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.

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.”

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.

Asu Ekiye wins gospel awards, launches 2 SUVs

Niger-Delta-born gospel star, Asu Ekiye is seriously living his dreams in the nation’s entertainment industry.
Few weeks after returning from a very successful tour of the US, UK and some parts of Europe, he is in the news again.
Ekiye’s new album, Eniye, was adjudged the best cultural song at the recently held Kingdom Gospel Awards in Lagos. The accountant-turned entertainer also smiled home with another plaque for the best cultural gospel artiste, at the well-attended ceremony.
Amazingly, the promo video of the award-winning Eniye, which full album is expected to hit shelves nationwide in the next couple of weeks on the stable of Ossy Affason Industries, is currently ruling the airwaves.
And to celebrate the double honour, well-traveled Ekiye, from Bayelsa State, quietly launched two brand new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV); for himself and darling wife. While Ekiye pampered himself with the latest edition of Avenza Cross Over, he specially chose a Hyundai Santafe for the mother of his children.
Speaking on the awards and cars, the amiable entertainer, who would soon embark on his annual Xmas tour, described it all as, “the goodness of God in my life.”
“It’s been a very wonderful and fulfilling year for me and my family. After the successful tours and recent awards, I decided to spoil myself and entire family with these two brand new cars. For me, it’s basically the prize for hard work, dedication and being focused.”

When Matse goofed on air

Matse Uwatse, the ex on-air personality with Wazobia FM, now with Nigeria Info FM, a sister company of the former recently goofed while on air.
In fact, Uwatse’s sin was so embarrassing and unpardonable that most listeners that fateful day (last Friday night), angrily abandoned her station and migrated to other ones.
The award winning presenter that many listeners, especially youths look up to for direction and authentic information, went on air to say boldly that President Barack Obama of US and his wife, Mitchell, have three children, instead of two. And painfully, while being corrected by a male discussant on the programme, which had something to do with the issue of child spacing, Uwatse, who thinks she knows it all, refused to listen and insisted Obama’s wife just delivered their third baby. Maybe, the mysterious baby was sired somewhere in her village, in Delta State, South-south, Nigeria.
For Miss Uwatse’s information, the Obamas have two daughters, and not three, Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10. She even went as far as saying that the latest addition to the Obama’s family was delivered inside the White House. Haba Matse!
In fact, the last time a baby was sired inside the White House was during the era of the Kennedys in 1963.
As a serious and news oriented radio station, Uwatse and her team at Nigeria Info FM, should strive to be above board and desist from misleading the listening public on vital issues and information.

The Amatas’ matriarch goes home in a blaze of glory

The matriarch of the famous Amata movie dynasty, the late Mrs. Joy Omotoyinbo, 81, who died recently, was recently interred in Oyede, Isoko LGA, Delta State.
Prior to the burial, a well-attended Celebration of Life Service held in her honour on Tuesday, November 22, at the Banquet Hall, National Theatre, Lagos.
In a chat with us, emotion-laden Fred, said his dear and great mum would be greatly missed by all her children and grand children.
“My mum was a great woman and a darling mum. All of us will miss her greatly. But my joy is that she has finally gone to meet her husband, who left her a long time ago.” Several friends, colleagues and associates of the Amatas are already in Delta State for the burial.

Obi Emelonye shoots new movie with foreign crew

London-based Mirror Boy director, Oby Emelonye is in town lensing a new big budget movie entitled: The Last Flight To Abuja.
The lawyer turned filmmaker alongside his cast and crew members are currently in Lagos shooting after, which they would storm Tinapa, Cross River State and Abuja, for the concluding part of the action-packed movie.
According to Emelonye, who’s also working with some foreign cast and crew, the entire production would be shot on 3D format.
“The Last Flight To Abuja, is a proudly Nigerian movie and as the director I’m working with both Nollywood and foreign hands and that makes it an international movie project. After the huge success recorded with Mirror Boy, we have decided to take the game higher with this new project. Some of the cast in Hotel Rwanda and other foreign movies are working with me on this great work”, he disclosed.

Delta State Gov., Uduaghan snubs stroke-afflicted veteran actor, Enebeli Elebuwa

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uguaghan has come under heavy attack from some concerned actors and stakeholders in Nollywood, for snubbing and treating bed-ridden veteran actor, Enebeli Elebuwa with disdain during a weekend trip to Lagos.
An aggrieved insider, who divulged the ugly drama to EE, said Uduaghan was in Lagos over the weekend and had been scheduled to pay a visit to the hospital where Elebuwa, who is currently down with Stroke, was staying, but shelved the plan at the eleventh hour.
ACTION! gathered that due to security reasons from the Governor’s end, the actor was moved from his Yaba hospital to a more secured and closer one in Surulere, for Uduaghan’s visit to be stress-free, yet he went ahead to snub the actor.
“Even RMD, an actor and serving Commissioner in Delta State, was one of those that facilitated the transfer of Enebeli to the Surulere hospital. He also assured us that the Governor who was in Lagos throughout the weekend would come and see Enebeli, also a proud son of Delta State. We waited throughout the weekend, but Uduaghan did not deem it fit to come and see Enebeli neither did he send us any apology for not keeping to his promise. Enebeli, despite being ill, is an elder statesman and one of the most famous sons of Delta State and does not deserve such irrational treatment from his Governor, especially now that he’s down with Stroke,” lamented this concerned Nollywood veteran.
“All of us waited for the Governor, but he didn’t show up, after all the promises made by RMD, that Uduaghan was on his way to the hospital. It was not a fair treatment at all to Enebeli. This would not have happened if he was a politician or one of those wasting our resources at the corridors of power. As a revered entertainer Enebeli deserves some respect, even on his sick bed,” added another enraged stakeholder in Nollywood. We tried severally to speak with RMD, to ascertain what really went wrong with the proposed and over hyped visit of his principal to Enebeli’s sick bed, but could not reach the actor-turned-politician before going to bed.