Asiegbu, Duru drum support for premature babies

Ejike Asiegbu

The renowned actors who are also Ambassadors of LittleBigSouls International Charitable Foundation, took time out to present gifts to locals as well as celebrate the foundation’s partnership with Natus. LittleBigSouls International Charitable Foundation, with its Jaundice Programme,raising an audible voice in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Globally to honour the million babies that die each year.
Asiegbu in a statement said, Mrs. Yvonne Igweh. CEO/Founder of LittleBigSouls was proud to announce its partnership with Natus, the leading provider of medical devices, software and services for newborn babies.
“This vital impact in the survival and care of babies affected by jaundice is evident in the charitable donation by LittleBigSouls and Natus of the Non-invasive Jaundice/Bilirubin meter(Bilicare) and a Phototherapy light (NeoBlue) to Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth on Friday 6th of November 2015 by Mr. Dale Isacks, Natus International Regional Director Middle East and Africa and Mrs Anna Smith, LittleBigSouls International South Africa Co-ordinator and Representative,” Asiegbu said, adding that “jaundice occurs in over 60 per cent of newborn babies and especially affects pre-term babies who may have immature livers and other existing underlying problems, and may not be easily visible on a baby’s skin until levels are exceedingly high. Thus early detection and treatment is vital to prevent complications such as brain damage. The need to be vigilant for jaundice has to be incredibly high immediately from birth.”

Night of stars as AFRIFF ends in grand style

After a week-long line up of activities, this year’s edition of the prestigious Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, ended last Saturday with a call on the practitioners in the film sector in Africa to use their crafts to sell Africa to the rest of the world.
The closing ceremony for the festival started on Friday evening with the screening of the film, Road to Yesterday, starring Genevieve Nnaji and actor Oris Erhuero among others. Genevieve Nnaji, who stars as the conflicted wife, Victoria Udoka, called the closing night gala “an honour” as she graced the red carpet at Genesis Deluxe Cinema alongside co-stars Oris Erhuero, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah, and Ebele Okaro as well as the film’s director and co-writer Ishaya Bako.
Bako, whose series of highly acclaimed festival favourites, including the award winning “Braids on a Bald Head” said it is “amazing” to be given the honour to close the festival.

Guests at the event

He said: “AFRIFF is a very important part of our industry. Nigerians are great producers of film so I’m thrilled that our movie was given such an honour.” The festival heightened activities at Eko Hotels and Suites, Silverbird Galleria, Genesis Deluxe, and City Mall, all in Victoria Island had screened 180 movies, staged several industry sessions and provided workshops of all kinds for filmmakers from 35 African countries and 25 non-African countries who converged on Lagos. The curtain was brought down on Saturday with a star-studded awards night which held at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The awards ceremony started with a presentation to notable Nigerian music video director, Clarence Peters, who the Special jury prize for his first short film, Hex.
But the Short film award was clinched by Cameroonian filmmaker, Christa Eka Assam, for her latest work entitled Alma.
Assam who said she has been attending the festival in the last three years was full of praise for the jury and organizers of the festival for providing a platform to prove herself. Clarence too, felt good that the jury recognized his effort as a first-time filmmaker to have earned the Special Recognition award. While thanking his cast and crew, he dedicated the award to his mum, Clarion Chukwura, saying, “I want to dedicate this award to my mum because without her I won’t be here today.”
Following Peters’ Special Recognition Award by the jury was a Nigerian filmmaker, Tolu Ajayi who also got a Special Mention by the jury for his film, “The Encounter.”The ovation was loudest when Fevers by Moroccan filmmaker, Hicham Ayouch won the overall Best Film.
Other films that won awards were “Silent Tears” by Ishaya Bako (Audience Choice Awards), “Legacy of Rubies” by Ebele Okoye(Best Animation), “Joy” by Solomon Onita Jr. (Best Student Short Film), “E18hteam” by Juan Rodriguez-Briso (Best Documentary), Reflections by Desmond Elliot (Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film) and The Price of Love (Best Screenplay)
In the individual categories, Raja Amari won Best Director, while South African actors; Charlie Vundla and Fulu Makhovami won Best Actor and Best Actress for their roles in Cuckold Ayanda respectively. The night was also spiced with music performances by Cobhams Asuquo and Timi Dakolo. While Cobhams performed ‘Cock Crow At Dawn’ originally sang by Bongos Ikwe, Timi Dakolo started off with Cry, in memory of the late patron of AFRIFF and Special Adviser on Research and Documentation to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Oronto Douglas, before performing Wish Me Well to the delight of audience.
The jurors who also got a loud ovation from the crowd include Pedro Pimenta, Soheir Abdel Kader, Prof Hyginus Ekwuazi, Teddy Mattera, Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Dapo Oshiyemi, Serge-Armand Kouami Noukoue and Asha Lovelace. AFRIFF’s 5th edition kicked off last Sunday with the premiere of Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano. There were also industry sessions where practitioners jaw-jawed on the way forward as well as training sessions for student filmmakers. The awards night was graced by the who is who in Nollywood. Leading the stars on the night was Genevieve Nnaji and Hilda Dokubo. Others were Dakore Egbuson Akande, Ini Edo, Ugeze.U.Ugeze, Kunle Afolayan, Tope Tedela, Toke Makinwa, Toni Tones, Rita Dominic, Mildred Okwo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Grace Oboba Edwin-Okon, O. C. Ukeje, Ramsey Nuoah, Igwe Gabosky, Charles Novia, and Kemi Lala Akindoju among others.

I have kissed over 200 actresses on set— Jim Iyke

Nollywood bad boy, Jimi Iyke can’t stop being controversial. During the week, the actor openly kissed actress Joselyn Dumas on a live show,and went ahead to confess that he has kissed not less than 200 actresses while on different movie sets.

Jim Iyke and actress Rita Dominic in a movie

He was a Special Guest on AfricaMagic programme which was anchored by Joselyn Dumas. Responding to a question on why he had to kiss Nadia Buari, upon the latter’s arriving Dubai during the last season of his reality TV show, Jim Iyke Unscripted, the controversial actor said, he has a habit of kissing women openly, including his sisters.
He narrated a situation where he had to kiss three European ladies who accompanied his girl friend to the airport to welcome him, during one of his foreign trips, adding that he doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
As if that is not enough, Jim Iyke painted another scenario, where he had to kiss four actresses in the presence of their boy friends. “I have once kissed them on set, and so, when walked into the room where two of them were with their boy friends, I kissed them one after the other and their boy friends were mad at me. I have also kissed over 200 actresses on set and nobody is talking about it,” he enthused.
He, however, declined to comment on his relationship with Nadia Buari. But there are indications that the two unconfirmed love-birds may be hitting your TV screens again for the second season of Jim Iyke Unscripted. Jim disclosed that the reality show will soon hit the screens again.
Explaining the idea behind the show, Jim Iyke said, he needed to present a true picture of who he is, to the world. “I have to be introspective. Many times, a lot of negative things have been said about me in the media. It is not basically about what they say about you, it is about you believing in yourself. The first thing is, what I believe in, and what people say about me is secondary. I have always been particular about paparazzi. I was very sceptical to allow cameras into my life, into my home and family. The argument was superior ; it was like all these years everybody has different opinions about you. Why don’t you give them a clear picture of who you are. So I decided to start the TV reality show,”Jim Iyke explained.
Jim Iyke Unscripted debuted in 2013, on Dstv showcasing the uncut life style of the actor .The series which ran for 13 weeks presented the other side of the controversial actor.

You are too dry on stage, fans blast Adekunle Gold

It is undeniable that new YBNL signee, Adekunle Gold is talented. His two songs, ‘Sade’ and   ‘Orente’ are doing quite well, and his future in
the music industry looks even brighter.
However, the lanky dude and his handlers have to pay urgent and special attention to his stage performances which are nothing to write home about.
Many fans have complained that he is usually boring on stage, and sometimes acts as if he doesn’t really even want to be there. Being a slow-tempo song, it is his performance of it that is supposed to give the number a lift and the needed gingah.
He was at the 2015 All African Music Awards (AFRIMA), last week, where he picked up the award for Revelation of the Year, and he also performed, but many of the guests in attendance complained openly that his performance was drab and lifeless.
Instead of performing with a live band, all he did was mime and barely moved his body to the music.
‘This performance is so boring and I’m so disappointed in him. No doubt, he is talented, but he has a lot of work to do in terms of carrying his fans along whenever he is on stage. If he continues this way, people will easily get tired of him,’ a fan commented.
This was also the same scenario that played out at Gold’s performance at the recently concluded Felabration where many fans complained that his performance was colourless and dry.

What I have achieved is more than any trophy —Seyi Shay

Soulful artiste, Seyi Shay who recently launched her debut album Seyi or Shay, penultimate Friday, has got everything going for her on easy street. She’s one of the fiver top female singers in the industry and Seyi can beat her chest that it is her talent and a little bit of her attitude that brings home the goods for her.

Seyi Shay

But what the Irawo crooner cannot look upon with a smirk is a shelf full of awards. At least, this year hasn’t been particularly a trophy-laden year, even though she has just clinched an endorsement deal with Pepsi.
“I think I deserve what I am getting right now. Everything I have achieved is so much more than what a trophy can basically give me. I feel my time is now” she said, in an interview to explain why not having many awards coming her way means to her.
For her fans who are confused about the title of her album, she says her alter ego will be discovered in the album. “You will discover who my alter ego is in my album. You will discover why I am called Seyi or Shay in the album”.
The album offers 19 tracks and features a host of other top Nigerian acts, including Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Phyno, Olamide, D’banj, Banky Wand, many others.

Christmas in Lagos’ brings on board Play Barn

Christmas in Lagos’ brings on board Play Barn Buzz Media, a leading major events management company, is set to change the mood of Christmas in Lagos with ‘Christmas in Lagos’. The amazing event is to hold for five days  between December 23 and December 27,  at The Muhri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to Deola Adeyemo, an official of ‘Christmas in Lagos’, “The event is tailored to accommodate children and adults. The daytime series is going to be great Family funfair and a Santa’s Village, for the kids, which is to be powered by Play Barn, Nigeria’s leading child perception marketing and kiddies entertainment company. The night time series promises to host the biggest parties this Christmas to provide different kinds of experience”.
Speaking further, she disclosed that the event will have great local and intercontinental cuisine on display, ‘people will enjoy great food and the best drinks all day long. All we can say is you cannot afford to be anywhere else than at `Christmas in Lagos’.

Rising profile of Omoni Oboli

For Omoni Oboli, 2015 is turning out to be the year of outstanding and mind blowing achievements especially after she was announced as Nollywood/entertainment personality of the year 2015 by The Sun newspaper, taking over from popular music producer, Don Jazzy who won for the year 2014 and she signed ambassadorial deal with popular family dairy, Nunu milk, a few days ago.

Omoni Oboli

Omoni Oboli’s stellar performance in “The Figurine”, “Render to Caesar” and “Anchor Baby” established her as one of the most talented actresses in Nigeria’s movie industry.
In 2014, she had released her first directorial debut “Being Mrs Elliot” and it was widely considered as the game
changer in the Nollywood industry.
To top that, the movie did exceedingly well at the cinemas. It was a massive hit in film houses throughout the last quarter of 2014. The movie which starred Omoni alongside AY, Majid Michel, Lepacious Bose, Uru Eke, Seun Akindele among others, earned rave reviews from industry professionals and top media practitioners.
This impeccable actress was not going to rest on her oars and in 2015; she also wrote and directed “The First Lady”. The cast included Alex Ekubo, Joseph Benjamin, Yvonne Jegede, Chinedu Ikedieze among others. The movie surpassed her previous movie in box office earnings and also earned her cult followership across the federation.
The tour she embarked on with other casts to promote the flick, endeared her to her fans that had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their heroine.
Omoni Oboli now sits atop the throne as Nigeria’s number one trending actress of 2015. And she has a lot to be happy about. She has just penned an endorsement deal with Nunu Milk to become their brand ambassador. This new development is a testament to her growing influence and popularity among Nigerians.