CALLING ALL YOUNG AND/OR HIP NOLLYZONE READERS!

Got STYLE? TALENT? or GRACE? Nollyzone will soon inaugurate a weekly feature for our young and stylish readers to help contribute to. Every Thursday we will post a new profile of the week’s STREET SHOT. A “front page” article will display a full-length photo and interview with the chosen young person whose style and originality exemplifies the STAR QUALITY and CLASS of Nollywood and/or the music & fashion industries in Africa.

How to Become Featured on Nollyzone Street Shots:

1. Submit your name, age,  and hometown in additional to at most 5 digital photos that best portray your unique personal style to streetshots@nollyzone.com.

2. Include your phone number and/or email address for an interview with a Nollyzone reporter

3. Prepare an answer to this essential question: What are your future aspirations?

Each week one lady and one guy will be chosen. Couples are encouraged to submit photos together! Street Shots welcome our readers from home and abroad to contribute their unique stories as well! Pics of your nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, are also welcome. All entries should be submitted no later than Saturday at 12am (Nigerian time) the previous week to be considered for the coming Thursday’s edition.

We here at Nollyzone are extremely excited to bring you Street Shots and we eagerly await your participation and feedback! Good luck!

— The Nollyzone Team

He says his 2011 run for the presidency begins in August, when he will return to Nigeria and begin his on-the-ground campaigning. He plans to do that for most of this year and into next year.

Sam Wantings (Nwanti), a 46-year-old Greeley, Colorado (USA) resident, is running for president of Nigeria, a country he visits frequently even though he’s lived in the United States for more than half his life.

“Nigeria needs to change,” said Wantings. “And I’m the only one who can effect that.”

Wantings said he wants to use his background as a detective and business entrepreneur to rid Nigeria of corruption and bring honest business opportunities to his people.

“Criminals and corrupt politicians run my country now, and I feel I need to run now to make any kind of difference,” said Wantings. “It needs to happen soon or it will be too late.”

Wantings — who has dual citizenship in Nigeria and the U.S. — said he does not believe his split loyalties will hurt his chances. “I think the people will appreciate that I can give our country a fresh perspective, a fresh view of the things that need to be done.”

Wantings and his family moved to California in 1984, and he became a security officer while he attended Sacramento State and began studying criminal justice.

He always stayed in contact with friends and family back home.

In 2003, Wantings served as vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party chapter in the state of Washington. The PDP has several chapters throughout the United States. That same year, he ran unsuccessfully for governor of the Nigerian state of Imo.

Wantings said he’s been trained by the FBI and KGB, which makes him an ideal choice to root out corruption. He also says his connections with his family business in Nigeria means he can bring legitimate commerce to his land.

Mancho Samba, chairman of the African Detective Association, is listed as a staunch supporter on Wantings’ campaign literature. “He will obey, follow, respect the law,” Samba said in his endorsement. “Corruption, crimes will be on vacation when he takes over in 2011.”

However, retired University of Colorado political science professor James Scarritt is skeptical. Nigeria is roiled by ethnic and religious strife, and it will take more than one man living outside the country to unite it, he said.

“All things being equal, if you are living outside the country for a long time, the chances of solving its problems are less,” Scarritt said. “You are still an outsider, even a foreigner.” Critics slam Wanting’s outsider status, saying chances of him being able to solve Nigeria’s problems are less than that of someone who has spent their life in the African nation

Wantings wants endorsements from local business and political leaders to help rebuild the infrastructure of Nigeria. His plan is to contract with Colorado firms who will then use Nigerian labor for the rebuilding.

“This is my country’s best chance to realize its potential,” he said.

Source: The Denver Post

WTF? :S

Renowned Director, Lancelot Imasuen has joined Stingomania Entertainment in making sure that the life and works of late rap artiste Dagrin does not go down the drain. The respected Director has been drafted to be the Director of Ghetto Dreams a film which will be based on the life of Dagrin. The film will chronicle the growing years of Dagrin, his struggles, his rise to fame and his death.

The choice of the respected film director has been hailed

The film making is part of the formats Stingomania Records is putting in place to ensure that the man who gave the Yoruba rap music genre some breath of fresh air is memorialized in a constructive and enduring manner. The Dagrin Memorial Project, amongst other things will ensure that the family Dagrin left behind is catered for and the loss is made more bearable for his family in a tangible measurable manner. The memorial project will also provide a lasting structure and means to encourage upcoming, struggling and budding entertainment stars, while helping talented artistes deal with the different challenges and lack of resources limiting them from fulfilling their potential and set up a foundation to provide assistance for upcoming and struggling musicians with limited means and poor backgrounds to realize their ambition. The foundation will provide help for young musicians in areas of Finance, Training and Mentoring. All these were ideals the late musician stood for.

Nollywood, the Nigeria’s fast-rising movie industry seems to be ridding with so many crisis ever since the industry has been attested to be the third largest movie industry in the world and first in Africa in terms of productivity.

One of the crises includes but not limited to sexual harassment, lackadaisical attitude towards job, influx of mediocre to mention but a few. While the stakeholders are putting heads together to curb all this menace and crises that the industry is identified with another crisis, we learned, has just erupted yesterday that beat everybody’s imagination.

One of the up and coming Nollywood practitioners known as Nonso Ekene Okonkwo and others were arrested by the State’s Policemen early hours of yesterday in Asaba, Delta State area of Nigeria for illegal possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

Though, it was said that the guns and cartridges were meant for a movie that was said to be currently going on, however, the Policemen are said not to be cajoled with such white lies.

Before we filed this report, we were informed that the Delta State Chapter of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN have waded into the matter to secure their bail. The police, we gathered, insisted that the people arrested should provide documents that warranted them to go about with firearms or be charged to court according to the law of the land. We shall update you more details as soon as we get them.

Source: nigeriafilms.com

This Nollywood movie producer is in the news again. Before now, Dickson Iroegbu was said to have abandoned his wife at home and moved around with a certain model. While he’s yet to clear himself from this messy report another one seems to have emanated and it has to do with fraud.

Dickson, the producer of Widow’s Court, a movie that earned him respects and some plaques in Africa Movie Academy Awards otherwise known as AMAA, is said to have approached BOB TV for another beautiful project, Child Soldier.

The movie, according to sources, is yet to be scripted but the dreadlock wearing movie maker, we learnt, has been using the project to defraud people, extorting money from anybody who cares to cough out dough.

“Even Professor Dora Akunyuli has made a pledge of an undisclosed amount when she was approached for support by Dickson. The most pathetic of it all is this particular woman who has committed her life saving into the project.

She gave Dickson about N7.5m to partner Dickson even with a car only for Dickson to have absconded and vanished into thin air shortly after he collected the money and car.

All effort of this woman has been futile. , Though, they seem to be having something amorous together.” A reliable source disclosed to us. Could this be true?

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Chika Ike

There are over 100 actresses in the movie industry but some of them are extremely desired by men because of their outstanding beauty. Irrespective of the fact that they are good professionally and some of them are married, their shapes and beauty have made them noticeable by everyone. Below are some of the sexiest Nollywood actresses that men will do anything to have a date with.

Chika Nancy Ike: At 5ft 10in, Chika Ike stands tall. Her black hair and her sexy brown eyes can make any man go wild. She was crowned as the most beautiful girl in secondary school. The shapely beauty started acting at the age of six in her local church and she watched a lot of movies then, and this increased her passion for acting.
The African beauty’s first major role did so well in the market, resulting in directors and producers recommending her for major and minor roles in movies. She was nominated for the best upcoming actress in the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA)  in 2005 and a recognition award. Between 2004 and 2006, she did over 20 movies.
The beautiful actress got married in 2006 and presently has a lovely child. She was born on 8 November and grew up with her family in Lagos. This astonishing beauty’s movie, Mirror of Beauty, was shown in seven cinemas in London where it was premiered. Nancy is hot, flaming and extremely sexy.

Kate Henshaw Nuttal: It’s impossible for one to list sexy gems in the movie industry and not mention the gorgeous Henshaw. The beautiful star hails from Cross River State in Nigeria and she is married to a white man.
The award winning actress won the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for best actress in leading roles in 2008. She is the oldest of four children. She had her primary and secondary education in Lagos and Calabar.
The gorgeous actress, who is presently the Face of Onga, has starred in over 40 movies. She made her debut with the movie When The Sun Sets.
Her beauty and profession has taken her far and wide and she is always recognised and noticed because of her glowing complexion. This icon is indeed sexy in every aspect and naturally endowed with so much.

Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Ozioma: Mercy Johnson is indeed one of the sexiest actresses in Nollywood. Her boobs and hips are enough to make a man exclaim and according to her, those are the most beautiful parts of her body. She says she cherishes them most and if she has her way, she will insure them.
Although her parents hail from Okene, Kogi State, Mercy was born in Satellite Town, Lagos.  She is from a family of seven.
The dark skinned beauty is one of the fastest rising actresses in the movie industry. Her unbeatable shape makes her fit into any role. Though she is known by most of her fans to always take emotional and romantic roles, this beauty queen can interpret any role.
Some of the movies in which she has featured include Last Contact, Last Kiss, My Heart Your Home, Secret Game, Kill the Bride and House Party, to name a few.
Mercy intends to keep her naturally endowed shape by continuous exercise. This glowing actress is indeed a hot and flaming babe for guys in the movie industry and her fans too.

Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji: Genevieve is the most prominent actress. The fans of this beauty, who was the Face of Lux, said that her beauty renews daily. She was born on 3 May 1979 and  started acting at the age of eight. Her astonishing beauty has made her feature in so many commercials. Her very popular movie Sharon Stone made her image to transcend beyond Nigeria. The highest paid actress has featured in films like Most Wanted, My First Love and Games Women Play, among others. The dark slim damsel enjoys acting and she sees it as a natural endowment that  won her so many awards, both at home and abroad. She is a mother of one child, and according to her, it is great being a mother .

Ini Edo: Ini is another actress whose beauty gave her a quick rise in the movie industry. Ini Edo is obviously one of the prominentNollywood stars, her carriage and the way she interprets her roles make her stand out in the industry.She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Calabar. She got into the movie industry in 2003 and today she has received awards both home and abroad.
Ini’s height, hips and sexy lips have made her a beauty icon and paved the way for her in the industry, as she can fit into any role she’s given. She hails from Akwa Ibom State and is married to an Edo man. The actress, with her radiant skin is indeed one of the sexiest Nollywood actresses.

Omotola

Omotola J. Ekeinde: She is married and has four children, yet she is still a looker. The beautiful actress, who is married to Capt. Matthew Ekeinde, is one of the oldest Nollywood stars and her fame has continued to soar. She has also featured in many commercials, like Hollandia Milk. She started acting in 1995 and her first movie is Venon of Justice. She is born into a family of five and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shola, are deceased. She attended Chris and Nursery Schools, Opebi, and had her secondary education in Kaduna. The beautiful, award winning, actress is referred to as a screen goddess.

Stella Damascus: Stella is an epitome of beauty. She joined the movie industry in 1992 and her first movie is titled Abused. The damsel was nominated for best actress in leading roles in 2009. She has starred in over 50 movies which include Betrayed by Love, Face of a Liar, Real love, Passions, Halimat and Four Sisters.
This sexy rare gem hails from Asaba in Delta State and was born on 24 April, 1978. Stella is tremendously loved by her fans, not only because of her beauty and talent, but because of the love she has for theless-privileged.

That which she declined to divulge in an interview she granted this writer has been brought to the open. MTV’s Nigerian VJ, Cynthia Okpala is now officially engaged to good-looking hubby, Ozoemena Mbanefo.

The pair are both members of the Dominion City church located on 11/13 Jumat Olukoya street, Ogudu, Ojota, Lagos. Ozoemena popularly known as Ozone, runs a charity organisation for the less privileged called City Greeters which Cynthia is an active part of.

The Lagos based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in 2008 is framed by the slogan ‘the restoration of hope and virtue’, and is partnered by Oxygen 212 and WF 212.

The engagement, we gather, was a surprise development as not many people in the Ojota church, where the NGO uses as office, knew the newly engaged as a pair. However, ‘it (the engagement) was with the Pastor’s approval’ says Cynthia’s publicist, as the soon-to-be-couple have resumed to weeks of counseling ahead of the wedding ceremony proposed to take place before year end.

The engagement proposal, we gather, took place on the 12th of June at the FG Suites, No 7, Ade Akinsoya Avenue off Town Planning way, Ilupeju, Lagos during a City Greeters’ function.

This development, according to our inside sources, took everyone by surprise as there was another lady allegedly close to Ozone and with whom everyone had thought Ozone would exchange marital vows.

This allegation, if confirmed to be true, would become the second of such tales to trail the MTV VJ having previously ‘snatched’ young Dominic Mudabai from pretty and tall Kimberly Egbuna, both of the Gulder Ultimate Search 2007 reality show.

After admitting to a national daily (not Vanguard) that they were an item and that she was in love with Dominic, the approximately 8-month affair hit the rocks and pronto Cynthia denies ever dating Dominic in an interview she granted Showtime weeks before her engagement.

24-year-old Cynthia is said to have joined the church over a year ago. Her fiancé, who is about nine-years older, had been a member long before she joined. According to our sources, Cynthia allegedly dumped Dominic because a serious relationship with better prospects for marriage was in the making with Ozone. But did she have to deny dating 27-year-old Dominic?

Source:

Except a miracle happens and fast too, Abia state-born veteran actor, Prince James Uche may not survive the illness that has left him bedridden for eight months.

The tough-talking actor is in a critical condition, following the ravages of a strange illness that has not only kept the actor off the screen for sometimes now, but has also impoverished him.

A concerned colleague sums up the situation thus;  “This a test case for Ejike Asiegbu, erstwhile president, Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN,who was recently appointed a personal adviser to Governor Theodor Orji of Abia State on entertainment matters. James is a true son of Abia and over the years, he has distinguished himself as a true ambassador of the State. His Excellency needs to read about this”.

The ailing actor, who was in coma for three days lamented his plight to HVP, saying “ I have spent all my life savings  battling this ailment and only God knows how much I have suffered”.

When HVP visited him at PAX Medical Clinic located at Surulere, Lagos, last Tuesday, he looked worried and abandoned.

However, there were strong indications that he may be discharged by the hospital authority so that he can seek alternative solution.

The actor, who now wears a badge on his left leg said, his condition is compounded by hypertension which according to him,  has now affected his sight. He also suffers from lose of memory.

“ I no longer see clearly and I find it difficult recognising people or remembering anything. I have been on admission here for more than three weeks” he disclosed, adding “the doctor said, he may discharge me any moment from now. I want to go home to take care of myself.”

On the nature of his illness, the actor explained that “there’s a specific term he (doctor) used to describe my ailment. I can’t remember it now, but all I know is that my Blood Pressure (BP)is very high. And with the injury on my left leg, it has been tough living with the pain.  I need urgent support from well-meaning Nigerians to survive this ailment. I have taken about five pints of blood to no avail.

When I was brought to this hospital by Emeka Ojukwu three weeks ago, I was in a coma. On arrival, I was immediately rushed into the intensive care unit, where I was revived. And by His special Grace, I’m alive today”.

Prince Uche said “If my people have decided to abandon me here, perhaps that’s how they want to pay me back for all I have done for the industry. Segun Arinze promised to be here today(Tuesday). I’m still waiting for him.”

“When I was the Vice-president of the Association of Nigerian Authors(AGN), I spear-headed the creation of state chapters like Abia, Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Niger State. And this is one claim no one dare fault.”

Lamenting further, the bulky actor who is now a shadow of his old self said, “I single-handedly revived the Association of Movie producers(AMP) and registered the Movie Marketers Association based in Onitsha. And up till now, neither AMP nor MMA members have visited or called on me. Why should they abandon  me now when I need them most?”

“If my people are not ready to come to my assistance, I’m using this medium to call on my State Governor, Theodor Orji to come to my aid. I can’t afford to pay my bills anymore. I need to recover from this illness. My children are still young to lose their dad. My first son is thirteen, while my second is eleven and the last child is nine years old. My wife cannot carry this burden alone. I ‘m calling on  well-meaning Nigerians to hear my cry and assist me.”

Tracing the genesis of the illness, Prince Uche disclosed that it all started after he collided with a BRT bus in the Anthony Village area of Lagos.

Looking pale and frail on his hospital bed, the father of three children, recalled All I can remember was colliding with the bus. The next thing I noticed was that my leg began to swell. And since the incident happened, I have visited several Churches and hospitals to no avail”.

Today what Prince Uche thought was a minor injury has surpassed his wildest dream. With no solution in sight only the aid of well meaning Nigerians can make the difference in the life of the veteran actor.

A good friend of actor Pete Edochie, Prince Uche has featured in movies like “Fair Game”, “Stubborn Billionaires”, “Big Boys Club”, “Dangerous Mind’, “Dons In Abuja”, ‘Town In Danger’ and “Rituals” to mention a few.

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Disillusioned film maker, Tunde Kelani may have to wait upon the Lord’s intervention to bring to book  the culprits who pirated his film, “Arugba” a week after it was released into the market.

This is because the government regulatory body that’s responsible for the protection of intellectual property, Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC) has proved to be helpless in this regard.

The Commission, instead of wielding the big stick and ensure that the culprits are brought to book, is compelling Kelani to raise the huge sum of N1.7 million to enable them conveniently carry out a raid at Alaba International market presumed to be the haven of piracy in the country.

For NCC, the amount covers the cost of providing logistics and other incident expenses that is likely to arise in the cause of carrying out a raid on the pirates.

In a situation report, written by Kelani’s lawyer, ABFR &Co,  and dated 19th of March, 2010, which was shown to Showtime NCC argued sheepishly that owing to the Federal government plans to close down the market permanently, they have decided to be silent on any issue relating to the menace of piracy in that market.

The letter reads, “On possible action to be taken in respect of the pirated movies of Mainframe Productions Limited, the sum of N1.7 million will be needed as cost of providing logistics and other incident expense to carry out a raid at Alaba International market.  We have been silent on issues of piracy concerning the market because of the plan of the federal government to close down the market permanently.”

Meanwhile, describing the pirating of the movie as  “threatening  his career and life”, Kelani who’s one of the nation’s best film makers said, owing to this ugly development, he may not be able to make as many films as he used to do during this year.

“ I have lost all my investments to pirates. Since October last year, I and my sister have not received a kobo from our sweats. It’s discouraging. Government cannot guaranteed the protection of our works.” he lamented.

Continuing, he said, “unless the Federal Government of Nigeria rescues us from this economic menace, the growth and development of the nascent film industry in Nigeria will be stifled completely by this miasma of piracy, illegality and outright theft.”

“The popular Nollywood industry is under great threat and may already be experiencing its death throes.  While we have decided to write a letter of protest to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation, The Federal Minister of Information and Communication, the Inspector General of Police and all the relevant government agencies, we can only appeal to the general public to ignore the pirated ones and buy our genuine movies.”

Kelani’s “Arugba’, shot in 2009, was released into the market on June 13. A week after its release, two pirated versions of the culturally infused film flooded the market. No thanks to pirates.

Written by Ade Adeniji and produced/directed by Tunde Kelani himself, Arugba is set against the backdrop of a corrupt society seeking cleansing, rebirth and nationhood, with all the attendant intrigues. The film, according to Kelani, is based on experiences got at the annual Osun Osogbo festival and the latter’s inspiration from his previous documentary about the festival.

Source:

Mercy Johnson

What started off  like rumours initially, can now be confirmed by HVP.  Mercy Johnson is getting married and any moment from now the screen queen will walk down the aisle with her heart throb in a marriage many believe will be the most talked about in the movie industry in recent times.

Mercy, we reliably gathered has fixed the traditional wedding on her birthday 17th of August and efforts are geared toward achieving this date. Our source however declined to make further comment about the marriage
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Guinks Investment,one of the  producers  based in Asaba, Mr. Uzo Godson Nwaosu has frowned at the frequent negative reports against Mercy, describing such reports as “wicked and malicious.”

Mercy, according to him, remain   one of the best actresses in Nollywood  today  who desires to be celebrated and  not to be  condemned in the pages of newspapers and magazines.

“Mercy has a large heart.  She’s humble, kind and well-behaved. She’s the best actress to work with, here in Asaba,” he muted, adding that Mercy will soon get married to the shame of her critics.

The Kogi state-born actress, confirmed her  marriage to HVP, in a telephone chat. “Yes, I will be getting married soon.”  she gushed.

Last year, rumour mongers had it that Mercy was getting  married to her lover of many years, but she was quick to counter the stories.

As  the most sought-after-actress in Nollywood at the moment, Mercy has been a consistent victim of negative reports in the media. Yet, the harmless actress has remained herself, resolute and unbending in the course of pursuing her career in acting. She once declared “ I pay no attention to all the nonsense that has been written about me.”

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