BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
Adrienne Karianah, a Ugandan film programmer and charity worker is in Nigeria to put finishing touches to a social responsibility project that will involve top Nollywood celebrities. Karianah, who is here on behalf of Vipaji Africa has been talking to some practitioners including the crew at Stingomania 360; hoping to get these celebrities to contribute to the charities of their choice in her home country. The project, as Karianah hinted, is called “Nollywood Gives Back” and those on the bill include Fred Amata, Uche Jombo and Stella Damasus Nzeribe. She spoke to Moviedom.
I am in Nigeria for a project we are planning to do towards the end of this year dubbed “Nollywood Gives Back”. It’s going to be a charity project where various actors will contribute to the charities of their choice in the country. Vipaji Africa in partnership with Stingomania 360 is bringing some Nollywood actors for the project. We are hoping to grace Uganda with six Nollywood stars: Fred Amata, Omotola Jalade, Ramsey Nouah Jr, Stella Damasus, Mike Ezeruonye and Uche Jumbo. Vipaji is a swahilli word, which means talents so, from that Vipaji Africa means talents of Africa. At Vipaji Africa, we cast and manage all kinds of talents — so we are known as home of talent. How long have you been around? I have been here for almost three weeks. Nigeria is a great country and the film industry has done tremendously well, although there is still this feeling of “Jesus not being appreciated in Nazareth”...(laughs). Not my first visit This is not my first visit and I love Suya. Is that strange... hahahahhaa. As for the music do not even get me started because I will not know where to stop; the music is great. Why Nollywood? We are interested in Nollywood because it is a home cooked meal, African made, and nothing beats that. Nollywood has succeeded in telling the rest of the world that Africa is not all about corruption, diseases, wars and bad leaders.The most recent rating on CNN saw Nollywood becoming the second world film industry; who would not be interested in Nollywood? Generally, I would say, so far, so good; and I am happy that several companies are interested in the project. Moviedom Uganda I think the industry in Uganda is still at a crawling stage and that’s why we want the best guidance from Nollywood and I am happy that our brothers here are willing to give us a lead. I mean we were here during the last AMAA awards, where our film ‘Battle of the Soul’ got a couple of nominations and a few awards; the reaction back home was great. But as I said, the industry is young, so, somehow it was no big deal. However, the winning sent the industry working and we have stepped up. My take home I am taking home the memories of the streets of Lagos. Next on my project is having African artistes work together (I hate using the word collabos). Africa has great stories, so let’s tell them together as one continent.
Around and about Nollywood...
Emeka Mba gets his grooves again News reached us at press time that President Musa Yar’Adua has renewed for another term, the appointment of Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board Mr. Emeka Mba. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Dora Akunyili reportedly conveyed the news of re-appointment to Mba. This will however be his last term in office. The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has issued a statement to congratulate him on his re-appointment. Through its President, Greg Odutayo, NANTAP said they received the news of Mba’s re-appointment as Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board with joy. The letter in full: ‘Your first four years as DG has seen great and progressive plans to turn the film and video industry in Nigeria around and provide lasting legacy and structures for the industry. We are excited that you have an additional tenure to further consolidate on the good work you have been doing and wish you the best of luck. The tasks before the Board are daunting and thankless, but we believe in your vision and plans and reiterate our support for your actions and plans for the industry. We enjoin you and your board to continue on the path of dialogue and co-operation to move our industry on the path of greatness’. Workshop on the Artistes’ Economic Rights Development Initiatives Network (DIN) is organising a 2-day intensive training workshop on artistes’ economic rights. The workshop, which will hold at the DIN’s main office, 38 Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, from 9am to 3pm daily for the two days — July 27 and 28 — will treat issues such as understanding intellectual property rights; demystifying copyrights and trademarks; and leveraging economic rights and protecting creative works. Featuring renowned IPR lawyer those wishing to get more information can email dinlagos@yahoo.co.uk. Honour for Alade Aromire again at Abuja Film Fest As part of the 6th edition of the Annual Abuja International Film and Video Festival, which has been scheduled for September 22 – 25, 2009, at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, and Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Abuja; Nigeria respectively, the Late Muyideen Alade Aromire, one of the pioneers of Nollywood will be honoured for his efforts via the production of EKUN, a Yoruba film shot and released in 1987. The release of the film signaled the beginning of putting films on video formats. Available records has shown that several films were released before the celebrated Living In Bondage of 1992 by Chief Kenneth Nnebue, who had shot several home video in Yoruba including “Aje Ni Iya Mi”. It will be recalled that Aromire until his untimely date was the founder and CEO of Yotomi Television, an indigenous Yoruba Cable, which was also one of his pioneering efforts. Also to be honoured at the festival is the film Iyawo Alhaji, which incidentally was the first home video film to be classified by the National Film and Video Censors Board. A Nollywood Achievement Award has been created as a yearly package of the festival to honour stakeholders in the industry, who have contributed to the development and improvement of the sector. The comprehensive list of awardees will be unveiled on August 1, 2009, at a press conference. Benemesia, Isong and others receive Women in Media Award At an emotion soaked evening amidst wining, dining and celebration for women advocacy group, Women In Media honoured outstanding women in eight competitive award categories (Lifetime Achievement, Print Editorial, Movie / TV Producer, Movie/TV Director, News Caster, Television Presenter, Radio Presenter and Special Recognition awards) For dominating prime time news casting at the `Nigerian Television Authority (Africa ’s largest television network) Ruth Benemesia – Opia was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award; for consistence, quality innovation Mrs. Betty Irabor publisher of Genevieve — women’s lifestyle magazine dusted four other contenders. With her gripping emotional movies including block buster’s such as Emotional Crack, Games Women Play, Games Men Play and lately Reloaded (which shattered the charts in an era of low DVD sales), writer/producer turned distributor carted away Movie/TV Producer of the Year award. Meanwhile an overwhelmed Pat Oghre signaled the generational shift by winning Movie/TV Director of the year. Easily the most active female director in Nigeria today, Oghre dedicated her award to her baby boy in an emotion-laden voice at hall of Terraculture in Victoria Island, Lagos. Lamide Akintobi was crowned Newscaster of the year whilst talk show host Agatha Amata’s persistence in treating burning issues of our time for over 12 years with syndication on about 17 channels paid off with her being declared Television presenter of the year. Ace broadcaster, Bisi Olatilo, also received a special recognition award from Women in Media Nigeria. High point of the event was the lifetime achievement awards for Chief Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor and Ruth Benemesia Opia. The awards were based on the results of questionnaires distributed and collated around the country. Daisy Madu-Chikwendu, CEO Clout Media, organiser of the event, said: “In actual fact everyone is a winner. This is because the nomination itself is the result of very rigorous pruning down of names. In some cases from over a dozen names to about four, five as the case may be. Like we say in WIM, women got involved and media got better.” The event held under the chairmanship of Mr.Lekan Ogunbanwo, Permanent Secretary Lagos Television. WIM will launch its outreach programme at the Lagos International Film Festival holding from August 11 to 16. Here is ION Film Festival Organizers of the touring film festival — ION International Film Festival (www.ionfilmfestival.com) will, in collaboration with the Rivers State government, hold a press conference and meeting with Nollywood stakeholders to officially launch ION Festival scheduled for Port Harcourt later in the year. ION is a touring film festival, which moves every year to a new location around the globe in an effort to promote global awareness, peace and unity. It went from Los Angeles in 2007, to Dubai in 2008 and after Port Harcourt, it will move to Istanbul in 2010. This is the first time ION lands in Africa and will be hosted in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from December 9 to 12, 2009. ION launched the call for entries in 12 official categories on April 1, and submissions are expected by filmmakers before the deadline of Sept., 30, 2009. International submissions should go through www.ionfilmfestival.com or www.Withoutabox.com. Those wishing to make submissions from Nigeria should check submission details at www.omcomm.org. Waka pass… Producer :- Amebo A. Amebo Director: - Mr. Gossip Actors :- Hollywood Celebrities Tribute galore for the acting Princess The notable actress, Chief Clarion Chukwurah got more than she bargained for in terms of tributes and accolades at a special anniversary event organised for her by City People Entertainment last Friday. The deep actress was celebrated for her brilliant career on Nigeria’s acting scene; and for her 30th year on stage. The Bolajoko hall, in Ikeja, where the celebration took place was jam-packed as everyone wanted to be part of the celebration. An elated Clarion while thanking all for their support assured that ‘there will be no light out for her as long as she lives. It was ‘words’ war at Isolo for Norbert With Clarion’s celebration over, ‘feet of friends’ (ala the culture worker critic and poet Ropo Ewenla) invaded the home of Norbert Akpojerharo Macdonald Young in Isolo, yesterday, for what Ewenla who sent out a five line invitation described as a gathering of the clan of potters; who meet to mould words into celebratory poetry in continuation of the activities commemorating Norbert’s 50th birthday anniversary and in praise of his 25 years of exploits on stage. The day also marked the first birthday anniversary of Young’s baby, Anthonia. Kunle moves editing suite home to concentrate If you have not come across the producer Kunle Afolayan at any event lately, please forgive him. It does appear that it is business before pleasure for the producer of Irapada, who is working earnestly to realise his big budget flick Figurine. We understand that to concentrate, Afolayan who is working to beat the deadline for a possible screening at the Toronto Film Festival, had to move a whole editing suite to his Yaba home. A source working with Afolayan on the project disclosed that there is so much distraction in the studio he was using, a reason he moved the editing of the film to his home. Hey, don’t even go there. No neighbour will distract him. We have it on good authority that ‘Figurine baba’ does not live in a face me I face you apartment as some of our actors do! Daisy does my leg your leg with Madu Some waka pass said they have observed that lately it has been “my leg your leg” for the former President of the Association of Movie Producer, Madu Chikwendu, and his hardworking wife Daisy Madu-Chikwendu. They said that unlike before, there is hardly any event that you don’t find the two love birds together. They were together at the premiere of Emem Isong’s Edikan and were also seen together at Mahmood Ali-Balogun’s 50th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service held at the National Theatre, last Sunday. One waka pass told us that what he likes about their outing is their deliberate attempt to always dress to match. One other thing, Madu Chikwendu does that the waka pass likes, is that he occasionally ‘holds hands with madam,’ so that, people will know that they have come a long way. Anyway, Oga Madu, make una carri go with madam. At least with una, the numbers of practitioners wey dey carri … no… take their wives out for occasions don dey swell. We actually use to think that it is the exclusive preserve of Fidelis and Tope Duker, and Zack and Ngozi Orji plus including Norbert and Gloria Young. To God be the Glory!
shaibu70@yahoo.com
TEETH 4 TEETH
BY JUSTIN AKPOVI-ESADE
Klint De Drunk.... The Cheeky Devil
COMEDIAN Klint Da Drunk, is a smart dude, the kind of person that a popular cartoonist will refer to as Cheeky Devil. T4T was sitting on his own at the terrace of Ojez, when the comic act joined him at the table. There is nothing wrong with that, but the next thing he did... hmmm, Klint.
Anyway, I have restrained myself from telling the world, but my conscience has not been at ease since, so I have decided to tell. Klint with the speed of light, went straight for a pack (names withheld) and lighter lying harmlessly on top the table. He did not bother to ask who owns the pack (of what sef?), and before you can say bingo, fire was already coming from the comedian’s mouth. Klint, Klint, Klint, how many times did I call you? If that is the way you go about thumbing people’s cigarette without permission,then na court case dey wait for you. Thank God you be celebrity, so you go see money pay when the case reach court. I have a warning for people like you; remember your left. You will understand the warning if you have heard the story of the legendary footballer, Thunder Balogun. By the way, to put records straight, the pack that has its name withheld does not belong to T4To o.
Dele Abiodun Dares Voombastic Uncle P
A major war is brewing between president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, Dele Abiodun and Governor of the Lagos State chapter of the association. Reason? Abiodun who was recently reinstated by the court as PMAN president plans to dissolves the executive of all state chapters.
Ran into Voombastic at the car park of the celebrity hangout and the reggae musician was spitting fire like Sango, the god of thunder. “Wich solution im (Abiodun) wan take dissolve us? I dey wait, na dia me with am go take face each oda cos since im enta (the office of PMAN president), I play neutral, I no fite anybody. But as im wan dey talk dissolve dissolve so, ehen...
Bros PMAN president, a word is enough for the wise. Na dia I talk reach o o bcos Uncle P wey openly talk say im nickname na Craze and Area Grandfada, naim you wan follow do?
Mamuzee Twins Are ‘Americans’
DID you see the identical twin brothers, Mamuzee when they paid a visit to Koko Mansion reality TV show on Wednesday, to score the kokolettes on their dance task? Hmmm, how Nigerians ‘form’ when they are in front of cameras. The singing duo was just speaking English like some young African-Americans. In fact, I thought I was watching Chris Brown, Rihanna’s former boyfriend, on television.. Na wa for Naija boys sha. A detractor said they wanted to impress the girls, with their ‘phonetic’, but whatever their intention was, it did not ‘wek’ (apologies to the lady on Idols West Africa judges panel), sorry work, for me.
Leo Mezie Has Hammered
HOLLYWOOD actor Leo Mezie is in money at the moment. The kind of crowd that attended his Tribute to Michael Jackson concert at O’jez, has left many people green with envy. T4T sat watching Leo strutting up and down the hall (some detractors alleged he was counting the people and checking figures) and one could not help but envy the handsome dude. But what will truly confirm if Leo actually made money from the well-heeled concert will come in the form of Chinese rice served in a wooden plate, a delicacy he can afford anytime he has money. We will lie in wait and keep you posted in the days to come if he has actually ‘hammered.’
And Peterson Agu Was Stranded
HIGHLIFE musician and former sideman of a popular music label owner Peterson Agu, was last Sunday stranded at O’jez. The time was 11.30pm, Peterson who lives in Ogun State (Akute area) was frantically looking for a free ride just out of stadium area. He met T4T to take him on his tuke tuke, but sorry, the ‘snooper’ does not live that far from Lagos. If peson ready to go bak to im village, im go just go, no be to go stay Akute, and wen dem ask you, you go say, na Lagos you dey stay.. Peterson, you have learnt your lessons, please leave that bush and come to live in the city, wey you fit see okada wey go carry you go home even if na 1.am.
Help, Howie T’s Always Online
SHOWBIZ promoter Howie T, real names Bayo Odunsami is on yahoo messenger 24 hours. One wonders if that is the heavy weight promoter’s past time. The mini giant (his detractors say he weighs more than a two ton truck) does not seem to leave the side of his computer. If you sent Howie an instant message on his yahoo messenger even at 2am, he replies instantly. This development is giving his close friends and family cause for concern (as if na crime to be mobile in anyway) because they say he hardly sleeps nowadays. Well, Howie, as you make your bed... (fill in the blank spaces).
ogbuus@yahoo.com
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