Ubaka… Return of the ‘rejected stone’

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
HIS story is like that of the rejected stone, which ended up being in the head corner position. The filmmaker, JOSEPH UGOCHUKWU UBAKA, did all he could to be accepted as a filmmaker in the country, but no one gave him a chance. In frustration, the Enugu-born filmmaker, whose debut feature, Trapped Dream, received the special jury prize at the 29th edition of the African Cinema Festival in Verona, Italy, left for Senegal, where he was accepted. An actor, screenplay writer, director and producer, Ubaka was born and raised in Enugu. He had his secondary education at the National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu. It was while in school that he nursed the ambition of emerging a top entertainer. Ubaka sang, danced and acted and was a regular feature of the school and most off-school dramatic, music and literary events. But it was music that appealed to him the most. The tall, well built filmmaker wanted to become a successful rap musician in the mould of L.L Cool J. So far, the alumnus of the Berlin Talent Campus, who has worked extensively outside the shores of the country and received commendation abroad, speaks with Moviedom.

The AMAA 2010 nomination
Well, I am glad that the movie, Lilies in the Ghetto, made it to the very last round, which is the nomination stage. I understand that the academy received well over 500 films and for your work to get to that level and even get nominated means a lot. So, I am happy, though I was expecting that I would be nominated in the cinematography category. I think we did our best there but again, you can’t have it all and perspectives are different. I mean, I looked through the list and discovered that there were some quality jobs there. So, I look forward to a good outing at AMAA, and like I said, somewhere, there is no better recognition than the one from home.
Decision to become a musician
My elder brother won’t hear of it. He hollered all day and told everyone how I wanted to end up on the streets. And true, at that time, those who were musicians were not taken seriously even by the society. It was just like football then. Today, everyone is encouraging his or her ward to either be a musician or a footballer. Way back then, it was looked down upon. So, my elder brother objected and I had no option than to obey.
Living in Bondage inspired me
So, when it was time to choose a course of study upon admission, I finally applied to study Political Science at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. But that decision didn’t keep me away from the arts. As I took classes in Political Science, I wrote scripts and sought acting opportunities. It took the success of the phenomenal Living in Bondage -- a film that is believed to have spurred interest in home video production -- for me to rediscover my love for the arts. It rekindled my interest in the arts. It got me thinking seriously about filmmaking as a career. That was when all those things I did during my early school days came in handy.
I wrote my first film script in my second year
By the second year into study, I had a script ready. That was when I wrote my first feature screenplay titled End of the Road that has not yet been produced. The story treats the highest level of cultism in our higher institution of learning. It was my own way of campaigning against the vice. But I couldn’t get anyone to breathe life into the script. So it remained with me until I left Zaria with a degree in Political Science.
No one gave me a chance in Nollywood
Upon graduation, I left for Lagos. To be relevant and to have your art aired, Lagos was the place to be. I looked out for acting and or scriptwriting opportunities but no one wanted to give me a chance. I was not known enough to pen a script to be produced or not a selling face for a movie role. Once, I had a nasty encounter with a notable producer, who in spite of the quality of my proposal, blatantly refused to understand my vision and passion for cinema. I had gone to see a so-called executive film producer in Nigeria, who had not gone to university, let alone, attending any film school; he talked me down, without knowing what I could offer. He said I was good enough to play waka pass (extra) and that I should forget about talking to him about script writing or any other thing about filmmaking. It was so devastating. I was tired of everything and I thought the best way out of it was to go train and return.
I got a break in Senegal
A year after, some Pan African filmmakers, who are resident in Dakar, Senegal, and I, created a legal film association called Filmi Gët (atelier des recherché cinématographiques). This was in 1999. It was the same year that Filmi Gët, in collaboration with Forut Media Centre de Dakar, produced our documentary fiction titled Ganaw Keur. I worked as assistant director on the set of the documentary that was selected at the festival d’ film d’Amien. In 2000, I got directing and co-production credit. That was when I directed and co-produced my first short written fiction film titled Jungle Justice, in collaboration with Bureau Pan African Communication, Media Centre de Dakar and Filmi Gët. My long stay in Senegal paid off when in 2003, I was among 12 young filmmakers that were sponsored to receive filmmaking training program at the Media Centre de Dakar, under the Tutorship of Fred Rendina, an America-trained filmmaker, who has worked with HBO television station. A year later, I was in Germany on the bill of TV5, a France based Television station. I was sent to Berlin to receive training at the Berlin Talent Campus, a major skill acquisition programme of the Berlin International Film Festival. I returned from Germany and made it straight to France for an exchange programme on filmmaking in Lile, France, under the sponsorship of Masion Jeune de la culture (MJC), Valencia, Spain. My turning point as a cinematographer came in 2003. That was when I directed and co produced my first documentary film project titled L’homme D’ Gardio in collaboration with Filmi Gët and PeriPlan International Africa Film Festival in Lile, France. It was my first time experience as a cinematographer. In 2005, I signed an international co production deal for my first fiction film titled Europe by Road. The film was released in April 2008. The film came two years after I directed and co- produced my third short fiction film titled Hearth Break in collaboration with Filmi Gët and Media Centre de Dakar.
Trapped dream is my word to African Youths
My award winning Trapped Dream is a call to African youths to have a rethink as the future of Africa lies in their hands. Since the 1930s, the dream of African youths is to migrate to the western world in search of greener pasture or fabled Golden Fleece. This dream, over the past two decades has unfortunately taken a dangerous and frightful dimension. So I want them to see and learn from the movie that there is no easy life anywhere. The future of Africa lies in their hands and they have a duty to salvage it and make it a better place for everybody and generations yet unborn. Individual families, organisations and governmental agencies, too have fundamental roles to play in reversing this ugly sore festering the youths.
I look forward to doing something here
Now back home, I look forward to working on home soil. I am open to collaborations. And I am willing to contribute my quota to the growth of the development of the industry. And you see Nollywood will rise again. It is only going through a phase that other industries have gone through. It will come out of its present distressed state. I know that for sure and I hold strongly that filmmaking is a serious professional business not all comers’ affair, so there is still hope for Nollywood.




Around and about Nollywood...

CFC showcases films n Switzerland
COMMUNICATING For Change (CFC), the non-governmental organisation that has since 1998 being in the forefront of raising awareness of environmental and social issues, was invited by CARITAS, the African Mirror Foundation, Nigerian in Diaspora Organization Europe, the Swiss African Forum, and the Afro-European Medical and Research Network to present their films on female genital mutilation (Uncut! Playing with Life), democracy and good governance (Film Democratic), and HIV & AIDS (Bayelsan Silhouettes). The films, according to information contained in the e-newsletter of the organisation, was presented to a diverse audience of stakeholders in Bern, Switzerland. CFC’s Executive Director, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, gave a presentation on how media can positively impact development by showing excerpts of CFC’s films and sharing lessons learned and research findings from national behavior change campaigns in Nigeria. A lively discussion ensued regarding the need to address harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), within migrant communities in Europe, the need to ensure open dialogue and collaboration between experienced development groups in Europe and Africa, and the need to keep up the pressure in calling for anti-FGM national legislation in Nigeria. The audience commended CFC for projecting a balanced, homegrown view of local development challenges to a global community by producing films that portray issues from a positive standpoint.

Gyang, CFC partner is Producer of the Year
THE CFC, through its e-newsletter, has announced that one of its partners and talented writer, producer and director Kenneth Gyang was awarded Screen Producer of the Year 2010 by the prestigious Future Awards, at a ceremony recently held in Lagos. Kenneth has worked with CFC on various projects, including co-Directing CFC’s Democracy and Good Governance films with Tunde Kelani in 2006, whilst completing his films studies at the National Film Institute (NFI) in Jos. Kenneth also worked on CFC’s Bayelsan Silhouettes film series as an Associate Producer in 2007 to 2008, and most recently directed one of CFC’s latest films on Nollywood, as part of the Red Hot! Nigeria’s Creative Economy series, which will be launched this year. “I have huge confidence in the quality of my work so it was great to receive the award”, Kenneth said after being named Screen Producer of the Year. ‘Since 2006, when I crossed paths with CFC, I have been grateful for the team’s encouragement and support, which has helped me to develop my skills and progress in my career.’ ‘Kenneth is one of Nigeria’s most talented young filmmakers’, commented Sandra Obiago, Executive Director, CFC, upon hearing of his award. ‘We are very proud of his achievement and believe that empowering youth like Kenneth has enriched the Nigerian media landscape and given an important voice to our creative youth to tell their own stories.’ Besides partnering with CFC, Kenneth has also worked with the Goethe Institut, the BBC World Service Trust, the Society for Family Health (SFH) and Johns Hopkins University, USA, and is currently working on his first feature film, Confusion Na Wa.

...And Innovating for Africa gets AMAA nomination
INNOVATING for Africa, the 22-minute documentary from the stable of Communicating for Change on Dr. Oluyombo Awojobi, who built a clinic from scratch with no government assistance and external funding, is on the nomination list of the 2010 African Movie Academy Award dubbed AMAA 2010. The documentary, as directed by Deji Adesanya, is in contention with four other documentaries – Wamba Ngoma from Tanzania, Peace Wanted Alive from Kenya, Bariga Boys from Nigeria and En quette d’identite from Burkina Faso. The documentary — uncommon service tells the remarkable story of Dr. Awojobi, who has served over a hundred thousand Nigerians in an area (Eruwa in Ogun State, South West Nigeria) where access to quality healthcare facilities and equipment is scarce. The AMAA award proper comes up on April 10 at the Glory Land Cultural Centre, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.

It’s 71 entries in all for Zuma 2010
THE Nigerian Film Corporation has announced the receipt of 71 entries for all categories of the film festival at close of submission of entries.
Entries closed on February 28, 2010. A statement from the secretariat of ZUMA Film Festival (ZFF) 2010, which is in its fifth (5th Edition) indicates that the quality of entries received are encouraging going by the timely response by both Nigerians and foreign filmmakers to participate in the festival. A breakdown shows that of the 71 entries, Nigerian filmmakers account for 51 while 20 are foreign. The number of potential exhibitors for the film market of the festival, the statement added, is also encouraging as everything is being done to ensure that it is a success. The 2010 edition has Global Images: Global Voices, as its theme and it seeks to strengthen the bridging of existing gabs between developed and developing film cultures. The focus on the Global nature and impact of film as a medium of expression is to encourage filmmakers and film making nations to undertake the globalization of their films without losing the rhythm and practices that make each artistic culture distinctively different. ZUMA Film Festival (ZFF) 2010 holds at the Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja from May 2 to 6.


Waka pass…

Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities


Chioma Chukwukah Akpotha’s watching her weight
WE have not seen leading Nollywood actress and Glo Ambassador, Chioma Chukwukah Akpotha, lately. One waka pass, who attended a presentation ceremony organised by Glo recently in Lagos, said the actress looked so trimmed that it would be hard for anyone to tell that she had ‘downloaded’ twice. In fact, we were told that the AMAA 2007 best actress in a leading role appeared in a size ‘small’ polo as against the size ‘extra large’ observers think she should be wearing based on the fact that she had visited maternity ward twice. True, waka pass was told that the Chioma that attended the presentation ceremony that day was looking as kinky as the Chioma that oga Akpotha married about four years ago. Nne, you may have to give ladies of your type a talk on how to look trim fit like you oooo. We don’t want to mention names, but I think people like … and ... will benefit a great deal from the secrets of your kinky look. We are sorting out issues of venue and date. But you can call us, as we will need your abstract for pre-workshop publicty. Nne, am sure you still have our numbers. Try the MTN or our NITEL line if you can’t reach us on Glo.

Segun Arinze is Omoni Oboli’s biggest fan
LEADING Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, should count herself lucky that she has a huge fan in the deep actor and President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Segun Arinze. The singer, voice over artiste and actor, whose real names are Segun Aina Padonu, admires Omoni acting abilities greatly. Or what else would make an actor, who should be concerned that he didn’t get a nomination or mention, call the secretariat of AMAA 2010 to find out why Omoni did not get a nomination in the leading actress category? In fact, the waka pass, who sold this gist to us, hinted that presido was on phone for several minutes on the matter. The only reason he advanced was that Omoni ought to be nominated since the movie, Figurine, was nominated in the best film and best directing categories and even Ramsey Nouah that sparred with her got a nomination. Anyway, we were told that he hung up when he was asked to see the other movies in contention and compare Omoni’s performance with those in nomination. We gathered that Presido laughed out loud when he was told by another waka pass, who saw the movie that the only time Omoni was prominent in the film was when she started ‘fighting Figurine’ and after that she slept for the better part of the film until the point she opened her eyes at the end of the film’. They said Presido was just answering ‘hum, hum’ meaning that himself fit never see the film wey him dey do lawyer on top so’. Not to we talk am ooo. But like dem dey say here:
shaibu70@yahoo.com

Tricia’s Bold face again

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
AS Nollywood actress and popular television hostess, Tricia Esiegbe, now Tricia Kingsley Kerry, sauntered into the room, where the organisers of a new reality television show, Street Champz, were performing a special media unveiling ceremony, all eyes turned on her. It was her first major outing since her marriage. Moviedom had a chat with her after the ceremony.

Congratulations on your wedding
Thank you very much. I want to also thank God because it was a day I wished for in my life. At a particular point in a woman’s life, she wants to settle down, otherwise, it becomes a problem, especially when the age is almost on the older side. I want to thank God again for His favour. It came at a time I did not expect. Before I got married, things were a bit shaky because there were a couple of stories making the rounds about marriage break-ups and what have you. I became scared and prayed never to have such experience.

Now with marriage, will you still do your stuff?
My husband is different, he is very unique in his own way. He told me even before we got married that I should not be scared because nothing will change except my name. He assured that I was still going to be the Tricia people knew and that it would not affect my business. He said the marriage would even enhance my business, because he is a trained motion picture director. So far, he has put all that to test on my programme Bold Faces and we have been receiving lots of calls from African Magic and outside the country. He got all the software and background to build Bold Faces to the level it is today.

Marriage is good, but love first
It is safe to marry someone in your line of business if the love is there. Not love based on popularity, fame and wealth, but unconditional love. It should be love for who you are and not what you are. People are always afraid of marring people in the entertainment industry because they feel they are prone to all kinds of immorality. However, one has to pray to God for a decent, God fearing and homely husband. My husband is one of such.

When will you appear on screen?
Very soon! We are coming out with some new television shows, which will equally be shown abroad. We are talking to African Magic on some of them. We are also going to be doing home movies and television soaps. My husband wanted me to act in one of them to cut cost. Since he is comfortable with that, who am I to say no? Acting for me is a passion. I am not into kiss-kiss type of acting, which of course, he knows. But even at that, my husband is not that kind of person. He is just God sent.

And Bold Faces?
Already, the programme has gone international. We are all over the stations in Nigeria. We are also in Europe. We have moved up in terms of technical details. It is now different from what you are used to. We will in no distant future spread to other continents of the world.

Maryam Babaginda
I cried when Maryam Babaginda died. It was a big loss to me. She was a mother and motivator to me. She gave a lot of mileage to my show. The interview I had with her would remain evergreen. Her death would also rank as one of the saddest moments of my life.

Regrets
None for now. If I have opportunity of living my life again, I will still be an entertainer. The only thing I don’t like about the industry is the publicity — you see people writing what is not true about you just to sell their papers; some even plant negative stories in the media to run people down. I have had doses of it. It was once rumoured that I dated a footballer, which was nothing, but falsehood. I have never dated a single footballer in my life. Because these people are difficult to get on set, people just conclude that to get them you must be dating one. But that is not correct. I am happy that God has elevated me. I have even gone past African footballer. I now talk to big time footballers in Europe. Will they say I am dating the foreign footballers such as David James, too?

Street Champz
This is a reality television show being put together by a team of credible people from the United Kingdom and, my husband, Kerry, happens to be one of the directors. He is also the operations and technical director of the show. Though based in London, the team will be coming to Nigeria to discover talents on our streets. One thing that makes the show different from other is the four-art category they talked about. There is a music, drama, comedy and dance part of it. I think this is quite different considering the background of those behind it.






Around and about Nollywood...

Zuma gets Jury for 2010 festival
THE jury for 2010 ZUMA Film Festival has been announced. With seasoned filmmaker, Rahmatou Keita, as head, it has Prof. Adamu Abdalla Uba of the Bayero University Kano; Dr. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt; Mr. Bond Emeruwa, President of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, Editor of The Guardian on Sunday as members. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has announced the receipt of 71 entries for all categories of the film festival at close of submission on February 28. A statement from the secretariat said the quality of entries received is encouraging. A breakdown showed that of the 71 entries, Nigerian films account for 51 while 20 are foreign. The number of potential exhibitors for the film market of the festival, the statement added, is also encouraging as everything is being done to ensure that it’s success. The 2010 edition with the theme Global Images: Global Voices seeks bridge the gabs between developed and developing film cultures.

… As organisers secure partnership deal
MORE organisations (private and government) have indicated interests in partnering with the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) for a successful edition. Some of them are the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Abuja; Consolidated Media Associates; Babylon International; Terracota Awards; Teens Resource Centre; Nicon Luxury Hotel Limited, Abuja; and Silverbird Communications. The festival holds from May 2 to 6 in Abuja. A statement from the organisers said that while the Consolidated Media Associates, Nigeria’s largest Television content provider on entertainment (Televista, Soundcity, Spice TV, Village square TV) would use its network to educate, propagate, mobilise participation and support as well as coverage and reportage of events, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry would, in addition to providing financial support, take advantage of the platform to promote the commercial and industrial aspects of the motion picture industry. Meanwhile, the EU Media backed Babylon International Workshop (on Film) being promoted by Scripthouse (Germany), Scenario films (UK), Playfilms (France) and Media International, which began last November, and also held from February 16 to 20, in Berlin, is scheduled to end next month in Nigeria. The workshop holds from April 26 to May 1. Selected film projects are billed for screening during the festival in Abuja. Similarly, the Terracotta Awards promoted by Classic Events and Teens Resource Centre, promoters of International Children Film Festival, have also signed on to use ZUMA Film Festival 2010 platform to promote, recognise and reward excellence and creativity in the film and television industries. Also, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), based in the United States of America is to fully participate in this edition.

BOBTV ends fest, Akunyili assures Fund
THE 2010 edition of the Best of the Best Television and Film Market, otherwise known as BOBTV, ended on Friday. The festival, which started on March 16, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. At the opening , former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, reiterated government’s resolve to establish a film fund for the Nigerian film industry. Also, the Chairman and Founder of Galaxy Television, Chief Steve Ojo, Chief Zebulum Ejiro, Opa Williams and Emem Isong were among those honoured for their outstanding contributions to the development of television and film in Nigeria. While Ojo was recognised as a producer, director, entrepreneur and broadcaster per excellence, Ejiro, who is popular as the movie sheik, was honoured for his pioneering work in the film industry and enduring work on TV. Isong was honoured for her role in the shooting of indigenous language films particularly the Efik and Ibibio languages. Every year BOBTV recognises hardworking professionals, who have contributed to the growth of the movie industry in Nigeria.

Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities

Has any one seen Tonto Dike for us?
AS hard as we have tried, we have not been able to get hold of the popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dike. We have called, sent short messages and emails, but whooooooosai, we have not been able to get across to the charming actress, who we are told, used to have something to do with the main dude at Mo’ Hits records. Anyway, if you know someone, who knows where she is, please do let her know that we need to ask her a few questions. One waka pass wants us to believe, even when we know it can’t be true, that the reason our own darling Tonto has not been mobilised for youth service is because she needs all the time in the world to cement her relationship with, ‘a Nigerian international whom she met at Tricia Esiegbe’s wedding last year’. And the question we want to ask Tonto? Was she at Tricia’s talk of the town wedding? Is any Nigerian international on line? What has her intention to cement a relationship got to do with her educational pursuit? Questions, questions, questions! Our number? No, Tonto knows how to reach us…

We saw Uche Jombo
WE thought we should mention this here before some waka pass begin to sell fake gist to us. We ran into Nollywood actress and Glo Ambassador, Uche Jombo, in the United States, last week. The now chopped up Jombo was on a movie location with Desmond Elliot and Van Vicker when we saw her. In fact, yours sincerely watched with his mouth wide opened, as the threesome stepped out of one ogbonge Limousine that brought them on set. Don’t know now when they are due back, but Uche and Desmond send their love. And to say the truth, if na me dem carry for that limousine, I no go return again. I for seek asylum. True, Oyibo dey respect them artiste.

Remy Ohajianya is busy
THOSE who think that former Lagos State chapter chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Chief Remy Ohajianya, will walk out of relevance once he leaves office should go and eat their hearts out. The former teacher turned actor has landed a big job. Put differently, Chairman, as he is popularly called, has ‘arrove’. The bulky actor has been named Project Manager of a new reality cum television show dubbed Street Champz. Ohajianya’s task is to manage the reality programme and to ensure that they deliver. And if we know Ohajianya very well, then ‘delivery’ is certain, not even when the folks behind the reality programme are all based in the United Kingdom. Meaning that Chief may be paid in pounds and he is likely to even visit London before the end of the show… Kai! This is good. But Chief we go wash am ooo. But abeg, try sign better contract ooo and make you shine your eyes ooo. One waka pass think say na shine wey you no shine your eyes make small boys push you commot for your AGN seat ooo. Twice beaten for your case no go be twice shy at all. To God be the Glory!

...On Jungle Ride

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
STARTING from this weekend, Jungle Ride, Lilian Uchenna Amah-Aluko’s new film on unemployment among youths, will be screened at major cinemas across the country. She hinted at a special premiere of the movie about three Sundays ago that it would also make some festival rounds before finally hitting homes on DVD. The Ojoto, Anambra State-born actress speaks to Moviedom about the film and her future plans.

Culmination of a dream: Jungle Ride is culmination of a dream, which started about five years ago. Ajua Dickson and I had numerous discussions, back then, about our dreams for the industry and desire to produce movies that would make a difference. To this end, she brought a script, Jungle Ride, written by Segun Michaels. It was a beautifully written treatise about virile jobless people.

Making it work : In realising this project, we had to call in a lot of favours. We are very grateful to everyone, who contributed in bringing this project to life — the cast and crew, my parents, my husband, family members, friends, Michaels, whom I am sure will let out many more beautiful stories to fuel our creative energies, EXP marketing agencies, Wired Entertainment and others. Their contributions to the success of the movie even with the global economic meltdown is a tribute to their determination to help the Nigerian youth and also movie industry.

Why are you the absent from the screen: I hadn’t much time until September 2005 because I was working full time in the bank. But outside Out of Bounds, Hit and Run and others such as She Devil and Rough Edges, I have done only a few works in recent time. I did Mnet’s Doctors quarters a while back. I am in Jimi Odumosu’s The Head of State, which just started airing. Tunji Bamishigbin’s Valley Between and Oliver Aleoghena’s Husbands and Wives have still not been released. I also did Okey Ogunjiofor’s Cyberia, which I think is still running on Africa Magic and a few others I can’t readily remember. But Out of Bounds will remain my most memorable, because it was my first.

Why I quit banking: I quit banking because entertainment is what I enjoy doing. My incursion into banking was as a result of my desire to prove that I could hold down a serious job. I did that successfully for about 10 years then decided it was time to do what I enjoy most. But I have no regret quitting banking at all.

Pains and gains of being a celebrity: Well, I don’t have any pains as such because I really don’t consider myself as one. The only downside of that to me is the loss of privacy and the gain is the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

Marriage and Moviedom : My marriage had nothing to do with whether I was running away from being talked about in the press. On the contrary, I didn’t even marry early. Even while I was single, I tried to conduct myself properly. My parents are very important to me and I know they value their good name. It would break their heart if I ruined that name. I also have my husband’s name to protect. He is also an artist and appreciates my job. I only go to places where I have business and don’t indulge in unnecessary talk or frivolous action.
As for whether people get harassed before they are given roles; oh well, it has never happened to me. I hear it happens and I feel people should believe in themselves. Don’t be too desperate for anything. Do your best and let the Almighty handle the rest.

Regrets? No regrets at all. If I had to live this life again, I would still choose the same path with a few minor changes. Also, I can’t choose between writing and acting. Both of them feed different parts of my soul.




Around and about Nollywood...

AMAA 2010: Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi top nomination list
TWO of Nigeria’s leading actresses, Stephanie Okereke and Bimbo Akintola, are in for the coveted top prize of best actress in a leading role at this year’s UBA/AMAA award. Okereke and Akintola have the trio of Jackie Appiah, Lydia Farson and Naa Ashoku Mensa-Doku (Perfect Picture) and then Flora Suya (Season of a life) and Akofa Edjeani Asiedu (I sing of a well). Meanwhile Kunle Afolayan’s Figurine and Izu Chukwu’s Nnenda were among 30 films that made the nominations from over 280 entries received across Africa. Chairman of College of Screeners, announced the nominees on Saturday March 6, in Accra, Ghana. For Nigeria, Okereke, Akintola and their Ghanaian counterparts Appiah, Farson and Mensa-Doku are top nominees for the Best Actress category for their role in Nnenda, Freedom in Chains and The Perfect Picture. In the best actor category, Ramseh Nouah, Lucky Ejim, Majid Michael, Odera Ozoka and John Osie Tutu for their roles in The Tenant, Sin of a Soul, The Figurine, Soul Diaspora and I sing of a well. In the same vein, Afolayan, Shemu Joyah, Shirley Frimpong- Manso, Leila Jewel Djansi, Jude Idada and Ejim will slug it out for the Best Director category. Speaking at the event, Peace Anyiam Osigwe explained the symbolism in hosting the event in Ghana on the eve of the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary, adding that with the awards, Kwame Nkurumah’s quest for oneness of Africa through his Pan-African ideology is being realized. The Ghanaian government’s delegation to the event was led by the country’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs Hannah Tetteh, who said the creative industry in Ghana is evolving while calling Africa governments not to neglect the sector. Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Special Duties and the State Director General for Tourism, Mr. Nathan Egba led the state’s delegation while Mr. Seun Soyinka and some senior staff of the United Bank for Africa Ghana represented the bank. Eminent artistes and celebrities at the event include Delta State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo; Rita Dominic; Segun Arinze; Osita Iheme; Paul Obazele; Ejike Asiegbu; Dickson Iroegbu; Kunle Afolayan; Steve Ayorinde; Muma Gee; and J Martins among others.

Benson’s High Blood Pressure in local cinemas
THINGS are beginning to look good for Nigerian movie artistes. They now have an opportunity to air their works in major cinemas in the country, contrary to the widely held view that offerings of the industry are not good enough to attract such offers. From Stephanie Okereke’s Through the Glass to Emem Isong’s Guilty Pleasure and much later Kunle Afolayan’s The Figurine, the cinemas are opening up to filmmakers, who have somewhat upped their game. While the industry awaits the cinema airing of Lilian Amah-Aluko’s Jungle Ride after an impressive premiere at the Silverbird Galleria last Sunday, one of the most sought after creative minds in the industry, Teco Benson, is set to air his latest movie, High Blood Pressure, in major cinemas across Lagos. Benson is working alongside his executive producer/financier, John Okonkwo, of GoodLife Production to have as many film buffs as possible see the film across the country. According to Benson, the film, which features Kanayo O. Kanayo, Clarion Chukwura, Lilian Bach, Yemi Blaq, Jibola Daboh, Jim Roach and several others, will be seen by movie buffs at upscale cinemas, such as Silverbird, Genesis Deluxe, Ozone in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and in other state capitals.

Celebrities, Lagos State endorse Walk Against Rape
THE much awaited Celebrity Walk Against Rape has finally got the nod of Lagos State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Joke Adefulire, who pledged her full support for the event. Various celebrities such as Abike Dabiri, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye, Ara, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Fela Durotoye, Stella Monye, Bolaji Rosiji, Titi Adelagun, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Tosin Bucknor, Ashionye, Ego, Steve Yaw Onu, Timi Dakolo, Ofunneka Molokwu, Funke Akindele and Toni Payne and others have also showed great interest to participate in the walk. The walk is a special demonstration that will bring together Nigerian actors, actresses, sport men, media practitioners, musicians, comedians and showbiz personalities together to lend a voice to sexually abused women in the society, particularly young girls between the ages of 3 - 18 years. The campaign is also strategically aimed at helping the women folks fight against rape and sexual violence. According to the Project Coordinator, Esther Ijewere, “Our aim is to encourage victims to speak out and reduce the stigmatization attached to the victims of sexual abuse as well as use “Walk Against Rape” as a platform to inform the society about the soaring scourge of sexual abuse especially as it relates to young girls and women”. Packaged by Rubies Ink and Acada Magazine, the walk will start by 7am on Friday, April 16, at the Police College, Ikeja (the point of convergence) and end at the Ministry Of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Secretariat, Alausa – Ikeja (point of departure) where a speech, Rape: its effects, consequences and the role of Government, will be delivered by Esther Ijewere.


Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities

Dickson Iroegbu battles Fatai Rolling Dollars
THERE was a time he locked his hair, I think in protest over the state of affairs in the movie industry. Later, he shaved it, when he realised he had to wear the locks till thy kingdom comes because people were not willing to make things happen soon. Oh well, movie director and producer, Dickson Iroegbu has dared into a trademark reserved only for the legendary and 80-something-year old highlife musician Fatai Rolling Dollar: that is wearing dark shades even at night. It was nomination compere and President (yes oooo, Presido) of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze, that called our attention to this at the AMAA nomination event in Ghana. Arinze actually recognised the presence of Dickson’s dark shades at an indoor event. No one told oga Dickson to take off the shades and he remained without it until he returned to naija.

Memuna Yahaya heads to Idah
BY the time you would be reading this, popular actress Memuna Yahaya (nee Abaji) would have touched base with her people in Idah, Kogi State, as she commences the process of getting her pet project, a film on the legendary Inikpi off the ground. Before she left, the actress of After the Storm fame hinted that she was going to visit the stature of the legendary princess Inikpi, who gave up her life for the liberation of the Igala people. There is something that Memuna mentioned before she left: that people still drop monies at the Inikpi statue in Idah and you know what came to mind — that since sponsors are difficult to come by, may be Auntie Memuna should seek the permission of the local authorities to gather all the monies there as seed money for the film project! no, be laffin mata ….. na advice and as they say in my place, advice no be curse.

Akume Akume is a dancer
WHO said Akume Akume is just a filmmaker? Oh, well waka pass can authoritatively confirm that Nigeria’s Akume is also a confirmed dancer. For the fact that he has an already confirmed ticket and didn’t have prior plans to relocate, waka pass was sure that most Ghanaians, who were at the after nomination party organised as part of AMAA event held in Ghana last Saturday, would have asked Akume to stay back in Accra and show them more of those dance steps. True, we are not making this up: Akume swaggered and gingered. Ordinarily nylon shirts are not supposed to hold back sweat, but the yellow nylon shirt he wore that evening held back sweat as a proof of the Akumetious steps exhibited that evening. One waka pass said: ‘e be like say Madam Peace (AMAA CEO) go consider including award for dancing in the nomination list’.
shaibu70@yahoo.com

Eager to tell the story of Inikpi

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
OPULAR actress, Memuna Yahaya nee Abaji, who played Emotan in the long rested television soap, After the Storm, is ready to realise her long held dream of contributing to the socio-cultural development of her state, Kogi. The star of Spider, a television soap, is the head of a team that is brewing an epic film titled Inikpi, which is poised to re-define epic productions in Nollywood. Memuna, who is mentoring a large population of young girls in Kogi State, hints during the week that work on the story and screenplay, is at an advanced stage. She speaks to Moviedom on the film and her long absence from the scene…

Where have you been?
I have been making babies in my husband house. But I am fine and back on track. In the last two months, I have been in Abeokuta, Ogun State recording Living in Lagos. I am taking part in the production. Also, I recently starred in a language movie, Omayeiku. It is a brilliant movie in Igala, my dialect. I liked it because it challenged me. I was privileged to be part of it. Thompson Junior, who produced, is a younger person, so, when he invited me to do the job, I saw it as one way of encouraging him. I enjoyed every bit of the time I spent on set. And ever since, I have been planning to do my own production. Of course, it is going to be in my language — Igala. But it is going to be something legendary and historic. I am working on an historical event, something that people from my area can relate to.
Why don’t we have too many Igala ladies on the scene?
I think the problem has been that of fear. It is not that we can’t do it or that we don’t have the talent. Probably because didn’t give it a thought. Overtime, we talked about getting together to project our culture and heritage, but we didn’t take it off the idea stage. So, that is it. Another thing is sponsorship. It is most times difficult to get people to invest in movies that appeal to a particular geographical expression. But as it is, we are putting money together and we are determined to do something and produce works that will project our people as well as their moral and historical values. Right now, there are still a few of us that are in the business. May be because of our culture and may be because of the way the profession was perceived in the past. But there is a greater awareness now and people are now coming to accept the business as simply make-believe. I mean if you are playing a role, you are merely interpreting a character and it has nothing to do with your person really. Again, one is careful not to do jobs that will give us a bad name or bad image back home. You cannot find us doing jobs that will demand our exposing our bodies and what have you. At least, we are getting there. I mean Jumai Joseph is there and producing some films, there is another girl called Hauwa who has produced two movies. They all challenge me because they all came right behind me. So, I am now trying to get all of us together to do some work that will project our culture and values and to do something that will affect the whole world.
The story of Inikpi is what I am working on
I am thinking of putting the story of Inikpi up for people to see. That story is a good story. It is a story of sacrifice. I have been researching on it in the last five months and have been talking to people who have done some academic work on it and I am hoping to get them to sit down and put down a world class story that we can produce and show the world. And by the way, the story of Inikpi is the story of the legendary princess who offered herself for sacrifice to save her people. The story is gripping and relevant.
Emotan in After the Storm
I like to do more television production than home video because with television, you return to look at every episode to see what you are doing so that you can reflect on your performance. It gives me room to appraise and improve on myself the following week. So, I prefer to do television but again there is no so much money in television like in the movies so may be with time we shall consider doing more movie productions than television.
Marriage and moviedom
It has not been particularly very easy. All I have been doing is to create time for everybody and everyone in my life and time for myself. I love to do the job and so what I do is, I take a job, and then I give myself a break — an holiday —I spend that time with my family and then if I am working, and it is weekend, I bring my family on set and we stay in the next room or in the next hotel while I work. That has been the secret.




Around and about Nollywood...

Wenner is Head, AMAA 2010 jury, Ghana to host nomination party
THE organisers of African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have received over 280 entries across Africa for the event that holds in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on April 10. Similarly, International Film Programmer and former Head of the Berlinale Talent Campus, Dorothee Wenner, has been named as President of the 2010 jury. Wenner, with a strong interest in the development of African Cinema, is expected to chair an 11-man jury that will decide winners of the about 25 categories. Meanwhile chairman of the awards’ College of Screeners, Mr. Shaibu Hussein, has announced that over 500 films were entered for this year’s event. The film journalist and critic with The Guardian also stated that for over 45 days, screeners were in camp to screen the entries, which he puts at about 500 adding that only 280 of the total entries met requirement. Shaibu also revealed that films from the Yoruba segment of the Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, would have led the pack in terms of number of entries from the country, but some of them were disqualified for flouting the entry rules. “We made it clear that any film that is more than two hours would not be considered at all. We also stated that films submitted for awards should have no advertisement but in most of the Yoruba films, you would see 10-15 minutes adverts of herbal medicines and all what not. But the truth is that some Yoruba films also complied with the rules. Other filmmakers submitted their market copies. At the end, only 280 made our entry criteria,” he explained. Entertainment journalists such as Victor Akande (The Nation), Azu Amatus (The Sun), Atim Ikpeme (Champion) and Darlington Abuda and some others previewed the films before handing over their recommendations to the College comprising representatives from African countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon etc.

From AMP, a vote of confidence for Fashola
THE national leadership of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), led by popular actor and filmmaker, Mr. Paul Obazele, has assured the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, of the support of filmmakers, particularly producers, in the effort to make the state a truly mega-city. Obazele gave this assurance when a team from the association paid a courtesy call on the governor in his Alausa office, Ikeja, recently. In his welcome address, Fashola commended the AMP executives for coming to rub minds with him on how to further move Lagos forward through didactic films and entertainment oriented projects. He also thanked them for deeming it fit to honour him with the special award, promising to soon embark on talks with investors on how to move the film industry forward. Fashola also told the team that his government, which is masses driven, is already planning of setting up a world-class film village, adding that his administration is entertainment friendly. The Governor, who commended the association for coming up with the yearly AMP/Eko International Film Festival, also endorsed the laudable initiative and promised to add the next edition, which holds between November 22 and 26, to the Lagos State calendar of major events. He urged AMP to encourage its members to produce films that teach moral values and constantly help to elevate the citizens as well as the nation. While responding, a visibly elated Obazele, who was accompanied on the trip by some of his executives and notable filmmakers and actors, thanked Fashola for the warm reception, promising that they would put into practice all that the Governor pointed out. He also commended the Governor for endorsing the AMP/Eko Film Festival and for accepting to include the festival, which had its maiden outing last year at the National Theatre. Other executives who accompanied the AMP President on the visit include Lilian Amah-Aluko, Vice President, AMP, Franklin Okoro, General Secretary, Mike Nliam, Financial Secretary, top actors: Zack Orji and Fred Amata, among others.

Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities

Has Saint Obi joined US Army?
WONDER if popular Nollywood actor Obinna Nwafor aka Saint Obi has joined the United States Army with the way he appeared in all khaki attire at last Sunday’s premiere of Lilian Amah-Aluko’s Jungle Ride. The film was co-produced by Ajua Dickson. The well built actor appeared in a military hat, on a faded camouflage up and down and a brown canvass just when the quality crowd that the premiere attracted had emptied the bar and moved in to catch a glimpse of the action that made the film thick. Trust the star of Felony (his earliest movie run) and Take Me to Mama to always be on his toes. The actor bounced into the waiting hands of the elated Lilian, who was the evening chief host. Within seconds, he was exchanging banters with some journalists, and just when someone wanted to spell out Obinna, his name at birth, the University of Jos theatre arts graduate had already taken his seat in the filled hall for the premiere. One waka pass said it might be the way he was dressed that was why Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, who anchored the show, did not recognise him. You know because, they introduced a number of military men at the event, the tendency is for those foot-legging for Keppy to believe that the people’s Saint was there as a body guard! Abeg, not to us talk am ooo.

And they all came out with their wives
WHOEVER is president of the unofficial Association of Wives of Movie Practitioners must take a deserved bow. Honestly, she is doing a yo-man job considering the way wives of popular celebrities have been accompanying their hubby’s to events. One waka pass thinks that Madam Lilian knows the president or that someone reached out to her for there to be a massive turn out of husband and wives at the premiere. The roll call: Fidelis and Mrs Tope Duker, Keppy and wife, Stephen and Pat Oghre Osezua, Paul and wife (someone said it was the first time Paul was carrying…no sorry taking madam out) and guess who, Victor Okhai and his lovely wife. The bearded actor Zack Orji, for the first time, attended a Nollywood event without Ngozi, his wife. May be that was why Keppy picked him out to come and offer the opening prayer. Zack did a good job of it but it showed from the looks on his face that he was missing his adorable wife. One waka pass asked why we did not include the director of the movie Kingsley Omoefe on our roll call. True, we saw the junior Sir Kay walk into the event with a fair skinned lady, but we could not ask if she was Madam because first he didn’t ‘wash am for us’ and secondly in this jungle that is called moviedom, junior Sir Kay especially since he is a prolific directors has a right to audition actors as long as the jobs keep rolling in! But we no know book oooo! To God be the Glory!
shaibu70@yahoo.com

Nse...in Berlin, networking is the reason

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
Nse Ikpe-Etim, the Nollywood actress who is best known for putting up an engaging performance in Emem Isong’s Reloaded is in Berlin, Germany for the Berlin International Film Festival, which is in its 60th edition. ‘I came on my own, sponsored myself so as to gain exposure as well as to network,’ Nse spoke with Moviedom, over coffee in the snack lounge of Mode One Hotel, South of Berlin. The hotel around the Wittenpbergplatz area was home to a number of other filmmakers including the couple Daniel and Doris Ademinokan. ‘I think we all need this kind of exposure as there is nothing like getting out to see what new things people are trying their hands on,’ Nse remarked, sipping intermittently from a cup of steaming hot coffee. Outside it was freezing. Ice, not snow, was what was dropping that evening and so no one wanted to ask Nse why she was on her second cup of coffee within a space of an hour. ‘You need this to stay warm. This is Ice Cold and snowy Berlin. A lot of people have mentioned that it never used to be this severe’ she explained adding ‘I will be back next year to make comparison myself’. Nse, star of another of Emem Isong’s recent hit Guilty Pleasures spoke to Moviedom….

Mission to Berlinale
I just finished a movie with Emem Isong, the title was Spell Bound. It is quite an interesting work. As soon as I finished, I had a chance to be here as part of the Berlinale and I decided to come, just to check it out and see what is there for me to experience and I am glad I made it here. Honestly, I am happy to be here.

Beyond the exposure, it is an adventure for me
Apart from the fact that I am an actor, I am also a writer and I am particularly quite adventurous. So for me, it was a way of getting to be familiar with film festivals and what happens there. The only one I have attended is Sithengi in South Africa and that was some years back. I decided that I am going to attend as many festivals as I can, if I want to improve myself, criticize myself as an actor and as a writer and see what kind of marriages, artistic marriages that is, that I can consummate. I have been talking to people, and people have been talking to me too. I met this Turkish director who wants us to talk and funny enough, I have been meeting so many Nigerian filmmakers whom I have not had the chance of meeting back home. I mean it was here that I met Kunle Afolayan, Mr. Femi Odugbemi and even Mr. Afolabi Adesanya of the Film Corporation. I know them as practitioners but we never met. So this is part of what you gain when you come to a festival. You network and meet people.

I took a short break after Reloaded
I don’t think I stayed away too long after Reloaded, even though I want to admit that I took a short break. Maybe it appears long because we produce movies almost every other month in Nigeria, but I don’t think it was long. I think my having not to do so many works after Reloaded was deliberate. For some of us, we come out the way we are meant to come out, so that people don’t get tired of us easily. Now that I am done with Guilty Pleasures, I can take another good job, then another one and another… It is better when you are through with one and then you take on another. So it’s one at a time for me.

Playing the disadvantage wife in Guilty Pleasures again
Well, I think, maybe the producer or whoever did the casting, at a point, wanted to see me play such a role all out. Maybe they wanted to stretch me further and see me really cry because apparently I didn’t cry in Reloaded. I think they wanted to see me do something slightly deeper than Re-loaded, where I had to share the space with other women. Although the roles (Reloaded and Guilty Pleasures) were almost alike, they were different in interpretation. And I think that in all fairness, all my roles have been challenging. I was not all alone in Guilty Pleasures. There were other actors and another story that was also told. It was challenging but it was made easy because I had good people to work with again. I am happy with my effort in the movie and will leave the audience to judge. It is for them to tell, if I did well.

I am happy I am taking something back from Berlinale
Well I hope not to go back with the cold. But seriously, I hope to go back with the fact that a lot of people are looking at in-roads into Africa, which is amazing and good for Nollywood. The report about Nollywood has really gotten around. People are looking at conquering Asian market and looking for in-road into the Nigerian market, not even African market, but the unexplored Nigeria market. One filmmaker was talking to me the other day and he said something like ‘it’s like there is something big happening there that we don’t know about’ and I was enthralled because he promised to look in and seek areas of collaboration. That’s what we need now, really. I mean everyone is crazy about our country. They want to come in and see if it is possible to do business with us. It is left for those in authority to reach out to them. We, I mean those of us who have been attending meetings here have been doing the best we can to promote the industry; and honestly, I will make it a policy to be attending festivals from now on. There is so much it adds to what you already know. I am already working on attending the Cannes Film festival this year.

As a celebrity, I have tried to live above board
I have lost my privacy. I have to be careful about the things I do. I can’t do certain things as much as I want to. Even the things I say. Sometime, I am careful not to hurt anyone’s feeling so they don’t think one is puffing or something. But people should realize that we have our own life. We are human and should be accommodated as such. It is hard but we have been trying to live above board.

The biggest rumour I have heard about myself
The biggest untruth about me is the supposed affair they said I am having with Fred Amata. I think that, that is so untrue and so unfair to Fred. I mean, I have nothing to lose because I am single, but the man you are linking me with is a family man. So if you link me with any man, you are on your own, because I have got nothing to lose. Yes, I do share a friendship with the Amatas — as in from Brother Zack Amata to his granddaughter, which is Jeta Amata’s daughter. We are family friends. So it hurts when people now link me with a member of the family. It hurts. But I will like to say that it is nice if they verify stories first. Verification is very important. It is not fair when you run people down because these have families and have people who look up to them. Some of us still want to hide. But it is all good. I guess it comes with the terrain and; the job.






Around and about Nollywood...

Pitch @ BOBTV 2010… share in N250m fund
FILMMAKERS and content providers who intend to benefit from the N250 million naira production fund to be injected by three multi-media platforms as a way of reinvigorating the film and television programmes industry must forward by registered Post or courier service, the synopsis and production plan of their programmes idea.
Amaka Igwe, Festival Director of BoBTV, Nigeria’s leading film and television programmes market, who announced the provision of the production fund, recently stated that both the production plan and the synopsis must reach the organizers of BoBTV on or before March 7. However, Igwe disclosed that the pitch documents will be opened at the BoBTV event, which holds between March 16 and 18 at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.
Last week, the BoBTV press office announced that over N250 million is available for all manner of programme production from a DTH company, a TV station and a reputable production House. Also, two of the multi-media companies collaborating with BOBTV will release their briefs pre-BoBTV and host the pitching and commissioning for the projects at BoBTV 2010. The third company will release its own brief at BoBTV and hold its pitching and commissioning at a later date. Projects to be pitched for include films, television soap operas and series, television magazine programmes, documentaries and other audio-visual content, both in English and local languages.
According to BOBTV Festival Director, Amaka Igwe, “These are the types of collaborations I have been advocating for a long time. We need this at the moment, probably more than at any other time. We all know what situation the industry is in now, so I am really excited that this is happening”. All interested content producers, marketers and individuals should contact the organizers for more information. BoBTV provides a platform for acquisition and exchange of programmes and movies across Africa and valuable alliances for Television Stations and industry professionals. BoBTV also presents a practical arena for new ideas and concepts in television and programmes development and for experiencing the theatrical, communications, business and policy realities of the Nigerian and African audiovisual content industries. This year’s African Film and TV Programmes Market, BoBTV 2010 is scheduled to hold from March 16th through18 at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

…And time to honour the ‘Best of the Best’
THE Chairman and Founder of Galaxy Television, Chief Steve Ojo, producer, director Chief Zebulum Ejiro, OON, producer and humour merchant, Opa Williams and producer, writer Emem Isong are among those to be honoured for outstanding contribution to development of the television and film sector at the BoBTV event next month. While Ojo will be recognized as a producer, director, entrepreneur and broadcaster, who has grown and positioned Galaxy as a station of note in local content, Ejiro will be honoured for his pioneering work in the Nollywood as well as his enduring work on TV. The organizers of BoBTV stated and rightly too, that Ejiro deserves to be saluted for his vision, and support, particularly in the discovery and mentoring of new talents.
Indeed Ejiro’s passion for breeding talents in Nigeria has culminated in the establishment of the magnificent Training Institution at Ozorom which is accredited by the Federal Government. Also to be honoured at the event is the man acclaimed mentor of a number of today’s stand-up comedians, Opa Williams. The veteran producer and head of Virgin Productions will be honoured for his outstanding service to the television and movie sector and for his work in the development of Comedy and Comedians in Nigeria, especially with his popular annual event, A Nite of a Thousand Laughs. It is widely believed that his immense contributions turned Comedy to big business in Nigeria. Emem Isong the University of Calabar choreography major will also be honoured for her work in the shooting of indigenous language films, particularly the Efik and Ibibio work.
Isong, who just released Guilty Pleasures, is noted as one of the few practitioners, who have forged and worked in partnership. Of particular note is her recent entrepreneurial spirit that seeks to originate works and distribute them; thus becoming one of the few “Script to Store” organizations in Nollywood today. Only an actor featured in the honours list; and that is Sam Achibi Dede. Sam will receive the BOBTV 2010 crest in recognition of his deep talent and skill. Sam will also be honoured for his dedication to the craft and also pride in his career. Particularly, Sam will be rewarded for his passion in the training of young Artistes. A statement from the organizers say the awardees follow a long tradition of practitioners who have received such rewards since 2006.
Every year, BoBTV recognises hardworking professionals, who over time, have contributed to the growth of the Movie and Television industry in Nigeria. The comic actor Nkem Owoh, the legendary Sam Loco Efe and the prolific director Andy Amenechi are some of those who have been inducted into the BoBTV hall of awardees.

Galleria hosts Jungle Ride on Feb. 28
Jungle Ride; Lilian Amah-Aluko and Ajua Dickson’s new movie on love, luck and the increasing and alarming cases of unemployment among the youths will be screened to a quality crowd in a special premiere at the Silverbird Galleria in the Victoria Island of Lagos on Sunday February 28. A cocktail bash will precede the premiere of the movie, which the organizers say is strictly by invitation. Written by Segun Michaels and directed by Kingsley Omoefe, Amah, an actress and writer hinted that the movie will begin its runs in major cinemas across Nigeria, immediately after Sunday’s premiere. Amah expressed optimism that the movie which stars well-rated Nollywood actors like Bimbo Manuel, Femi Brainard, Ngozi Nwosu, Chidi Ukwu, Omoni Oboli, Emma Ayalogu and Joseph Benjamin will make a huge impact on the society, especially the youths. Amah, a first and second degree graduate of English from the University of Lagos and current Vice President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), said: ‘young people often have dreams of suitable white collar jobs immediately after leaving school. Some find this extremely important and others don’t. This is the world of Jungle Ride, the ever desperate search for a piece of your own greenery’.

Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities

The Ademinokan’s had their valentine bash in Berlin
FILMMAKING couple Doris and Daniel Ademinokan took time out on valentine’s Day to show some members of the Nigerian delegation to the on-going Berlin International Film Festival that theirs was not just ‘naira love’. They showed their colleagues practical love (apologies Isaac Izoya) when they took themselves out for dinner in a choice restaurant in Berlin just to commemorate St. Valentine’s Day. Waka pass was not invited sha oo, but the only person (an actress) that was asked to join them, so that three can be a company, hinted that food and drinks flowed so much that one waka pass observed that Sister Doris was just blushing and smiling from post to post all through their stay in the restaurant. And the question we asked was if Daniel, who is popular as Bishop, did not position any camera in the restaurant. Well, we asked because we will not be surprised if we see posters of a new movie titled ‘Valentine in Berlin’ from the stable of the filmmaking couple when they return.

Ofiafuluagu Mbaka was in Berlin
THE actor and Chairman of Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was in Berlin. He arrived on Sunday morning with a delegation that was sponsored by the African Movie Academy (AMAA) to attend the Berlin International Film Festival and to run a short training programme at the Prague Film School. Mbaka obviously spent days monitoring the Berlin weather before he set forth from Enugu. The tall, well-built came prepared. He covered every part of his body and just left a portion of his face for people to still know that he is the same ‘Ofia’ as he is simply called. The only problem Ofia had with the weather was that it made him sleep earlier than he would normally do. So Ofia, according to one waka pass, missed out on some of the late night events at the Berlinale. But actress Nse Ikpe-Etim was everywhere and whenever. So for Kunle Afolayan, whose good morning, good afternoon and good evening to anyone who cared to listen was, ‘I have a film to sell and I am looking for an agent or distributor’. Both Nse and Kunle came prepared for Berlin. They never complained of cold. But Nse did one evening after the Nigeria-born but Berlin-based entertainment promoter, Isaac Izoya, spoilt some members of the delegation a little with a full meal of Ise Ewu at a restaurant called Ebeano and run by a chap called Nnamani. Before waka pass could spelt out Nse, the Akwa Ibom-born actress was already under her sheets in the hotel. Not even the assurance that she will have a word with Will Smith if she makes it out again, could get her off her sheets. But sis, wetin come happen that evening? I think say you been dey show? Abi na send dem be send that particular cold? To God be the Glory!
shaibu70@yahoo.com

Lufodo Academy... Olu, Joke Jacobs bring dreams to public space

The world economy is currently focussing greater attention on the creative industries as vital contributors to national economies. The Performing Arts, especially cinema, are indeed enjoying time in the sun.
This probably is a good template for the dreams of the famous theatre couple, Olu and Joke Jacobs who all these years have been concerned about the need to fully professsionalise the enterprise of theatrical activities.
Last week Wednesday, at its office at 3B Isiola Oyekan Street, Victoria Island, the LUFODO Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) was formally presented to the public. The core objective of of the institute, according to the director, Joke Jacobs (known in the art sector as Joke Silva) is to train and increase quality of talents available for radio, stage, TV and film production. The dream, she said, is to produce artistes of international quality and ratings.
Chairman of the institute, Olu Jacobs said LAPA is a institution designed to respond to the critical problems that have impeded development of the film industry in the country. Particularly at a time when the international cinema circuit seems interested in what is going on in Nigeria, the Nollywood veteran actor said, “Since the government has refused to recognise the contribution of the Nigerian creative industries, film sector in particular; and the higher institutions are not reacting to the progress either, this institute has taken it as a challenge to raise the standard of the performing arts in respect to film, TV and radio in Nigeria”.
At the presentation graced by Mr Femi Odugbemi (Ms Tobi , a member of the board as well as members of the faculty and students of the institute, two pioneer graduates gave a hint of the quality of products of the Academy in a drama skit titled, The Northerners.
— REMI ADEGBITE

Who is afraid of Uche?

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
She picked the call, and after establishing that the caller, who hid his number, was a friend of the house, yelled, ‘What’s up.’ That sort of set the ground for the loads of questions that the caller had for her on a recent ‘abortion mess’ that had been humming around her. A magazine had gone to town the previous week with the ‘tale’ of how the beloved screen actress ‘aborted a six month pregnancy for ex-super eagles star, Uche Okechukwu’. To illustrate the story, the magazine found and used a picture that showed that the actress, scriptwriter and producer might have lost weight following the alleged act. ‘There is no truth in the story,’ Jombo -- who has just finished work on Nollywood Hustler, her most pronounced effort as a producer, charged. ‘I don’t know where they got the story from and I don’t know who is doing this but they are definitely going to hear from me because I am not going to take this lying low.’ The Abriba, Abia State-born actress, hinted that she might be heading to court soon to ‘fish out those behind the attempt to smear her image and character



What’s all this tale about your getting pregnant and aborting it because a chap you were allegedly married to didn’t want the pregnancy?
Well, I don’t think they mentioned marriage, it was said that I was dating him and he didn’t want the pregnancy; so, according to them I aborted the pregnancy.

But what is the relationship between you and the chap that was mentioned?
I have never met him or anybody with that name before... I have never had any relationship with anyone by that name.

To be pregnant, then abort means you were out of the scene for some time. Was there a time you disappeared or did not work that fuelled this tale?
No. I was always around. I mean, I have never stayed away from set over a month or out of Nigeria for two weeks in the last three or four years. I don’t know what brought this kind of tale. I mean to make matters worse; they used pictures of years ago just so as to deceive people that I have lost weight. The only time I lost some weight was because of work. We were shooting a movie where I played a cancer patient and I needed to lose some weight. But that was work and it has nothing to do with me. I have been very busy, extremely too busy to be off the scene for even two weeks. It’s either I am on set, or producing or performing my role as a Glo ambassador.

So, when you read the report yourself, what was your initial reaction?
I just said to myself, enough is enough. I can’t just keep quiet. To be silent will mean that it is true and it’s just lies. So, this is the final battle. Enough is certainly going to be enough. And come to think of it, I am very free with the press, having worked in, and with the media at various times. They all have my numbers and there is no time that there is a request from them that I don’t respond. If they heard anything like that, I expected them to ask me as some other people have always done. Not sell lies to the public! But honestly, enough is enough. I must get to the root of this matter. We shall expose all those trying to run themselves down and not Uche.

What is your next line of action?
I am taking them to court for this, because I don’t understand what anyone hoped to gain by that kind of story. But I guess the fellow should be prepared because anyone, who writes that kind of story and think I would sit and watch, is a joker. For Christ’s sake, I didn’t drop from tree. I am human. I have a family; I have people in my life that can also get hurt from that story. I am heading to court. I have a name and reputation to protect. No amount of begging can solve this. Someone will have to pay for this to serve as a deterrent to others.

So, is marriage for you, anywhere near?
Maybe that way, the talebearers will leave your back?
The question first is why are they on my back in the first place? This is my life. It’s not theirs and I personally know marriage is what people should do when they are ready and well prepared for it, else you will jump in and out. It’s not a step you take because people won’t get off your back. I think they should just leave me alone so I can concentrate on my work and career. I want to work and learn more. I use this opportunity to thank all my fans most of whom called in to express shock at the tale in the paper. I assure them that we must get to the root of this.

Nollywood Hustlers is your second attempt at producing, is Uche returning to productions because it is no longer profitable being an actress alone?
I don’t think I am in productions because I want to earn more money than I earn as an actress. It has nothing to do with earnings as you are suggesting. It’s just the need to do something you have been craving for. I mean as a writer, my dream is to be able to realise my works as a producer and not necessarily write for others to produce. That was my motivation for shooting Nollywood Hustlers. Emem Isong, Desmond Elliot just finished a joint production. It’s called Holding Hope. Being an actress when it comes to productions is a blessing. I have been here long enough to want to try other things, I mean write or produce the kind of movie I love watching, It has everything to do with growth as a production person.




Around and about Nollywood...

Jungle Ride gets premiere date at Galleria
JUNGLE Ride, Lilian Amah-Aluko and Ajua Dickson’s new movie on love, luck and the increasing rate of unemployment in the country will be screened to a quality crowd at a special premiere, which holds at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday February 28. A cocktail will precede the premiere, which the organisers say is strictly by invitation. Written by Segun Michaels and directed by Kingsley Omoefe, Amah, a notable actress and writer, hinted that the movie would begin its cinema runs, immediately. She expressed optimism that the movie, which stars well-rated Nollywood actors such as Bimbo Manuel, Femi Brainard, Ngozi Nwosu, Chidi Ukwu, Omoni Oboli, Emma Ayalogu and Joseph Benjamin would make a huge impact on the society, especially on the youths. Amah, a first and second degree graduate of English from the University of Lagos and current Vice President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) said: ‘Young people often have dreams of suitable white collar jobs immediately after leaving school. Some find this extremely important and others don’t. This is the world of jungle ride, the ever desperate search for a piece of your own greenery.’

Gov Sylva mobilises corporate support for AMAA 2010
BAYELSA State Governor, Mr. Timiprye Sylva, has called on Corporate Nigeria to explore the marketing and branding advantage African Movie Academy Awards offer to promote their products and services to Africa and global audience. He made the call during AMAA Sponsors’ Evening, which held recently at the Eko Hotel, Lagos. Sylva used the occasion to invite the business leaders and captains of industrypresent to partner with the state and Nigeria’s culture/entertainment industry to move it to the next level. The governor noted that entertainment industry generally has brought honour and fame to Nigeria through awards and popularity of Nigerian stars at home and abroad. Sylva also charged Nigerians to be more patriotic adding that Corporate Nigeria should do more to promote ventures and projects such as AMAA.“I urge you business leaders to join Bayelsa in making it the biggest media event in Nigeria. We want the burden of funding to be off our neck; and that is why we have invited you to partner with us. “We are also using this time to invite you to visit Bayelsa and see the great work we are doing. Bayelsa is peaceful and a must-visit tourist destination. We have the longest beach in Nigeria and other attractions that will make visitors want to come again. Because of the location of the state, the tendency is for people to pass through without stopping over. The award is a major platform to bring people to Bayelsa. In the same vein, Mr. Nathan Egba, the state’s Director General, Tourism and Publicity Bureau, who is Chairman of Local Organising Committee, said Bayelsan people have identified with the awards and look forward to every April to see their movie stars from Nigeria and other parts of the world. In her presentation, AMAA Chief Executive, Peace Anyiam Osigwe said the award was set up primarily to promote African film and cinema locally and internationally. She noted African films serve as a link for Africans in the Diaspora with Africans at home adding that African films serve as a shared collective experience, a reminder that Africa is a vibrant continent filled with colour, energy and possibilities. “Over 30 African countries are participating in this edition. We are expecting about 2000 foreign guest from within and outside Africa. We have over 5 million television viewers as it is always live on local TV stations, Africa Magic and streamed online via U-Tube. International media BBC, CNN, German ZDF, CNBC, SABC, AFP cover the event every year. It is a big platform for discerning brand s and organizations to leverage on. We are inviting corporate Nigeria to join as we sell Africa and Nigeria to the world in a positive way,” she said.

N250m for production up for grabs at BOBTV 2010
BOBTV, Nigeria’s leading film and television programmes market, has concluded plans with three multi-media platforms to reinvigorate the film and television programmes industry with the injection of N250million. Two of the multi-media companies collaborating with the company will release their event briefs and host the pitching and commissioning for the projects at BOBTV 2010. The third company will release its own brief at BOBTV and hold its pitching and commissioning at a later date. Projects to be pitched for include films, television soap operas and series, television magazine programmes, documentaries and other audio-visual content, both in English and local languages. According to the Festival Director, Amaka Igwe, “these are the types of collaborations I have been advocating for a long time. We need this at the moment, probably more than at any other time. We all know what the situation is in the industry now, so, I am really excited that this is happening.” All interested content producers, marketers and individuals should contact the organisers for more information.
BOBTV provides a platform for acquisition and exchange of programmes and movies across Africa and valuable alliances for Television Stations and industry professionals. BOBTV also presents a practical arena for new ideas and concepts in television and programmes development and for experiencing the theatrical, communications, business and policy realities of the Nigerian and African audiovisual content industries. This edition is scheduled to hold from March 16 to 18 at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

From Glo, Style Nokia 97... Loaded year for Rita

IT’S a busy year for Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Nwaturocha, who is currently the Glo Ambassador and new face of the stylish Nokia 97 series phone. Rita admits that it will be a loaded year for her, saying: “Besides acting and endorsements, I will be working on my biography. It will be a fun book to read and I hope, it will motivate younger people to go for their dreams. I am writing it with Joy Bewaji and we are hoping to attract and encourage Nollywood fans to read it.” She continues, “the writing phase is taking longer than I anticipated, but I am hopeful that it will turn out great.” The University of Port Harcourt theatre arts graduate reviewed her works in 2009 with a plan to formerly launch her production outfit. The Imo-born Rita, however, stressed that she will not be distracted by some unnamed persons, who circulated damaging text messages about her person late last year.

2009 productions:
It was a busy period for me, even though I shot lesser films than I used to do. Anyway as you know, for two years now, I have been trying hard to do more challenging works. So getting the Globacom deal last year helped me more not to accept shoddy and uninspired scripts. Glo flew us to South Africa for a week to shoot a major television advert with all the West African Glo Ambassadors. Throughout last year, I worked for Glo on several events and photo shoots. That kept me and has continued to keep me busy. I also visited beautiful Malawi courtesy of DSTV within the year, which was another boost for my acting career.
Nollywood is massive in so many parts of Africa, but it is so frustrating that our government does not see this as a source of revenue, re-branding and job creation.
Anyway towards the end of last year, Nokia made me a brand ambassador for the stylish Nokia N97 and I had to attend promotional events for them. I starred in a couple of movies last year. I shot movies for Izu Ojukwu, Tchidi Chikere, Ifeanyi Onyeabor, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Donald Okoli, Kingsley Okereke and Iyke Odife, but only Tchidi’s was released. I know Ifeanyi Onyeabor’s Fulani was premiered towards the end of year, but I am not sure if it has been released to the market. My fans should look out for me in 2010 as I have a few projects to do in the year.

Why she named her production outfit after Audrey Hepburn and Joke Silva
My business partners and I wanted to name the company after people who have excelled in their movie careers, and still embodied values that can be emulated. Aunty Joke came up, so, did Meryl Streep and Audrey Hepburn. We settled on Auntie Joke and Audrey, which is why we called it The Audrey Silva Company. We are still going through registrations and we should be launching out pretty soon. We have five scripts we are considering and it has been so tedious deciding, which two to shoot. There is a fantastic story by Dionne Jemide, but we have to partner with some Hollywood special effects people, so, we have shifted it to year end.

To my detractors
I truly had a fantastic December in spite of some people threatening to kill me and writing all sorts of malicious stories via sms texts. The only thing that bothered me was the threat to physically injure me outside getting the numbers of some of my fans that called me. It is still being investigated, so, I do not want to talk about it. I don’t know the perpetrators, but for they not threatening me three years ago, shows I must be doing something good that have attracted the attention of some people. I hope they are ready for 2010 because God has not finished with me. I wish phone companies would start registering sim cards like they used to, when GSM phones just came out. It will reduce these deadly games people play with them.

Why I’m always on Izu Ojukwu’s set
I made it a rule a long time ago to work with only directors and producers, who take movie making seriously. So, if you find me working with Izu Ojukwu severally, then it is because he takes movie making seriously and I am happy working for him. Though, he is not the only director I admire his works. I love Tchidi Chikere’s works, too. I shot Be Not Afraid with him and it is out in the market now. I would love to work with Tunde Kelani because I love his works. In February, I am going on set to shoot for Adonai Productions. Izu Ojukwu is directing it and Ramsey and Chidi are supposed to be starring as well.

Stop acting?
No, I can never stop acting. The Glo deal was in February and Nokia came in September. Acting and endorsements complement each other, when it is done right. It is nice to know that corporate Nigerians are beginning to understand the power of using known faces to help sell their product. I am very serious about working for the products.





Around and about Nollywood...

For Black History Month, Izoya offers ‘Love in Berlin’
Love in Berlin, the story of love without borders, directed by Lancelot Imaseun for Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, run by the Berlin-based, but Nigeria-born show promoter Isaac Izoya will show this February in Berlin to commemorate the Black History month. The special screening of the multi-cultural film titled The Meeting Point will hold at Hoftheatre, Naunynstr. 63 Berlin. In Love in Berlin, Coolio, a black boy and Tanja, a white girl falls for each other in spite of their colour and background. They are both from backgrounds that hate intercultural marriages. Coolio’s mother has a deep rooted hatred for Europeans, while Tanja’s mother had once tasted love with a black American, who abandoned her when Tanja was just a baby. Both women have strong reasons for their children not to unite and Coolio has the urgent task of uniting their mothers as his mother has been appointed to visit Berlin on an Integration tour for a global war against racism. The question is, how to bell the cat?

Celluloid movie ‘IJE’ previews in Jos
The film Ije, a 35mm cine production by a US- based young Nigerian, Chineze Anyaene, had a sneak preview in Jos, the Plateau State capital, drawing commendations from the Nigerian Film Corporation boss Mr. Afolabi Adesanya for a job well done. The film, which featured two of top best female actors, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Ekehinde, drew a large number of film enthusiasts to National Film Institute (NFI), Jos, venue of the preview. Betraying much emotions and satisfaction for the outcome of the premiere, Anyaene said she was grateful to the corporation for its support during the shooting of the film. She praised the NFC for providing the needed industry support for filmmakers. The film was partly shot in the United States and in Nigeria. Adesanya commended Anyaene for having the courage to embark on the production, assuring that the NFC will not shy away from its responsibility of supporting/assisting filmmakers whose work(s) stand not only to boost the nation’s profile as a film production country, but also to aid the nation’s economy.

Gov Sylva to host AMAA 2010 sponsors evening
As part of the move to stage a successful edition ofthe 2010 African Movie Academy Awards, Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timipre Sylva, will host leaders of corporate Nigeria on Sunday February 7, 2010 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Sponsors evening, organised jointly by the state government and the Africa Film Academy will be an avenue for Sylva to market the AMAA brand to existing and prospective sponsors. Bayelsa State Director General of Tourism and Publicity Bureau, Mr. Nathan Egba in a statement said, the last five years of AMAA have opened up the state to tourists. Egba also noted that the State Governor will also use the evening to brief business leaders of the many opportunities in the state and how the business community can tap into AMAA for branding and marketing initiatives.

Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities

We can’t reach Genevieve
Someone should please help us get to Genevieve, the pikin of Nnaji. We need to talk to her over a number of issues. We have drop words by text, tried to call and by email, but no reply yet. We understand that she has finally made up with Omo Sexy (Omotola Ekeinde) or that Omotola has finally made up with her (whichever sha), but we are not interested in that. We just want to deliver a letter we brought from her biggest fan, Madam Ophral Winfrey, the daughter of Opara who was originally named Winifred. The letter mistakenly landed in our box and we thought we should deliver it personally. Please, tell Mama Nadia to believe this, if she has not believed anything before.

Yemi Blaq won celebrity best dancer, Stella’s Fan still uncomfortble
Kai, people love this Stella Damasus Nzeribe so much. They have not allowed our email box and phone to enjoy deserved rest since curtains drew on the celebrity take 2 dance reality show programme organised by Pastor Segun Lawal, Spirit of David dance company and sponsored by Skye Bank. They say they think that the organisers did ‘Ooojoro’ like Omo Sexy alleged last year. They said it was their Stella who deserved to win and not ‘the stiff body Yemi Blaq’. When they discovered that they couldn’t convince waka pass enough to support their view, they hissed and hinged Sista Stella’s inability to win the coveted prize on the fact that she was mourning. Recall that it was about that time that Stella’s dad passed on. Anyway, the event don pass and na Yemi Blaq win. Nothing fit change am, otherwise una go see ‘stiff’ protest from Yemi’s fans both at home, Bariga and Abroad!

Reason one guild head was not in Port Harcourt
Those who think they can do things behind and waka pass will not see them are joking. Not as far as Nollywood is concerned. Well we now know why one particular guild/association head refused to travel to Port Harcourt to be a part of one international festival that was held there last year. We stepped on some emails and text exchanges that confirmed the reason. We deduced from the text messages and email exchanges that as preparations for the festival heightened, our dear guild/association head wanted more than to be a honoured guest at the festival. Our guild/association head, who is very boisterous desired to add one of the female organisers to his already expanding harem. Hmmm! Anyway we understand that the guild/association head turned a spoiler as soon as that ambition failed. Waka pass has detailed emissaries to confront him with the messages and until we get positive feed back, please believe the report that ‘Nollywood was absent at that festival because the organizers didn’t carry the industry along’.

Remmy Ohianjanya bad phone manners
Some waka pass think we should call the one time chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Chief Remmy Ohajianya to order. They say the manner he screams whenever he is talking to someone on phone is becoming unbecoming. One waka pass hinted that he spotted and ran into the teacher turned actor on his way into one of the cinema halls of the National Theatre. The waka pass said Ohajianya, who acts as a chief in most movies startled him when he screamed as he answered a caller. Not only was he screaming, far above his voice, the waka pass said he ‘phoneographed’ him punctuating all his responses with gesticulations. The waka pass said he got all of them who were drawn to his loud phone conversation laughing out loud when he waved as soon as he told the caller ‘bye-bye’. Kai! The thing reach to laugh and to caution the chief, who is a chief in real life.

Zik Zulu is an intimidator
If anyone has any alias for the prolific producer and writer Zik Zulu Okafor, it should not be far from ‘small but mighty’. The future ‘Governor of Delta State’ (ala his very close friends) likes to terrorize — but wait, it’s not in the Mutalab styleeee oo. The small but mighty man in brain, oratory and pocket, sha likes big things. One waka pass who confessed to be following his progress say the writer and first class graduate never likes to be seen in small toys (what waka pass like us who reside in Ajegunle call motor). ‘He always likes to drive in big and unique cars’ reported one waka pass. Well one waka pass said he saw the imposing and magnificent red toy that oga Zik parked in front of the National Theatre, the other day the National Troupe staged Arnold Udoka’s Long Walk to a dream. The waka pass said as soon as he was told that the car (he said it looked like a bullion van) was parked by a top artiste, he concluded that it must be oga Zik and behold it was him. Anyway before these banks start approaching him for the use of the bullion like car, let us just clear that it is not a bullion van oooo. It’s the latest version of the BMW 3 series. The amount? Dem say you need a national distributor to sell about one million copies of your film, even at seven naira per copy, for you to to approach the dealers. If your one plus one na two, den my own na three. To God be the Glory!