AMAA 2015: Nigeria, S/A vie for honours

South Africa’s ‘INumber Number’and Mauritania’s ‘Timbuktu’ led the pack at the 2015 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) night held last weekend in Los Angeles, US.
While ‘INumber Number’ had 12 nominations, ‘Timbuktu’ got 11. Other countries with high nominations include Nigeria, Ethiopia and Cote d Voire.
The usual suspects from Nigeria, Kunle Afoyan and Tunde Kelani, with ‘October 1’ and ‘Dazzling Mirage’ also made the list of nominees.
Other Nigerian movies nominated include Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s ‘1897’, Steve Gukas’ ‘A Place in the Stars’ and ‘Iyore’.
As it happened last year, Ghana’s Jocelyn  Dumas  (Silver Rain) and Ini Edo (While You Slept)  are pitted against each other for

Ayefele’s manager plans big for 50th birthday

Yinka Ayefele’s general manager, Prince Aderibigbe Adewuyi, has concluded plans to mark his 50th birthday in grand style, on July 6, dignitaries from all walks of life are expected to grace the colourful occasion.
The event, which will commence with a praise and thanksgiving session at Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C), Gbaremu Centre,  will witness a special performance from his boss, Yinka Ayefele, Evangelists Bukola Akinade, (Senwele Jesu), Esther Igbekele, Kenny Ologoara among other gospel singers. Ministers of God expected at the event include: Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, Pastor A.T. Williams, the host Pastor Claudius Olaiya.
 Afterwards, top celebrities and family members will later gather to celebrate with the renowned artiste

In entertainment industry, one person does the job of 10 people —Joy Okpebri

Joy Okpebri is the CEO of her dream job, S&J Media Plus limited, an audio visual outfit based in Lagos. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, the mother of two revealed why she dumped banking job for media production and her vision for a better media in Nigeria. Excerpts: 

Why did you venture into audio visual production business?
It was passion. I have always loved to do such because of my enthusiasm for creativity. I started the business from the scratch and during the process, I discovered that it was necessary to acquire virtually all the equipment needed to establish this kind of business. I soon reailsed that the finished  job we do outside is not usually encouraging. However, the whole story changed when we eventually expanded our office, as well as got the full equipment for both the audio and imagery. I would say the experience has been awesome since then. This development, no doubt, spurred my drive and also broadened my knowledge in editing and production. In fact, I have more comfort and joy in doing this, even in midnights. There has been testimonies and recommendations for our productions. All these are as a result of resilience and hard work, and also plus the fact that we have been able to take productions to another level. There had even been instances that many could not differentiate a wedding ceremony or conference from a movie production. This could only be achieved through  initiative.

ANTP update: Ashaolu against peace moves —Jimoh Aliu, I won’t respond in papers —Ashaolu

Recent peace moves made by a former president of the Association of National Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), Alhaji Jimoh Aliu, following the intervention of the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu, Awororo II,   three weeks ago, has been rebuffed by Comrade Victor Ashaolu, President of ANTP, and his followers.
According to Aliu, peace meetings had been held in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Osogbo, but with some hitches, especially the ones held in Lagos, Ibadan and Osogbo that were allegedly  disrupted by embattled Ashaolu and some of his followers. Ashaolu had reportedly written letters to security authorities in these cities, asking that they prevent the

Don't break up over petty excuses —Ruth Kadiri tells women

There seems to be more to Nollywood actress and scriptwriter, Ruth Kadiri than acting. Of late, she has been speaking out on failed marriages and why many women are still falling victims.
In a recent post that appeared like she was not happy with the continued rise of broken marriages, especially among actresses, the Edo State born thespian said the news of failed marriages she had been receiving makes her sick and wished that she could help many who had fallen victims.
The eclectic dresser cautioned those who encourage women to get a divorce just because they are having problems in their marital homes, warning that those women have no idea of what a failed marriage is. "All I hear are women advising each other to get a divorce when their marriages fail. I ask, what is your idea of a failed marriage?

I'm not in a rush to get married---Olu Maintain

Yahooze crooner, Olu Maintain, has revealed that he is not ready to get married unless he becomes very successful in his chosen career.
 The artiste who expresses that he is not in haste to get married, noted that he has a full insights and what it takes to become a husband as well as a father and that he would not want to rush, because of his vision for his ideal woman.

I was abandoned by my father and raped by my stepfather — Maheeda

Controversial gospel- turned hip-hop artiste, Maheeda, has revealed that she was raped at the age of 11 by her stepfather.
The sultry actress, who took to Twitter and  Instagram to reveal the news, took the occasion of Father’s Day to express her feelings.
According to Maheeda on her Twitter @MaheedaNigeria, she did not see the need to celebrate Father’s Day because it was not worth it.  Happy Father’s Day? Which father? The father that left me from five months old? Or the stepfather that raped me growing up? F*** the Father’s Day! Not for me, keep your wishes,” Maheeda said.
She continued: “My father left me when I was five months old and stepfather started his nonsense from when I was 11 years old.”

Ice Prince, Ladun Liadi bag endorsement deals with Skye Bank

Chocolate City rapper, Ice Prince and blogger, Ladun Liadi have been unveiled as brand ambassadors of one of the new genertion bank in the country, Skye Bank in a new campaign to get celebrities talk about how they made it from the zero stage to becoming heroes.
Already, the advert for their new campaign is running on national dailies and as well as top radio stations. Confirming the new deal, Ladun shared the good news on her blog, saying:

Nicki Minaj no longer on AfroCandy’s mind

United States-based actress, Judith Okpara Mazagwu, popularly known as AfroCandy, has decided to ignore Nikki Minaj for now following the response of her fans to the message she posted on social media recently in which she accused Jamaican-born US-based Nikki Minaj of stealing her style.
Using one of her social media handles to launch an attack on the Grammy award winner, AfroCandy wrote: “I’ve had this outfit for a while, but was waiting to loose weight before I could wear it, then I saw Nicki Minaj wearing a similar outfit and I said to myself ‘mmmh, this bitch is stealing my style.”
She wrote that fans “words gave me a lot of confidence, even though I hear it all the time.

Ambode, others for Opelope Anointing anniversary

The Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, is expected to  lead some dignitaries to celebrate with gospel singer, Evangelist Dunni Olanrewaju, a.k.a Opelope Anointing as she marks 15 years anniversary of the hit song that turned her musical career around.
The anniversary celebration, which is organised by the Opelope Anointing Foundation (OPAF), will also be attended by Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, Chief Ogundola as well as members of the OPF such as Revd Mrs Idowu Philips, a.k.a Mama Rainbow; Dr. Lagun Adesanya JP; Mother Cel. Magaret Adebanjo; Mrs Omolara Adelekan; Dr. Mrs. Omotunde Ojikutu; Dr. Mrs. Bisi Daniel and Pastor Ajani Olutade, among others.
Set to hold on July 7,2015 at the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C), Isolo Road, Mushin, Lagos, the anniversary acitivities will include free medical check-up, free drugs, eye test and other health related services, as well as a live performance by the celebrant, Mrs Olanrewaju.