I Once Had a Crush on Ramsey Nouah - Grace Amah

Interesting and sultry are words, which aptly describe some Nigerian movie actresses. For Grace Amah, one can justifiably add pretty and petite. This fresh graduate of the University of Lagos, who studied creative arts, regularly exhibits her creativity and beauty on the screen. Thus, when Klieglights sought her consent for a chat, it was with conviction that she remains one of the recurring decimals in the movie sector though she has been in the background for a while as a result of an auto accident that left her bedridden for several weeks. "I was actually out of circulation for several weeks as a result of an accident, which happened sometime in January 2009 in Surulere. A guy left the main road to hit me at the pedestrian side of the road and it left me bedridden for days. "It was so bad that I got stitches on my legs and was at home for several weeks. My parents and siblings had to help me out with virtually everything I wanted to do because I couldn't move about. But that is over now. I am back for good and ready to hit locations. The most painful part of the accident was that it made me miss my convocation party," Grace said. Reacting to the speculation that she had to undergo skin exfoliation process to help her remove the scars, which the accident had left, the softspoken actress said: "Skin exfoliation? I don't know anything about that oh. At least, you can see the scars yourself. The only and necessary thing that I had to undergo was a surgery to stitch the torn part of the leg and that's all. I don't know anything about that." Grace, a native of Ebunwana-Etta, Ebonyi State, who was born and raised in Lagos was alleged to have been in a love tango with a dude and ready for marriage at a point. But her incursion into the make-believe world has greatly impacted her life with several men wanting to have a piece of her even with the indication that she is currently in a serious relationship. "I am in a relationship at the moment and I wouldn't want to mess it up. Male admirers and folks would come but I always endeavour to make them my friends and draw the line because I can't chase them away as they make a larger percentage of my fans. Those who insist on having a relationship or nothing else are turned off immediately. "I cope with men like everyone does. I have a blossoming relationship at the moment and he is a good looking cum God fearing personality, so, what more can I be looking for?" She quipped. Expectedly, her time at the university was not without drama. "Schooling was fun, I actually had a mixed treatment in school. It was sort of nice and bad for me on the campus and this is because some people just resented me because they felt I was a popular actress and would definitely be a snub," She recalled further her days on the campus of the University of Lagos before her graduation early this year. "I also had an issue of being treated like an outcast by many students and lecturers. Things other people did and got away with weren't easy for me to do. They felt as an actress I had to suffer for everything. The lecturers made sure I submitted my assignments in person and all that, so it wasn't a bed of roses at all. "I had a normal and scandal-free life in school because what was uppermost in my mind was to come out in flying colours and so studying hard was the key. I was determined and careful not to have any relationship while on campus because I already had one before getting into school. Well, I had male friends and it all ended as being just friends. And in all, I came out in flying colours," she said. Actresses and actors being the humans they are, have crushes on a colleague or someone outside the industry at one point or the other. Grace isn't an exception and for her, Ramsey Nouah was the man. "Well, would I call it a crush? Anyway, I know that before I got into Nollywood, I had always liked Ramsey Nouah a lot. You know I had always enjoyed and loved the way he acts but all that ended the day I acted alongside him. "You know, it was like everything just vanished maybe because I felt I was acting alongside Ramsey on the same set and that was it. So, I might not totally refer to it as a crush," she stated. For a lady, who has been able to cut across the two genres of movie practitioners in Nigeria-English and Yoruba speaking sectors-before taking a back seat, it might be a little bit difficult getting back to shape as new faces have sprung within a short period of time. "I have got a lot of productions to launch myself back into both the Yoruba and English movie sector. My school and accident actually took me away from the industry but now, I am back and fit to go and anytime from now I would be hitting locations. "Well, I might also shoot some of my own films but I would also be working with producers and colleagues and doing some other things. But in all, I would be coming out strong very soon," she said. "I won't want to believe that my beauty alone or the faces or looks have kept me in Nollywood, I would also say that the talent is a part of me that has worked. I've got what it takes to be an actress in terms of talent and it's just that I have also got looks too. So, they all work together. "I wouldn't know if my pretty face had helped me secure a role at one point or the other but I do know that I might have been called up for a role maybe because they need a pretty face and a talented one at that, who would be able to interpret the role of the pretty face. I think my pretty face is part of the gift that I have and which has been working for me," Grace said on the insinuations that her pretty face was what paved the way for her in Nollywood. The African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has since its debut, become one of the most sought-after awards for many Nollywood stars and even for practitioners on the African continent. Thus, emotions must have run through Grace going on stage to present an award without getting a plaque or even a nomination. "I was happy for the winners and I said to myself that my reason for not being there is simply because of another important part of my life-my education. But I was determined and said to myself that I would be getting one of that awards very soon." I Once Had a Crush on Ramsey Nouah -Grace Amah Grace Amah Ramsey Nouah

FFunke Akindele

Funke Akindele is Africa's Best Actress

Nigeria's Funke Akindele has been named by the jury of the 2009 edition of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), as Africa's best actress in a leading role. Akindele was the jury's choice out of six other actresses nominated in that category, including a Ghanaian and Kenyan. Although, the actress, who interpreted delightfully the role of Jenifa, the lead character in the movie of same title, was not present at the award ceremony at the Integrated Glory Land Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, a resounding applause greeted her declaration as the continent's best actress for this year. But it was Kenyan's day at the award, which was witnessed by Governor Timipre Sylva and members of his cabinet. The Kenyan filmmakers made it up the dais five times to receive the highest number of awards of the evening. From a Whisper, the movie by Kenyan Director and Scriptwriter, Wanuri Kahiu, which commemorates the 10th anniversary of the infamous August 7, 1998 terrorist bombing in Kenya in which over 250 people died and 5,000 were injured was adjudged the best African film for 2009. The movie, which examines the aftermath of the bombing on the lives of the indirect victims of the blast, also got the award for the best screenplay, best director, best editing and best original soundtrack. The award night also featured stand-up comic acts and musical performances. Filmmakers from South Africa, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Niger Republic also got rewarded for their artistry in the make-belief world of the movies. South Africa's Gugu and Andile got the awards for best promising actress and actor category as well as the best film in African Language. Uganda received the award for the best film with visual effect with its only entry Battle of the Soul, while Burkina Faso got garlanded for the best animated film with Justin Zerbo's Kono.



Isong Hunts for New Faces in Nollywood
For those who know who Emem Isong is in Nollywood then she needs no introduction. She's an icon to reckon with when it comes to movie making. Her latest work in partnership with Desmond Elliot, Reloaded has become a talk of the town. For those who don’t know this talented script-writer and producer was one of the resourceful hands that discovered the likes of Dakore Egbuson, Stella Damasus, Stephanine Okereke to mention a few and today, these aforementioned names are hot and ones of the most sought after actresses the industry is proud of. Well, in a bid to inject new novelties into Nollywood, the one-time banker now movie maker, Emem Isong has been searching for new talents that will surpass the existing big names in the industry. These wannabes will be well groomed, according to the brief, at Emem's Act Club, a newly opened movie academy in Lagos. There is an audition currently going on at 37 Adebola Street, off Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere for up and coming actors for a particular movie which Emem is said to raise the bar with the movie." Emem is looking for good looking persons aged between 21 and 35. Ability to speak the English language fluently is a must" A source informed. Are u eligible? Why still waiting?

FRonke Oshodi Oke

Men Want To Touch My Boobs - Ronke

Ronke Oshodi Oke is a talented actress that has moved across different genre of acting. She has the appendage Oke attached to her name because of her natural endowment in the front which she says is nobody's business if she flaunts it. According to her, some people call her on phone asking her to name her prize that they want to touch her big boobs. She describes such call as disgusting pointing out that as a result of many embarrassing telephone calls, she stopped picking her calls personally. Ronke also talks about her new marriage status, her hubby Sylvester Anthony, her career as an actress, the gains and pains of fame:

EXCERPTS:

Why have you not been acting for sometime now?

Well, I will say it's their prayers that have been sustaining me. Their prayer is that I should move ahead in life and it has now been answered. Throughout last year I wasn't around. It was not as if I am boasting, last year I shuttled from London to America; I was in Atlanta Georgia, Huston Texas and California. I shot part of my movie in America Edemi (my Language) subtitled in English You traveled partly because of production? Yes, production, stage performances, award, and entertainment as a whole.

You're a stage perfomer?

Yes.

Which major plays have you played in stage performances?

Rotile (flashback). I started my acting career with the stage production Ogun awo yaya in April 1997 and Oroshe in National Theatre. Most Yoruba actors have restricted themselves to Yoruba movies? Just few are doing English movies. Thank God you mentioned few. Anything one is doing in life, if its not encouraging or the people around there are not encouraging you, that person obviously will feel threatened, you won't feel relaxed. Once you are not an Igbo person, you are not recognised in the English genre of movies. I call them the Igboish people. I am not referring to their directors but some of their producers. When I am saying producers, there are producers in Yoruba and English genre that are professionals they are not detribalised. But there are some of the marketers that came into the business because they felt they've made some money, because they saw others doing well, they now want to go into the business. If you are good like some of your Yoruba colleagues, the producers will always come for you no matter who you are? That's what I am talking about. You mentioned Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola and others.

How many per cent of Yoruba actors and actresses do you think they have over there?

It's not up to five percent. The people that are in English movies, its like God has forced them on the English producers, its like they don't have a choice but to use them because if people don't see them in home videos, people keep asking why is Omotola not there ? If she is not there or Joke Silva is not there we are not going to buy the movie. These producers at times don't have a choice. So after my first stage production, I tried to cross to the English movies, I did a couple of movies, after a while they started saying maybe she is sleeping with one marketer or doing this. I just got pissed off and left.

How do you feel when you read some of these negative things about you?

Anita Hogan once said, if you're coming into the industry come with extra shock absorver, because anything can happen. So if you are determined that in this industry I want to stay and succeed, you will, it might only take time How has married life changed Ronke? Well, it has been good, very good and interesting at least for the past two months, it's been good, it's been nice.

You enjoyed your honeymoon?

Yes, I enjoyed it. We had it here in Lagos and it was my choice. I don't have to travel out before I enjoy myself. I've been going out of the country ever before I got married, so there is no big deal. I prefer to stay in my fathers land and do my honey moon.

Didn't the fact that you are an actress deter him?

No. We've been together for the past ten years even before I had my baby, we have been together for long and he understands me.

What's special about him?

So many things, because if I mention that this particular thing makes him special when that thing is not there again, it means he is no longer special. If I say maybe his behavior or his looks, if that thing is not there again, he will no longer be special. So everything about him is special to me.

Can you do anything for love?

Like what?

Like donating your kidney to somebody you love.

Hmm! me I dey love but my love is not blind. The eyes of my love are wide open. Well, for the kidney, I can't say yes or no because I've not experienced it or had someone close to me. Maybe if it now happens, I can know what to do though and I don't pray for such a thing.

What informs your style of dressing?

I just like looking good. The event determines the kind of clothes I wear but I just like looking good. Any ugly word a fan used on you? Yes, I want to use this opportunity to tell my fans that when people call me and I don't pick my calls personally, it's because of the way people talk on phone. Sometime ago, somebody called me and said Ronke please name your prize, I just want to touch your boobs, its disgusting. Ronke please name your prize I just want to touch your body. It's annoying, it makes someone mad and that was why I decided not to pick my calls anymore. I allow somebody to pick it. The sweetest thing a male fan has said Some responsible men that appreciate women will call and say Ronke you are beautiful and a good actress. They will tell you a lot of good things What puts you off in a man? If a man doesn't have respect for a woman. A man should respect a woman. Let's leave stardom out of this; if you cannot respect me as a woman or respect a fellow woman, I will not respect you either. Some will see you and will say you are arrogant, maybe because of the roles you played in films. You don't judge because you don't know me. When I am on screen, I am Ronke Oshodi Oke, as I am now, I am Ronke Ojo. We are two different people but people put the two together.

There is rumour that you like flaunting your boobs?

God have mercy, I flaunt it because He has given it to me, and it's a gift. I'll use it to praise God and thank him. Of course I flaunt it. You have to flaunt what your mama gave you, that is it. Whatever they say about that, that's their problem, it's a gift from God, I will flaunt it. There are lots of guys, ladies out there that are using silicon, using money to do it, so if God has given it to me free of charge of course, I will flaunt it Doesn't your husband get jealous? No, that was in the past before we broke up. Now he knows the kind of person I am. People said many things before, he listened to a lot of things and along the line, we broke up but now he has come to realise who I am.

You parted ways for a long time and still came back, what was the magic?

It's God and destiny. You see when someone loves you; he will love everything about you. If someone loves you and he wants you to be happy, he will love whatever makes you happy.

What do you want God to change about you?

I get angry easily

What of your hubby?

That's between me and God (general laughter) The gift he gave you on valentine Ah! he gave me so many things. I don't want to tell the whole world because I wouldn't want anybody to come and snatch him from me. So he is precious to you Yes, I call him precious because he is a precious thing. He is a gift from God How many kids do you want to have? As many as God wants it. On the average of six, I have one already About yourself I am Ronke Ojo and I am a kind person but I wouldn't take nonsense from anybody. I respect people but I am not afraid of anybody. Your family I am from a family of six. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ojo. I have one younger sister. My husband's name is Sylvester Anthony. I have two brothers and one sister Any childhood experience? My mother used to be a teacher before she became a petty trader. So whenever she keeps her money, I will go there and take it and she will start asking who took it and I will say I am the one that took it. Your first time on stage It wasn't easy because I started with stage performance standing before a hundred and forty people that are actors. I joined them the third day after filling my form and getting the membership card. I was asked to come for rehearsals the third day and they picked me and said I should do something. Facing the crowd wasn't easy. Secondly, it was my first time of facing camera. It was my first time on home video and it was like 15 takes before I could get the line and at the end of the day, I couldn't act in that film but few months later I had a break and here I am.

I Am So Positive About Naija - Koffi
Koffi Idowu Nuel is a vastly talented entertainer, aside being a stand up comedian he is a broadcaster, musician, stage director and an actor. Born... to an Ijebu man from Ibeju Lekki in Lagos by a Togolese mother, over the years Koffi has carved a niche for himself as a performer to be reckoned with. He has won many awards, yet despite his fame and rising social status the stardom has not taken away his humility from him. Recently he discussed his life and carrier with ALLEN OLAJUWON. Excerpts. You are a multi talented artiste, especially so in music and drama but in recent time you do more of stand up comedy, is this deliberate? No, comedy pays my bill while music is another way to express who Koffi is. What about live theatre? I have not abandoned live theatre. It is not possible because that was where I started from, as a matter of my commitment to live theatre, I make sure I put up a stage play every year. You just bought a new car, why did you decide to buy a Toyota Corolla instead of a high fourwheel drive which most celebrity now go for? Bros, I never reach that level (laughs). And the car does not have a customised registration number plate as some of your colleagues'? I have so many important things to use money for rather than pay additional money for a car's plate number to bear my name . But what is wrong with that, most of your colleagues do it? That is them. I am different, our orientations differ. Is that not an evidence that an artiste has 'arrived'? Arrived? May be the day I begin to make millions daily like Dangote, I would have enough to flaunt around. On a more serious note, do we really need all that, with that we are encouraging more Area Boys on the street and armed robbers who will feel that you are an oppressor. But people believe that you are a rich.... Well I am rich in the Lord. Since people are assuming that I am rich that means money is coming let them continue to believe that. May be one day I go reach that level Does that mean Koffi does not have a lot of money? No, the little I have I keep investing it. And, glory be to God. I am comfortable at least, I am able to pay my bills. What informs your simplicity? I was brought up in a strict Christian way. And that has really helped me, over the years and by the grace of God, I don't intend to fall by the way. Which of the cliques in the comedy entertainment sector do you belong to? Cliques? Well, I don't know of any But it is a general belief that there are three cliques in the industry? Really? There are those comedians that are very close to Ali Baba, while some are too attached to Basket Mouth, and then the Julius group as well? Well, I am hearing this for the first time. Anyway I don't belong to any clique. I am a friend to everybody. Name them, AY, Princess, Lepacious Bose, Omo Baba et cetera. I have featured in shows hosted by Basket Mouth and Julius and I featured Ali Baba in one of my album. You are a celebrity, has that taken anything away from you? No, I am still my normal self. I still keep most of my friends of 20 years ago. When we meet on facebook, some of them wonder how I still remember their childhood nicknames. I look for my old friends as well. I went to search for one of them recently he was so surprised that I could still find my way to his mother's place. The mum too was surprised and happy to see me. That is how it is supposed to be. You rebranded yourself, promoting the white green white national colours, what informs this? It is my own way of promoting this country. Whether we like it or not this is our country and to make it great is a task that must be done by everybody. What has been the response of people towards this? Very encouraging. When I started wearing green and white some people were like: 'what is the problem with this guy?' But thank God, more and more people are following the trend It seems you believe so much in this country, despite the fact that some people tend to have their reserves? I am so positive about Naija (Nigeria), that one day the country will be very great. And as you can see, things are changing gradually. If Oshodi, such a notorious black spot, could be transformed that means better days are coming. It is just a matter of time. We as citizens of this country just need to appreciate this country and make it proud of us. Hence we, too will be proud of it. That is just it. And for the first time, the price of petroleum was reduced. Are you really a man from two countries? Do you make jokes in your mother's native Togolese language? Bros, I no dey fluent for Togolese language o! And beside that, if I say a joke in Togolese who would understand what am saying? Are you contemplating of hosting a show in Togo? No, its not in my immediate plan except if I am invited to anchor a show or if the president want me to go there and make him laugh. Sure, I will go. I have not visited there before.Though my mother's parents are Togolese, she was born in Isale Eko, (Lagos). Lafiaji to be precise. You studied Chemistry in the university but you are not practicing, are you fulfilled doing what you are doing? Yes, I am happy doing what I am doing. The money is not really coming in as expected but one is still grateful to God. If you are not a comedian, musician or theatre artiste, what other trade would you have loved to do? Teaching Why? It's a profession I love with deep passion. Are you still going to practice that? Yes. When? At the appropriate time What is your view about the entertainment industry in Nigeria? We are growing, but we need to do more. We comedians, need to work on branding ourselves and do more of endorsements. That is another avenue through which we can make some money, aside comedy. I am optimistic that the comedy industry is going places. It was not like this years back . Some of your collogues have those who they mentor, do you have people learning under you? No, Why? Because you cant teach somebody how to crack jokes if he or she does not have the ability to do so. However, what I do is that I encourage some of the guys around me. I give them opportunities to showcase their talents at my shows, and they are catching up. How have you been able to stay away from scandal? Because I will not do scandalous things, I don't waka anyhow. If I am not on stage, I am in my studio working or reading. And don't forget, I am a family man. How did you meet your wife? That is my angel, Kofoworola! We were friends for some years at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) before we got married last year, she is a wonderful wife. Kofo has contributed immensely to my life and carrier. I am happy and grateful to God for bringing her my way. You had a show in Ibadan recently, how was the show? It was a wonderful experience. And I am greatful to everybody who took part to make it happen. What are your plans for the future? I want to be where God wants me to be and to be a role mode

I Miss My Husband Dearly - Stella Damasus -Aboderin
She needs no introduction in the Nigerian entertainment industry. From celebrated actress to live music performer and master of ceremonies, Stella Damasus- Aboderin has seen and done it all. In this interview with Reporter Gbenga Bada, she talks about her achievements, memories of her late husband, the many controversies and her new areas of concern. With your constant visits to the Lagoon Restaurant and judging from the fact that it used to be a place you and your late husband are fond of, what memories come to your mind, and do you still miss him? Of course I miss him dearly. I still miss even my younger brother who died in 1991, let alone my hubby. Don't let anybody deceive you that time will heal it; it's all lies. I still miss him and I dearly do but what I do is turn the memories into the good one and bask in the euphoria rather than tearing myself apart by taking it negatively. I have come to love the Lagoon restaurant.

The fact that he died there does not change anything. I have turned those painful memories into the best of its kind and I bask in the euphoria of the good memories. You see, my husband used to be friends with many of the Lebanese in Lagoon and I have come to love the place that even when I feel like relaxing, I just come over to the place with my friends and we chat and after relaxing, I leave the hangout for home. So, it's just the ability of one to turn those good memories into a positive force that spurs you on rather than one that makes you cry. But that time heals the loss, is all lies. I still miss my late hubby dearly.

One has to move on and that is what I have done and Jaiye lives in my memory. What was the greatest lesson you learnt from your late husband which you still use today? That the most important thing in life is life itself! We seem to run after the wrong things but my happiness is that I was with a man who showed me love, taught me the meaning of love and how to appreciate people at all times. And for me, the association of people around me is very important to me though a lot of people take this for granted because of the situation of the country and they don't get to see and bond with the people they love most. The greatest thing he taught me is appreciating the people you love and cherish most. These lessons are still my watchword till today even after his death. He taught me never to make people make me who they want me to be but to be who I really want to be. Most importantly, he taught me to hold God as the most important factor in life. You still look ravishing at 31 and after two kids; do men still hit on you? Well, thank you for the compliment. That has been happening long before now.

The fact that I am Stella Damasus has been one thing that has seen many men hitting on me. It's being there since my childhood days and because I am fair skinned, they have always been around me. They still hit on me even after I became a mother of two. But what can I do? It's just normal for men to hit on you as a lady and a fair one at that, let alone being on their television screens all the time. It's normal. Are there chances of you getting remarried anytime soon? Well, chances you just said, and that is golden. Human beings cannot determine chances; God has predicted it and only God would determine that. I'm leaving everything in the hands of God as He has determined my fate and knows why I am where I am and why these things happened with me in the centre.

How has life been as a single mother? It's being very challenging and you learn everyday. Sometime ago, it would have been a lot easier and better as a single mother, who wasn't married than a widow cum single mother. It's not easy to change your lifestyle and make all the decisions yourself, but I always thank God that I married the kind of man that I married. You find out that 80 per cent of the things I do and get are as a result of my late husband's goodwill. Not because of his wealth or fame but because of the goodwill and reputation and relationship he built with many people over the years before his death. He was a good man and I do not say that because I'm his wife but because it's just what it is.

In a nutshell, it's another ball game entirely but God has been my pillar of support. You are no doubt one of the most controversial Nigerian actresses. Would you say you court controversy or people just create one over anything that has to do with you? Sincerely, I don't know. For me, I'm not a loud person and I'm not one of those that enjoy attracting publicity to every little thing that they do. You will find out that if I attend any function where I am not working or doing master of ceremony duties, I am always at the back enjoying myself without drawing any attention to myself. If you ask me why people are always talking, writing or wanting to read about me, I would honestly tell you I don't know because I feel after all these years, I should have become a none issue.

But I find out that every little thing I do attracts so much attention and people still want to read. I don't know the reason for this. As such, I have decided to turn it into something good and to my advantage and I am hoping on this to help me take my programmes to greater heights and be loved just as they love reading about me. But sincerely speaking, I don't like it. I would rather be happier being listed among 10 best Nigerian female entrepreneurs. Do these controversies still get to you? Well, some still do, but most times I get used to it.

The most embarrassing one that really got to me recently is the Obat story. I wasn't down because I felt it was untrue but felt bad because I was hoping I could get a PR job from the firm for an offshoot of my company. Immediately it came out, the people have refused to get back to me. One funny part is that I met with the management of Obat Petroleum and not the owner himself. I can't tell you what the man really looks like as it is. One other thing that makes these things get to me are my kids, especially my first child, whose eyes are so sharp that she reads everything and anything that has her mother's pictures on it. The reactions they get from their mates and all that are some of the things that make these things get to me. Aside that, I am used to it.

Why did you start up the Stella Damasus Archives Production outfit? I have always wanted to do my own thing. Though I started out as an actress learning from other people and the best hands, my ultimate goal has always been to produce my own thing the way I wanted to do it. My vision is to make a statement and change a lot of things and try to add some quality to what we have at hand with the things that I have learnt. So, throughout the period I was learning from the masters, I was also going to school, to get more knowledge and now I know I have gotten to a point that even though I am going to work with other people, I want to start doing my thing because I have realised that it's not wise to just sit down and criticise other people.

How prepared are you for the task ahead? I believe I am more than ready and the Nigerian entertainment industry, maybe this is because I am a graduate. I'm not just an actress but an entertainer as well because it's not all about graduating but also being able to effectively handle the equipments and more. So, I think I'm more than ready to start off but at the same time, you cannot do everything all by yourself because there is a division of specialisation in the duties of each and everyone in the team. So, basically what I do is manage these people and their talents with my knowledge to get a good result. Are you sure your good grade at the University of Lagos was not a result of favouritism by lecturers?

No, it's not. In fact, it wasn't an easy thing for us. The only thing was that the lecturers understood our schedules but aside that, they won't condone your missing classes or not submitting your assignments or not comporting yourself in the lecture halls. They purposely watch out for you to see if you are going to let stardom get into your head and they are ever ready to deal with you. Femi Brainard and Emeka Oguns were my classmates and they can testify to that. Things that other students would do and go scot-free, we were not able to and as such we got everything we got as a result of our effectiveness and strict academic performance and not favouritism or any other thing. I won't say I'm extremely brilliant but I know I was good enough to merit my result.

So, what is the Stella Damasus Archives (SDA) Productions all about? You see SDA is a project that has been in existence for over seven years. It's a dream that I have long nurtured but is coming into fruition now. I have always nurtured the idea of owning the biggest one-stop entertainment outfit and when I registered the company I included everything in entertainment, television, radio and even print. I wanted a company that could really project the face of Nigeria and tell other people who we really are. It would be involved in the production of reality shows with our own vision, things and styles but of international standard and would be accepted worldwide because the world is now a global village where you do things and consider the effects on others.

Something that would affect the lives of other people especially Nigerians all over the world. I have had the opportunity of meeting people all around as a result of several trips outside the country, on the Internet, in school and even during my Nollywood productions. Though I still intend to go back to school to get more of the other things I need. Who are the major or targeted audience of these programmes and television contents you intend providing? Our programmes are targeted at the people of the world with more focus on the people of Nigeria. They are not only women-oriented but treat issues that cut across everybody. The truth is that there are a lot of issues surrounding us which many Nigerian women are unable to speak out. One of the programmes, Sisters, is targeted at the female folks alone.

A lot of people keep saying the women need to be given a chance in the government. But I say you don't need to be in government to make that needed change. As a woman, worker, housewife, entrepreneur or whatever, I strongly believe your voice can be heard. Aside that, there are programmes for children, men, style and many more. My idea is to provide something that catches your fancy whoever you are. Many don't believe in these things I am explaining and they say, 'Stella, you are a big dreamer.' But I look at them and say, 'yes I can, I would do it and I am going to do it because I have already started doing it.' We are set to go but all we need and are working on right now are marketers and sponsors to invest in these programmes and get it all started.

I have continually gathered content and I was thinking I would kick off in the first quarter of this year but I am no longer going to do that. It took me several years to start this good thing and I don't want to come out and make people say, 'oh is this all she was bragging about? It's just one of the regulars.' I believe if I gather more content from now till March and do my groundwork, by the second quarter, the programme would be set to go. What is to be expected of your show? Mine is not like a talk show or anything that has to do with studio audience like many have expected. Though a lot of people I have been working with have been saying it might get to that point but I am saying that mine is not a talk show because most of the things I am doing are experiential show and not a reality TV show or what is obtainable in the normal talk show.

Most of the time I will be talking to people and the audience would be experiencing people through me. They would feel, see and experience all that I am experiencing. So, it's not a talk show for me, it's something that has been in me and would be experienced by the Nigerian viewing audience and others all over the world. What are the immediate challenges? The challenges are enormous but we thank God.

The first is that of harnessing all the people and resources together to get the company to kick off. I used to think it was easy getting a programme done, but I have since realised that it isn't easy getting many things done even the smallest of all things needs lot of reasoning and consideration to get it done. However, the greatest challenge is financing this project. I mean, as huge as it is, you have to do a lot of marketing works and convincing to make sponsors take to it. It is believed that if your late husband were to be alive, your musical career would have blossomed better than it is now. How true is this?

W h e n he was a r o u n d , we both concentrated on his album and the band, which he floated, we didn't focus on my music career because I just have the voice and at that time, he was the one that knew more about show business. I only concentrated on my acting career and this was because I strongly believed if you didn't know about something, you don't need to go into it because everybody is going into it, but he did and all I did was sing with him. I didn't understand the business like he did because it is more than just singing, it involves more.

It is easy doing a track or two or shooting a video in South Africa, which I can, but after that what next? I'm taking my time so as to go into it when the time is right because I don't want to juggle too many things together. My husband and I registered one record label that he wanted to come out on and that one is still there but I want this to pick up so that when I come out with my own music people would know that I know and understand what I am venturing into. The only thing I can do is probably a single or a four track album, which will be intended solely to inspire people and not commercial since I am not ready to handle that at the moment. I'm not just ready yet. You have been spotted at several places and hangouts singing after your husband's death. Why this when you know you are not ready? The thing is there is a big difference between a performing artiste and a recording artiste.

Dede Mabiaku is a performing artiste and has remained so, performing at several occasions but has still not released an album. Maybe, when it's time he would. For me, I have always loved playing with the band, I love the band and we felt we needed a regular hangout but after becoming a mother I felt it was time I slowed down and I perform at hangouts but I had to take my children into consideration, my lifestyle changed. For a performer, all you do is attend the function, play for few hours and off you go but for a recording artiste, it's much more than that. It comes with a lot of responsibilities, which I am not ready for. How do you cope with your kids, who are fast growing up? First of all I thank and give praise to my God.

God knows why I have those children, God knows why I am a single parent and God knows why He has put all these business and ideas into my head. One thing many people don't know is that I have a priority list, which takes me through everyday. My scale of preference and important things are held in high esteem. Once I am able to spend quality time with my children and most importantly get involved in their lives and this includes their school works and other things because I know that I have to take care of them and always give them the best. I don't see what I do as work because it is something I am passionate about. I don't feel it when I work; rather I take the care and nurturing of my children very important. Because I know I can't do it alone, I designate people to do one or two things for me in my line of duty, but for my children, I get directly involved