Ramsey Noah still grooving in the US

Photo- Actor, Ramsey Noah

Highly reliable trans-Atlantic gist filtering in from the US has it that mulatto Nollywood star Ramsey Noah is still holed up in the US, having a blast of a lifetime with pals and well -wishers.

Gathered that he secretly left our shores over a month ago and might not be returning soon.

Another insider hinted that the “Dangerous Twins” hero wants to tour the whole of the US and Europe before jetting back to base to be with his family and Nollywood.

Well, we are still looking for Emilia, his wife, to find out if her hubby took permission from her and the kids before the AWOL TRIP.

Something New From Elkanah Mowarin

Youthful and dandy Elkanah Mowarin, the creative mind behind the Proudly Nigerian Initiative is coming out with something new for the nation and those in the Diaspora any moment from now.

Entitled Love 4 Love, Mowarin, the honcho of EOM Business Network, boasted that it is going to be a new ground breaking, stylish, appealing and thought provoking Soap Opera ever to be shown on Nigerian TV stations.

In his words: “Love 4 Love is a Proudly Nigerian Initiative with the actors, producers, directors, scriptwriters and technical crew being Nigerians. It also comes with all the characteristics of an international TV drama series. We have also engaged the services of the best hands alongside state of the art technology to achieve this.” As a national project, Mowarin and his crew also seek to produce a standard soap as well as influence behavioural patterns and tendencies for the good of the country with the didactic drama.

“Our vision is to produce a unique, visionary and trailblazing Nigerian TV drama series of international standard”, Mowarin further reassured.

We would definitely keep you readers informed on more about this first indigenous production with a truly Nigerian appeal.

Editors Note-Pix coming shortly.Thanks

American soap, Next Of Kin hits Nigerian TV

Photo-Rahman Oladigbolu,US based Nigerian producer

TV buffs, especially lovers of quality programmes would soon have the opportunity of watching Next of Kin, a comprehensive drama specially shot to x-ray the American story and experience among immigrant basically from Nigeria and Africa.

The weekly, one-hour TV series would also deal with the struggle of immigrants in the US, thus depicting how their lives reflect the cultural diversity that makes up the nation. It would also take a critical look at the culture shock that usually greets the new residents, their coping capacities and strategies they employ for survival alongside the overall effect on both the immigrants and the nation.

According to its creator and producer, Rahman Oladigbolu, who is based in the US, Next of Kin, particularly explores the various experiences that African immigrants go through as they pursue the Golden Fleece and also try to settle in the unfamiliar land. “It also explores the inter-relationships of the immigrants with the African-Americans, white Americans, Latino Americans, native Americans and the rest of the world. It is basically the story and lives of four groups of families coming from four different backgrounds”.

Also embedded in the soon to debut family oriented drama are the themes of love, hatred, betrayal, ambition, hope, fear, friendship, enmity, deceit, passion and many others.

Wim Wenders, German filmmaker chairs Venezia 65

Photo-Wenders

This is cheering news for all the Nollywood stars and stakeholders attending this year’s Venice international Film Festival taking place on the Venice Lido, Italy from August 27 to September 6, 2008. They would have the opportunity of meeting and interacting with Wim Wenders, the foremost German director and one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation, who has been appointed president of the international jury, for the competition’s 65th edition. Gathered that the board of Directors of the Venice biennale, has accepted the proposal of the Festival Director, Marco Muller, thus ratifying the appointment.

It would be recalled that Wenders appeared
at the Lido in 1972, with his feature film, The Goal Keeper’s Fear of The Penalty Kick, and won the Golden Lion, ten years later with The State of Things, the first in a series of important awards that have led him to the forefront of international cinema.
Meanwhile, Burn After Reading, written and directed by Academy award winning brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, will open this year’s festival. The festival will also celebrate Adriano Celentano’s return with the remix of his 1975 cult movie, Yuppi Du, with a world premiere on September 4, 2008. Also, the great Italian master, Ermanno Olmi will be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival, for leaving a profound mark on the inventiveness of modern cinema. Adriano Celentano would specially present the award to him.

Vatiswa shows love from South Africa

Photo-Vatiswa Ndara, South African act

Despite the recent xenophobic attacks embarked upon by her South African people, unassuming Vatiswa Ndara’s love for Nigeria and the African continent in general is unequalled and unparalleled. Interestingly, Ndara who combines acting with radio broadcasting, and currently with Metro FM, began her professional career with Radio Transkei in 1994, as a newsreader and compiler. She has also traversed other major stations, including
SABC.
Ndara, confesses that as much as she loves being a newscaster, her passion has always been for acting and performing. She finally kick started her acting career with a role in Generations and several others. In 2006, she won the South African Film and TV award, for Best Supporting actress, for her uncommon role in Home Affairs. Currently shooting a 52-episode TV drama entitled Shooting Stars with another movie, Cutting Silence. The multi talented mother of one, as a compere, has successfully hosted past editions of the Metro FM music Awards among other big shows. Surprisingly too, Ndara, who is set to storm Nollywood any moment from now, just finished shooting a music video with a popular South African singer alongside a forthcoming soap on M-Net. In a chat, she retorted thus: “ I don’t know what it is, but I have always believed that I can do it…” More on Ndara’s public and private lives on this column.

Comedian, I Go Dye plans peace in sight project for Niger Delta

Photo-I Go Dye

Having gone round the world entertaining and bringing joy, happiness and smiles to millions of homes through comedy, Francis Agoda, famously known as I Go Dye, is still not a happy and fulfilled man. The reason, according to the Delta State born comedian has to do with the rising cases of violence globally, especially in Africa and his Niger Delta, regarded as the hotbed. In his quest at finding a lasting solution to the unending violence, particularly in the Niger Delta region, the highflying entertainer, recently landed with a noble project, like an eagle.

Photo-Some Niger Delta Millitants

Tagged: “Peace in Sight”, the initiative he further posited is a huge responsibility to all, “ because some how we are all caught in the web of violence”, adding that he feels a strong sense of responsibility to contribute objectively in promoting peace to youths in Africa and all over the world. “I want to use my talent as a tool of service to reach out to millions of youths across
Africa. I want to use my God given talent to also add value and morals through entertainment,” he stated. Meanwhile, I Go Dye, is calling on both the private and public sectors to help make his lofty dream a reality, especially the NDDC and DESOPAEDC alongside the media.

Encomium set to fete stars on a boat cruise

Photo-Azuh Arinze, Editor, Encomium Magazines

One of Nigeria’s leading soft sell magazines Encomium, is poised for a historic boat cruise with celebrities, entertainment stars and the glitterati soon. Tagged: Exploring Lagos Waterways in Luxury With Encomium, the magazine and awards company, the unforgettable experience of a life time holds this Saturday, July 12, 2008, at the Prest Lunch and Dinner Cruise, Lekki Phase One, Lagos. Shedding more light, Mr. Kunle Bakare, the publisher of Encomium Magazine and organizer of the event, stated that it is going to be an evening of fine dining, music, comedy and dance for all the specially invited high calibre guests. “ Its an Encomium initiative powered by Tony Prest’s Lunch and Dinner Cruise. The dress code is classic, chic and casuals and our cruise boat leaves at 6.00pm,” Bakare maintained.

Chioma Toplis breezes in

Photo-Actress, Chioma Toplis

Dear readers, do you want to guess the actress that has been in town for more than a fortnight and quietly enjoying herself? Well, don’t bother guessing, its voluptuous Chioma Toplis, the London based Nollywood star. The Stolen Bible actress, who shuttles in between her base and Nigeria, is currently in town working and also hanging out with pals at major fun spots. Toplis, who is married to a Briton, as you are reading this is already on her way to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on holiday with her entire family and would jet back to base from there.

Uzodinma Okpechi moves into new studio, office

Photo-Uzodinma Okpechi, Video Director

After several years of hard work and perseverance, Oruka and other hit music videos director Uzodinma Okpechi, has finally moved into his new multi million Naira corporate studios and office. Located in the heart of Surulere, Lagos, the new production temple is well equipped and also boasts of modern day audio visual facilities that can compete favourably with global standards. In order to ensure that work goes on uninterruptedly with or without now comatose PHCN, Okpechi relies on three brand new generating sets for electricity. Can you beat that? In a brief chat with us, the award-winning director of the Glo Show on network TV revealed that he decided to raise the bar and move to the next level because he is a thorough bred professional and likes being on top of his game.

Odey, Utomi, Adesanya, Gbinigie, others for MORGON Nollywood Summit

Photo-Mr. John Odey

In its quest at repositioning the Nigerian motion picture industry, the Movie Reporters’ Guild of Nigeria, MORGON, has concluded plans to host what many, especially industry observers, tag the biggest summit ever in the annals of Nollywood.

Fittingly tagged: Nollywood, Our Nollywood, the summit holds on Thursday, August 28, 2008, at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos with several dignitaries as Guest Speakers. Secretary of the body Mr. Chibueze Okereke, in a press statement, reiterated that the Nollywood summit is among other plans being put in place by MORGON to reposition the thriving nation’s movie industry otherwise called Nollywood. “MORGON was established in the first place to assist in the repositioning process of Nollywood, now that we have successfully held the investiture ceremony of our Life Patron Mr. Andrien Gbinigie, the executives have come together to unveil our programmes for the year with the summit coming top on our priority”.

He further described movie reporters and Nollywood practitioners as “partners in progress”, stating that the forthcoming event would be the biggest in Nollywood.

Photo-Prof. Pat Utomi

Among the dignitaries already billed to deliver topical papers at the historic summit are: Mr. John Odey, the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation and renowned businessman, politician and academic Prof. Pat Utomi. Coming from the UK to also deliver thought provoking papers at the summit are the duo of Kene Mkparu, the first black General Manager of Odeon chain of Cinemas and Magnus Mbanu, a BBC trained film maker alongside Marc Wishengrad, a leading Hollywood filmmaker, coming from the US. Meanwhile, Mr. Andrien Gbinigie, the CEO of Atlantic Overseas and the Life Patron of MORGON, would be the Special Guest of Honour at the grand gathering.

Photo-Mr. AFolabi Adesanya

President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, popular actor Ejike Asiegbu could not hide his joy on the coming event. “I salute the courage and thoughtfulness of these young vibrant men and women. I think it would be a refreshing difference for people who have covered events in the industry for sometime, organizing something like this. I think it would go a long way in helping to redefine and reposition Nollywood. The Actors Guild of Nigeria is totally in support of the forthcoming Nollywood Summit” he said.

Grand reception for Kate Henshaw-Nuttal

Photo-Kate Henshaw-Nuttal

For her immense contributions to the growth of Nollywood and emerging the best Actress on the African continent at this year’s edition of the revered African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), star actress, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, would be hosted to a grand reception this Sunday, July 6, 2008.

Organized by the Seye Kehinde’s led City People Entertainment, the high-octane gathering holds between the hours of 4.00pm and 8.00pm at the newly opened Studio 868, Victoria Island, Lagos, with several dignitaries and her colleagues in Nollywood expected to attend .

Also, at the event, top fashion designer Frank Osodi would unveil his 2008 summer evening wear.

Meanwhile, the highpoint of the reception is the auctioning of Mrs. Nuttal’s ten designers’ attires with part of the proceeds going to some selected NGO’s.

KoldSweat celebrates another year

Photo-actor, Larry Koldsweat

Penultimate Sunday was a very memorable one for actor turned pastor, Larry Koldsweat and his entire household. The white beards spotting thespian, added another year on earth. And in order for the milestone event not to go unnoticed, his family happily organized a special birthday bash for him.

The groove, which held in his Lagos residence was well attended by his colleagues in Nollywood as well as family friends and well wishers.

The highpoint of the event was when the birthday boy, who is also a tested highlife musician, mounted the stage and rendered a special number for his invited guests.

Victuals were also in surplus at the shindig and all those that attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves before leaving.

Atlantic Overseas storms Venice Film Festival

Photo-Andrien Gbinigie, CEO, Atlantic Overseas

Andrien Gbinigie, the amiable boss of Atlantic Overseas, the producer of award winning Mirror of Beauty and co producer of Mission to Nowhere is stepping up preparations towards storming this year’s edition of the Venice Film Festival, Italy starting from August 27 to September 6, 2008. A reliable source hinted us that Gbinigie, who was at the Cannes Film Festival, France, where Mirror of Beauty, was screened at the Nigerian Pavilion, is already networking for Venice with his team. According to this insider, Gbinigie, is likely going to include a few movie makers and some entertainment journalists on his entourage. What is however, not certain, is if any of his films would be submitted for screenings at the world’s oldest film festival, which began in 1932. Organized by the Venice Biennale, it would take place on the Venice Lido. The aim of the festival is to encourage the awareness and promotion of all the various aspects of international cinema
as art, entertainment and industry, in a spirit of freedom and tolerance. Marco Müller will direct the forthcoming edition, thus continuing the job he began in 2004, alongside Enrico Magrelli, his right hand man for cultural programming. A total of sixteen consultants will participate in the selection and search process for the festival. Also, the line up for the 65th edition of the festival would be announced during a press conference taking place in Rome, at the end of July.

Actors Guild commissions Secretariat

Photo-L-R Pete Edochie, Arinze Ezeanyaeche and Ejike Asiegbu

History was made penultimate weekend when the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria – AGN, under the stewardship of Ejike Asiegbu commissioned its multi million Naira national Secretariat. Located on Ajao road, Surulere, Lagos, several Nollywood stars, dignitaries from both the private and public sectors alongside the glitterati graced the epoch event. Speaking at the gathering, the honcho of Atlantic Overseas, Mr. Andrien Gbinigie, commended the visionary leadership of Asiegbu, whom he described as a goal getter and very hard working. The chairman of the occasion, Engr. Cyril Ajagu, who is also a patron of the guild, in his address, said he decided to bankroll the project because of belief and love for AGN and the nation’s entertainment industry in general. The minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), Ambassadors Musiliu Obanikoro, Segun Olusola and Senator Florence Ita Giwa, also added colour to the event
with their presence and brief remarks. Responding, elated Asiegbu, who also commissioned a bus for AGN, thanked all the invited guests for coming to support and assist in the repositioning of the guild. He further, pledged his commitment to a virile leadership at the AGN, adding that him and the executives are poised at moving the guild forward. The event held at Ojez, National Stadium and was well anchored by Segun Arinze.

Niteshift Coliseum to host Mike Okiro

Photo-Mike Okiro, Inspector of Nigeria Police

The nation’s number one cop and the Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro will be the special guest at the next edition of the Niteshift Coliseum’s Grand House Reception (GHR). The high profile event holds on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 6.30 pm prompt in Ikeja, Lagos. And as usual, the amiable police boss is expected to field questions about the activities of his men and the force in general, from patrons and friends of the elitist hangout. In the words of the honcho of the club, Ken Calebs Olumese, the event would have all the razzmatazz and glamour associated with the Coliseum’s tradition of excellence. “ Mind you, the GHR, is the highest honour accorded distinguished members of the public who have done exceedingly well, for the nation and themselves,” adding that invited guests must dress respectable to the high net worth gathering.