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
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| 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?
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| 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
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