British Opera opens in Nigerian cinema

The British Council is patnering with FilmHouse Cinemas to bring  British Opera productions to the screens.

The productions will be screened at selected FilmHouse Cinemas across the country from July 2014 starting with Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes.

The screening days are from July 25 to July 31 in FilmHouse Cinemas in Lagos, Ibadan and Calabar.

GOtv appoints Ibu brand ambassador

GOTV has appointed popular Nollywood comic actor John Okafor also known as  Mr Ibu as Brand Ambassador in Nigeria, reports PM News

Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager, GOtv Nigeria, said that Mr Ibu's strong acceptance by a wide audience was the main reason he was chosen.

The endorsement deal means that he will feature in GOtv’s future commercials, make special guest appearances at GOtv launch events and promote the brand among GOtv’s grassroots audience, amongst other activities.

TCM brings new cinema experience

Cinema audiences get a new experience from Turner Classic Movies, as they partner with Silverbird Cinemas to kick off TCM Presents, reports Movie Moments

To launch this rerun of great titles on the silver screen, Silverbird will show 2002 Hollywood thriller, The Bourne Identity.

 TCM which is on  DStv channel 137 will also be screening the thriller on July 10.

Queen of daytime talk TV returns

Ace broadcaster Adesuwa Onyenokwe returns to daytime talk television with new show titled  Seriously Speaking, reports PM News.

The new show will help the young generation to explore various aspects history as well as social and culture values that have been neglected.

The hour-long show will be shown on terrestrial television stations and a dedicated YouTube channel.

Meet the man that STARTED the 'Baba Ijebu' game

 
Oladipupo Adebutu, one of the sons of lotto magnate 'Baba Ijebu', Sir Kessington Adebutu, talks about his father in this interview with Punch.

When did you father start the gaming business: pools betting and lotto?

I grew up to know him in the pools betting business, among them was Face to Face. He’s been in business for as long as I could remember. He did a lot of other businesses. He was an importer of tiles, ceramics and adhesives among others, for a very long time. But as the economy grew from bad to worse, those businesses became much more difficult to do and gradually he eased out of them.

Did he have time for his children when they were young?

Like I said earlier, the man is an enigma. If he’s within the country, wherever he was, he would come back home at 1.00pm for his lunch. We would all have our lunch together. And on Sundays, he gave the children a special treat, by taking us to either Mainland Hotel or Federal Palace Hotel to spend the Sunday afternoon Again, every summer, he would take us abroad for vacation for two or three weeks. He is very good man. But currently, I have a problem working with this kind of standard, and my children are asking, ‘Daddy, Grandpa took you abroad for summer, and stayed with you, why didn’t you do the same for us?’ My father is a fantastic man.

What are his hobbies?

My father neither plays squash nor polo. He enjoys the company of his friends and they play card games such as poker and black jack. They do have a good time.

Does he socialise?

My dad enjoys himself. He socialises well. He loves parties and he loves good life.

What is his favourite drink?              

It takes him two hours to finish a bottle of beer.

Is he a car freak?

No. My father sees cars as a means of conveyance. For a long time, he fancies Mercedes Benz. But he added two others. Specifically, he’s more into Mercedes Benz cars.

Does the name Adebutu open doors for you?

The name is an asset but it is also my biggest liability. It is an asset because it opens doors and it gives me special recognition easily. But the flipside is that people tend to expect too much from me. And a lot of things that others will do and go scot-free, I dare not do, because of that name. But I am not complaining, since both liability and asset must go hand-in-hand.

What is your dad’s favourite food?

First, I will say he has tendency for moderation, and he does not have any favourite food. He enjoys both local and international dishes. But he loves vegetable. It must be well prepared with a lot of sawa fish.

Does he have special nicknames his friends call him?

His long-time friends call him ‘Kessy Bobo’ and he cherishes it so much.

How did Baba Ijebu, that most people call him, evolve?

Baba Ijebu is the new nickname. The nickname originates from the lotto business. It has to do with the way he has managed people’s resources. That is when someone plays the game and he or she wins, he or she gets instant payment. It is because someone has managed those resources well. And for we Ijebus, there is the general belief that we are good managers of resources. I think that’s how that name came about.

How does your dad relax?

Unfortunately, that’s one thing he does not know how to do. It is very painful. He is always doing something. I wish my father could just go somewhere and rest for a while. When he goes on vacation, he carries his work with him. What kind of vacation is that? And he will be phoning the office every three hours to monitor his business back home.

You want him to relax more?

Yes. At almost 80 years, he deserves to rest. He was 79 years old last October.

What are some of his likes and dislikes?

My father is like a chief investigating officer. If you tell him lies, you are asking for more trouble. It is better to come clean, because with his intellect and ability to investigate, you will surely surrender.

Was he ever a policeman?

No. He is just a brilliant man.

What values have you imbibed from him?

I’ve learnt the values of hard work, forthrightness and truthfulness from him.

If there is anything you can change about your dad, what will it be?

The only thing that bothers me about him is that at times he can be too fastidious. He is demanding and sometimes his extent of demand cannot necessarily be the best. If one can get 80 per cent compliant from a human being and one is insisting it should be 100 per cent, it can make things unworkable. One must overlook some things.

Your dad took a younger wife, some few years back, how did his children feel about it?

The truth is that my dad is a multi-faceted man. And it depends from which area you are looking at him. It is something I will do, so I will be the last person to criticise his action. Every 10 years or thereabout, my father finds a new love. May be for others with his position, stature and resources, such persons may find new love every five years. In my own opinion, my father is not excessive in this aspect.

Have you ever played lotto?

Yes, I have. It is quite exciting. It is a very exciting way for recreation and it is quite interesting.

How many wives does your father have?

I know that my father has 12 children from five women. We are seven boys and five girls.

Are the children of the youngest wife included?

Yes

What number are you among the children?

I am the first child.

What kind of music does he listen to?

He loves King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey’s music. He has extensive collection of their works.

Is he a Christian or a Muslim?

He is a Christian but of Muslim descent. His parents were Muslims.

What faith do the children profess?

He allows us to follow whatever faith that suits us. For instance, I am an evangelist in the Celestial Church of Christ fold. Some of us are in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

" Etcetera who? He is a failed artist and a nobody- Olisa Adibua

First it was Freeze who put Singer/writer on blast, now Olisa Adibua of Beatfm has also slammed him for criticising Nigerian On AIR Personalities for having fake accents..He told Nigezie TV

"Etcetera is a nobody. He's a failed artist. I cannot comment on anybody who is a nobody. I hate the fact that Nigerians pick on people who are nothing. He's a nobody so no one should take him seriously. What has he done? Who is he? Etcetera, shut up! If you want to get recognition, bring out a song. I'm not against any idiots who don't have any talents. If you want to make a statement, make a statement with a record. If you want to say something, say it in a creative manner, in a constructive manner."

Watch below

"I'm not a church goer,why should we be praying for 2-3hrs non-stop?-CharlyBoy on his father's funeral mass

Last week, Charlyboy raised eyebrows when he appeared at his father's funeral service, seated and flanked by two ladies..Speaking to Vanguard, he gave his reason  and also why he cut short some politicians  from giving long tributes 

First of all, I am not a church goer. I am a Buddhist, though I was born into the Catholic doctrine. And part of my reason for not going to church is the fact that I have been to a lot of churches. For the first 20 years of my life, I was a mass servant. I was an ‘altar boy’ because my father was a disciplinarian. If you don’t go to morning mass, you are bound to be in trouble.
I did all that for 20 years, and that’s the kind of background I was coming from. But things have changed regarding the mode of worship in most churches. They spend more time than necessary. Why should we be praying for two to three hours non-stop? I have other things to do.
At the funeral service, I was told that Mr. President’s representatives and other dignitaries have arrived my home town.
Unfortuantely, one of my legs was paining me, and that was why, if you were in church that day, I was sitting down throughout. People didn’t understand why I was sitting down. I couldn’t stand up for too long. Now, we have spent about two to three hours in the church. We couldn’t afford to give all the politicians that attended the funeral rites the opportunity to pay tribute to my late father. I felt the only person who should deliver a speech was Mr. President’s representative.
At that point, I was so stressed and tired. All I wanted was to commit my father’s remains into the mother earth. So, I insisted, as the eldest son of Justice Oputa, I decide how things were going to be done. At that point, I said please, no more talk, it’s too much, let one person speak so we can go and finish the business. That was what happened but you know people will misinterpret it. That is their business, not mine

Genevieve Nnaji replies the Movie Director's diss

Genevieve has finally reacted to an interview she supposedly granted Punch in which she called Nollywood Bland and mediocre.The statement attracted heavy criticism from industry players..Reacting on her instagrampage, the screen goddess said....

"I never called my industry bland and mediocre. Truth or not, they were NOT MY WORDS. As a person/writer, you can "assume" what you like about my thought process but DO not project those thoughts as "quotes" by me. It's distasteful, insensitive and quite unprofessional. It's insulting to those limited few working hard to make a difference in the industry. I am a product of Nollywood and my loyalty remains unshaken."

How Yemi Sax's first woman left him after he sent her to school

Happily married father of one, Yemi Sax, recently ,opened up on the relationship before he met his wife.

 He said after seeing his ex through school and dating for 8 years, she left him and that has taught him not to put his trust in man but God. Read his story below:

"Of course I have had a long relationship of like eight years that didn’t even work out. You know after eight years I was heartbroken. A woman I gave my all to decided to mess the privilege and brought my heart togreat sorrow. It is not about being a star really, my wife that I married right now had sworn with her life that she world never marry an entertainer but man proposes and God disposes, even she knew that it is by the grace of God that it all happened. Our ways at times are not His ways. It is what God wants because she is a Corporate person, she is in the corporate world. So, she doesn’t even have the time to go out and start dating an entertainer but God called me her husband and she my wife. I give all thanks to God for His benevolence."

On if she left because she was more educated than him...He said

I think at first, everything was rosy but you know you can’t pretend for long. She was just there pretending I think it was because of the things she was gaining from me and you know you can’t pretend for long because character is like a flame it will always come out eventually. So, it got to a time that her real personality manifested and that was when the relationship came to an end.

So, you didn’t think it was as a result of personality and educational difference?

Nooo, not at all; she is even somebody I brought up. She is somebody I brushed up, I sent her to school. So, it is not about being more educated than me or not, you understand what I mean. I did everything to make her a success but she chose otherwise.

So, what did that episode teach you about life?

I think it is a great lesson; I will advise people not to expect too much from a fellow human. That is the way you can live long, that is the way you can enjoy life; expect the worst from others. So, that is my advice to people. It is my guiding philosophy as well. I don’t think it is a good thing to put your trust in people. Instead, put your trust in God who never disappoints.

How I met Teebillz & became his wife-Tiwa Savage reveals

Tiwa Savage opened up to city people magazine on how she met Teebillz  and ended up being his wife..

"I met Tee Billz in Los Angeles at a Timaya concert actually and I was at that time looking for a manager and he didn’t listen to my CD I had sent him unfortunately. So when I saw him, I was a bit angry, I was like “I dropped my songs a few weeks ago and I am the next big thing and you are missing out”…and he was like, ”wow, calm down, who are you?And then funny enough the next thing he said was, “I am going to marry you.”

On his proposal, she said

We had actually come back from Dubai a few days earlier and spent a week there, I actually thought he was going to propose to me there. I was hoping he would propose while we were in Dubai, so day 1, day2, day 3, all the way to the 7th day and nothing happened. I was a bit disappointed and was worried like “Oh My God, is he ever going to propose?” But a few days later on my birthday, he said to me he thinks we should go out with some friends, so I was like…hell no! I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to be at home! I want to reflect on my life (laughs).
So my friend Elohor called me and said everybody is waiting for you, just come out so I finally did, then it happened, he went on his knees and I didn’t even wait to hear what he was saying because everybody was screaming so much. I don’t even know if he actually asked me to marry him but I just screamed yes (laughs)

Dbanj,K-Switch celebrate dad's birthday

Dbanj & K-Switch's dad,Mr Oyebanjo celebrated his birthday yesterday and the Lee family was there to celebrate with him..New dad,K-Switch's  also posed with his daughter
Tonto looking fab too

Uti Nwachukwu’s Message to All Nigerians Who Complain :)

Media personality Uti Nwachukwu has got a frank  message for all Nigerians who love to complain about everything - ranging from sports, to celebrities, to Goodluck Jonathan, Obasanjo etc! 

He took to his official Facebook page  hours ago and wrote this: 

NIGERIA- PLS STOP COMPLAINING AND START APPRECIATING! GRATITUDE CANNOT BE OVER EMPHASIZED.
I think one major bane of the success of our country is SOCIAL MEDIA! Ironically this same tool has been used to develop so many countries including ours to an extent- but would you call it negative or positive …. (Search your heart and answer).

You see everything that is happening now has happened before and will happen again! Life is very spiritual and all answers are in the Bible on your coffee table. Before I start please don’t get me wrong o. I’m no saint. I’m a sinner like everyone else and thats why I love Jesus with a passion because he came for, died for and saved people like me not the perfect ones out there who have no sin.
Now I speak.

The Major SPIRITUAL PROBLEM we have as a nation is COMPLAINING!! NAGGING!! BICKERING!!! I’m sorry to break the news to you but this country will NEVER GET BETTER until we STOP!!! Look at the bible, after the Israelites got delivered from Egypt and they were tested in the wilderness, what did they do? Complain!!! And what happened…you know the rest !!

We keep praying for Nigeria to get better but the minute God sends a representative to us and allows us to go thru a test, the COMPLAINING starts!!!

What spurred this Thot in my head. Super Eagles! This is a team we had all become ashamed of after the 90s God obviously sent us Keshi and some players to redeem our image. After a lot of hard work and training we finally won the African Nations Cup! And we all sang praises (cue in deliverance from Egypt) Now we went to the World Cup and our first draw. The insults started!! We won the other game (cue in manna) the praises started again.

We lost the fell out of the tournament! And then the curses started again. now Keshi has resigned! (Cue in calamities suffered by Israelites in the wilderness). Some are so ungrateful and even saying “Let him go Jor!” “Who is he?” “Is he our God?” Smh. Nope he is not our God. But surely he was sent to lead and grow our team. God will not come down from his throne to help you! He uses people here on Earth!!! This is a huge setback for us especially at a time like this when we have little or no positive stories coming out from Nigeria.

This was one thing that painted us good in the eyes of the world. Oh well… Que cera cera right? …..Nigeria…..we are in trouble if his ingratitude continues! I once told a friend of mine who was loosing his head that : To truly appreciate God is to appreciate his vessels. Nigeria. Watch it! This is a warning from God about our country!!!

Have you ever wondered why the security crises lingers? Yes yes blame it on the leaders and flawed systems! Blame it on the terrorists, blame it on whoever and whatever! But hey. We are praying right? Joining hands right? So why is it still happening?… We have to be careful before God withdraws from this country!! GOD hates Pride and Ingratitude o!

I’m not campaigning for anyone but I remember how we all prayed for a leader for democracy, we Got OBJ. We abused and complained. Still God had mercy. We Got M.Yaradua. We talked and complained some more. Still more mercy..we got G.Jonathan! (Nobody forced you to vote! we came out in droves to truly vote! And we jubilated when he won!)

Now immediately the challenges started ..ghen ghen Nigerians used social media to bicker! Complain Insult!….it didn’t stop…more crises to test us..we complained!!! It just keeps getting worse meanwhile we are praying abi!!! Where is the praise? Where is the worship to God almighty? Where is the thanksgiving?! – did God say we won’t have challenges?? Even Jesus was tested right after he was elevated!!! Did he succumb??!!!

My dear Nigerians it’s not too late o!!! It’s not at all!! Let the GRATITUDE START NOW! Stop all negative talks and complaining! Pray for your Leaders! Support and Love them , PRAISE GOD IN EVERY SITUATION! STOP HYPOCRITICALLY ACCUSING And PUTTING EACHOTHER DOWN, IF WE DO NOT , THEN IM AFRAID GOD MIGHT JUST LEAD HIS PEOPLE OUT in HIs own way and then withdraw from the country. Let’s go back to God TRULY! With happiness, Joy, thanks giving and GRATITUDE. DELETE COMPLAIN FROM OUR VOCABULARY OOO!! and let’s watch things turn around for out country!

Like I said i am not a saint! Neither am I a prophet! And I know A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL START BY INSULTING ME AND ASKING ME IF ME SEF I NEVA COMPLAIN! Some might even Resort to calling me all sorts of names but weather you LIKE IT OR NOT YOU VOTED FOR ME IN 2010 and the streets went wild with jubilation when I won BBA ALLSTARS ! That clearly meant something!!just

To Conclude, I’m just someone who is aware of How much God loves him and bathes him with favour grace mercy success good health peace of mind and other spiritual gifts which my close friends and family members are clearly aware of. Yes I loose it sometimes ( evident in some rants online) but yeh I’m not perfect and I never LET GO OF MY GRATITUDE. ….LET US ALL LEARN TRUE SPIRITUAL GRATITUDE TO WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA! WE SHALL RISE AGAIN LIKE THE PHOENIX IN EVERY SECTOR! STRONGER BETTER AND FULL OF LOVE AND APPRECIATION.

Leaked Chat between Alero Falope and Dino Melaye's ex-wife

 

Dino Melaye tried denying the report (HERE) well, the truth is out now!

Here's a leaked chat between Alero Falope (Dino Melaye's wife of 6months who ran away this morning after months of heavy beating) and Tokunbo Melaye (Dino Melaye's ex wife who ran away from his house last year after 10yrs with him)..

(p.s, Alero was a single mum of one before she married Dino)

D'banj discusses 'Agriculture' with Bill Gates

Wow, Bill Gates knows his name!
Over the weekend, music star, D’banj got to meet Bill Gates to discuss his Agricultural project – targeted at creating 750,000 young entrepreneurial farmers in Nigeria.
Oh by the way, the kokomaster says he will be working on a new song titled 'Bill Gates Knows my name', lol.
See another photo below:


He also met one of the richest men in Africa, Sudanese-born billionaire, Mo Ibrahim and singer and humanitarian, Bono.

Oops! Movie Director lashes out at Geneveive Nnaji

Over the weekend, Geneveive had a quick chat with Punch where she disclosed why her face has been rare in movies in recent times.

The Super star and single mum of one, Geneveive Nnaji has said “I guess I haven’t found the right script yet. Creativity and depth are the qualities that I look out for in a script. In the beginning, the movie industry emphasized quantity but things are changing and there is an improvement in trend. I am among the people who advocate for the improvement of the industry. So said, I am constantly watching out for the kind of stories I take part in. I am in support of movies that show a great deal of professionalism and creativity. Having practised my art in international and professionally produced stories like ‘Ije’; ‘Mirror boy;’ and ‘Tango with me’, I don’t think I can return to the blandness and mediocrity that characterised Nollywood in the past"
Well, that response did not go down well with a movie director, Mac Collins Chidebe.
In a statement sent out to the media, the director lashed out at Geneveive. Read statement below:
"Genevieve has just insulted the industry that made her who she is today and what effort has she made to help improve Nollywood? Those days in Enugu when Genevieve was growing in Nollywood, our movies were not rubbish; she has grown now, made money, fame, popularity e.t.c, how much has she invested in this Industry that made her?
All the while she was busy waiting for Titanic scripts, Nollywood was trying their best to keep the flag flying waiting for her to come back and take the industry to the next level. Artistes should stop biting the fingers that fed them. We are watching and waiting for them to bring down heaven. We made them stars; we are waiting for them to come back and take the industry to the next level. Instead of blasting Nollywood, come and improve Nollywood.” Chidebe said.