Naija Talk Show & Gossip, Nigeria Nollywood

Nollywood diva and sex symbol, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has taken her acting prowess beyond the shores of this country as she stars in the thrilling movie “Ties that bind”, which is written and  directed by Ghanaian award winning film maker, Leila Djansi. Acting alongside Omotola is four time NAACP image award winner, Hollywood’s Kimberly Elise and 2011 AMAA best actress Ama K Abebrese . “Ties that bind” is a story of three women of different background Adobea (Omotola Jolade Ekeinde), Buki (Ama K Abebrese) and Theresa (Kimberly Elise) bound together by a similar pain; the loss of a child. In a destined meeting in a small village in Kroboland, the women journey together to redemption, love, life and forgiveness as they renovate a dilapidated clinic for the villagers. The movie was set on location at Ho in the Volta Region for the past two weeks. The production team moved to Accra to continue shooting on the 5-week scheduled movie. “I was looking for a cast that would carry the

John David Jackson American hip hop act John David Jackson over the weekend gave patrons in Ghana,  their monies worth and a lot to cheer about, when he staged one of the biggest concerts ever to be held at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre. It was a day that a heavy downpour had caused so much havoc to most of Accra’s streets but the city’s rave heads defied the rains and trooped to the Dome of the AICC to witness what would go down in Ghana’s entertainment history books as a concert that lived up to its pre event hype. Just as 233 Connect, the organizers of the event had promised to deliver a concert of a lifetime, the Fabolous Live in Ghana event, gave a whole new meaning to hip hop as a genre and an enough undertone and perfect picture of events yet to come. Accompanied by loud cheers from the ecstatic crowd, the night saw almost every Ghanaian act including Ghana’s own VIP, 4X4, Sarkodie, Scientific, J-Town, Kevin Beats, Ruff and Smooth, Paedae of R2Bees

By Benjamin Njoku  Less than a year after tying the nuptial knots with her heart throb in that star studded and glittering marriage to Olumide, son of  billionaire businessman, Harry Akande, Nollywood actress Dakore Egbuson is pregnant. Nollywood actress Dakore Egbuson is pregnant. The awards winning actress was sighted with a very visible mumps.  With her waist looking rounded as she walked hand in hand with her heartthrob Olumide, at the movie premiere of “Alero Symphony” produced by  Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO 5) last edition  winner Ivie Okujaye. The premiere held recently at the prestigious Genesis Deluxe Cinemas of The Palms Shopping Mall in Lagos.  Looking radiant in her yellow-colour maternity outfit, the Bayelsa State born actress was all cheers as she stayed glued to the side of her sweet heart. It was indeed a delightful surprise to see the radiant former Amstel Malta model glowing as she occasionally  whispered into the ears of her man. Not many had expected th

MI Abaga It was an electrifying performance when Africa’s best rap artiste M.I thrilled several fans and teenagers to an exciting playtime with Fanta, a premium fruit-flavored carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. It is a new thematic campaign tagged “Play. It’s natural”. Speaking on the rationale behind the new thematic campaign at the launch event, Mrs. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, Strategic Marketing Manager, Flavours, said Fanta consumers believe in having fun and taking life easy. “When we talk of ‘Play’, we do not mean it in its loose or natural sense, but rather, “Play” as an intrinsic part of everything you do. Bolajoko stressed that the brand’s core target has a playful, exuberant and frivolous attitude to life which always keeps them on the go. “One of the many great things about this campaign is that it appeals not only to our core target, but also to the entire family. The campaign communicates the great taste of Fanta in a fun way and conveys the intrinsic

April 23 will forever remain evergreen in the mind of actress and UN Habitat Youth Envoy, Ini Edo. It was the day she carried out her first assignment as the Habitat Youth Envoy for United Nation. On that day her  life literarily changed. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing, I find it hard to believe this kind of place exists in Nigeria. My perception of life has changed” she told media men. Her visit to LOTS Foundation office at the Dustbin Estate also coincided with her birthday and that explained the  gifts packs, food and other items, she donated to the community leaders. According to her publicists, Platform PR, “the essence of the visit went beyond celebrating, it also shows the other side of Ini asa humanitarian”. Ini was appointed alongside two others (one Nollywood actor and one Bollywood actor) as  Ambassadors of the United Nation. And part of her responsibilities according to www.unhabitat.org are to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities

Stella Damasus Mofe Duncan wouldn’t have struck any strong cord to make a sound. At least not a sound loud enough to cause any stir but when he is implicated in a romantic relationship with an established Nollywood face such as Stella Damasus, then he could make a sound that would be heard at home and abroad. The gist about the duo, Stella Damasus, an actress and Mofe Duncan, an art production director, making out first hit the tabloids when they were caught in an ‘unusual circumstance’ at the Dakore-Olumide wedding back in January. So hot was the gist that they were lovers that Stella’s publicists, Square Image, had to come out to make a statement that the notion was all wrong. In their statement, they claimed they are business partners who are working on some project being put together by Stella Damasus. The statement also informs that Mofe’s 5ive28 Entertainment is a partner of Stella’s SDA Production, and they are both working on the actress’ projects which would some air on

By Austin Ogwuda, Asaba  COMPOSITION of the Delta State House of Assembly in the next dispensation is no longer going to be PDP dominated as it had been since 1999 as Democratic Peoples Party, DPP has so far won 6 seats from the results so far declared while CAN clinched one seat, although the ruling PDP is still maintain its majority lead with 14 seats so far won.  The House is composed of 29 members. Members of the House reconvened for a special sitting Thursday and passed a resolution dissolving all the 25 local government councils in the State and directed the various Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) to oversee their councils. Whilst some political observers saw it as punitive on the ground that their tenure had not expired others saw it differently, saying that the House has the powers to dissolve the council as it deemed fit.  By Austin Ogwuda, Asaba Winners of the Federal House of Reps results from Delta State: Isoko North/Isoko South  – PDP  Ndokwa/Ukwuani – DPP

*Thumb’s up security agencies for ensuring Nigerians voted & the votes counted By Kingsley Omonobi  The United States yesterday hailed the 2011 General elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as one of unprecedented success noting that it has shown that Nigeria is now prepared to take its deserved pride of place in the international community while its voice will command the respect of a truly democratic power. The US government also gave thumbs up to the military, the police and other security agencies for ensuring that despite efforts at truncating the electoral process through violence, the security agencies created the enabling environment for Nigerians to perform their civic responsibilities of casting their votes and making sure the votes counted. United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence Macaulay who made the disclosure while presenting a meritorious award of excellence from President Barak Obama to a Nigerian Navy officer, Com

BY  VINCENT UJUMADU  Erstwhile Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has dismissed Tuesday’s rerun election in Anambra Central senatorial district as a charade. She said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission set out to conduct credible elections, but desperate politicians, such as Dr. Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, were determined not to see that happen. Ngige has once more done what he knows best, which is stealing the vote.” Narrating her ordeal in a press statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Isaac Umunna, Akunyili said: “In all my life, I have never witnessed the kind of thing I saw on Tuesday. The level of intimidation of our party agents and disenfranchisement of my supporters was unprecedented. In some places, this shameful conduct was perpetrated by the thugs of the ACN as security agents who were supposed to checkmate them looked the other way. In a place like Nkpor, my agents were chased away and people

….N150,000 for individuals; N200,000 for corporate organisations By Babajide Komolafe  From June 2012, individuals that make cash withdrawal or deposit above N150,000 would pay a fine of N100 per extra N1,000, while corporate organisations that make cash withdrawal or deposit above N1 million would pay fine of N200 per extra N1,000. These limits for free cash withdrawal and deposits were part of a new policy aimed at reducing the high usage of cash in the economy announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday. The policy, which would be enforced in Lagos State, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Aba in the first instance also banned encashment of third party cheques above N150,000 across the counter The policy was contained in a circular signed by Mr Muhammad Nda, Director, Currency Operations Department  and addressed to all banks, Cash In Transit (CIT) companies and electronic payment providers. The circular entitled: “Industry policy on retail cash collection and lo

By Ini Ekott  Millions of Nigerians will be going to the polls in a few hours to vote in governorship and state assembly elections, but uncertainty remains regarding the possibility of holding free and fair elections in parts of the north. Thousands of Nigerians, taking refuge in military barracks from the post-presidential election riots that killed hundreds in many northern cities, will be too afraid to vote in today’s elections, and the Independent National Electoral Commission yesterday said that there are no plans for special voting centres for the estimated 20,000 people displaced by the violence. Polls in Kaduna and Bauchi have already been moved to Thursday following security concerns but now many more may miss out on voting altogether. Justified fears A human rights group says the number of deaths reached 500 as of Sunday, while more than 20,000 have taken refuge in police and military barracks in Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano, Gombe, Adamawa and Jigawa states. Two

By Olu Jacob In order to secure the support of former president Ibrahim Babangida for his second term bid, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has reportedly promised to help Mohammed, the former president’s son, to succeed him in 2015, NEXT has learnt. Mr Aliyu, who is a cousin of Mr Babangida has also contacted Mohammed’s two sisters, Aisha Shinkafi who is married to the governor of Zamfara State, and Halima, the last child, to seek their support for his re-election. Aminu Babangida who is the second son is said to be largely unavailable because he mostly lives abroad. Sources say although the former military President has not made any public comments in support of Mr Aliyu’s candidacy, Mohammed’s siblings have began in various ways to campaign for the incumbent who is the PDP candidate in tomorrow’s election. Halima is reportedly more excited by the idea of her brother becoming the state governor in four year’s time and has taken the matter to heart, campaigning a littl

Golda John (m) played Micheal Jackson's mother in the BBC's ‘Comic Relief'. By Bunmi Ajiboye Golda John-Abiola has come a long way from the 1970s, when she began acting. She has featured in popular TV series including ‘Mirror in the Sun', ‘Ward 15' and ‘Checkmate'. She also appeared in Tunde Kelani's ‘Ti Oluwa Ni Ile' and in a number of stage productions before she relocated to the United Kingdom in 1995 where she remains active on the theatre scene. Golda John, who hails from Kalabari, Rivers State, is married to Mike Abiola, founder and chief executive officer of the Afro Hollywood Awards, which are now known as the African Film Awards (AFA). The actress, who uses the name Golda John professionally, visited Nigeria recently and talks to NEXT about her passion, Nollywood and the reasons behind her visit. Tell us a bit more about your work. I have acted a lot on stage, done feature films and commissioned films. I am actively involved wit

Jedi to embark on Canada tour Nigerian comedian, Jedi, is set to tour Canada with his ‘Laugh wan kill me die’ as from June 30, 2011. A statement from the comedian disclosed that the tour, which will feature other comedians in the industry, will begin in Toronto, Canada, and move to three yet to be named cities. Real name Tosin Ayoola, Jedi is a Microbiology graduate of Lagos State University who debuted as a comedian in 1999. He branched into music last year and released the ‘G.Pikin Project’, a 12-track album. He is the chief executive officer of Musicom Entertainment - an event company - and juggles his time between comedy and music. I gbo Television drama series debuts ‘Ka Anyi Si Ebi’, an exclusive Igbo language drama series, released a trailer on Saturday, April 23, 2011. The trailer, which was released on nollyzone.com, was produced by Chizoba Boye of BlueWall Entertainment and is directed by Sam Boye. According to the producer, Chizoba Boye, “It [‘Ka Anyi Si Ebi’] starts in

By Tolulope Odeyemi I have been to many weddings where the usual ‘‘what God has joined together, let no man put asunder’’ has been repeated like an old ritual song. The couples with love and passion in their eyes commit to this vow innocently. Honestly this section of the wedding is what makes me misty eyed; however, not far from this mushy feeling is the niggling thought of doubts that crosses my mind. I believe and know that there should be nothing that has the power to separate a man and a woman in marriage but all the same, there are lots of issues today that undoubtedly wedge a big gap between two lovers. Issues like in-laws, sex, habits and most importantly money have been identified to have tested the strength of love in many relationships. Every marriage will be “tested by fire”; to not be tested is however dangerous because it only shows that the marriage is like a house built on a sandy shore that will be swept away at the first sight of trouble. The whiff of money Truth is

The Producers of the NEA Awards are pleased to announce its Sixth Annual NEA Awards weekend, a celebration of African Entertainment, scheduled for Friday, September 2nd through Monday, September 5th, 2011 . This year’s event is a four day Labor Day weekend extravaganza and will include an Entertainment Seminar and networking, Picnic, Gala Events and the Award Ceremony. The show promises to feature many of Africa’s top entertainers and African international stars in the Diasporas. The producers of the show will also like to announce its 2011 Categories ( see full list below ) and nominations are now officially opened. All artists are encouraged to send materials for consideration to  neaawards@gmail.com on or before April 27th. The producers of NEA Awards have elected Education as Vaccine for Aids (EVA), a 501c3 non-for-profit organization that was founded to establish systems and structures that will provide opportunities for youth to make responsible decisions co

By Adeshina Oyetayo     Da Grin It seems like just yesterday but it is exactly a year today that indigenous lyricist and rising music star, Olaitan Olanipekun, known far and wide as Da Grin, died from complications arising from a ghastly accident. He was coming from a late night outing on April 14, 2010 when he rammed into a stationary truck in Alakara, Mushin area of Lagos. At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where he was later rushed to, he oscillated between life and death for one week before eventually settling for the latter. Da Grin left behind grief-stricken parents, a distraught fandom and an inconsolable industry. He was 26. E-Punch chronicles some events that have shaped, and still shaping, his afterlife. Fame after death: Although nobody wishes to die ahead of his/her glory, a hackneyed adage in the American entertainment industry holds that death is a good career move. Perhaps it is true for Da Grin. He was on the cusp of popularity and prosperity

A celluloid tango in Lagos By Akintayo Abodunrin Mahmood Ali-Balogun has embraced celluloid at a time when other filmmakers are giving it a wide berth. His latest feature, Tango With Me, is shot on celluloid. But was this necessary? “As a filmmaker and somebody who studied film, it is always one’s dream to shoot on the best format. More so, there has been much noise about Nigeria where it’s only video that we work on,” he says in his Surulere, Lagos office. “This movie attempts to correct that impression, in the sense that we started shooting movies in this country on celluloid and we will continue to shoot on celluloid though the digital format has come to stay. For us film buffs, we believe that it’s the best format; it avails you wider horizon in terms of exposure and acceptance. Once people know that you shot on 35mm, they tend to respect that gesture. They believe you can’t be investing so much money if you don’t have something worthwhile to tell people. It’s to express mys

Producers of the monthly comedy show Stand-up Nigeria are set to host a special Easter edition of the show on Saturday April 30 at the Muson Centre, Lagos. According to one show producer, Bunmi Davies, “this special Easter edition is designed to give Nigerians an awesome experience this Easter season with four hours of undiluted and vulgar-free comedy by established and upcoming talented comedians.” Bunmi also revealed that this edition will be hosted by the comedian Gandoki. “Stand-up Nigeria was established with the aim of promoting the comedy industry, adding values to the industry and also creating a platform for young talented comedians to excel,” Bunmi added. KOGA debuts Dance234 KOGA Entertainment is set to launch Dance234, an initiative to give talented youth an opportunity to attain national recognition in dance, in May 2011. According to a statement by the show’s producer, Jemila Musa, Dance234 is bringing a new dimension to the dance reality shows in the industry and wil

The artist doesn’t like publicity. By Ayo Okulaja Foremost artist Demas Nwoko will be celebrated at the third annual Grillo Pavilion Visual Arts Fiesta on Saturday, April 23. John Godwin, a professor of architecture at the University of Lagos and author of a book on the works of the painter, sculptor, architect and designer, will deliver a lecture titled ‘The Architecture of Demas Nwoko’ at the event, which will take place in Ikorodu. Born in 1935, Nwoko is one of the popular ‘Zaria Rebels’ famous for championing the concept of ‘natural synthesis’, which advocated the combining of contemporary Western art techniques with African ideas, art forms and themes. Other ‘Rebels’ include renowned artists Uche Okeke, Simon Okeke, Yusuf Grillo and Bruce Onobrakpeya. Some of Nwoko’s famous architectural works include the Dominican mission in Ibadan, Oyo State; the Oba Akenzua Theatre in Benin City and the Cultural Centre in Ibadan. He also has a magnificent private edifice called ‘New C