tansali paparazzi

Written by Ekerete Udoh

Saturday, 23 May 2009

*In love with a Jamaican actress , *His grouse with Nigerian women He  has been variously described as Nollywood’s playboy -a serial heartbreaker, one whose motto vis-a-vis relationships with women, appears to be “use them and leave them.” Tabloid stories about his sexual escapades are in volumes, leaving many to wonder what he is looking for in a woman or if he will ever find that unique woman who will melt his heart and make him entertain the thoughts of walking down the aisle.   Jim Ike During a recent encounter with Jim, in New York, the issue of his play-boy image and stories of his sexual liaisons were exhaustively probed. As reported before, he vehemently denied being a playboy, however, admitting that “a million women may pass through your life, but only one will stick and strike that chord in you.” It appears that that one woman may have finally materialized, and struck a strong chord in Jim Iyke’s life.   There have been some rumors and published speculations that the handsome actor may have finally found a woman of his dreams - a fact that he has neither denied  nor confirmed, until now. Jim Iyke was asked explicitly if he had finally found the elusive dream woman, and if so, what qualities stood her out of the numerous others that competed for his heart, love and affection? Smiling infectiously, Jim volunteered, “I am going to tell you everything you need to know. As a matter of fact, I am going to use this opportunity to finally break my silence over this issue. As you rightly pointed out, a lot has been written about my new found love, most of them largely speculative in nature. “Yes, it is true. I have found the woman of my dreams, and we are in love in totality. She is the embodiment of all that I have been looking for:  tall, pretty, exotic and supremely intelligent. I was looking for a woman who would complement and reinforce my intellectually curious mind -someone who would add and not subtract, and I’m happy to admit that I have finally found her. Her name is Phil, and I would leave it at that.” How They Met “I  met Phil sometime last year in the United States. She’s of Caribbean ancestry - more specifically Jamaican. We had a movie shot in Baltimore and Phil was invited by her then friend, Ruth Okoro, to the set, and we had an instant connection. Initially, I thought I was just going to have a good time with her, and keep it moving. But her beauty, intellect, deeply ingrained values and an abiding capacity to understand and deconstruct me struck me. No other woman I had met ever took time to learn who I was, and what elements and values define my entire being. On the to the alter will he ever get there?   Phil’s love for me was not based on my fame, rather she cared much about Jim Iyke, as an individual and not Jim Iyke as a star-actor and Nollywood superstar. I have always believed in the partnership of body, soul and the mind. Oftentimes, the women that crossed my path in the past were more interested in the partnership of the body. But Phil possesses both the intellectual ability and the traditional values that were in short supply  with my recent past relationships.” In  the   past   few   months, the tabloid newspapers had regaled their readers with the case of betrayal on the part of Jim’s new found love.  According to reports, “ Phil, supplanted and betrayed her close friend,- Ruth Okoro, who was said to be seeing Jim Iyke at the time she introduced her then best friend, Phil to the Nollywood Sexiest Actor.” As a result of this betrayal, the two erstwhile friends are mortal enemies today. Asked if he ever had an affair with Ruth, Jim replied in the negative.  “No. Ruth is not my kind of woman, and the notion that I was seeing her is totally preposterous. How could I be seeing Ruth, when she was even married to my boy, Philips Ehigiwina? She was sleeping around with Emeka Ike. I have values and moral ethos, and those values were in conflict with what I was seeing.  That was the reason I called Ruth’s husband in Texas, and asked him to come to Maryland and see what his wife was doing with Emeka Ike. Ruth was caught red handed in bed with Emeka Ike, and she knows this to be the truth. All the nonsense that was written about my alleged jealousy because Ruth was seeing both Emeka and me, were pieces of junk journalism. It is true that Ruth introduced me to Phil. I didn’t need to deny that. I saw a winner in Phil and I went for her. I have no regrets. What Ruth wanted from me, unfortunately, I couldn’t give it to her because of the fact that I have some morals in me. All the negative things she has said about Phil never bothered me because I know who she is, and I am comfortable with who she is.” Marital Plans “Yes, we have discussed it. But we are taking it one at a time. I am actually at a point where starting a family is becoming an attractive proposition, and I am seriously exploring it.   • Keturah ...Jim’s most romantic man Phil and I have been to Nigeria. She has met with my parents and family members and they all love and adore her. Her values and background mirrors ours and it’s a great feeling. I would say that it appears as if we have the same DNA.” Why Jamaican Woman?     “I have nothing against the Nigerian woman.  As a matter of fact, I think some of the most beautiful women are in Nigeria, and indeed Africa in general. But I have made my choice, and my choice is a Jamaican woman, someone who has come to understand and appreciate me for who I am . I do have my grouse with the Nigerian woman, though. Our women often go by the dictates and symbol of status, parental influence or pedigree as opposed to substance. I struggle hard to make them understand who I am, but I am always unsuccessful. I am tired of that struggle. I have come to realize that it is better to deal with a foreign woman. With our women, you struggle to define yourself. Foreign women are willing to take you for who you are, as opposed to what you are, which our women tend to emphasize. If I am in a relationship with a Nigerian, and I am seen outside chatting up another girl - innocently, with no strings attached, I will have a lot of explanation to make to gain back her trust - even though I have nothing romantic to do with that woman. It’s always a struggle to prove that you are not the person the society has defined you to be, and I am really tired of that struggle.”

Source - www.vanguardngr.com

In Hollywood we have uncountable and numerous child actors - such as Dakota Fanning  and Tatum Oneal (oscar at age 10)

I watch a lot of black and white movies and sometimes when i see child actors from the 60's such as
- Hayley Mills (Parents Trap)
- Shirley Temple (oscar at age 6) 

Then from the 80s and 90s we got the
- Drew Barrymore (uncountable movies as a child)
- Raven Symone (was phenomenal child actress in Cosby Show as Olivia)
- Keshia Knight Pulliam
- Olsen Twins (Mary Kate and Ashley)
etc etc

In Black Hollywood we have young actors who have now grown into successful teen such as
- Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Spelling Bee)
- Journee Smollet (Eves Bayou and the Great Debaters)

i find it amazing how they were able to intepret their roles like that. I remember years ago (around mid 80s) watching a movie starring Angelina Jolies dad Jon Voight and a then 9yr old actor Ricky Schroder - it was called "The Champ" (released in 1979). I was utterly butterly AMAZED! by Ricky Schroders acting.

The story was about Billy Flynn, an ex box champion, is now horse trainer in Hialeah. He makes just enough money to raise his little boy T.J. over which he got custody after his wife Annie left him seven years ago. T.J. worships The Champ who is now working on his come-back in order to give his boy a better future. But suddenly Annie shows up again

Ricky Schroder at age 9 played his role so damn well in a scene where he accompanies his dad to one of his boxing matches and something happens- that scene was unbelievable, I cried my eyes out uncontrollably. I forgot i was watching a movie - i promise you - u will ball ya eyes out if you watch this movie. Here is a link to memorable quotes from that movie

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078950/quotes

The kids from Slumdog Millonaires did a good job for first time actors. I was very impressed.

One of my all time favourite actors is Leonardo Dicaprio (and no its not because of  lovey dovey romantic Titanic) - I had never seen or heard of him before until  i first watched a movie of him (i think he was 19yrs old) titled "Whats eating Gilbert Grape" (1993 release) where he plays a retard.

For months on end, i was 100% convinced Leonardo was indeed Retarded in real life to have played that role and thus thinking "Oh oyibos in hollywood are kind enough to give equal opportunity for even disable people to play a role in their movie.) No one could tell me different until i recognised his face again in another movie - I was shocked.

And from that day onwards Leonardo DiCaprio became my number 1 hollywood white actor (and thus why i have boycotted Oscars Shows until they give him one - he is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overdue - how long would  it take before they give him his oscar due - they shoulda given it to him for Titanic or even Gilbert Grape)

I guess one of the reasons are child actors are not so experienced as their HOllywood conterparts  is cos they dont have the experience or training  and "Acting" is still not "fully" respected nor accepted by our (west) african parents and as such auditions or any extra curricular training for a child whilst still in school is not seen as important. Becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer or banker is all that is foremost in their mentality of success - anything else is secondary. 

There are many and numerous success stories of hollywood successful actors who still have degrees under their belt from great Ivy League Schools and at the same time doing well with acting in Hollywood.

Thank God in the last few years it seems "some parents" or our society are finally warming up to their adult children acting in Nollywood movies. There is hope for change.

I have so much hopes and aspiration for our african movies and actors and i hope our society or african parents are able to embrase creative arts such as acting for our youth, even at young ages. It is still possible for these kids to go through school and with their education and still train as successful actors and be successful at both.

Though i cringe hearing most of our child actors intepret their roles in Nollywood movies - which always sound so rehearsed, however there are four Nollywood Child Actors whose performance are memorable to me are as follows (i dont know their names per se)

- Blood Sisters (The young girl who played Omotola's daughter)
- Romantic Attraction (RMDs daughter - her name is Sharon ???)
- Alice my First Lady (the young girl who played Alice's daughter)
- Prophecy (the young girl who played Genevieve's Daughter)
 (unfortunately i dont have any memorys for young boy actors)

QUESTION:
If you are an african parent and your gifted child showed interest in acting, would you encourage them.  If not why?

I would like to pose this question to all and particularly those already in the industry (actors and actresses)

Bob Manuel has made a name for himself in the movie industry. The current Gulder Ultimate search anchor spoke with Funmi Elugbaju and Ada Onwuanum ... Being a celebrated artiste in the industry, how does that make you feel?

It makes me humble, really, because I didn’t start out thinking about the fame and what comes with it because I had always been a performer all my life. My first recollection of performing for the public was in primary school, my mum tells me about all the traits I displayed when I was a toddler, things I cannot remember anymore. I was trained by the late Professor Ola Rotimi who wrote The Gods Are Not To Blame. With this, I was able to tap very deeply into the man’s reservoir of knowledge in theatre. He was a very strict theater practitioner and of course with the training and experience came the good fortune of being part of what is today being called Nollywood pioneer. We did Living in Bondage in 1992 and the industry sprang up from there. So, I can’t say that I walked into this line of business with my eyes open. But, of course, you can never tell the picture so you won’t pretend to know everything that is going to happen because one had the idea that actors were popular people, judging from what we have in America. We didn’t have an industry and even those who were doing TV soaps were quite recognized. But the dimension it would take, one did not know until it became apparent that one was a force to reckon with. With that in mind, the answer to your question is it makes me humble, it gives me a very large sense of responsibility; that I have a lot of people who look up to me, especially young people. I have parents who admonish me and I have older people who draw inspiration from me as well, so it cuts across and it is a huge responsibility.

Was Checkmate your first exposure to the industry?

Nationally, yes. But before Checkmate, I was doing things. Before I got admission to study theater professionally, I was already doing stage performances. I was a presenter on FRCN Enugu. I was a guest presenter and I was also doing Television presenting. So, by the time I got admission to do that, I was already familiar with studio life for radio and on TV and of course performed as an amateur on stage. And so for me, it was a natural step from one end to the other. But even then, while I was in school, I was doing something for the TV in Port Harcourt. I did one or two things for national television but they were all one-offs. People usually know you for soap operas because you are on air almost every week especially when you play a vital or major role. In a sense, Checkmate was a drama series that gave me national attention and people could see me and call my name saying this is this person as opposed to when I was doing one-offs. Yes those who knew you before would still identify you but for Checkmate it was different. It became such that even when you go to Kano, Bayelsa, kogi people recognized you because every week on TV, 8-9 pm, they stayed glued to their TV sets and watched us display

You have really done a good job at remaining relevant in the industry. What would you say has kept you there?

First of all, I will talk about Providence. In this country where we are used to mounting guns all the time, even when it is obvious that people are conscious about religion in this country, but without saying I am not into the line, God has kept me where I am, personal effort and also hanging in there. I am from Anambra State, core Igbo land, where people look at the entertainment industry with disdain. Going to study Theatre Arts at that point in time when somebody was telling my father that how could you allow your son study Theatre Arts? And that what would he do when he comes out? That was the mentality, it still hasn’t changed much. Even Nigerians as a whole , the attraction to the industry is more of curiosity to survive and of course in this era of “Yes We Can,” we have shown that we can. So, personal discipline, because a lot of people do not believe this, but as an individual I am reserved, very quiet and shy and that is why I draw the line between those who I call fly shiners who create the impression that for you to be an artiste, you have to either look weird or act silly or downright stupid. Like they say, the robe does not make the priest, its only costume. For me, when talent comes into play, I play. That means, I remove myself as Bob Manuel and play the role so I can do any creative thing. It is creativeness drawn from the source of creativity which is God because the world was created out of nothing. So, when you finish that, you drop your costume and be yourself. It is that discipline, it is that not playing to the gallery; that thing that makes me not to be noticed when I shouldn’t be or when I basically want to keep my peace, even as an actor I draw a line between my work as an actor and myself as an individual. Yes, they say as an artiste you have no privacy, however where your right to invade my privacy starts, that is when my privacy begins, I discipline myself, I don’t do anything in excess, but I try to key in to what will help the industry and I have sincerity of purpose. Finally, being relevant, because what am doing in the entertainment sector is a calling that was dropped upon me when I was born and so it is something that you can’t keep me out of, like the musical birds that reinvent itself I guess somehow God helps me to keep reinventing myself, there is so much to be done and I work hard to be a catalyst to bringing back the industry to where they should be in the world of entertainment, am not talking about Africa but all over the world. For example Slumdog Millionaire the movie that swept the Oscars was shot in the slums of India. It cleared eight awards in the Oscars. God where are we?

Since you have been in the industry for a long time, how rich are you?

In terms of money, I can afford to eat my daily bread, because I work to get paid and people can see my means of livelihood, it is very visible. It is not like somebody who is nobody today suddenly becomes somebody tomorrow and we don’t know the source and yet we shout Hallelujah. So, in terms of physical cash, I work to get paid and I get by. But in terms of goodwill acting has put me in a pedestal where I can walk into Aso villa without an appointment and am admitted to see who I want to see, it has also earned me real star treatment on an international airline precisely north American airline, flying back from New York in march last year. They recognized me in John Kennedy airport in New York. They didn’t weigh my bag out of courtesy and while the flight was just starting, the flight attendant came to me and said you act in African movies, and they moved me out from there to the First Class and gave me the star treatment. These are just a few things. I mean people want to be associated with you. You go into the bank, and most of the bank staff will want to know why you are standing on the line. They will remove you from there and attend to you and majority of people want to do stuffs for you. During fuel scarcity, you park your car across the road, walk in to see the manager and he makes fuel available for you, of course not free of charge but there are things people want to do for you because they recognize the importance of your job. In a nutshell, I am very rich, not in terms of physical cash but the goodwill I have is much more than money. A phone call for me can open a door for me and I think the goodwill and the ability to do a lot without carrying cash means more to me than physical cash, I want to build a reputation that I should be able to move things in a positive direction without having to struggle to do that and helping others in the course of doing that as a result of what God has deposited in me from my ability to create things.

Are you married?

I am married with two children. The girl came first, her name is Hellion it’s a Hebrew name meaning Most High and my son, I named him after the great African Jamaican called Marcus Garvey and so my son’s name is Garvey. My wife's name is Cassandra and she understands what I do although she is the only one that can answer that question. I give her a lot of credit because the truth is it is not easy to be Bob Manuel, to be who I am, so how easy will it be for me to be the next person in the world of today where there are so many things calling for your attention at the same time. I am hardly around but when am home I try as much as possible to be with my family, play pranks with my kids and do lovey dovey with my wife. I always try to strike a balance but they are very understanding. I love my family.

What can you say went wrong at this year's AMAA as non-Nigerians carted away the awards

Well, as an individual I didn't even attend the Award because of some other engagements but we had a dismal performance at this year's AMAA. Well it goes to show that we need to buck up and do a lot of work. I must say that the organisers of AMAA too should think of investing in the industry. AMAA is an award that came as a result of the works we do. Millions is pumped into AMAA by the Bayelsa State government and U.B.A. I think it is not fair of the organisers of AMAA, to just organise AMAA ,bringing Americans actors and actresses and pay them well to come and enjoy themselves without even putting them here to do a film with us. Bring these people, yes but as they are coming let them know that under one week they will shoot a film with us. It is not enough to bring them here pay them money, give them all the necessary things they need and then they go back. Of what benefit is that to us? AMAA has not to put food on people's table in the industry.

Oh! Yes, the Award is about actors and actresses. Let me tell you what it should be, Nigerians should expect that immediately after AMAA comes a major movie follows. Even if it is one every year. A major movie involving American actors and actresses with some of us that are here so that they will truly know that they came to Africa. Take them to our villages and shoot films. Let them feel Africa. It is not about putting them in a big hotel in Lagos or Abuja or Yenagoa and then they go back home without even tasting the soil of Africa or smell Africa. Most of them, when they come here during press conference, the first thing they will say is I'm so glad to be here, why wouldn't they be glad to be here. They are paid to come, they are given the best treatment, let them come and see how we do movies.

Are you now blaming the organizers of AMAA for Nigeria's poor outing?

I'm not casting blame, I'm just stating facts. I don't believe in blames, other people can see it as blame but for me any objective thinking person will know that Bob Manuel is stating the facts. I mean it may not occur to them but this is a forum for them to know that some of us don't feel what is going on. You see the height and excitement is all long gone. Now AMAA has to re-event itself. It is not a question of blame, if anybody sees it as blame all well and good but I think there is something called constructive criticism.

What is really Nigerian movie practitioners?

There is meltdown. A meltdown is effecting Nollywood in fact it is a pity, It is horrible. Go to Winnies

a lot of our practitioners have falling on hard times, many people are in poverty and you don't shout praise the lord on empty stomach . You can't effectively entertain when people are hungry. Some of those awards should even be extended to veterans in the industry who have falling on hard times, give them hundred thousand of that millions that they vote for AMAA every year. Call some of them recognize them and give them two hundred thousand each from AMAA'S money . Five of them is one million and ten of them at hundred thousand each is one million, vote it aside and give it to this people they are falling on hard time.

Let us talk about your contract with Gulder, How did you get the job of anchoring the Gulder ultimate search?

I was auditioned, we were ten that were auditioned . After the audition by insight, the insight is the company that handles the Gulder account. We were auditioned on recorded and camera after that they sent it to Nigerian breweries. Well they know what they are looking, I believe that they looking for the best, eventually I was the person they selected. I'm glad, so far so good will be on it and I have a good relationship with them and the brand also, the ultimate Gulder.

Your face is scarce in movie now, will it be a sign or an indication that Gulder ultimate search is bringing more money?

My face is not scarce, I have been shooting films. There is a number of films I have shot that have not released, beside how many people's faces are all over the places now? How many posters do you see on street of Lagos? Is not only my face. How many films has any body featured in this year, this is first quarter of the year before Mile 2 you will see space, Ojuelgba you will not see space. The meltdown has melted everybody but we are still surviving. In this meltdown were screaming I was far away in America shooting a movie. The ultimate search is still done on T.V it is still the media. What if I become a governor tomorrow would you say you are no longer acting because you are a governor. Richard Mofe my friend is a commissioner if you give him a script he will do it fast and go back to his commissioners job.

I noticed that former Gulder ultimate search anchors are both tall guys, is it meant for only tall guys?

It will not be out of place if you say that height also enhances charisma. How many shot people have you seen cast in roles of king in films even in oyibo land? Height has a role to play. How many short people have won Miss Nigeria or any beauty pageant for that matter. I'm talking about short people not average, they have their place. In real life a short person can be a king but there must a reason for you to cast a short person to play the role of a king. But like I said if it is my height alone there there were those who came for the audition that were taller than me. There are combination of factors that only Nigerian breweries can answer.

What impact do you think that Gulder Ultimate Search is making in the life of youths?

Oh! It is changing a lot. Now if you bring 10 young people, I mean the age rate and none is up to 30 years yet but once they enter successfully as one of the 10, they don't go home empty handed. It is not a winner takes all event, the exposure is also there as a spring board. Most of them in the past are gainfully employed. Now, those that are still in school are doing very well, after the search all of them get paid very well and they have open access to Nigerian Breweries. They are free to come and do things and Nigerian Breweries does things for them as well. So it changes their lives a lot, and not just Gulder Ultimate Search only. All the brands are targeted at helping the youths.

How long are you staying with Gulder Ultimate Search?

It is left for the owners of the production of show to say. But for me, they have not given me any cause to say I'm not happy with them and I believe that I have not given them any cause to say they are not happy with me . So I think we have a wonderful relationship.

Is it true you are a friend of Wesley Snipes?

It's true. Wesley is a good friend of mine. He is having some problems lately, but I pray he gets over it.

Sunday, 03 May 2009 00:00

Born 34 years ago in Mbaise, Imo State, Rita Dominic is no doubt one of the most celebrated Nollywood actresses. Her consummate love for the... arts, especially music, dates back to her childhood years and this had prompted her to enter and win several dance competitions with vocal expressions in the art of traditional music. In this interview with the Nigerian Compass on Sunday, alluring Rita tells her story to Funmi Salome Johnson. Excerpts: How is life with you? Life is very well, thank you. I am taking one day at a time. What has been happening to you movie wise? Movie wise, I have been very selective with the kind of work that I do in the last two years. If you notice, you will find that I have not been jumping from one set to another because I think I have done my fair share of doing very typical commercial movies. Now I do jobs that will stretch me more as an actress, work that will challenge me more because I feel at a point in your career, in this industry, you have to set certain standards for yourself, which is what I have been doing in the last two years. This is my eleventh year in the industry, so I feel if at this point in my career I am still being seen in some movies that does not make sense or movies that are not good, then it only means that I am not trying to go further with my career or that I have not learnt anything. Now that you are more selective with the movies you do, what are those type of movies will meet up with the standard you are talking about? I have to read the script, the story has to be good, the character has to be challenging and it has to stretch me as an actress. Can you mention some of such movies you have done in recent times? Yes, there is a film I did about two years ago but it is just coming out now. It has just been released in Nigeria and it has also been released in other countries like Ghana, America and some other foreign countries. What is the title of the film? The title of the film is ‘Distance between’ and it was directed by Izu Ojukwu and Mercy Johnson was in it, Kalu Ikeagu and Yemi Black. It has a fantastic story, a kind of story that I hope will impact knowledge in people when they watch it. It is a very deep story. There is also ‘White Waters’ and then there is another one I did with Izu as well, we just finished it about a month ago, I think it is undergoing editing right now. Movie is like that and unfortunately we don’t have too many good scripts around. That is just the truth. Most scripts that people send to me are scripts that I have done the type over and over again, and right now that is not what I am looking for. I am looking for a more challenging work. Of all the works that you have done in recent times that has met up with your standard, which of them has been the most challenging for you? I cannot really say. The issue is that every role is challenging because you are going to play what you are not, so they are all challenging. The thing is that they are good stories; they were shot well and directed well. They are not the typical commercial films. I have been working on a lot of things with my management and hopefully, they will be coming out before the end of this year. How soon are we expecting to see a movie produced and directed by you? It is part of what my management and I are working on. So can you let us into it? No I’m sorry, it is still cooking or rather it is about to cook. Your being selective on the type of movie you do, don’t you think it will affect your purse in terms of income? I understand where you are coming from but before I took this decision, I have thought about that. But you see in life, when there are no pains, there will not be gains. If you are trying to set a certain standard for yourself, you know you are going to lose out for a short while at this stage. But you also know what you are looking for and you know that you are going to reap the reward in future. So that is what it is. But I am very fine. Has that not changed your personal schedule in a way, giving you more time for other things? You’re right because with that time now, I get to rest, I get to work out and I get to do things that I want to do. Besides all of that, I have other works that I do and there are also social events and appearances. Inasmuch as I am not doing so many movies, I am still doing some work in other areas that are related to the kind of job that I do. Also, there is a new website; www.tansali.com. They approached me so I get to blog on that website like every other day. It is a social website where I get to reach out to my fans. Learnt you are going to represent Nollywood in Malawi very soon. What about it? Well, African Magic is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Malawi and the indigenes of Malawi felt that they will like to see a Nollywood act or a Nollywood star. I don’t know how it happened but my name came up and they contacted my management and I am going to Malawi to represent Nollywood next month. What do you think was instrumental to your being the choice? I don’t really know why. It just happened. What runs through you each time you watch yourself on set? I always feel something like: this stupid girl, why do you have to act like that? This is not the right thing to do. I am myself’s greatest critique. I like to criticize myself a lot. I don’t like watching my films when there are people there. I like to watch it alone because I feel stupid and I just feel funny. When I watch my movies alone, I see my mistakes. People might not see them but I see the mistakes and I tell myself that I can work better on them next time. Looking back over the years when you first started out as a child acting in school and how you have made it this far, how does your parents feel about the success you have become now? My parents are late and that is one thing that I regret in life that my parents are not here today to see me become what I am today. All my life, this is what I have always done and my parents actually supported me and that, at that time, was a bit strange for a medical family… because my dad was a medical doctor and my mom was a nursing officer. So, it was actually strange that coming from such a background, you will get all the support from them to be an actress to do my act and luckily for me, I had all the support from my siblings and from my parents and it is just so sad today that they are not alive to see me become what I am today. As a person, how have you used your position as an actress to impact positively on the society that has given you so much? Yes, I am doing something in that line and I am still working on some other things which are part of those things I said I was not going to talk about previously. Last year I did some charity work with Desmond Eliot in Liberia and the Malawi trip I’m about to make, I already told my manager that I will like to use the opportunity to do some charity work while I am there. So they added that to my schedule. I am going to be visiting the less privileged. I like to put that in my schedule anytime I am going for things like that. If you have the opportunity, what are those things you will like to change about the movies being churned out in Nigeria? The stories and professionalism in the way we work. I think at this stage, we should transcend to certain kind of movies and pull the audience along with us. I think we should just raise up the quality of our movies a bit. I don’t know why people think it is all about money. You hear people say, if we don’t have money, we can’t do Hollywood standard… nobody is saying we should do Hollywood standard but at least let the shooting be up the quality just a bit and you will be surprised and amazed at what will happen because I think for Nollywood to go forward, there is a certain class of Nigerians we should try and reach out to with the nature of our movies and we have not done that. It is only when we start shooting certain kinds of films that we will reach out to those qualities or class of Nigerians who will get interested in Nollywood and who will help Nollywood go further. How well do you get along with your colleagues or are there some that you can not actually work with? I am an artist first and foremost and I should be able to work with everybody but the truth is that there are some people that I will prefer to work with than others… In terms of chemistry? Everything. People like? (Laughs) So you really think I am going to start mentioning names eh? You must be joking! Not long ago, in an interview with Uche Nancy, a costumer, she mentioned that some artistes are stubborn to work with. What do you have to say about that because she spoke about the film, Girls Hostel, which you featured in? My argument on that set was that the girls in the story of that set, ‘Girls Cot,’ do runs which in the literary sense means that the girls have sugar daddies or Aristos as they call them on campus. If you have Aristos, you will look good; at least you should be able to afford some certain things like buying good clothes and looking good. I know that when you go to universities, there are some girls who do these things and they look good and that was my argument. If you say that these girls are doing runs, they should be able to afford some certain things or are you trying to say that even with the runs they are doing, they will still wear rags? No. The only thing is that when the President’s daughter now came, she now introduced them to a higher level of men and they started wearing designer clothes and that was how I interpreted my role, I don’t know about any other person. In many of your movies, you smoke. Do you smoke in real life? No, I don’t smoke. So how is it possible or is it a film trick? If the character has to smoke in film, then I just smoke. Do you have any regret being an actress? None particularly. Just that the only thing I am not so comfortable about which I have learnt to live with is that fact that you don’t have any privacy. You live your life for the public. Thinking back over the years, is there any experience you find very memorable or remarkable that you will like to share? The very first AMAA edition in Bayelsa State: this girl just walked up to me and started crying and she was crying and crying and everybody gathered around her and she was asked what her problem is. She said that there was a film I did called ‘All my life’ and the film touched her because she could relate to my character that she had been through a lot. That is one thing I can never forget. It was like an eye opener for me because that showed me how much these movies we do touch lives and impact knowledge on people. That was one experience I can never forget because it was such an emotional one. When are we expecting the wedding bells to ring? When the time is right, I will let you know. So who is that special man making you happy at the moment? I don’t discuss my personal life in issues like this. So who is your kind of man? It is still personal… Well, but it is a generalised one? I like a man who respects the family values, a man who respects women and is God fearing and hardworking. I like a man who knows when to play and when to work. What do you do to relax? I watch a lot of movies, I am a movie addict, foreign and Nigerian. I also work out a lot. I have been doing this exercise routine called Taibo, which is a mixture of Taikwando and boxing created by an American and it is really good. Once in a while, I hang out and most times, I am on the Facebook and then the new website I told you about, I blog on it. What special things do you do to take care of your skin to give it that youthful look? I do body treatment so I go to the spa for massages, steams, raps. I don’t joke with that because of how harsh our weather is and the light we shoot with. We shoot under very harsh condition so I don’t joke with taking care of myself by going to the spa to pamper myself. I also drink a lot of water.

•Evangelist Ukpabio •Photo: Sun News Publishing
•As pastors fight over demons
From JOE EFFIOING, Uyo
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Helen Ukpabio, tele-evangelist, church founder,    film actor and movie producer, is one clergywoman who can smoke out one witch in a crowd of millions of saints. Or so it seems.

Nearly all her films, which however are anchored on morality, has some elements of futile display of witchcraft powers which eventually get subdued by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thus, when she literally came to paint Uyo red (her members actually marched in the streets wearing reddish T-Shirts) about three weeks ago, on a campaign which theme was “Coven on Naked Wire”, then it was obvious that something witching was in the air.

And those who expected a bountiful harvest of witches advised in the crusade posters to come out for free deliverance, were not disappointed as it was reported that  more than 500 people, mostly children  voluntary went out to label themselves witches or wizard in order to get the awoof deliverance.
But that is where the story began to get K-leg according to Apostle John Okoriko, the founder and president of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, whose church along Ikot Ekpene Road Uyo is only about 300 metres from Helen Ukpabio’s Liberty Gospel Church situated in the same axis.

Okoriko told The Sun a few days after the “Coven on Naked Wire” crusade that the claim of delivering 500 witches and wizards was nothing but a charade since there were no such number of witches in Uyo, as such the claim was fraudulent and ungodly especially when Ukpabio was reported to have instructed those delivered to be attending the various branches of her church for eight months for them to be monitored.

 “It is embarrassing in 21st century where every nation is going scientific and to the space that we are still talking about witchcraft. It is time we faced reality and not absurdity. I strongly disagree with the notion that Akwa Ibom state has been taken over by witches.”

He said if at all there were witches and wizards in Uyo, they were not up to 10, not to talk of 500 who purportedly did the confession in a single church programme.
“I challenge all prophets and apostles to open contest to prove if there is more than one witch in Akwa Ibom. In the Bible we hear of the Witch of Endor; which means there is always one witch at a time in a town; not 500.

“And how can you tell 500 people who voluntarily confessed witchcraft to be attending your church for good or bad eight months for them to be completely delivered. Witchcraft is no spirit; it is a think of the flesh like drunkenness, fornication or stealing so it doesn’t call for spiritual deliverance,” he reasoned.
Okoriko stressed that church leaders who are benefiting from the alleged witches were manipulating people to conference, adding that such assumed witches are always the poor. 

This thing is dragging our state backward; people have been brainwashed to think negatively. If the suffer a slight misfortune in their businesses instead of looking for practical solution, the pastors will tell them that they are attacked by witches and the person will become a slave to the pastors. It is sad. 
“If this state has been taken over by witchcraft, why can’t we use witchcraft to achieve good things; at least win international football matches? All we need to do is put eleven bewitched boys on the pitch and win the world cup.

These so-called men of God are hireling or spiritual mercenaries,” he declared. 

If Akwa Iboºm has only one witch or wizard, so who is the witch of Uyo? And the 500 that paraded themselves as witches? Okoriko says: “They are fake witches.”

Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

By Tom Porter for MPBN
April 17, 2009
 
A new cultural event makes its debut tonight -- the Maine African Film Festival. The week-long festival features dozens of screenings at a variety of venues in southern Maine, including the Cumberland County Jail. The festival was prompted by a desire to explore and celebrate the growing, and on the surface unlikely, links between Maine and Africa.

"Seeds of Change: A Fresh Start" looks at the challenges faced by Maine's immigrant African farmers:  "We are Somalia, we don't know the culture of the country," says one Somalian in the film. 

Produced by Scarborough-based filmmaker Sharyn Paul Brusie, Seeds of Change examines the difficulties faced by many mostly-Somalian and Sudanese farmers as they struggle to make a living in their adopted homeland. One of them, Hawa Ibrahim, spent an entire day at the Lewiston Farmers market and made about $20 dollars. 

"I love farming, I really do, because in Africa farming is just part of life," says one person featured in the film. "It's not a business, it's part of life. So I'm not making money but I love farming," he says.

Seeds of Change premieres on Wednesday in Portland.  It's one of 27 screenings taking place in and around Maine's biggest city over the next week. The festival organizer is Kazeem Lawal, who describes himself as a Nigerian American.  "It's a way to continue to celebrate the colors of Maine. Maine is fast evolving in terms of what we know as Maine maybe 40 years ago, as compared to what Maine looks like today, and I think with all that extra color, I think it makes Maine even more special."

"In Maine it's been the African community that's been growing rapidly," says Noel Bonam, director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs for the State of Maine. While there are no firm numbers available, he estimates Maine's African population to be between 8 and 10 thousand.
"The population has more than doubled in the past five years and I think that is significant, and I think having a film festival not only offers the opportiunity for the community to celebrate their own identity but also to educate the larger community about their neighbors from Africa."

"We have documentaries, we have fiction, we have shorts, we have films that cover a wide of topics, from child soldiers, we have a film about oil from the Niger delta of Nigeria," says Lawal. "And we have just fun films, like musical kinds of films about this German guy that travelled west Africa for three years collecting old vinyl records of African funk and disco from the 70s."
 
Tom Porter: "Is there much of a pan-African film industry, or is it quite fragmented? Does it have an identity?"
Kazeem Lawal:  "It's out there."
TP:  "Because we know about Bollywood, and other parts of the world with thriving film industries."
KL:  "The third biggest film industry in the world right now is Nigerian films, called Nollywood, which is kind of interesting.  You have your Hollywood, Bollywood and then you have your Nollywood.  And I'm hoping gradually, as we build momentum with this festival, we'll be able to give Nollywood its platform here to showcase what's the big deal about Nollywood, and have films and hopefully some directors, and actors here, and music to show where that's coming from."

Funded with help local businesses, the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Humanities Council, the festival is not just showing movies; some screenings will pave the way for panel discussions on a variety of topics.

Venues range from the Children's Museum of Portland to the Cumberland County Jail, where inmates will get the chance to watch and then discuss three movies about crime and redemption. On Wednesday night, meanwhile, there'll be a public discussion on what it means to be African in Maine.

For more information on the Maine African Film Festival, go to TMAFF.ORG

I have been tagged a gazzilion times on facebook to do the 25 random things game.  This evening I decided I would just unveil mine in 5 installments if that is cool with you all...

 Here it goes.....

1. I had dog named Jimmy when I was a kid. Well, the dog actually belonged to my older and only brother Val but I remember arguing with him about who owned the dog. I would run to my mum, and just for peace sake, she would say it belonged to both of us. I used to do things like that just to show off my baby of the family status..lol

2. I was a good dancer when I was young... you don't believe me? Ask my siblings. They used to have me perform for their friends when I was young. After each performance, they would give me treats like sweets and biscuits. You can say this was my entry into the world of showbiz – getting paid with sweets and candy.

3. I remember being in a dancing competition for kids at the Aba Sports Club. The judges would go around removing dancers until you had the last four standing. From the four, they would choose the Queen and King and two other second place contestants.  You should have seen me, I was dancing  my little heart out.  All I was thinking of, was not to be pulled out of the competitition.  Late in the competition,  a judge came to pull me out but instead of looking up, I kept dancing harder hoping he would leave me alone. You should have seen me struggling .... LOL, little did I know that I had actually won the competition and he was trying to take me to the winner’s seat.

4. Do you know I started wearing heels at round 8 or 9 years old. My mum (bless her soul) bought me one of those scholls slippers for kids that had heels on them. I would wear mine out to kiddie birthday parties, feeling cool with myself.  As a kid, I wished so much that I could have my mum’s sense of style and fashion. I always, always wonder what it would be like if she were here today.

5. I am sure, it may not be news to you all but I looooooove shoes. I prefer shoes to clothes. Let me let you in on a little secret, if it was possible to wear just shoes out the house without breaking all standards of decency, Rita Dominic would definitely do it.

That’s it for now folks. God bless

Ree D

By Samuel Olatunji - www.sunnewsonline.com •The stars need to get their acts together — Shuaibu Hussein, Head, Screener College, AMAA Published Sunday, April 19, 2009

Once upon a time, venue of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) usually served as meeting point for entertainment stars across the spectrum of Nollywood and beyond. It is not uncommon to see the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus-Nzeribe, Omotola, Rita Dominic, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Uche Jombo, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Jim Iyke and the likes at AMAA, but this year witnessed a reversal in fortune as these big stars kept away from the Glover Hall at Bayelsa State, the venue of the award.


Susan Peters, Uche Jombo & Rita Dominic at Thelma Okoduwa's wedding

Findings by Showbiz Now reveals that the stars decided to stay away to protest some certain grievances they have against AMAA and its organisers. It would be recalled that two weeks ago, we reported and quoted star actor, Emeka Ike, saying he has some grudges with AMAA. And from what played out last week at the UBA/AMAA, it appears he is not the only one that has grudges.

Though no official meeting was held against AMAA, the stars in solidarity with one another decided to stay away from the event. For instance, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, both award winners, were not present to receive their awards. Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Uche Jombo, Susan Peters were all at Thelma Okodua’s wedding at Lekki, Lagos where Rita was the bride of honour. Eucharia Anunobi was not there, Ini Edo was on set while Omotola was simply at home. Ramsey Nouah was on set of Kunle Afolayan’s set and Kunle himself whom many see as AMAA’s baby was not there.


Ramsey cruising to set of Kunle Afolayan's Figurine 

These stars Stephanie Okereke (who refused to speak about the award when we spoke to her despite always being enthusiastic about it in the past), Chinedu Ikedieze, Kate Henshaw, Fred Amata, Patrick Doyle were the few handful stars that made it to the event. Though the English genre stars were absent, the Yoruba stars took over and they were heavily represented by Femi Brainard, Doris Simon, Eniola Badmus (Gbogbo Bigz gal), Tunde Kelani and a few others.

One star actress who spoke to us on condition that we keep her name out of print told us that AMAA treats stars as if they are not stars. “Can you imagine an award ceremony that has to do with actors and actresses and they have to sit with the audience as spectators? A colleague of mine that called them for the sitting arrangement at the dinner they had in Lagos was told bluntly that there was no special sitting arrangement for stars. If they want us to show loyalty to the award, they should treat us like stars that we are.”

Another actor who also prefers anonymity said he was not at AMAA because the whole concept was designed to make the organisers rich and nothing is added or given back to the industry. “What do I stand to gain by attending AMAA?”, he asked us when we asked him about his absence at AMAA. I will not only waste my time and energy going there, I would have to leave behind things that would fetch me money and add values to my life. In other parts of the world, award organisers give incentives to make stars want to come, but here, UBA/AMAA goes about as if it is doing us one huge favour by inviting us.”
One top producer queries AMAA for asking filmmakers to submit entries for the awards. “Why should filmmakers submit entries for the award? I expect AMAA, as the foremost award body in Nigeria, to have people who scout for movies and individuals that deserve entries.” Mildreb Okwo, producer of 30 Days who agreed to be quoted told us on record that for AMAA to continue to hold the interest of top stars, it must get more creative in the way it invites and treats the stars. “I don’t think any big star purposely gang up against AMAA as you said.

The truth is, no matter how big you get or how relevant an event is, you must find innovative ways to bring the stars to your event. You must create a platform that will make them not want to miss it. As big as Oscars has gotten, they still go out marketing to the actors. When stars go the Oscars, they are given all types of gifts that worth millions. I know we are not Hollywood, but you must find a way to make it worth people’s time. As it is, Nollywood hardly work now and you want those that are working to leave their job and go to Bayelsa.

Why should they be committed to you? That is the question every business person must ask. The days of thinking that you ‘it’ and you can get what you want are gone. This is for everybody. You can see the way Governor Fashola goes about with his consultation. Don’t think once you do something everybody must rush it. They should have reason to want to go to your event. You must also infuse creativity into the way you invite the people. We should stop referring to the actors as ‘these people’, they are stars.

They are brand. Samuel, you are also a brand, there are things we don’t expect from you. As brands, you must find a way of getting them to the event. It is ridiculous to do the same thing year-in year-out and keep people interested. Funke Akindele is one of the hottest stars right now. Why should she leave what she is doing and fly to attend your award? You must motivate her. Whatever you do to get these people there, you must do it. You must have people who market the award to them.” Another actor wondered why the organisers stop giving monetary rewards to winners. “if they get the kind of money we heard they are getting, there is nothing bad if they give monetary reward.”

However, head of screeners College of AMAA Mr Shuaibu Hussan, disagrees. “AMAA is not just a Nigerian affairs, it is an African thing. If some people did not respond to an invitation , it does not mean there is a gang up. I don’t know where you got this from. Invitation cards were sent to people and none of them wrote to say they were ganging up. If they did not respond, that means they have other things they are doing. If you were at AMAA, you will know that the industry was well represented. If people who have private engagements did not make the event, it does not mean there is a gang up against AMAA.  AMAA is not a Nigerian thing, it is an African thing.”

When we pressed further that something must have gone wrong for the very big stars to be absent from the event, he requested that we read out names of those that were absent and we did. Responding, Shuaibu says the big stars need to be more professional. “Some of these stars need to be more professional in the way they handle their things. Some of them don’t even have addresses. There are some that you are talking about that don’t have functioning email addresses. Some of them expect you to go and drop invitation cards for them at Ojez. Some of them don’t have functioning offices.

Some of them don’t even know AGN’s secretariat. We called some people and they asked us to drop their cards at Ojez. Is that supposed to be a greenroom for artistes? For instance, Genevieve that you are talking about, I have about six numbers that are supposed to be hers. Even trying to get to her as a journalist has been harrowing, not to talk of somebody that is organising an event. So, what are we talking about? If AMAA invites you and they ask you to respond and you don’t because you are a star, will they now go to NTA and announce that we are looking for so and so?

We have people that are not part of the event that called and asked on how to be part of it while major players can’t even send their personal assistants. They need to be more professional. Call them to send a media kit on themselves and you will be dazed that they don’t have it. On a personal level, I’ve tried to get them for festivals abroad and it’s been difficult. I’m not saying AMAA is perfect, but these people are not organised. There is no star that came to the event that was not well treated. I don’t think anybody will fault the AMAA awards itself, you may fault the logistics, particularly because of high profile of jury.

On Emeka Ike, Shuaibu says whatever view he expressed is his own opinion. He faulted him on claim that AMAA has not developed the industry. “The movie, Stronger than Pain that won last year has been to festivals around the world courtesy of recommendation from AMAA. Kate Henshaw has participated in some international events courtesy of winning. That is not the only film. Whitewaters has travelled to festivals courtesy of AMAA. Look at Irapada by Kunle Afolayan, it has been to festivals around the world, courtesy of AMAA. Again, the AMAA Academy organises training for people in the industry.

The members of the jury participate at festivals around the world and if they see good movies at AMAA, they are quick in making recommendations to other festivals. I know that Kenyan movies and Reloaded have gotten invitations to participate in festivals around the world, courtesy of their participation at AMAA. Some people should not rubbish AMAA because they’ve not won it before.”

You all cannot imagine how much I did not want to do this. The idea of writing my thoughts down and having people read them was so scary especially when you consider the kind of job I do.  Well, I must push on, fear or no fear, I am committed to it now.  A little over a year ago, I was so apprehensive about joining facebook, it took a lot of  convincing before I took the first steps to join. Now, I am always checking my FB page just to keep in touch with the few 5,000 friends I have made on FB. J

 

Today, I want to write about the importance of good friends in our lives. No matter how popular, rich or important you think you are in life, there is nothing like having good friends. My friend Thelma Okoduwa now Thelma Ojiji (wow, that is so cool) got married April 4, 2009 and it was quite memorable especially for those who call the Bride and Groom their friends.

 

Thelma and I have remained friends regardless of the Nollywood and fame thing. We have shared good and bad times and through it all I can still call her a friend. I remember when we used to talk about the kind of wedding we would like and the kind of man it would be …( LOL…just thinking about). We have seen each other through the deaths of our parents, good friends and family members, and I tell you it has not been easy.  So you cannot imagine how happy I was at this wedding to see all our friends, old and new come to show support. It was like old times again. For that moment in time, we were all so happy that we danced to Bracket’s Yori Yori and Wande Coal’s Bumper to Bumper like there was no tomorrow. God has blessed Thelma with a lovely husband and I wish my friend well. 

Here is wishing you all good friends in your lives.

Yipee my first post.... Muah

Ree!!!!