertainment Industry.



When persons of Pat Utomi’s caliber comes out to say they are venturing into any business of endeavor we generally will expect the best, and with this new distribution structure it is no different. Set to be launched in the first quarter of 2013, February to be precise, the structure proffers real solutions to many challenges faced by the entire industry.  

Observing that, the wrong use of technology helped promote piracy Pat Utomi, together with Peter and Paul Ikhane employed the right use of technology to build the distribution structure which allows anyone from anywhere in Nigeria to pre-order (purchase) an entertainment product (CD or DVD) via a dedicated online store (www.exodus-cdstore.com and via their mobile phone) and the product delivered. 

After 5 years of research and development of a reliable “delivery network system” built by them and getting a number of replicating partners abroad onboard, Nigerians will finally say good bye to sub-standard CD and DVD packaging. The “delivery network system” is capable of delivering standard CDs and DVDs anywhere in Nigeria for less than half the price it will take a courier company to deliver an envelope within a city.

One would expect that with all of these services: easy purchase of entertainment products via www.exodus-cdstore.com and via mobile phones, delivery to buyers and high quality packaging the distribution structure will only be affordable by the rich? Surprise to say that, the price for a DVD will be as low N650 and for CD, it will be as low as N450.
The distribution structure is being test run with a couple of products at the moment. Products available for purchase on www.exodus-cdstore.com now are IJE: The Journey and Krazy Comedy by Owen Gee.
This, certainly will be one of the biggest things that will happen in the entertainment industry in 2013 and for the fact that Pat Utomi is part of this, we sure do will expect the best.

Written by: Franklin Obi.   

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Untold story of how South South Governor wrecked Ruke Amata's marriage .The Omoni Oboli's connectio


One of the biggest sex scandals in the history of Nollywood is currently unfolding and the man at the centre of it all is a randy and serving governor in one of the South South states.
In fact, it is being alleged that the governor whose State is very close to River Niger, shamelessly wrecked the eight year-old marriage of Ruke Amata to Gilda, which has produced three children.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Headies winners at a glance

Best Pop Single – Iyayan (Kukere)
Best R n B Singer – May D
Best Rap Single – Vector ft 9ice (Angeli)
Best R n B/ Pop Album - P Square
Best Street Hop – Chuddy K
Best R n B Pop Album: Ice Prince
Best Vocal Performance (Male) – Wande Coal (Private Trips)
Best Vocal Performance (Female) – Tiwa Savage (Love Me)
Best Collaboration – Sound Sultan ft Excel and Flavour (Orobo)
Revelation of the Year – WizKid
Recording of the Year – Brymo (Ara)
Best Label Head – Banky W
Producer of the Year – Ty-Mix (Super C, Naeto C)
Lyricist on the Roll – Vector (Angeli)
Next Rated – Davido
African Artist of the year – Sakordie, Ghana (Azonto)
Album of the Year – P Square (Invasion)
Best Music Video Director – Jude Okoye (Chop My Money)
Song of the Year – D’Banj (Oliver Twist)
Headies Hall of Fame – Femi Kuti

MTN rewards artistes at Headies, co hosts music veterans

Foremost telecommunications company in Nigeria, MTN alongside Hip Hop World, organisers of the annual Hip Hop award, recently rewarded Nigerian artistes for their tremendous and continuous re-invention of the music industry that has placed Nigeria firmly among the best.
Held on October 20, 2012, at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, the award witnessed a large attendance among who are the crème-de-la-crème of Africa music industries and top corporate heads.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Angel Ufuoma storms US for Dr. Bello’s world premiere


Emerging actress and one of the new faces in Nollywood Angel Ufuoma is currently in the US, for the world premiere of Tony Abulu’s star studded movie-Dr. Bello, at the Kennedy Centre, in Washington DC.
The pretty and cerebral Cambridge trained lawyer, featured in the movie alongside some heavyweights including Hollywood based Isaiah Washington and Vivica Fox.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

M-Net, Africa Magic partner TAVA 2012


This year’s The Audio Visual Awards (TAVA), which is holding soon, recently struck a partnership deal with Electronic Media Network Limited-owners of M-Net and Africa Magic Channels on DSTV.
It was with great pleasure that the media conglomerate announced that it has thrown its weight behind the fourth edition of TAVA, as a sponsoring media partner/contributor.
At the colourful signing ceremony, the new partner disclosed it was teaming up with TAVA, in order to raise the bar for African content makers to attain perfect pictures and perfect sounds.
“TAVA is uniquely different from every other award in that its focus is geared only towards enhancing the quality of our productions and the celebration of Africans at home and in the Diaspora behind those great films. It is the new frontier in production excellence; it is the only way to go if African film makers want to compete and excel in a world where the rule remains global pictures and universal sounds, that’s why we are here to encourage them with TAVA,’’ stated Okey Ogunjiofor, the head honcho of TAVA.
This huge platform, we reliably gathered equally offers TAVA and her sponsors an unlimited visibility, mileage and penetration to well over 19 African Countries and even beyond.

Uche Ogbuagu loses mother


Since the recent demise of Ezinne Lovenda Ajukwa Ogbuagu, the mother of top comedian and Special Assistant to the Imo State government on entertainment, Uche Ogbuagu, entertainers in the country have joined fans and family members in commiserating with the bereaved rib cracker.
According to Ogbuagu, his mother died at the age of 75 on Monday, March 19, 2012, after a protracted illness at Artemis Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Nollywood actor, Charles Awurum while commiserating with his colleague, regretted that Ajukwa died when they expected her to celebrate his son’s recent appointment as the Imo State Government’s SA on Entertainment/Chief Comedian.
The deceased was a devout Christian Mother with the Glorious Bible Church, Aba. Abia State.
Her burial has been fixed for Friday, May 4, 2012. She was survived by two daughters and an only son-Uche Ogbuagu.

Nollywood reverberates for Stephanie Okereke’s Paris wedding

•Jonathan expected as special guest

The Nigerian motion picture industry globally known as Nollywood is currently agog and reverberating as the countdown for top actress Stephanie Okereke’s wedding to boss of Delyork International, Linus Idahosa begins.
The classy and rare wedding invite, which we exclusively got, comes in a cream colour with ‘Stephanie and Linus 2012’, stylishly and boldly crafted on it with two standing lions as the dominating insignia.
The inside of the beautiful card with a gold plaited special guest number, simply read:
“Stephanie Okereke and Linus Idahosa together with their parents-Mr. and Mrs. Chima Okereke/Mr. and Mrs. Linus Ogbomon, request the honour of your presence at their marriage, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, 3.p.m. Abbaye Des Vaulx De Cernay 78720 Cernay-La-Ville, Paris.”
Beneath the above details, guests were also told to don black tie, for the international nuptial, already dubbed: Nollywood wedding of the year, by colleagues and industry watchers.
A reliable insider also hinted that aside the presence of Nollywood stars and Idahosa’s friends and associates in high places, that it is very likely President Goodluck Jonathan, who sees Stephanie as one of his adopted daughters, would grace the historic wedding with his wife and a large entourage.
Meanwhile, several leading names within and outside Nollywood are still lobbying and scrambling for the rare invites available for the wedding.
In an exclusive chat with ACTION!, Miss Okereke, who began a revolution in Nollywood with her blockbuster-Through the Glass, confirmed that preparations are already in top gear for the D-Day, April 21.
The special guests for the wedding are currently thronging the Embassy of France, in Lagos and Abuja, respectively to process their short stay visas and other documents needed for the historic nuptial.

Yoruba Movie Academy Award storms Ogun State


The maiden edition of the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA) will be proudly hosted by the Ogun State Government. It is aimed at honouring and celebrating creativity in the Yoruba movie industry.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Olu Odeyemi revealed this while also reaffirming the significance of the Yoruba movie industry in the development of culture and tourism in the state.
He also stated that developing the Yoruba movie industry was in line with the new dawn tourism agenda of the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The Yoruba Movie Academy Awards is scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta as part of the celebrations to mark Governor Amosun’s one year in office.
“It is noteworthy to note that Abeokuta is fast becoming the movie capital of the Southwest as plans are also underway to build a world class movie village towards the attainment of this historic objective,” the commissioner declared.
All roads will lead to Abeokuta in May, as the world will witness the first ever Yoruba Movie Academy Awards that will parade style, glamour and panache. A major attraction at this world-class event, which is being powered by Laface Entertainment and Zmirage Multimedia, is the traditional red carpet moment.

Two Nollywood actors die … AGN mourns


Nollywood, which is currently battling with mysterious and incessant deaths, recently lost two more of its talented actors.
Emmanuel Effiong better known as Ratoka, following his exploits in a movie with same title, we exclusively gathered died on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, after a protracted liver related illness.
While, elder Manafa, one of the veterans of the industry, who hailed from Aguleri, Anambra State also died recently.
Both thespians we were told passed on within the spate of two weeks this April.
In his late 30s, Ratoka was reportedly buried the following day at a cemetery in Ikorodu, Lagos amid tears and wailings from family members, colleagues and friends.
The corpse of Manafa, who was believed to be in his early 70s, had since been deposited at a mortuary in his hometown, pending when the family will announce the burial plan and arrangement.
Ratoka, a lanky mulatto was of mixed parentage courtesy of his Nigerian mother and a Lebanese father, who allegedly abandoned the deceased and his siblings when they were still young.
Ratoka, also sparkled alongside another promising act, Charles Waran, in Mark of the Beast, one of the earliest Nollywood horror/anti Christ movies shot several years ago.
Confirming the sad news, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rising Ibeh, called on God and good spirited Nigerians to continue praying for the troubled industry.
“We received the sad and painful news of both deaths with so much shock and tears. We cannot question God, but will continue to pray for His mercies and intervention in Nollywood.”
Also speaking, youthful movie director and the producer of forthcoming TV comedy series-Two is a Crowd, Chima Okoroji, prayed God to grant their souls eternal rest.
“No matter what happens we won’t stop seeking the face of God in Nollywood.”

AMAA holds April 22, brings Hollywood stars to Lagos



In a bid to organize a world class event, the organizers of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) recently unveiled plans towards making this year’s outing better than the previous editions.
One of such is the announcement that popular Hollywood stars like: Morris Chestnut, Lynn Whitfield, Maya Gilbert and Rockmund Dumbar will be in the country as special guests as the ceremony holds.
At the media parley which held during the week at Ikeja, Lagos, the organizers assured that there will be plenty of music from Nigerian star, 2face Idibia, Vivian, a music star from Senegal as well as Nigeria’s internationally-recognised star, Bukola Elemide popularly known as Asa.
Surprisingly, the awards will hold in Lagos for the first time in its eight-year journey.
Speaking at the gathering, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder and CEO of AMAA, said the choice of Lagos was due to consideration of logistics. The awards had, since its inception in 2005, been hosted and sponsored by Bayelsa State.
“We are happy to have Lagos State Government and Airtel on board and other sponsors like Arik Air, Lufthansa, Bayelsa State Government who are still behind us. It is a big year for AMAA as we turn eight and there will be lots of films from several countries in the world and other areas of excellence for which AMAA is known, Peace said.
Wangi Mba Uzoukwu, head of Brands and Communication of Airtel who represented the telecom company’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to partner with AMAA as it is a platform for us to contribute to the growth of the African movie industry. The coming together of the two brands is significant in many ways and goes to show the interest of Airtel as a brand that connects with its customers.”
Speaking further on why the awards was moved to Lagos, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe maintained that the enlarged space and increased security that Lagos provide makes it a better location. She said there was pressure on them to move the award out of Nigeria so that other people can feel it, noting that out of the 180 nominees; only 48 were Nigerians, while others came from other African countries or the Diaspora. This, she said, was the reason the nominees party moves around each year to enable other nations feel it as an African affair.
The awards proper holds on Sunday, April 22, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, with Haiti-born Hollywood star, Jimmy Jean- Louis as host, he will be assisted by O.C Ukeje.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Why I shot Pit of Shame Youthful female producer, Timipre Femone

After a very successful premiere in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, all is now set for the nationwide/international release of Pit of Shame from the stable Timipre Femone Entertainment.
Shot on locations in Bayelsa and Enugu States respectively, the heart rending thriller directed by Bolou Resident, is expected to hit shelves with O’King Production as the major distributor, in the next couple of weeks.
Speaking on the project, which she admitted is very dear to her heart, Miss Femone, the producer of the socially relevant flick insisted that the dearth of values in families and the society at large, spurred her into investing enough time and funds in the movie.
“The truth is, acting and filmmaking had always been my dreams, although, I studied Biology at the University of Port-Harcourt, from where I joined the movie industry. I decided to embark on this movie project because our young people need enlightenment and a positive social orientation. Our parents, elders and chiefs of our communities need to enforce rules to guide our children, especially the females and imbibe in them those values that will help shape and discipline them as good and law abiding citizens. Everyone has a role to play and as for me, I’ll keep praying and enlightening our society, especially the youths through my movies.”
Pit of Shame thematically revolves around the pathetic and painful story of a young lady who by stroke of fate and peer pressure got entangled with a notorious guy.
Her chequered life took a new twist and turn after she was ganged raped by the man she loved alongside his friends.
“It is a movie that will definitely move you to unending tears as the suspense filled plots begin to unfold,” hinted an insider.
Thespians that sparkled and sizzled in the action-packed flick include: Chimwetalu Agu, Uche Ogbodo, Abraham Nwodo, Elegant Azu, Ferdinand Ohams, Timipre Femone, KC Kennedy and several others.
Shedding more light on the challenges faced while lensing Pit of Shame, Femone had this to say:
“Nothing good comes easy without challenges and disappointments, but no matter what, one has to stand still. I had several bad experiences though, where people who want you to work for them, would want to toast your feminity not your ability. I advise our young men and women to use their talents to work out their dreams.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Mass murder on Xmas morning

None of the over 50 (mostly worshippers) that lost their dear lives in the Christmas Day bombing by outlawed Islamic sect, Boko Haram at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, saw their untimely and painful deaths coming.
Not even the many families that were trapped inside their cars and burnt beyond recognitions.
They had gone to Church, like most Christians around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, only to be killed by some cowards masquerading under the guise of religion to perpetrate evil and unleash terror on the land.
What on earth would make a right thinking man or group dare going to a sacred place like the Church to commit mass murder? Pure insanity!
Killing defenseless people, including children inside a Church, on a day the entire world is celebrating and showing love to one another, in the name of religion is the worst sin against God and humanity. Families and loved ones that joyfully went to Church on Christmas Day to pray, celebrate and thank the good Lord, for a wonderful year were turned into human barbeque after being roasted alive by the raging inferno ignited by the explosion.
They will never see their loved ones again; neither will they ever witness any Xmas on earth again.
They went to Church to thank God for a wonderful Xmas not knowing that death was lurking behind through the infamous sect that is currently threatening the peaceful co-existence of this entity called Nigeria.
God, please where are you? Father, rescue your vulnerable children before this madness devours our once peaceful nation? Please show us your face of love and mercy since our leaders can no longer protect us.
They are busy enjoying life to the hilt in their Abuja fortresses, while our nation burns and innocent souls are being killed and slaughtered like Sallah rams.
In the words of the great Cicero: “The welfare of the people is the highest law.” But for our greedy, edacious and rapacious leaders, reverse is the case. They cater for themselves alone. What a big shame!
With the incessant bombings by Boko Haram, our nation with its visionless and mission less leaders is fast plunging into a failed state.
Sincerely speaking, if we truly have leaders with guts and biceps (apologies to Prof. Tam David West), we would not be experiencing incessant bombings. In fact, with the spate of bombings and insecurity going on in Nigeria, war-torn nations like: Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan and the rest of them are far better than us in terms of internal security arrangements.
Now, the US said they will help us fight Boko Haram, while waiting for Washington, can’t the government on its own do something about the lack of security in the country. We are tired of rhetoric and empty promises from Jonathan and his Service Chiefs. Will their usual cliché of: “we will fish out the perpetrators”, bring back the lives of the innocent citizens that were killed in the explosion? The explosion wiped out several families and loved ones. Will the boring and belated speeches of Mr. President and his confused Service Chiefs bring back the deaths? Do they know the agonies and pains those left behind by the victims of the evil blast are going through at the moment? No amount of words or material gifts can bring back the dead or assuage their families and feelings. Imagine an entire family being roasted alive inside their car on Christmas Day in a raging inferno that defied human solutions all because of poor security measures from those who are supposed to protect our lives and property at all times. With the current spate of bombings, it’s now obvious that the Service Chiefs are clueless and completely bereft of ideas. They should either shape in or shape out, because if this were to be a civilized clime, by now, all of them would have tendered their letters of resignation and covered their defeated faces in shame for failing the nation woefully. That can never happen in Nigeria; most public servants do not have shame and operate with impunity ably aided with tax payers’ money.
Sadly, security, which had been enjoying robust votes in previous budgets, also got the highest amount in the current budget presentation, yet that same security is now at its lowest ebb in our polity.
Jonathan and his team should be reminded that they cannot build their reputations on what they are going to do about our security challenge in the future. This is the time to act; they should hit the ground now and start running, because Boko Haram will definitely want to strike again, especially as we approach the New Year. The time is now Mr. President, Nigerians are tired of your crawling style of governance.
A government that cannot provide jobs should at least provide adequate security for its citizenry. Failure to do this means you are openly inviting anarchy, which is conspicuously looming in our polity today.
It’s quite sad that even the government is also playing politics with the issue of Boko Haram. But for how long will they continue to toe this inglorious path at the expense of ordinary and hapless Nigerians, whom Mr. President swore to protect with the constitution at his colourless inauguration? Visibly angry and despondent Nigerians need an urgent answer before the entire nation is consumed by the carnage and cowardly act of Boko Haram and their financiers.
As I end this article with tears in my eyes for the heroic Nigerians who lost their precious and priceless lives in the Boko Haram orchestrated Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Niger State, I leave you with words of wisdom from the Holy Book: “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.” (Proverbs 11: 14.).
Adieu the victims of Madallah bomb blast, may your souls find eternal rest and peace in the bosom of our Lord. Amen!

X-Project ready with new album

Repackaged hip-hop group X-Project is set to drop their fifth studio album this New Year.
The duo now made of up Slez and Saal recently completed work on the loaded album produced by OJB Jezreel alongside other top-notch producers.
Already, one of the promo tracks in the forthcoming album from the stable of Sam Kargbo Productions (SKP) is entitled: Black Diamond.
Commenting on the forthcoming album, Saal, said Nigerians, especially their fans should expect the best from them with this new studio effort.
“Nigerians should expect the best from X Project, because this is just the best from us as a repackaged group. With the coming of this album they should expect something bigger than what they are used to in the past. They should expect a big surprise because this work is a surprise package for them and even us. Already, we have over 21 songs, which we would choose from when releasing the full album in the next couple of weeks.”
Slez, on his own part, insisted the absence of their former leader, Majeed, would not affect the lorile crooners. “His leaving has further strengthened and made us stronger. We are also working on most of the music videos for this album. We’ll shoot the videos within and outside Nigeria in collaboration with our label’s foreign partners”, he disclosed.

Star actress, Monalisa Chinda lands N30m endorsement deal

Multi million Naira endorsement deals are currently flying left, right and centre in Nollywood with most of the stars involved smiling heavily to the banks with mouth watering offers.
Star actress and Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda recently landed a juicy endorsement deal as the face of Vita500, a new energy drink that recently stormed Nigeria and all the West African countries.
ACTION! exclusively gathered that sexy Chinda was paid a whopping N30 million, for her pretty and popular face to be associated with the wave making drink currently being marketed and distributed in the whole of West Africa by Mescon.
Chinda, who’s also the face of the ongoing Rivers State cultural fiesta, tagged CarniRiv 2011, happily confirmed the deal, but blatantly refused to disclose the amount involved.
“Yes, I’m the new face of Vita500 energy drink; we recently concluded all contractual agreements with both parties being very happy with the deal. I’m not denying the fact that I was handsomely paid, but the amount is what I cannot disclose, it’s personal. My job for them as an ambassador is to basically use my face and goodwill to help promote the brand in Nigeria and other West African countries. This involves a lot of traveling and strategic public appearances”, she disclosed.
The top actress who recently returned from Atlanta Georgia, US, where she shot a new film and equally participated in the annual new media Nollywood programme, which was hosted by the Georgia Institute of Technology, said the outing was a huge eye opener for her and all those that attended.
“Now that I’m back, the next thing on my agenda is to conclude work on my soap, Catwalq, which I intend releasing early 2012. It is a soap that will change the face of programming on TV when it finally hits the airwaves. I have a lot to do and unveil in 2012 and my fans should be ready to see more of me, because I will be thrilling them nonstop.”
Meanwhile, the duo of Stephanie Okereke and Funke Akindele, both Nollywood stars also grabbed huge endorsement deals this year. The former inked a multi million contract with leading phones/electronics company as the face of their latest range of LG phones. She was also paid millions to be the brand ambassador for Kanekalon range of hair products by a Japanese conglomerate. While the latter, already a Glo ambassador, added detergent giant, Klin, on her list of clients, in a deal that further increased the millions in her bank accounts.

Pressure mounts on Pawpaw to marry

Insiders, especially close friends of famous movie star and entertainer Osita Iheme globally known as Pawpaw are alleging and insinuating that there are pressures on him to marry soon.
This they concluded became pertinent following the recent star-studded and highly celebrated nuptial of his colleague and best friend, Chinedu Ikedieze famously known as Aki.
In fact, those very close to the Nollywood dynamites disclosed that the pressure on the Mbaitoli, Imo State-born star became much after he finished playing the role of Best Man to his soul mate on December 9 and 10 respectively, at his talk of the town wedding in Lagos to Nneoma Hope Nwaijah.
However, in a brief phone chat with ACTION!, Pawpaw, who once shared a flat with Aki, debunked the rumour, describing it as “false and laughable.”
“My brother, if I tell you I have not heard the false and laughable rumour that there is heavy pressure on me to marry, then I’m lying. There is no iota of truth in that rumour or report. There is no pressure on me to settle down from any quarter, not even my parents or loved ones. At the appropriate time, I will marry like my brother and friend, Aki did. But what I don’t like and will not accept is the rumour circulating that I’m under pressure to find a wife and settle down with in the next couple of months. It’s pure lies and fabrication from some unserious and jobless people.”
On whether there is a woman in his life already, the thespian that was recently decorated with the national honour of MFR, hesitantly said yes.
“I’m a human being and have special friends around me. And since you insist on knowing, yes, there is somebody in my life right now. But what I cannot tell you is the exact date we’ll be getting married. It could be next year or the year after. What is most important is that we both are happy being together. I won’t say more than this till the time comes.”
Meanwhile, during an interview with EE a couple of months ago, while on a courtesy visit to our Isolo, Lagos, corporate head office, we asked if he could marry an actress. Pawpaw who’s still pained by the early demise of his father, responded thus:
“Of course, I can marry an actress. I’m already thinking of marriage and it will happen very soon. I don’t know the person yet. I can only say that there are a couple of them in the picture whom I am considering. But as a young man I have somebody whom I confide in. It is not about the size or shape, but I believe that when I find that person I will know her. Yes, I’m still searching. In fact, I’m 100 percent still searching. The gist that somebody broke my heart sometime ago is untrue. Love has been kind to me,” he told a team of EE editors.
Interestingly, Aki and Pawpaw who lived, travelled and worked together for several years like doing things together as a team. But that bond was nearly broken last year when the late President, Umaru Yaradua honoured only the former with the national honour of MFR, with the latter being left behind. Due to public outcry, President Goodluck Jonathan looked the way of Pawpaw this year and also rewarded him with an MFR, at the recently held national honours decorations in Abuja.
Above all, now that Aki is married and looking forward to siring children with his wife, all eyes are now on Pawpaw, his acting twin-brother to toe same path of honour by settling down soon. But the big questions are: who is the lucky woman and when will they both walk down the aisle? Time will definitely tell.

2011 classy movie premieres

No doubt, the out going year witnessed some classy and scintillating premieres from some of the top actresses/producers in Nollywood.
Sexy and stunning top actress cum producer Monalisa Chinda opened the floodgate of A-List premieres with her breezy and interesting movie, Kiss and Tell. The well attended event held amid glamour and razzmatazz, early in the year at the posh Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos. She recently returned from a US showing with the electrifying movie starring her, Uche Jombo, Desmond Elliot, Joseph Benjamin and Nse Ikpe-Etim.
Effervescent actress and filmmaker Uche Jombo also followed suit with another classy and wondrous premiere in the third quarter of the year at the same upscale venue. Jombo premiered the first part of her gripping and captivating trilogy story, Damage, to a global audience amid ovations. With the huge success recorded, the amiable actress later embarked on a world tour with the movie in Europe and the US. Kalu Ikeagwu, Basorge Tariah, Tonto Dike and a host of others teamed up with Jombo to make the flick a must watch for movie buffs.
Funke Akindele’s The Return of Jenifa also premiered amid accolades this year at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos. Both serving and retired top government officials graced the world premiere, which is still being talked about.
Prior to Akindele’s premiere, mulatto actress and boss of Roll Tape Productions, Lilian Bach premiered her comedy movie-Eletan, at Silverbird. The event, which was hugely supported by corporate bodies in terms of substance and quality attendance, did not measure up to the above three. However, it was not a bad outing for the actress turned producer. Two Brides and A Baby and a few other movies also premiered this year.

Patience Edeh, Enugu-based actress dies few days to Xmas Death prone Nollywood recorded another painful exit in the last days of 2011. Patience Edeh,

Death prone Nollywood recorded another painful exit in the last days of 2011.
Patience Edeh, an Enugu-based actress, we were told died in a ghastly motor accident on December 22, along Umuahia Expressway when a trailer rammed into their vehicle and instantly crushed her and other passengers to death.
The mother of one, from Umuahia, Abia State, married an Enugu State man, was 29 and also an undergraduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), prior to her demise.
Confirming the ugly news, top Nollywood director, Theodore Anyanji, who worked closely with the deceased while alive, said she was traveling home to celebrate the Xmas with her family members in Umuahia, when the accident occurred.
“Patience and I worked very closely; in fact, she spoke with me few days before her death. We worked together on some of my movies, including Iran and Iraq. She will be greatly missed my all those that she worked with in Nollywood, especially me,” Anyanji lamented in a quaky voice.
The late Patience, whose fledging career was launched in Keziah, where she dazzled alongside Mercy Johnson, also thrilled movie buffs and her fans in other movies such as: Indian Doctor and Clash of Religion.





Death prone Nollywood recorded another painful exit in the last days of 2011.
Patience Edeh, an Enugu-based actress, we were told died in a ghastly motor accident on December 22, along Umuahia Expressway when a trailer rammed into their vehicle and instantly crushed her and other passengers to death.
The mother of one, from Umuahia, Abia State, married an Enugu State man, was 29 and also an undergraduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), prior to her demise.
Confirming the ugly news, top Nollywood director, Theodore Anyanji, who worked closely with the deceased while alive, said she was traveling home to celebrate the Xmas with her family members in Umuahia, when the accident occurred.
“Patience and I worked very closely; in fact, she spoke with me few days before her death. We worked together on some of my movies, including Iran and Iraq. She will be greatly missed my all those that she worked with in Nollywood, especially me,” Anyanji lamented in a quaky voice.
The late Patience, whose fledging career was launched in Keziah, where she dazzled alongside Mercy Johnson, also thrilled movie buffs and her fans in other movies such as: Indian Doctor and Clash of Religion.

South-South Governor’s wife bars actress from Government House

For daring to flaunt her alleged intimacy with one of the generous South-South Governors in public, a very controversial actress from that same region was publicly disgraced and barred from the State’s Government House, by the enraged First Lady.
The very embarrassing incident happened recently during a state function that held elaborately inside the banquet hall.
According to those who witnessed the ugly show of shame that is still being discussed openly in Nollywood, the actress would have been thrown out of the venue if not for urgent intervention from some top dignitaries present at the occasion.
We reliably gathered that the pretty, married and very controversial entertainer was invited by the State’s government alongside some of her colleagues. Upon arrival, she vehemently refused to sit at the place designated for them with her colleagues and kept perambulating the entire hall in her skimpy attire, for the Governor to notice her. And unknown to this actress who recently premiered her recent movie in this same state, the First Lady had been inundated with stories of her alleged secret romance with her husband, the Governor.
When the First Lady who had all these while been watching the actress walking aimlessly round the hall and distracting the attention of all the men, including her husband, could no longer take the insult, she decided to confront her.
She sent for her through one of her orderlies and publicly shouted at her to leave the vicinity and made it clear to her that she does not want to see her around the Government House again.
Immediately, our star actress, who was helpless and full of embarrassment hurriedly carried her bag and ran as fast as her legs could take.
We later learnt that the ban had been temporarily lifted after the disgraced actress apologized and swore that she didn’t have anything to do with the philanthropic and multiple awards winning Governor.

JKL launches Imperial Light in Malaysia

Nigerian-born international dancehall/ragga artiste Justin Kingland, famously known as JKL, recently launched his new music CD, ‘Imperial Light’ at the Ampang Water Front, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kingland, also the head honcho of 4Real Records and Entertainment did the very successful launching in collaboration with Ofu-Obi Nwanneamaka international club and Entertainment SDN/BHD.
Speaking at the well-attended gathering, Kingland disclosed that the launch of his CD was made possible by God and support from companies like: “Majestic Touch Concepts, Oceanic Acquisition and Hencobest. It was a joint initiative taken by all of us to launch a music CD for those who love music. I am very thankful to all of them and I also owe them a lot,” he gushed.

Kingland was also full of praises to God for giving him the inspiration to compose the songs in the CD, which he described as songs of Jah.
“I thank the King of Kings for the natural inspiration and the free gift of life that he gave me, thanks to my fans and friends, to people around me both those who love me and those who hate, because I gather lots of inspiration from them too. I am confident that even though it is my first solo album, the music will be loved by people of all ages and groups. I feel very much honoured and won’t let them down musically.”

Speaking further, the Anambra State-born crooner said: “When I was recording, I remembered my DREAM. I am very happy that I am playing a part in entertaining people and it makes me very proud to be associated with this project. The music is simply amazing because it was composed under the guidance of a natural inspiration. I don`t just write songs, I compose first then voice it as audio demo before I write them out and that is how I get all my songs, it’s reality. 4real”
The highpoint of the event was when JKL mounted the stage to perform a couple of tracks from
the Imperial Light album, which would be out in stores
soon.
“We are already working out modalities for some of the international videos with our foreign partners and artistes. But the video of Google Me is ready and creating waves on line, it will soon hit TV/cable stations soon. This is likely going to be my last Malaysian album”, disclosed the act who is about to sign a two year deal with an International label.
Meanwhile, JKL and his crew will soon be in Nigeria to officially launch the Imperial Light album as well as his foundation, before embarking on a nationwide tour.