ELECTION AFTERMATH CLAIMS CORPERS' IN BAUCHI

They were among the youth corpers killed in Bauchi State during the post-election violence on Sunday night.
This makes one so sad. I can't believe they would do this to innocent people....why?
Ukeoma Aik(Pic below), rest in peace.
Obinna Okpokiri(pic Top) like Ukeoma was dragged out of his corpers lodge, beaten, butchered and set on fire on Sunday April 17th by those CPC fanatics in Bauchi State.
Can you wish this kind of death on your worst enemy? Can you even begin to imagine the terror these corpers would have faced minutes before their brutal murders?
To think Obinna left London to do his NYSC in Nigeria.

These young men can't die in vain. Their killers must be brought to book. Knowing the way our government operate in matters like this, their deaths
will probably be swept under the carpet...just like others in the past...so how do we ensure that this doesn't happen this time?

This is not enough but there is a petition for the immediate withdrawal of Youth Corps members from trouble-prone states.


What else can we do as youths of this country?
Is it a crime to go to school in Nigeria?Is it a mistake to honour the compulsory national youth service?What consolation is for the victims' parents?Like Late Lucky Dube sang,'we are the victims everytime' and it could be anybody anytime.

$200M GRANT FOR NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT:DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.

Last November, President Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have released a $200m (N30bn) stimulus to help the Nigerian entertainment industry. While most practitioners in the industry commend the president for this gesture, others are worried about how to access the fund, while some others have set agenda for how the fund should be spent, reports SAMUEL AWOYINFA

To discerning observers, the Nigerian entertainment industry has not been experiencing the best of times. The major problem being that of piracy, which has continued to rubbish whatever gains that should accrue to original owners of creative works.

President Goodluck Jonathan perhaps saw this and offered to support the industry with a stimulus package. To achieve this, last November, Mr. President promised the stakeholders a $200m stimulus at the 30th anniversary of the Silverbird Group in Lagos. The fund, report has it, would be accessed through the Bank of Industry, supported by the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

However, there is still a cloud of controversy hanging over the money. Stakeholders in the entertainment industry have different ideas on how the money should be spent, while others are still at a loss as to how they could access the fund.

For the immediate past President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Prince Jide Kosoko, the President’s gesture is a good one, but he maintains that there is the need for splinter groups in the acting world to come together under one umbrella body.

While he says that he is still studying the situation because he did not attend the last stakeholders’ meeting held with President Jonathan, as he was away to attend the burial of Alasari, a member of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners, he advocates the formation of the Motion Pictures Council, which has been on the card for some time now.

“I served as a member of the committee which worked on the need to have the Motion Pictures Council, which will be the umbrella body for all practitioners in the film industry. But it is unfortunate that this has not come to reality. We made our recommendations to the National Assembly, but up till now, nothing has been done,” he tells our correspondent.

Kosoko, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, further argues that even if the government should inject N500bn into the industry, and the distribution network is not strengthened and improved upon, the artistes would find it difficult to get adequate returns on their investment.

“I believe the money should be channelled into improving the distribution network to ensure effective distribution of our works. Currently, there is a limit to which our marketers can go. If I produce a work and there is a good distributing network for it, I will recoup the money invested on the job. At least, we are a country of about 150 million people; if a movie could sell one million copies for a start, such a producer will make money,” he states.

Besides, he says, the incidence of piracy is a global phenomenon, and he called on government to reduce it to the barest minimum so that the lifeline the government is putting into the entertainment industry would not go down the drain.

On his own part, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Segun Arinze, says he has heard about the $200m lifeline but that he is waiting for the money to come. “Until the money manifests, that is when we can start talking about it. But now, it has not yet manifested,” he states.

Ace cinematographer and film producer of such works as Saworo Ide and Arugba, among others, Mr. Tunde Kelani, says he’s aware that the money is with the Bank of Industry, and stresses that accessing the money would depend on some modalities and bureaucracy attached to such funds, while he believes that such bureaucracy could discourage those who should benefit from it.

Kelani agrees with Kosoko that the seed money should be channelled towards infrastructural development so as to lift the industry out of the woods and make it more vibrant. He posits, “For me, I believe such money should be used to build cinema houses across the country. If we shoot a multi-million naira movie and there is nowhere to show it, it is useless.

“I don’t think the money is easily accessible, because nobody really knows what is going on. For now, it’s more like the more you look, the less you see.”

Commenting on the stimulus, a rap artiste, Sola Idowu popularly known as Weird MC notes, “I think for once that we should be positive. I think it’s a good thing for the industry. It’s a blessing. I just hope the money gets into the right hands, especially the up and coming acts.”

The former president of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers, Mr. Alex Eyengho, while reacting to the stimulus, was quoted to have said that, “It’s no doubt a boost to the entire Nigerian entertainment industry. However, as members of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers, we hope this is not a mere policy or political statement.

“In terms of utilisation, the Nigerian entertainment industry must first be properly defined. Nollywood’s share of the gesture should be deposited in an escrow yielding account until an umbrella body of practitioners is put in place. The fund should not be handed over to any individual or group of self-serving individuals in whatever guise, masquerading as representatives of the entire Nollywood practitioners.”

However, to access the fund, according to official sources, there are some basic requirements that should be met. First, a ‘bankable proposal’ must be prepared, which will show how the money would be spent; and what would be the return on investment.

The promoters of the fund says that the Lagos Business School has been contacted to help those who want to access it prepare or train them in proposal writing, among others.

Apart from the incidence of piracy, the Nigerian entertainment industry, precisely the movie and music scenes in Nigeria, has been bedevilled by lack of infrastructure and leadership tussle.

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Actors Guild of Nigeria and the Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners have, at one time or the other, suffered leadership tussle. Currently, the movie marketers do not have the logistics that could ensure that movies released get to the nooks and crannies of the country at the shortest possible time. The same obtains for their colleagues who handle musicians’ works.

Again, cinema-going culture needs to be rekindled among Nigerians, through massive infrastructural development in building modern cinema houses in each local government across the country, among others.

FOREMOST THESPIAN,ASHLEY NWOSU PASSES ON.

Nollywood lost yet another talent, Ashley Nwosu. The well-loved actor cut his acting teeth in the Nigerian Television Authority tele-movies and soap operas, before having his real break in the phenomenally successful Day of Reckoning in the early 90s. Nwosu died without actualising My Third Eye, an NGO, he hoped would help government monitor how governance was imparting on the citizens at the grassroots.

After battling with a chronic liver disease which left amiable actor, Ashley Nwosu hospitalised at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, for close to one month, the Umuahia, Abia State born actor is dead! He passed on the morning of April 21 after slipping into a coma that lasted roughly two days. The unfortunate incident has inadvertently thrown Nollywood into a mood of mourning, confirming the depth of relationship he shared with his colleagues while he lasted. Palpable anxiety over Ashley Nwosu’s life became noticeable in Nollywood on Tuesday, when some artistes who visited him at the Military Hospital, confirmed that he had slipped into a coma, assuming a darker skin tone. “He was in a bad shape on Tuesday. He was dark and unconscious, with his mouth hanging open. Nose catheters were all over him. In fact, he was in coma, but the doctors were optimistic that he would make it, but the situation got worse on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday actually, series of text messages were being passed around, asking colleagues in the industry to say a word of prayer for the actor, but it is unfortunate that he could not make it”, said an industry source. Already, the whole of Nollywood has been paying tribute to Ashley Nwosu for leaving indelible marks in the industry.

National President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Segun Arinze told us that his death was a great loss to Nollywood in particular and the nation in general. “We have lost yet another fantastic actor. We are going to miss him definitely, because he represented a bundle of talent. It is a rather unfortunate incident. Aside Nollywood, the entire nation will also miss him”, Arinze said. Bond Emereuwa, the National President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, DGN, in his tribute called Ashley one of the most amenable personalities in Nollywood.

“Working with him was a delight. I tell you Ashley Nwosu was one of the people you will work with and pray that the opportunity to work with him again presents itself. He was one of the amenable personalities in this industry. Many film directors who worked with him will also tell you that. Ashley would work with you without giving you any problems at all. He was a professional to the core”. Paul Obazele, the National President of the Association of Movie Producers, AMP, said he was commiserating with the entire industry and Ashley Nwosu’s family over the irreparable loss.

According to him, Ashley conducted himself in a manner that attracted so much respect for him, which made him one of the actors most producers loved to work with. “We will definitely miss him. I am in fact short of words to describe him. He was respected among his colleagues, because of the way he conducted himself”, he said. T

he duo of Aki and PawPaw, Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, who starred alongside Ashley in countless Nollywood home videos, said the news came to them as a huge surprise. According to Osita Iheme, (Paw Paw), he got the news shortly after it happened and was left speechless. “I was shocked and speechless when I got the news this morning. I just could not come to terms with the fact the he was no more. In fact, as I am talking to you now, I am on set with Chinedu at Enugu and the whole artistes here are mourning, everyone is missing Ashley already. He was a nice man.

My experience with him on many sets where he played my dad was memorable. He was the kind of person who would not give you hassles. He did his job like a professional and was always punctual on set. I cannot recollect any incident where he had to hold other artistes up. I am in deeply pained”. Ashley Nwosu starred in many movies including Glamour Girls (1), Power of Love, Prisoner of Love, Expensive Game, and Passion and Pain amongst others. Besides acting, Nwosu had a hidden passion for music as he revealed before his demise, “Yes I have a very big passion for music. I would say acting was a second talent because when I was 10 years old, I used to entertain people in my community through music”.

Another top actor, Emeka Enyiocha, who was also shocked, regretted Nwosu’s sudden exit. He called on stakeholders and relevant government agencies to immortalize the late Nwosu, whom he described as a “big brother and uncle.”

Also mourning, Mr. Paul Obazele, the national president, Association of Movie Producers (AMP), who worked and collaborated with the deceased thespian on many laudable projects, stated that he was devastated by the news. He said the late Nwosu was a dedicated and committed entertainer, whose good works in the industry would surely outlive him.

Donald Okoli, another highly-rated producer in Nollywood, who worked closely with the late thespian, when he produced and later premiered his debut movie, “Shield of Faith,” at the Silverbird Cinemas, Lagos, in 2010, said that Nwosu’s demise had left a big vacuum in Nollywood. “I knew he was ill, but did not know he would die this early. We will forever miss and mourn his painful exit. Adieu, big uncle,” he lamented.

SEE TRANSLATION.

See that grammatical error? ...wrong dialogue translation!!!..It doesn't speak well of our dear nollywood..they omitted this or wat?? Funny... Ok this is always the outcome of a 'rushed' or low budget movie... This is one common mistake repeated in nollywood movies..... People all over africa are watching our movies...
Please tell them,...abi, warn them.Our image is on the line.

BABA SUWE......MISSING OMOLADUN KENKE LEWU,EVEN SEXUALLY

Alhaji Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, is one of the leading comedians in the Yoruba section of Nollywood. The comedian spoke with Adunola Fasuyi on his life as a comedian, the agony of living without his wife, plans on marriage and other issues. Excerpts:

Can you tell us how you started your career in acting?

It has really been long that I started acting. It is over 33 years ago. I started when I was still in secondary school. At this stage, I was only doing it casually, but in class four, I now started professionally. Though, I worked briefly at Alimaco Investment in Victoria Island, but I had a vision that acting was my calling, so I stopped and kicked off immediately. I went straight to buy drums, talking drums, shekere, agogo, because back then, without all these instruments, you cannot start theatre work. I gathered some young folks to start with me. So, that was how I started professional acting till date.

Can you recall your first professional job and how much you were paid?

The very first professional job I did was entitled ‘Baba Omugo’. It was staged at Amutan playing ground in Lagos Island. There was a large audience to watch us and at the end, people liked our performance and laughed.

It was there some people told me I should keep it up, that I will succeed with comedy because I did it so well. It was in 1979. I was the producer of the work. After the encouraging words, we went for rehearsals every Sunday at Muson Teaching School on the Island.

So, you started off as a producer? You didn’t go through tutorials under any practitioner then?

I did not pass through any veteran, I started on my own with God’s wisdom and guidance.

Why? Is it because you felt you didn’t need any guidance from any veteran like the Ogundes or Duro Ladipos?

I didn’t need any tutorial because that was my destiny. My destiny is such that anything I lay my hands upon surely succeeds, that is how God created me, to be a leader and not a follower.

I didn’t even see anybody then that could coach me. The Duro Ladipos and Ogundes were all in Ibadan and not in Lagos. Anyway, back then, when I started, there were no home videos, it was purely stage acting at the theatre or on TV.

So, I bought all the instruments I needed, gathered enough crew members and that was it because I already had the talent naturally, I only needed to tutor my crew members.

From my year one in college, I had been going out to act with some other people at schools, social functions, theatres etc. But just as I left school, I started professional acting where I made money and I didn’t learn under anybody.

Have you been doing comedy right from the outset or have you acted outside comedy?

Right from the very beginning, I have been doing comedy. I never acted outside comedy, it is my brand, my logo, my calling and my life.

Why did you choose comedy? Are you naturally funny and make people laugh or did people notice it in you and encouraged you to practice it professionally?

That is a good question. I schooled in Osogbo, when I was young and, there was this elderly man in our neighbourhood, who used to dress in funny ways, talked in funny ways and mimicked people in a laughable manner. Whenever I saw the man, I always mimicked him too, tried to talk funny just like the man.

So, that was how I developed the talent of making people laugh. Besides, the likes of Jaguar, Duro Ladipo, Ayos Arisekola, Baba Sala and co. used to come and perform in our school and I liked what I saw them doing. Then as a student, I used to organise for them, so that influenced my interest too.

But it was comedy that caught your fancy of all the genres of acting?

Yes, that is true and God really blessed me with that comic talent. In fact, after my first professional outing at Amutan, there was a known actor then called Kokosari, he was so impressed and envious of my performance that he came to me and asked who taught me to act?

I replied that it was God, he then seized my instruments and insisted I register or be under him before I could be allowed to act stressing that I was too young.

So, I went to ANTP office at Noble Street to meet Baba Omojola who was the secretary then, but at the end of one year that nothing happened, I saw that they were not serious, so I just continued with my job. However, Kokosari said before I could be allowed to be on my own, I must bring a guarantor.

Can you act any other role apart from comedy?

Why not and if not? I am an actor, comedian, producer, director and a composer. But comedy is my brand.

How old were you then?

I was just about 17 years old then.

Who are your mentors on the job?

Baba Mero. He was like my tutor then. I watched and studied his performance and I developed myself in that line to meet the standard.

When you decided to take up acting at the age of 17 and right after college, what were your parent’s reaction?

Dad was very furious and objected to it. He said I should not go into acting, that they are not beggars in his family. But fortunately for me, my dad mentioned it before his friend, who now advised that he should pray about it.

So, my dad took me to an Imam who prayed and said my destiny is such that they should allow me do whatever I wish to do, that God will bless it and I shall be successful. Since then, my dad just gave his blessings because he was very spiritual and believed so much in God.

Since then, have you gone back to school to further your education or don’t you believe in education?

Well, I never did, but I thank God today and I believe in education strongly. You see, in our days, we didn’t really know the value of education, but now, I know better.

In fact, I will train my children to any level. However, whoever wants to go into business or acting or any other line besides education, I will equally support and put in God’s hands. Everybody has different destinies.

Apart from the natural talent, what is required of a professional actor to bring out a good script?

That is why I said you don’t just learn comedy, you must have the talent. When an actor is given a script to act, you read and understand the lines and a good actor will also infuse his natural creativity in the script to bring out a perfect job.

One has to be creative in this job, you have to learn new things because you can’t continue giving the viewers same old jokes.

You must be dynamic, so I read the script and put in my talent to play. That is why it seems I overplay my character at times. I try to always come out better in any of my work. But what I am yet to understand is for a producer to release five, six movies in a year, how manage? The standard will surely drop.

Really, so how many movies are professionally right for a producer to release in a year.

Two or three at most. Business or not, there are standards that must be strictly adhered to for the industry to maintain international standard. We can’t say because we want to make money, then throw caution and standard to the winds. How can you write five or six very standard stories in a year? It is not an easy task, I know so because I am in the business too. No, it is wrong.

What about a situation where producers get six or more stories to buy?

Well, that is possible but not just any wishy-washy story to produce just because you want to make money. I don’t buy just any story, it must be meaningful, impacting, good and tight.

In fact, I hardly get stories to buy because comedy is not easy to write. True life stories are very easy and cheap but comedy is the most difficult and not everybody can come up with a nice professional comedy script. There is Awada, Ase, Apara, Efe.

How often do you release movies in a year?

I don’t release more than one film per year and it has to be of good standard.

How much did you make from your first movie?

The very first film I released on VHS back then, I collected N20,000. But since then, I wised up and don’t collect money from marketers again. I started using my own personal money to produce my films.

How long have you been doing this business?

It has been 33 years or thereabout.

How many movies have you produced since then?

Twenty- two.

Just twenty-two in 33 years. Is that not too small?

I am a real professional and I don’t release films just because of money. My works are usually very tight and standard which is not easy to do.

So, that is why. I actually take my time to give my fans the very best.

How would you describe your personality outside acting?

Very good. I am totally different from the comedian you know when off the stage. In fact, you won’t believe it is the same Baba Suwe. I am not funny but very serious when not acting.

When on location, I am very calm and serious until it’s time to act my script, then you see a totally different person. I went to a club in London and my friend expected me to start joking and make them laugh, he had obviously told his friends they would laugh.

One of his friends had to ask that is this the same Baba Suwe he watches on TV? But I didn’t, I was just myself. Can a carpenter just be nailing the house about without a purpose or just painting without a purpose?

How rewarding has acting been to you?

Very, very rewarding. It has opened doors of opportunities. I have met people I wouldn’t have met ordinarily, but the job has connected me to them. It has fed me and my family. It has taken me round the world. I just came back from Paris three days ago. I give glory to God.

What special treatment has the stardom accorded you?

More than enough. Everywhere, is it at the airport, filling stations, public places and so on? People accord me special treatment. I thank them all.

At the same time, some people are always ready to extort money from you because one is a star.

How has life been with you without your late wife, Omoladun Kenkelewu?

It has not been easy at all, I must not lie to you. I miss my late wife so dearly. Physically, emotionally, in the home, even on my job, I Miss Moladun. She was one of a kind. Words can’t express how much I miss her but I do miss her a lot. When she was alive, I never felt lonely in my house as big as it is even if I’m the only one at home, but now, despite the fact that people are there, I feel so, so lonely. I don’t pray this should happen to anybody. It has been really tough for me.

How do you mean physically?

You want to know? Of course, I miss her sexually too because I am flesh and blood and a real man. So, I do miss her in that sense too.

How do you manage the home, children and your job now that she is no more?

It has been difficult for me really. Though, I have a house maid with the children, but it can never be like having a wife at home. When she was alive, I could be on location for weeks, travel out for weeks too, but now, only two days, my mind will not be at rest, I keep thinking about the children and home. This Paris trip was meant to be longer but I couldn’t stay more than 13 days because of my children. I am trying with the help of God, family and good friends.

Do you have plans to remarry?

Yes, I will, but not now. I don’t want a woman that will maltreat my children, so I am really taking my time on that to get a good woman, but I will surely remarry soon.

Soon? So, is there a woman around the corner?

No. But I will remarry in the near future.

Will she also be an actress like moladun?

I don’t know yet. Only God can tell that now but she must be God-fearing and be ready to love my children