In celebration of Omotola’s return to the big screen, the legendary superstar is the cover star of the Glam Africa magazine’s latest issue ‘The Career Edition’, for this cover feature, she speaks to the magazine about her three-year hiatus, insight into her time out of the spotlight and why “Alter Ego” – a hard-hitting film already praised by critics – is so important for women and society as a whole. As a human rights activist in her spare time, Omotola plays an attorney seeking justice for young girls and women.
Alter Ego” is Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s first movie in three years. Directed by Moses Inwang, the film also stars Wale Ojo, Tina Mba, Bobby Obodo, Kunle Remi, Esther Eyibio, Francis Ochie, Elvina Ibru and more. The film will be officially released tomorrow, Friday 21 July worldwide.
Here are five key things to learn about the movie in her interview with Glam Africa:
– Alter Ego explores PTSD and mental health issues
– Omotola turned down a number of scripts during her time out of the spotlight, but felt the “Alter Ego” script was “a Godsend”
– Omotola worked closely with Direct Moses Inwang to make sure everything was perfect
– Omotola was heavily involved in the script process
– Shooting the film took over 12 months
Omotola also revealed “When I got the script, I wasn’t actually ready to go back to the big screen, but I liked the script and story. A lot of people don’t talk about PTSD and mental illness in Nigeria, and I like to bring attention to such issues … I wanted something meaningful, the kind of project that I would be proud of having helped create.”
According to Glam Africa’s Editor, Fadekemi Sulaiman “We are proud to be celebrating the legendary and inspiring Omotola. This brilliant new film that will no doubt further solidify her as true Nollywood and African royalty”.
IMAGE CREDIT
Photo: Spotlightpi Photos & Imagery (@spotlightpi)
Styling: Moashy Styling (@moashystyling)
Hair: Good Hair Ltd (@goodhairltd)
MUA: Bare to Beauty (@bare2beauty)
FG announces plan to stop production of Nigerian films & music videos abroad.
The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Lai Mohammed recently disclosed Federal Government’s plans to ban Nigerian artistes from producing films and music videos outside the shores of the country. Speaking during his visit to Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) House in Lagos, on Saturday, he said that the federal government “has agreed that henceforth, whatever we consume in Nigeria in terms of music and films, must be made in Nigeria.
“It is like somebody going to China or Japan to make a product that looks like palm wine and bring it back home to label it Nigerian palm wine. As long as we are not able to implement our own code to ensure local production of Nigerian music and movies, our young talents will not get jobs.
It is Nigerians that pay for the consumption of these products and therefore they must be allowed and encouraged to participate in their production.
I am going to meet with the relevant stakeholders over this, to see that whatever amendment that is needed to be made to our Broadcasting Code in this regard, is done urgently,” he said.
The Minister said efforts are also being made to give the Creative Industry a pioneer status so it can qualify for such incentives as tax holidays and waivers, especially of customs duties on the equipment for film and music production, among others.
RMD shares grass to grace story as he turns 56
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo turned 56 today. He however took to his Instagram page to share his grass to grace story; from obscurity to limelight and from Warri to the silver screen.
“Patoranking’s “Nobody wey nor fit to make am o” is the apt theme song for my life as I celebrate my 56th birthday today.
From Welfare Road Warri, Delta State to the Silver Screen, it’s been an often times surreal experience that anyone who has made it from a similar place of obscurity can relate to.
I believe my journey, like most journeys to greatness usually start from self belief. It’s hard for me to believe I have done 34 years post graduation. There’s been struggles, uncertainties, living abroad seeking greener pastures, returning home, businesses have risen, flourished and some fallen.
There’s been a marriage, a painful death, another blessed marriage, joyous births and more academic pursuits and degrees. There’s been my sojourn in government for 8 years, the birth of my precious grandchildren and the return that was first scary till I felt the overwhelming love and support of my ever growing fan base.
What a journey. What a packed 56 years. I am indeed grateful and thankful. No, I didn’t wake up like this (as RMD), No, I didn’t always know that I would “make it”. It’s been Faith, Hard work, Self development and more work. But above all I have been more graced than my efforts could ever have done which is why in this journey, God is my ride or die and today I return all the glory to Him.”
Wizkid and Davido resume back and forth rivalry. See our top reactions.
It’s official! The back and forth rivalry between two of Africa’s Superstars, Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun and David ‘David’ Adeleke which became pronounced few weeks ago will not go away, not anytime soon. They have been hurling subtle and direct insults at each other via their social media platforms, keeping their fans heavily entertained and disappointed. And just when the dust of their last ‘beef’ was settling, Wizkid stepped into the ring today and launched another attack at his colleague.
It all started when the lyrics for Davido’s part in Olamide’s latest single Summer Body surfaced online and alluded to his American status.
That line didn’t go down well with Wizkid who quickly took to his Twitter page to write that having an American passport doesn’t cure his ‘croaky’ voice.
When e reach Davido him voice go strong
But e no fit tell Drake to increase him volume for "One Dance" or even do face time for "come closer— Slim waist, fine face. (@Her_Petiteness) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/femifactor/status/882577766419496961
Wizkid and Davido should stop distracting us..Where Is our President?
— Omo Rapala Ore Jesu (@kpumpin0007) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Berbierklaus/status/882557681919250432
But at least @iam_Davido no dey record song with drake via WhatsApp voice note🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/v3ebzMJISI
— Ada-Antoinette (@adaanthoneth) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/AnikeBimbola/status/882563746878681088
RT if u believe Davido and Wizkid will NEVER do a collabo. And no fire fighter can ever quench the fire between them. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— eDiffieD (@Ediffied) July 5, 2017
I think Wizkid and Davido are just having fun
— Nasira (@Naaseerah_) July 5, 2017
Wizkid and Davido are like tom and Jerry
— C’est Qui (@MsGreene__) July 5, 2017
Wizkid and Davido are gradually becoming Ronaldo vs Messi
— Jacques Yves Cousteau (@Olufemi_Deji) July 5, 2017
Wizkid and Davido insulting themselves on twitter like children fighting over candy. Forget quarrels and make your music
— Believe S. (@Sotee_Trev) July 5, 2017
Lmao Wizkid and Davido are just playing with y'all I swear down……
Bloggers go dey write and their fans go dey fight while they laugh
— Tee D̶̲̥̅̊ot (@SMARTMRTEE) July 5, 2017
Unless we are throwing banter, Davido has done very well for himself and is very well above any slander.
— Saliu Elénugbórò (@VillageParrot) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/femifactor/status/882577766419496961
https://twitter.com/TWEETORACLE/status/882547047244627968
Wizkid and Davido should stop distracting us..Where Is our President?
— Omo Rapala Ore Jesu (@kpumpin0007) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/Berbierklaus/status/882557681919250432
Lol the silent war between Wizkid and Davido is very healthy for the entertainment industry 😁😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/T94VKRgH8M
— Umeh (@UmehWrites) July 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/femifactor/status/882547789238063106
Movie Review: Isoken | By: Jerry Chiemeke
Movie Title: ISOKEN
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year of Release: 2017
Cast: Dakore Akande, Joseph Benjamin, Tina Mba, Funke Akindele, Lydia Forson, Patrick Doyle, Marc Rhys, Damilola Adegbite
Director: Jadesola Osiberu
“Isoken” is about a independent, 35-year-old lady (played by Dakore) who is being pressurised by her mother (played by Tina Mba) to get married. She has three friends; Agnes (Funke), Kukua (Lydia) and Joke (Damilola), the latter going through a marriage bedeviled by miscarriages. She gets acquainted with a man named Osaze (Benjamin), and later on, an Englishman named Kevin (Rhys), who works at her office on a contract basis, and keeps bumping into her in awkward situations, from panties forgotten in washing machines to faces smeared with flour. Osaze seems like the perfect guy, but Kevin with his dry British humour, Afrophilia and love for the arts begins to get through to Isoken, and things get complicated.
.
For one, the script and the plot are non-cliche, the plot is well acted out, and the dialogue is pretty top notch. There are no excessively long scenes, Dakore shows us what we have missed for so long, Marc Rhys makes British humour really appealing, Joseph Benjamin sticks to his lines, Funke does not try too hard to be funny, and Tina Mba plays the classic Benin mother to perfection, drama and all, down to the accent. All in all, it makes for a great movie.
There are, however, a few observations. Isoken’s character is artsy and feminist in nature. That appears to be a major theme in the movie, and that is fine, but in about four scenes, the cameras seemed to focus a little too much on Isoken’s pile of books. We get it. she is an independent woman, can we move to other parts of the room? Again, the plot seemed a bit too “obvious” in trying to paint Kevin (Rhys) as a better fit for Isoken. The point is clear to see, but Osaze’s character could have used a little more flesh and personality, the shallowness seemed a tad too deliberate.
At the end of the movie, Kevin feels defeated and intends to leave Nigeria, seeing that his contract is up, but Isoken professes her love, and he agrees to stay. That is as improbable an ending as we can get! Yea yea, Love makes us do things, but ditch England for Nigeria? Oh well. I don’t know. There is also the wedding choreography at the end, similar to that overly hyped you-know-which-movie, but ultimately, the movie is watchable.
Rating: 6.5/10
Jerry Chiemeke is a lawyer and freelance writer who lives in Lagos. An amateur photographer and sports enthusiast as well, Jerry’s works have appeared on Blanck Digital, Elsieisy, Oshodi.tv, The Kalahari Review and Brittle Paper. He is the author of ‘The Colours In These Leaves’. Get the book Here
You can follow him on Twitter @J_Chiemeke, and also check out his craft on his blog at pensofchi.com
The D'banj vs Don Jazzy debate resurfaces on social media. See our top reactions.
The D’banj Vs Don Jazzy debate has been revisited.
Fans of both artistes are beginning to pull their hair out over who has become more successful since their shocking split in 2012. It all started with a fan advising the award-winning artiste to seek Don Jazzy’s help; a counsel which the Kokomaster who is presently promoting his new album, Kingdoncome didn’t take lightly. And his reply below sparked up the never-ending debate.
Are you also on d Payroll? Even @donjazzy knows in his heart he is begging me.. You madt bruh? Lol.. Jazzy Come carry ur people o https://t.co/XRD53k0jwS
— D'banj D Kokomaster (@iamdbanj) June 25, 2017
While some argued that D’banj is more successful than all the artistes on Mavin record label , others opined that Don Jazzy’s artistes are not on the same pedestal as D’banj and that the latter hasn’t don well for himself since their break up.
Dear DBanj,
You've been a great businessman.
But since 2012 till now, your music sucks & still sucks.
Fix it.Yours Faithfully,
Nigerians.— Wallpapers & Chandeliers (@EandAInterior) June 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/OsasCruz/status/878994060123484160
https://twitter.com/KvngBen_/status/878974516768243712
Dbanj broke up with Don Jazzy, maligned him afterwards in different interviews, man didn't say pim, but somehow Dapo can't stop being Dapo.
— Unbothered (@Oriadday) June 25, 2017
Any small thing dbanj shouldn't have left don jazzy.., yEn YeN yEn YeN yEn YeN yEn YeN yEn
Can you people leave the man alone. pic.twitter.com/kaO6heVDZK
— Hybrid (@Mesut_NG) June 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/ani_nomso/status/878986236316327936
Dbanj is successful, and no, no artist under jazzy currently will ever get to Dbanjs level.
— • (@N0tHuman_) June 25, 2017
You keep saying Dbanj shouldn't have left DonJazzy, but always asking God to take you to the next level.
Mind your business.— Umeh (@UmehWrites) June 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/ebuka_akara/status/878998703796781056
I like how Dbanj has been dragging these fools online lately… celebrities have feelings too.
— Tanímọ̀la (@iTameLions) June 24, 2017
Nigerians are disrespectful sha. See People talking about Dbanj and Donjazzy like they had shares in Mohits so they owe them explanations
— Joshua #socialmediamanager (@29lucidthoughts) June 25, 2017
Shebi DONJAZZY has the midas touch, quick ask, what's happening to IYANYA? And you come to make dumb comparisons. DBANJ is GOAT
— WakaWakaPhotography (@RosheedAkinyele) June 26, 2017
What we know is, they are great artistes and are successful in their rights.
Our top reactions to Falz's take on fraud promotion in Nigerian music
Nigerian musician cum actor, Folarin Falana, also called Falz The Bad Guy caused a stir online yesterday after he implored his colleagues in the industry to stop glorifying fraud in their music videos. The comment which was made during an interview with HIPTV has not been taking lightly by music fans and colleagues, some of whom have vented their anger on their social media platforms
The trained lawyer had said, “I feel so strongly about this because an entertainers you are a role model to many especially your fans and youths. Yet in your songs you sing and greet all the yahoo boys and fraudsters. You even mention their names personally. You are destroying our future; please stop it. As an entertainer you must sing songs that portray our culture, save and transform lives. Instead all you do is give the younger ones the impression that it is cool to do crime, its very wrong.”
Check out some of our best reactions to the issue.
So this is why everybody has been bashing falz, but he's saying the truth nao pic.twitter.com/AdHmEipq9E
— Kindly Follow Back (@Naijadailyfeedx) June 23, 2017
Falz isn't "coming" for anyone. He made a valid point about how hailing thieves sets a wrong impression. But as usual we kill the messenger
— Emmanuel Ihim (@EmmanuelIhim) June 22, 2017
I cannot believe that Falz is getting dragged for saying people should stop hailing fraudsters. Is everything okay in Nigeria?
— period partner (@duchesskk) June 22, 2017
Falz is one bold young man. The educated will always differ from the uneducated. Only illiterates would slander him over what he said.
— World Publicist (@IsimaOdeh) June 22, 2017
I don't know where Falz is atm but #9jaTwitter will know pic.twitter.com/jmK2OVtUP2
— Nigeria Hype Awards (@NG_HypeAwards) June 23, 2017
If you don't see anything wrong with praising yahoo boys but find fault in Falz's comments aren't you a little like the free Evans people?
— Rafiki (@zzyzx91) June 22, 2017
One minute, we are abusing those trending free Evans, next minute we are insulting Falz for criticizing musicians hailing fraudsters
— #Aegis (@IsyNene) June 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/MistaMaestroDRO/status/878144032177889281
https://twitter.com/BillionTwiTs/status/877961185961721856
is that a 9ice contribution from Falz? 😂
— Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) June 22, 2017
Falz didn't say dont do yahoo falz said stop hyping them so the young one's coming up wont think thats the only way to success.
— MONSTERAmongstMEN😈 (@Stickz_jonez) June 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/badgalmaddie_/status/878165941258989568
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/877970158756569088
Falz spoke the absolute truth…only people who indulge in illegal activities will publicly come out to bash him.
— Uche Daniel (@UcheDandyMUFC) June 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tunnyking/status/878160740393398272
One thing we should keep in focus is, is Falz speaking out about fraudsters & fraud itself, or the glorification of fraud & fraudsters.
— Ayo Shonaiya (@AyoShonaiya) June 23, 2017
Falz talk him own. 9ice talk him own. But the issue is BIGGER than these 2 talented artistes. The deeper issue is US, yes, YOU and ME.
— Ayo Shonaiya (@AyoShonaiya) June 23, 2017
Anyway, I think Falz was completely correct in what he said & it probably needed to be said. Artists shouldn't get butt hurt, just do better
— Gideon (@DondeonBeke) June 22, 2017
Falz wants to talk about morality and decency in art, but Davido insulted his elder, Dele Momodu, right on his own song.
— Saliu Elénugbórò (@VillageParrot) June 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/Twickta/status/877896773272043520
That Falz' sub is for like 70% of the entertainment industry 😂😂😂😂
— Mo' (@M0re_nike) June 22, 2017
Falz should just keep singing good music and mind his business.
Kwan 1 and the rest have praised thieves in the past.
Let 9ice be.
— DaBabyDaddy (@The_Nifemi) June 22, 2017
It's not even Falz matter that's worrying me but Some girls know U are broke yet they will get pregnant & tell U they have good news for U
— TINTED GRAPHIX (@tinted_graphix) June 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/OsasCruz/status/878306376971407360
The fact that anyone is criticizing falz just shows that Nigeria as a whole is its own problem. Leadership crazy, citizens foolish.
— Tobi Adebowale (@TobiAde_) June 23, 2017
9ice fans waiting for Falz to come online on #9jaTwitter pic.twitter.com/yrNGcKDZ4l
— Nigeria Hype Awards (@NG_HypeAwards) June 23, 2017
So, I just thought again of the Falz and 9ice issue. And discovered new things.
1) Falz did not mention 9ice, but it was his sub.— KAZEEM (@don_kazzy) June 23, 2017
Falz: Stop glorifying fraudsters in your songs.
Woke Twitter: But Davido insulted Dele Momodu on your song. pic.twitter.com/yo6luHin0v
— Wallpapers & Chandeliers (@EandAInterior) June 22, 2017
Dry Movie: Stephanie Linus reacts to copyright infringement allegations
“Character assassination is at once easier and surer than physical assault; and it involves far less risk for the assassin. It leaves him free to commit the same deed over and over again, and may indeed win him the honors of a hero in the country of his victims.” – Alan Barth (1906 – 1979)
On the 19TH of May, 2017, I received a letter from one Rafiu Bello acting on behalf of one Daniella Madudu accusing me of appropriation of an “original literary work” that was allegedly stolen from her by Ms. Joy Ndidi (an allegation that has been roundly refuted), copyright infringement and all manner of impropriety as relates my movie ‘DRY’ and demanding that I credit this Daniella Madudu with ownership of my work, pay the sum of N60,000,000 (SIXTY MILLION NAIRA) and royalties; or face a “campaign of calumny”(which by the way is already afoot) both home and abroad.
Naturally, my initial reaction was to ignore it as something so ludicrous as to be able to find firm footing in the mind of any normal or rightly thinking individual and only routinely passed it onto my lawyers at a later date and thought nothing more of it. They (my lawyers), as a matter of course responded to it.
That these persons have since gone ahead with their premeditated plan to defame me upon allegations they know to be baseless, spurious and glaringly untrue is no longer news as the media is presently awash with the ‘fruit of their labour’ and ordinarily I would not have dignified it with a response but for the sake of posterity and lest my silence be termed an admission of any wrongdoing whatsoever, I will simply proceed to state the facts here, viz:
- That since my undergraduate days at the University of Calabar, I have been very passionate and deeply concerned about Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), the plight of the girl-child and sexual violence against the female gender.
- That in 2006 whilst still on crutches as a result of my ghastly automobile accident from the year before, I volunteered with the Mercy Ships Aberdeen West Africa Fistula Centre (as it then was) in Sierra Leone all out of my own personal savings as this was and will always be a cause very dear to my heart.
- That in 2007/08 I visited the Mariam Abacha Women and Children’s Hospital, Sokoto where I personally made donations to the victims of VVF.
- That in 2008 I was invited by The United Nations and the Government of Liberia to participate in the anti-rape campaign, Stop Rape and the Liberia Fistula Project.
- That through my non-governmental organisation, The Extended Hands Foundation and our numerous partners, over 150 women and young ladies across the country have successfully undergone reconstructive surgery and have gone on to live wholesome fulfilling lives free of the stigmatization and the sheer pain and discomfort that comes with VVF.
- That I registered the script for my movie ‘DRY’ with The United States Copyright Office on November 28TH, 2011.
- That I registered the script for my movie ‘DRY’ with The Nigerian Copyright Commission on July 27TH, 2012.
- That my movie ‘DRY’ was shot in the months of August and September, 2012 in Nigeria.
- That the unofficial trailer for ‘DRY’ was released to lend my voice in support of the ‘Child Not Bride’ campaign.
- That Ms. Joy Ndidi’s first ever contact with me was in 2013 (DRY was already a finished project at this time) and it was not until June 2013 that she was officially engaged to provide content and ad-placement for my personal blog, ‘The Stephanie Daily’ for all of six (6) months and this she did from the comfort of her home.
- That the so called “original literary work” of the Daniella Madudu, I was supposed to have appropriated in my movie has never been registered at The Nigerian Copyright Commission even as we speak.
These are easily verifiable facts that any half-hearted attempt at investigative and responsible journalism would have turned up if indeed uncovering the truth for the benefit of the public was the primary motive behind the malicious publication.
It is truly a sorry pass we have come to as society when all it takes to ruin a person’s reputation overnight is the spewing forth of mere accusations just because he or she happens to be in the public eye.
I choose to speak out and address this vice that has suddenly become the norm in our society and the acceptable standard of modern day “journalism”. We used to be better than this as a people; my prayer is that we still are.
DRY is more than just a movie; it is a righteous cause for voiceless women and young girls who have suffered the most debilitating kind of emotional and physical abuse, and anyone who seeks to denigrate this painful sacrifice with a smear campaign, with the intent to make gain or attract cheap publicity, simply lacks wisdom.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those that have shown tremendous support and spoken up these past few days to end these words the same way it began.
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does the truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.” Mahatma Gandhi
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Photos: Family, friends, colleagues attend Moji Olaiya's funeral ceremony
The internment of actress, Moji Olaiya took place at Ebonyi Vaults, Ikoyi cemetery today in the presence of her family members, friends and colleagues. The 42 year-old two died of heart attack in Canada last month. She is survived by aged parents, 18 year-old and 2-month old daughters, and siblings.
May her soul find repose. Amen
We gonna miss the nollywood legend Moji Olaiya… Rest In Peace.. Goodbye pic.twitter.com/X3iHITbsPj
— GiveawayNaija (@GiveawayNAlJA) June 7, 2017
Photos From Actress, Moji Olaiya’s Service Of Songs
Friends, family and colleagues gathered at the LTV Blue roof, Lagos for the memorial service of late actress, Mojisola Olaiya. A one-minute silence for the deceased was led by Toyin Aimakhu. Her emotional 18 year-old daughter, Adun said he is hopeful her mother is in a better place. Other colleagues also paid tribute to the mother of two. Her remains is expected to arrive the country today before her internment tomorrow morning at Ikoyi cemetery. See photos below: