Jide Kosoko

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Q:For some years now, we?ve known Jide Kosoko as an actor. Can you tell us how you started your acting career?
Well, I think the whole world ought to have known how I started because I?ve been granting interviews on that for quite a long time now. However, I will quickly brief you. I started way back in 1964, when I was just 10 years old and that was the year I also had my first television appearance in a production titled Makanjuola, produced by Ifelodun Travelling Theatre, which had me as a member. It happened that one of our tenants, Dele Toyibo, (he?s still alive) an elderly person and a member of Ifelodun Travelling Theatre wanted to have a production on television- LTV Bar Beach. They needed a boy of my age then to play (the lead role of) a character called Alabi. So they invited children of my age, we were auditioned and I won the role. Since then, I?ve always been into acting. I formed my own group?Jide Kosoko Theatre in 1972.

Q: You rank among the few actors that started acting very early. How will you compare the industry then to what we have now?
When I actually started we didn?t have videos. There were no movies in Nigeria at all. The one we had then was the television thing, in fact, more of stage performance and my orientation is more of stage performance. If you want to compare what happened then and now, you will see there are a lot of changes. When I started, we were only on black and white. A few homes had television. That was the period when you saw people watching a particular production through the window of any home-You?re just going and when it?s time for that production you just go to any house and stay by their window to watch.

Q: We heard you have a problem with the Video Club owners Association of Nigeria (VCOAN) and that the association has placed a ban on you. How true is that?
You should know that it?s an exaggeration that a producer of my calibre is being banned. Banned by who? You see, I must also tell you that the issue is being resolved. I don?t want to say much on that.

Q: What really was the problem?
Well… They were not happy that I initiated the formation of a rival video club association.

Q: Are you contesting for the President of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP)?
Insha Allah, I will contest for the position of the President of ANTP and I know that by God?s grace I will win .

Q: What about the strong opposition from people like Dele Odule?
I?ve always told people and I know what I?m saying, Dele Odule is my brother and I know he can?t contest against me.

Q: So what are your plans for the association?
I will tell you just one, and that is, I will work hard to ensure that there is an enabling environment for members of the association to practice their profession, which means I will collaborate with other associations and government agencies, stakeholders and players in the industry.

Q: If voted into office where will you start from?
I will ensure there is unity among members, it?s paramount in my mind. I will abide by all professional ethics, ensure that my members imbibe the ethics of the profession, so that we can jointly move the association forward.

Q: What is your impression about the formation of YMPF?
I don?t see them as factions, I will rather say they have brilliant ideas and they feel there is need for the associations to move faster than what is happening now. Personally, I have discussed with some of them and I know what they are saying. They are members of the association, they don?t need to form a faction and I have advised them that all they need is to bring their ideas before the association for proper scrutiny.

Q: Let me just take you back again, Dele Odule has said that he is very optimistic of winning this ANTP election. Are you scared?
Dele Odule as a member of the association is entitled to express his opinion, his wish to seek people?s votes for any position in the association. He has the education and age on his side, so he?s entitled. But what I?m telling you is this; first and foremost, apart from being an actor and a member, he?s a Yoruba man, and ANTP cherishes quite a lot of things that you cannot run away from. And of course being a Yoruba man, there are some other things we will also take into consideration. It is against the tradition of we the Yoruba for a young man to challenge his brother in public. So I say Dele cannot contest against me.

Q: There is this notion that the English movie industry is doing far better than the Yoruba?s. How far is this true?
Do you also believe that? When you say they are doing better, in what area are you talking about? Do you know that a good film is determined by the quality of the equipment used, the prop, the costume and to crown it all the story line, complemented by the artistes invited to narrate the story line. These are the things that make a good movie. So, I don?t know which of them you?re talking about. If the English movies cherish glamour, the Yoruba film industry cherishes good story line, and all these factors are what you can say contribute to the quality of a movie.

Q: Generally, how will you assess the Nigerian movie industry?
Brilliant future, very bright. We have come to stay, the industry as a whole and that?s why most of the time I hate answering questions that border on division among the English and Yoruba actors and actresses. You are entitled to produce a Yoruba or English film, nobody is restricting anybody from doing this or that. You can appreciate our effort, you can see that Nigeria has been considered as the third largest producer of home videos. We are improving on the quality of our productions on a daily basis and as such, we are happy.
Besides, we have a listening government. Obasanjo?s government is the only one that has ever shown interest in the film industry. With government participation now and little contribution, you will see that we will grow up.
I?m happy that most of the things that have happened took place when I?m still alive. We now have the Motion Pictures Practitioners Council. We have a standing committee already and this body will definitely unite all existing associations in the industry. We will speak with one voice and this will go a long way to stabilise the industry.

Q: What do you think is the main problem facing the movie industry for now?
Lack of funding is the bane of the industry. We have proved to the world that we have the talent. But with investors like banks and other financial institutions funding the industry, it will move forward.

Q: You combine acting with modelling, which of them is more lucrative?
I hate people calling me a model. As a star which people say, I only endorse products. In other words, I?m bigger than that product. I should not be seen as part of the product I am advertising, I only endorse it.

Q: Tell us your most challenging moments.
I have challenging moments all the time. All my productions are challenging, because I will want to make sure that I satisfy my numerous fans. But my most challenging moment is when I fight for my people for a particular reason. I fought with the Censors Board, but I don?t want to go into too much of that now.

Q: What about your most embarrassing moment?
That comes almost all the time. When you see all these area boys, especially when you don?t have any money with you to give them, it could be embarrassing, you know.

Q: A lot of actresses complain about producers demanding for sex before giving them roles. Is it true?
That is very bad. I have never done it before and if there are producers doing it I will say it is very bad. Though some people may not see it as something bad, as they feel it happens in every industry. Personnel managers do it to their staff. Teachers do it to their students, politicians do it among their people, government officials do it, journalists do it. But they are all professional abuse on the ethics of their professions. And as I had said earlier, it is not good. But frankly speaking, as a producer, even if your intention is not to give her a role because you want to have sex with her, you can come across somebody you love, is it not possible? It now depends on who that actress is. If she?s not complaining that she slept in your office to get a role, it?s nothing. But honestly, I find it difficult to believe that producers demand for sex before giving out roles. It?s funny.

Q: What are you working on for now?
You know, for the past two years, I have not released any film. I am currently working on the release of one of my films.

Q: Apart from the ANTP presidential race, what other things are in the pipeline?
Of course, before the year runs out, I intend to launch my foundation-Jide Kosoko Foundation. One of my films will also be launched in London and America by August. I won’t disclose the title for now. The Jide Kosoko Foundation will be an avenue to encourage upcoming artistes and also use the same forum to propagate important programmes, using the work of art to re-echo the existence of HIV/AIDS, child abuse and som that are of national and international interest.
Some of Kosoko’s movies

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Alex Usifo

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ACTORS PROFILE Alex Usifo Omiagbo

ADDRESS: Akowonjo, Egbeda, Lagos State.

DATE OF BIRTH: 16 April 1953.

MARITAL STATUS: Happily married to Princess.

STATE OF ORIGIN: Ewohimi. Local Government, Edo State.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Edo, Yoruba and English.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Mass Communication And Philosophy, Unilag and SS Peterson Paul major seminary
An under graduate of Ambrose Alli University.

Tell us a little about your childhood, growing up, parents, brothers and sisters?

Born into a catholic home, I attended a catholic primary and secondary schools. My father was a staff of Kingsway stores. I am the second of 2 boys and 2 girls.

What was the first paying job ever that you had?

An operations assistance at NTA Benin (camera/audio manager)

What other jobs did you do outside Acting?

Selling insurance policies with Crusader Insurance in the early 1980′s.

What made you go into the Acting career and when did you start Acting (year)?

The flair for acting [an inmate conviction that I could act] started in 1984.

Who were your Idols/Models (Actors) in those days?

Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo, Pram And Prem Chopra[Indian] and Bruce Lee.

What was your first role in Theatre, TV or Movies?

TV – The Return Of The Natives’, as Mr Davis.
Theatre – Awero, as Pa Jimoh.
Movies – Mission To Serve, as Mr President.

What was your major break-through role and in what film, series or play?

TV Series- ‘Ripples’ as Talab Abbas.

What were the constraints you had to face and overcome as an up-and-coming Actor (young actor)?

How many films have you been involved with as an Actor to date?

Innumerable; I have starred in Silent Night, Sanctuary, Captive, Innocent Tears, Fugitives, to mention a few.

As a DYNAMIC, OUTSTANDING, ‘A’-List Actor, how have you managed to adapt to the different range of roles you have played in your career?

Understanding the stories and the characters play.

What is the most awkward or strangest role you have had to take/play in your career and why?

None.

What film have you been most proud to be involved with so far, and why?

Ripples – Talab Abbas. It was just a great ride.

Did you at anytime want to quit your Acting career for something else or for any reason, and why (if any)?

I Never really thought quitting even when the remuneration was poor.

What is the motivation for you or what keeps you interested in this career every morning you wake up?

The love of acting and the desire to make people happy and the fact that they appreciate what I am doing is my motivation.

How important are our Nigerian roots, morals, values, knowledge and sense of wisdom to you and your works?

Very very important except I detest the value system which is [at all cost] or [by any means].

On the stories, scripts, or screen play of your films, and its impact on the Nigerian/African cultural values (home and abroad), how do you manage to harness, keep and pass them across in your films?

No man has monopoly of knowledge I carryout personal research in those areas.

What projects are you working on at the moment and with whom?

A soap opera titled ‘Traces’. I expect it to be a lot better than Ripples.

Where do you see yourself in this career in the next five years?

Eye’s have not seen ear’s have not heard———–

Where do you see the Nigerian movies industry in the next couple of years?

In the forefront of movie making.

When you are not working (Acting, producing, directing or making a film), what do you do or how do you pass the time?

I’m either in church or with my family. I also enjoy music and reading.

What kind of music do you listen to and who is your favourite musician?

For now I love R. Kelly’s MUSIC.

Is there an International Actor (American, British, Australian, African, etc.) you will want to work with if the opportunity presented itself?

With any good actor.

What message do you have for your international fans in America, United kingdom, Europe, Africa and its Diaspora?

The best of Alex Usifo is yet to come. I love them all above all god loves them.

For any reason at all, how would you personally want your fans to remember you?

A Lover of God and Humanity.

Barring any work or previous appointments, if we invited you to America, UK or anywhere else to meet your fans, will you be available to meet them?

YES.
Some of Alex movies

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Steph Nora Okere

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STEPHNORA Okere-Falana, the Imo state-born actress is no new name in the movie industry. From acting in the movies to even producing her own movies with her husband, Lanre Falana, Steph as most of her friends prefer to call her, has also been in the news not just for her achievements in her chosen calling but because of her celebrated marriage to Lanre, a Yoruba man while she is of Igbo parentage. Yes, there was that initial resistance by her parents. There are interesting aspects of Steph but there is also an area she would want to remain in the past. What it is? You will find out in this chat which she succumbed to in a hurry following her call to another location, Steph bares her mind on some of the questions her fans would love to ask her.

No new productions?
People like us have done quite a number of movies that we do not rush to be seen in posters anymore. For now, if the next movie is worth it and the script is worth it, we move to the next level. When you talk about productions, I have not produced since Slave Masters.

In fact, the issue is that, it is my husband that produces. I am first and foremost an actress. My first calling is acting. As for that, my husband just came back from his trip abroad and we are watching the market for now so you don’t just plunge your money into the market and it doesn’t come out. That movie Slave master did okay in the market even though it wasn’t a bomb. We did our best and told the kind of story people really identified with.

Marketing and production
Films are being produced everyday in Nigeria and that is good but about not selling much, I am not an authority to talk about it. I am not in the market. I hear often that films are selling well. I also hear they are not selling. So, I don’t know who to believe. But I just believe that this is a stage the industry has to go through at this stage of its development. When a baby is teething , she begins to purge. She also stools and runs temperature.

What we require is the spirit, the knowledge to persevere. That is what we must seek from God at this time. I mean, the industry is not even up to twenty years. Maybe, we need divine intervention for things to normalise.

Theatre and I
I studied Theatre Arts. I have a degree in it from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Right from when I was a little girl, I was already into singing and dancing. In school as well, I was in the drama society. For me, it was a natural thing. When I went to study Theatre Arts, it was not that I couldn’t do any other course. If you saw my JAMB form, you would have seen first choice, Theatre Arts, second choice same. And for my choice of school, first choice, OAU, second, same. So, I knew what I was supposed to do. When I was in school, I saw several serials on TV. But I still had to get into the industry.

Glamour
As against the glamour that goes with the industry, I am a very reserved person. Although somehow, the industry has brought me out to the limelight; my privacy has been invaded severally. A lot of people find it hard to believe but it is the truth that if you ask me why I entered into the movie industry, I would say it’s not the popularity and glamour that took me there in the first place. It’s the satisfaction I gain in the work of arts that has driven me.

Art is a medium for preaching, teaching and correcting several ills in our society. So, I wanted to be part of the team. The popularity part is another thing. I know it would come one day but not as it eventually came. It came gradually though but when it came in a surge it took me unawares and I took it in my stride, anyway. That is why sometimes I decline several interviews. I want to enjoy my privacy.

Life in the movies
The first movie I did was in 1994 called CrossRoads and produced by Christine Michaels but it didn’t come into the market immediately until the next year. However, the one that came into the market soon enough was Deadly Affair by Opa Williams. It was a major role. I was a nurse. We went for an audition and I was successful. We were taken for a group of nurses in a hospital. I remember the story. It was a sequel to a part one story where Charles Ifediba was brought to the hospital. It was fun. It wasn’t the first but the first that hit the market and everyone saw Stephnora like a star.

Then and now
Well, I have been involved in acting and a little bit in the area of writing, producing. But I have not really been in the groovy part. I have been in the choice areas as well. I have been in the centre stage and I am still there by the Grace of God. I am one of the known Nollywood actresses and you won’t name several people without naming me. But like a carpenter, the skills are still being sharpened by the day.

As time goes on, we grow. The roles I played in 1994 are roles I will play very differently now. I was more of a threatre artiste when I came in. Now I may have blended well. What I did then, I did with my best of ability. What I am doing now I will do with the best of my ability.

The transition was smooth and easy for me because I am a natural actress who went to the university to sharpen it. In the university, I didn’t do more courses in acting except my year one. I majored in play writing. I also went into TV production. Broadcasting is different.

Journey so far
I won’t say we have digressed. I won’t say we have retrogressed. I will only say we have progressed because I am a progressive. Like I told you, this is just a stage in the life. I try not to see anything negatively. What we are in now is a stage we have to pass through and we must persevere.

Sexual harassments?
I didn’t encounter that in any way. Maybe, I was lucky or because of the way I carried myself. Luckily for me, I came into the industry with my degree in dramatic arts hanging on my shoulders. Luckily as well, I was the national vice president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. That may have given me a shield. But I was not also ready to compromise.

When you begin to have the problem is when you do not really have a focus. If anyone had even asked me for a date, I think it may have been for the person liking me and not because they want to put me into a movie.

There could have been overtures but never linked to me getting a job in the movies. Maybe I had lost a job because someone may have done something, I don’t know or I am not sure. But it has never been a basis for my not getting a job. What I am saying is that I have never encountered any form of (sexual) harassement. If you made yourself look available, then you might be harassed, if I should use your language. You don’t put yourself in the position where every Tom, Dick and Hary would ask you out. I didn’t and still don’t put myself in such uncompromising positions where some people could make a pass at me. I think I have outgrown that.

Contemporaries
They are not in the industry. I can’t remember any of them in the industry – Moji Ajayi, Young-Etie, Nene etc. They are not in the industry. But for people who passed through the department I know, are people like Sola Fosudo, Mahmud Alli Balogun, Segun Arinze. But I miss my colleagues who didn’t continue in the field anyway. They toed other lines and I know they must be excelling in their chosen areas.

Lanre Falana
Yes, that’s my husband’s name. I don’t know what else you want to know about him. Whether I love him and he loves me? Yes, very well. You cannot live with a guy you don’t love. And a man cannot live with a woman he does not love. I met him here in Lagos in 1997 but nothing happened till we met again in 2000 and became friends. One thing led to the other and now we are married. For me, there are no hard and fast rules to getting together, falling in love and getting married.

I am Igbo from very core Igbo parents. My husband is Yoruba and truly so. You ask how I cope with an inter-tribal marriage? I tell you I am coping and still coping. But I live my life as a detribalised person. Race and tribes do not come up in my dealings with people. My parents being typical Igbo had other apprehensions at the beginning. They couldn’t believe that their daughter could go that far as to marry a Yoruba man. But I stood my grounds to say this is what I wanted. So far, it has been so and I haven’t had cause to regret. My marriage to a Yoruba man has not changed my Igbo character. I still speak my dialect very well when the time comes. Maybe, my being very familiar with the Yoruba language may have helped me out.

Jim Iyke
What do you want to know about him? Anyway, anything you wish to know, I don’t want to talk about it. The Bible says old things have passed away and every other thing has become new. Why dwell in the past? Please, just let that area be. I beg you. I don’t want to resurrect anything in my past. What’s important is my present and my future.

It seems to bother you that I don’t wish to talk about that affair. Hey, it’s over six years ago. This is 2006. Why should you continue to worry about my not speaking about that affair? Please, let that area get behind me.

Growing up
I grew up in Lagos. I schooled here at St Paul’s School, Ebute Metta. Then I went to Jubril Martins Memorial School. I had to relocate to complete my secondary school in Akwakuma Secondary School, Owerri. If you must know, I am from Ngor-Okpala, Owerri. My parents come from a little community called Imerienwe. I was just in class three when my father picked up an appointment with Imo College of Agriculture and we had to move to Owerri. That was why I moved to Akwakuma. From there I moved to OAU Ife.

Movies all the way
I have been in the industry since 1994 and have done a couple of movies including Crossroads, Professional Bachelor, Slave Masters, Evil Forest, Oganigwe and so on. Every movie, for me, is a challenge. I immerse myself into the job because I trained for it. Nothing is easy. I see each job as challenging as the other and I try to give my best.So, I cannot tell you which is as challenging as the other because acting for me is serious work which I must take very seriously.

Other ventures
I am here and there. I am working in the movie industry and still do something at the side. I have other businesses I run but I don’t want to talk about them on the pages of the newspapers now. I want to keep those away from the public. My entire life cannot be on the pages of the newspapers. At this level, I am enjoying the flow in the industry. I see the future as very bright. Right now international interests are coming for our movies. And I believe we are moving towards the next level.
Some of Steph Nora movies includes The ultimate, Aristos, Sharon Stone, Immoral Act, e

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Bukky Wright

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Bukky Wright might be single and separated. She might be beautiful and head-turning. She might have all the come-on-hither looks. But she is not available – at least, not for marriage. And that is authentic. She said so herself.

For the screen siren who insists she is not yet a star, after one unsuccessful marriage, two failed relationships and two kids to the bargain, there’s a whole lot of other things to set one’s eyes on beyond marriage. “I am not thinking of marriage now,” the delectable cross-over actress told Saturday Sun during the week. “I’m not thinking of marriage at the moment. I want to live in the present”, she insists. Now you know. Ms Wright is not in search of Mr. Right.

It would seem this ability to forget the future and plunge deep into the job at hand has paid off over the years. For Ms. Wright remains one of the most visible cross-over actresses in the movie industry today. The light complexioned and very talented role interpreter got her major break with Wale Adenuga’s Super Story a few years back. Since then she’s not stopped captivating her fans and admirers. In the process too, she has created some of the most salacious media scandals, though she insists her innocence was feasted upon by the celebrity media.

Managing fame, fortune and glamour
But Bukky believes that, despite all this, she has been able to marry her fame and glamour and still keep her head high. How? You’d ask. And she goes: “Well, I’ll say it is hard work and by God’s grace and the help of people like you (the writer). I’ll also say it is dedication and ability to give my best at all times. With all these, I think I’ve been able to manage it”.
It is also these factors that Bukky says have been able to make her stand out from the crowd. “I don’t say others don’t put in their best, but in my own case, I try as much as possible to give my best and I leave the rest to God and for the people to judge”

Combining Yoruba and English flicks
Well, if I tell you hardwork again, it will sound somehow. But like I said to you, I put in my best in anything I do. I want to do my best and leave the rest for God and people to judges.I think this has been the magic; nothing more. I’m a very hardworking person. I don’t take chances at all when it comes to my job. I take every little thing I do seriously. That is just it.

When the cameras are off me
Outside the razzmatazz of acting, Bukky says she is a reserved person once the cameras are off.
“I’m a very quiet person. Very homely. As you can see, if I am not on location, I’m in my house, trying to go about my other private business. But I know I am a very quiet person. A lot of people that would not be able to understand me, would say she’s snobbish, she is this, she’s that. But I believe I’m a very friendly person. Very active. But atimes, I can be an introvert, if I choose to”.

Extrovert or introvert?
“Well, you know people are very funny and they have every right to their own opinion. But, I believe I’m more an introvert than an extrovert.”
Bukky in Without Shame
The first time I faced the camera
Bukky remains grateful to Fidelis Duker who she says “gave me the first chance”. That was over 10 years ago on the set of Images. “That was the first time”.
But she has also had to live with the memories of her first time out on set.

‘The first time I faced the camera wasn’t easy. I don’t know, if I should say it was under pressure, because I was given the script, there and then. And I had to face the camera with the lines, and then, action!! So, it was not very easy. But I remember sometimes that I had to go for audition, and I told myself that I’m going to become a star one day. I thank God, I’m not a star yet, but at least, I am striving so hard to be relevant in the industry”.

Suffice it to say, however, that since that first time, she has gone on to do so many flicks that she can’t now remember all. She has also tried her hands at producing – with flicks like Owo Ale (her first), 7’oclock, Agbeke, Temi Ni Nkem and the forthcoming Dugbe Dugbe to Nbo. But besides all this, she still finds time for a little buying and selling business on the side, run the home and take care of her children.

In spite of scandals
Bukky says she loves acting so much that she cannot contemplate being in another profession. “It gives me happiness. Once I get happiness, there’s nothing like going back. I enjoy what I am doing and I hope to do it for as long as God wishes”.

How old is Bukky Wright now?
One fact Ms Wright never fails to remind anyone who cares to listen is the fact that she grew up “in a very nice environment, a comfortable one. And I’ve been trained to be a very friendly nice person to people; accommodating - and that’s exactly what I’m still living with”.
It would seem it’s this ‘accommodating’ nature that makes Bukky unable to dodge one question every other woman would want to dodge when you pop the question; how old is Bukky Wright now?
After a long pause, she smiles. “Well, I’m in my late thirties. I’m actually going be thirty-eight”
When is that?
(Long pause again … as if unwilling) she smiles. “Very soon. Emm … 31st of March”.
And she is quick to add that it has been a good life and that there’s nothing providence has held back from her.

Marriage
“I’ll rather not discuss that, but to be frank with you, I’m not thinking of marriage at the moment. I want to live in the present. I’m busy working and I’ve my kids to give all the love to. I’m not thinking of marriage at all.

And looking back seeing my children, it gives me so much joy”.
The decision never to brood over spilt milk actually derives from Bukky’s philosophy about life: Don’t live in the past. Always move on with the future. And … if you are running a race, never you mind opposition, because the moment you start minding opposition, forget about winning that race”.

…And relationships?
“Relationship! Well, it’s not something I’ll like to discuss on the pages of newspaper. But I must say that I take life as it comes, that’s it.”

Romance with Bolaji Basia
One of the most recent scandals that Bukky has had to battle is the relationship between her and her erstwhile financier and alleged lover Bolaji Saheed a.k.a. Bolaji Basia. Bukky would not serve any more salacious stories on this.
“I told you I don’t want to discuss these things on the pages of newspapers” she insists.
If she would not say anything on the said love affair, did a business relationship then exist (or still exists) between them? You press further.
On that score she concedes some information: “Well, I told you I don’t live in the past. But business relationship does exist. That is just it”.
Some of Bukky’s movies includes Above Love, Without Shame, Shade Blade, Tolulope, The Cartel, Sawaroide etc

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Segun Arinze

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The actor who is often identified for playing bad guy roles speaks several Nigerian languages fluently. Born in Onitsha, Anambra state, his early education was at Victory College of Commerce in Illorin and Taba Commercial College, Kaduna. Arinze received his dramatic training at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, Nigeria. Segun’s screen credits include “The Silent Night”, “Church in Crisis”, “Darkest Night”, “Battle of Love”. “Atlanta” and the popular TV soap operas Mega Fortune and Ripples. Segun also hosts the popular AIT talk show “No Holds Barred”.

Background

Am from Badagry, Lagos state. My mum is Igbo and my dad Yoruba, though he’s late. The name came as a result of my then music label, premier records who felt Segun Aina sounded jujuish or should in I say fujiish, and they wanted curiosity and controversy to the name because they were creating a pop singer. Well the name stuck! SEGUN ARINZE! www.nigeriamovies.net

It started some 20 years ago when I met a friend way back in Ilorin, Kwara State his name, Ayo Orowale. He introduced me to the theatre and we formed a playgroup called Palm Players. Ever since there has been no going back! I knew I loved acting and I was going to be an actor so when the opportunity came I went on to read drama at Unife, now Obafemi Awolowo university. I thank God for blessing me with so much talent sometimes am bawled over by it all. I mean I can sing, act, write copies and scripts, do voice over, produce and direct sometimes do PR work when I find the time. www.nigeriamovies.net

Movie Roles

Playing villain doesn’t make me one and I don’t let it get to me. I consider myself a professional, doing his job, I see myself as a ‘method actor’ I can play ten bad boy roles in ten different ways. Most Nigerian directors and producers like stereotypes because they are lazy and don’t want stress. They want the easy way out because they shoot for 7 days, no time to work on any greenhorn so they try to mould what is professionally known in theatre as ‘stock character’ in common parlance its called ‘stereotype’. I am not a typecast. They should be more daring and look for, and work on new talents. www.nigeriamovies.net
All roles are challenging. Depends on how you as the actor approach the role. For me KG in Kingsley Ogoro`s THE RETURN was hectic and tedious, we shot for close to 5 years, things kept on changing and we had to adapt to these challenges, both human and unforeseen and we lost 4 souls in the course of the movie, but it paid off in the end we got 17 nominations, 11 awards, I won best actor at the 2004 Reel Awards, even though some people disagreed because they felt the character was a psycho and mean but hey! Who cares! Denzel won an Oscar for playing a bad cop in Training Day. People are used to seeing good and romantic boys win, acting is an art.

Music Career

I had my first album in 1992 called DREAMS under premier music, before then I had done quite a number of jingles and soundtracks. I also co wrote and performed the theme song for the maiden edition of the Nigerian music awards in 1991/92 as well as the fame music awards of the same year.
I needed to make an inroad into acting. Now am in the mood to sing again my new single is currently enjoying good airplay on radio and the reception has been tremendous. Tuface Idibia and Sunny Nneji featured on a track called “Power to say no’ while Mike Aremu plays soprano sax on the ballad “Love me tonight” The full album will be out April 2006.www.nigeriamovies.net

Some movies starring Segun

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Zulu Adigwe

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Remember Mr B, the popular character in the late Ken Saro Wiwa’s soap, Bassey and company who would always fantasize about making his millions in the 80’s? His name is Zulu Adigwe. Zulu is unarguably one of the finest theatre artistes to have come out from the African continent.

Although he came in as a replacement for Mr. Albert Egbe after the latter pulled out of the comedy series, Adigwe was able to prove himself and that marked the beginning of his steady rise to fame. Unarguably, one of the finest artistes to have ever emerged from Africa, Adigwe who made a first class from the University of Ibadan is a thoroughbred professional. Zulu has put in over two decades of practice as a crossover artiste and has traversed the stage, TV, home videos and music.
Journey into showbiz www.nigeriamovies.net
I started performing at the age of seven but professionally, I started in Europe in 1970 when I got into university. I had my first experience in film business, I was in the university and I was already in the professional field. I did a lot of things outside showbiz but showbiz was the main thing. Outside showbiz, I have been a teacher, I have taught at nursery schools, I have taught in primary school, secondary and the university level. I still teach but not in institutions, I teach privately because I love impacting knowledge into people who want to come into showbiz.

Coming to Nollywood
I joined Nollywood in 1999. My first movie was Blood of the Orphan. I came into Lagos on invitation from friends who knew me. I was acting in Bassey and Company in Enugu and in 1987 Bassey and Company was rested. Before that time, I had come into Lagos to feature in Checkmate, I was a pioneer cast in Checkmate but something prompted me to hold on and I stayed in Enugu. In 1998, people started prompting me to come to Lagos but before then, I was already resident in Abuja.

First movie www.nigeriamovies.net
The first movie I did was Blood of the Orphan and from there people picked interest in me. Till date, I have lost count of the number of movies that I have featured in
Family
I have three kids, two boys and one girl. My wife’s name is Blessing. I met her in Nsukka. I had relations in Nsukka who were neighbours of my wife’s people. She got so used to my profession and when we got our first son, I travelled out of the country. I was in the U.S for two months and we’ll be celebrating our silver jubilee as married couple soon.

Views on Nollywood www.nigeriamovies.net
I think that I am extremely proud of the classification of our film industry. It shows and exhibits the enormous talents in this country. This is an industry that government has not made any iota of input and it grew to be the third largest globally. So, that tells you what Nigerians can do. I have done so many things for this country free of charge, just to make things function. We were doing things in those days at National Theatre, running up an down with our resources and getting no feed back, we just wanted to do it.

Vision www.nigeriamovies.net
I don’t have any special dream or vision because I believe an artiste is born to serve humanity, it is a professional service. Although people say let me be a star so that I can make money, but for me money is secondary. I want to have something to contribute to humanity.
Some of Adigwe’s movies

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Nkiru Sylvanus

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She took the movie industry by storm with her ‘crying’ examplary performance in A Cry for Help directed by Andy Amenechi and was catapulted to fame. Ever since, Nkiru Sylvanus Nwuzor has been playing the high stakes featuring in more movies after another in the lead category.

Her story is that of humility and dogged determination propelled by her belief in the Almighty God whom, according to her, is responsible for her successes.

She is guest to Home Video People. “I am the second child and the first daughter of Mr and Mrs Sylvanus Nwuzor from Osisioma, Aba. My father is a policeman serving in Owerri while my mother is a midwife, we are five children in the family”, she informs.

Growing up

I went to Ohabiam Primary School and also to Ohabiam Secondary School, all in Aba. So, in that sense, someone should see me as a complete Ngwa girl. My father is a strict disciplinarian, if you wish to know. He is a no non-sense man, maybe because of his profession. It was when I was in primary five that he called us and made us know that our names would change to his direct name. He made us change to his first name of Sylvanus. He loves all his children, but is somehow over protective. I don’t blame him because you never can tell.

Medical desire

I had earlier toyed with the idea of being a medical doctor, maybe because my mum was a midwife. I left Ohabiam Girls Secondary School in 1998 and entered University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, to study Medicine. As time went on, I found out I couldn’t cope with it. I had always been a serious student, but I found out I had talent for the arts, such that I dropped the idea and settled for Mass Communication in the Enugu State University. I am currently in my second year.

Out of cage

I came into the movie industry in 2000. I came in on my own after telling myself the honest truth that that is the place I belong. I met a producer, Felix Okoro, who was producing Out of Cage. He talked me into playing Ngozi Ezeonu’s daughter in the movie. It was my first movie and I didn’t have any experience except being a member of the dramatic society of my school. I thank the Almighty God for being very kind to me because I found favour where other very erudite graduates have not succeeded. He has been continually faithful to me . I can’t really point it out. I see his handiwork on daily basis. I see it that when it comes to God being there for you, he doesn’t mince words, he doesn’t act in a small way. He works for you through and through. I say this because I am a beneficiary of God’s favour, I see his handiwork in my life daily. I see his love and favour, in my daily successes, and I am very happy.

Cry for help

I did A Cry for Help after a couple of jobs. But that brought me into the lime light. I had done the Out of Cage (Christian Dior) and did Evil Forest by Sonny Collins Nwatu of Great Movies. When A Cry for Help came, it was not really for me. Two other people were already on the bill. That is why I tell you that when God’s favour is on you, you never miss out. They had somebody in mind whom they eventually decided was too fat for the role. Then they toyed with the idea of Genevieve Nnaji but I don’t know why they didn’t reach her after all. Then the guesses went to Chiege Alisigwe who also was busy with her exams and the producer couldn’t wait. The producer then said why don’t we try this girl, Nkiru and it fell on me. I see it as one of the most challenging roles for me because I had to cry from the beginning to the end. You know it is not easy to cry. I really was made to cry. Andy Amenechi, the director, handled me the way professionals do. He did a lot for me to cry and enter the character. That man is really a great director, it was after the film that a flood gate of movies opened for me and I can’t but thank God. God had a special interest in me. He lifted me up through that movie which was not even for me in the first place; it was like a dream. I have realised, but I’m still working on.

Humility

I think what keeps me going on and waxing strong in an area where otherwise I couldn’t have had any chance is my very strong belief in God. This is instilled through my faith. I am an Adventist and that is the basic tenets of my faith. Be humble and all other things will be added to you. I am very humble and I respect constituted authority.

Challenging

I can tell you that the most challenging movies in my career are the first ones. I see Out of Cage as very very challenging because I just came into the industry as a fresher. I wanted to do it well. The next one for me was Cry for Help. It was tasking because I had to cry from the beginning to the end. But I must say, I have not done my most challenging movie in the through sense of the word.

I can’t even tell you my most challanging character in any movie because each character is good in their own ways.
Nkiru In Egg of Life


Most memorable

My most memorable event didn’t happen in the movie industry. I recall in December 2003 I was driving to Enugu from Aba when suddenly I saw a man at the middle of the road. I tried to avoid him but he hit himself on my car and fell. I had to quickly report myself to the police. I had never been so apprehensive in my life. Thank God the man survived.

Over use of faces

I don’t believe the saying that faces are ever used in the industry. I also do not consider myself being over used because I cannot feature in every movie. But let me tell you, the so called over use of faces is a worldwide phenomenon. There are people whom the fans want to see when their films come, fans rush for them, it seems more of a matter of demand and supply. If it is not so, then you won’t see these stars and know them. I don’t see this as over use but as what the market wants.

Marketers

I see them as the people holding the industry even when the government is not showing interest. I have a cordial relationship with them and I thank God for that. I don’t even have any problem with anyone in the industry, be it marketer, producer and director or even my fellow artistes. God is in control.

School

I try as much as possible to combine my academics with my interest in the movies. So, any day I am not shooting, I am in the classroom because I value my education. In class, it is a different ball game. You are meant to contend with people of diverse feeling. Some people are so happy with your achievements while some are envious. Some feel you feel too big while some others wish to be your friend.

Fashion

I am not a fashion freak, maybe because of the religious home I come from. I try to wear anything that fits me well. There is no special interest. But I love wears I can just ship on. I am not crazy about fashion. You are likely to see me wearing jeans because they are so easy to find and easy to wear. I also love short skirts. Some people say I love to show my legs but it is just what I like. I don’t know what they mean by that.

Marriage

Every woman looks forward to manage. I look forward to it because I am an adult. Even though my daddy loves me as a daddy should love a daughter, I look forward to eventually settling down with my own husband. However, I am not under pressure for marriage because I haven’t finished my studies. I am yet in year 2. But that notwithstanding, marrige is not about personality but about love. My fingers are still crossed because marriage is an institution and not friendship. It is someone you have to live with for better for worse or for better for best. I am waiting patiently for ‘Mr Right’. But I am not under pressure. God will help me decide and I leave everything to Him.

Some of Nkiru’s movies

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Ebube Nwagbo

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Educational background.
I attended the Federal Polytechnic Oko and had my OND and HND there. I later went further and I finished from Nnamdi Azikiwe University where I read Mass Communication. I did diploma programme in Law at the University of Benin because I had always wanted to be a lawyer but when I wrote JAMB five times and it did not work out, I had to write Poly JAMB.

Growing up.
While growing up, I loved watching television but I never wanted to be an actress though I wanted to appear on television maybe as a lawyer or a broadcaster. It did not come out that way so one day, I made up my mind to act because I believed I could do what those people on television were doing. Again, I wanted to do something will earn me money. That led me into acting.

Getting into Nollywood.
I called up a friend I used to know way back in school, Obinna is his name and I told him that I wanted to act. He in turn told me about an audition in Onitsha where the Amaco brothers were having an audition. I went for the audition and that was it. My first movie is Arrested by Love where I acted with Jim Iyke, Pete Edochie and some other actors.

Initial fears and challenges.
I had a whole lot of fears. At first, I could not believe I could do it but my director, producer and crew members believed in me and made me believe in myself. I had thought I would start up with some thing small but they gave me the lead role which I did not expect. I tried to bring out the little I had in me then and it came out and people like it. I started up from the East and there is a great difference between Lagos and Eastern States; I had to break that jinx and prove that if I could do it there I had to do it in Lagos. It was not easy but I was able to prove people wrong. Right now, I shoot anywhere and I am happy to have proved that something good can come out of the East.

Dating the Amaco brothers.
That is not true! I did not know Amaco from any where; I only know Obinna who worked for them and when I went for the audition that day, they were not there. So the director invited me over to do the audition in front of them. It was actually Ifeanyi Akwedo who felt I could do it. There were three other girls that day but at the end of the day I was chosen. I believe that Amaco wanted to use me to prove a point and at the end of the day, he achieved what he wanted. I came from nowhere but here I am today. He gave me the opportunity to come this far. So no matter what people think, nothing actually happened between us. I was not even supposed to play that role but they saw me and believed that I could do better than I was doing. I was paid about N40, 000 for the first movie I did.

Handling the male fans.
Its been crazy but the only thing they can do is to call me on phone and I will just tell them that I am married. Many of them tell me they want to be my friend and they talk to me on phone. So if I was married for real they will still be pestering my life.

Love life and marriage.
Marriage is what every girl dreams of and I told God that I want to get married at this point of my time in life and I believe he will do it soon. I am dating Ogbonna Kanu. I cannot say when I will get married because God has the final say. I met Ogbonna while in Lagos while I was with a friend.

Nollywood and drugs.
I think that it is a personal thing; it is not about being paid or not. If I am so broke, nothing is going to make me go into pushing drugs because when we do it is news but when somebody else does it is no news. It is just like when someone goes into stealing, will you say such person went into crime because he is not being paid enough when there are other things he can do. I believe it is a personal thing and not about being well paid or not; they have money and want so much.

Nollywood and Lesbainism.
Lesbianism is not just in Nollywood, it is everywhere but because it is Nollywood it is news. I have heard about it and get calls from women all the time and they are not in Nollywood, but yet they want to be with you especially married women: I get such calls all the time. I avoid them by telling them I am not interested; before I used to be polite which made them keep calling me. It is sickening and when I found out that they want me as their partner, I told them off, by bluntly making it clear that I am not interested. I discovered that being polite does not solve matters.

Nollywood and stereotyped story lines.
The audience in Nigeria are not helping matters, if you do something outside what you have love and all that, nobody is going to watch it. Just like doing an action movie in Nigeria, it’s something we are not used to. Even the international stories sometimes do not have any story to tell but we get carried away with the action and movie tricks they apply, but down here, rituals and love are things that happen everyday in Nigeria and I believe that’s what Nigerians want to watch.

Bad habits
I bite my nails a lot and scratch my eyes; I don’t mind where I am when it itches me I scratch my eyes and my make up is cleaned.

Greatest body asset.
I would say my hips. In Nigeria, most of the girls want to maintain a great figure like mine.

Ideal man?
He has to be God fearing, and has good sense of humour and also, very understanding.

Like Nigerian men for
Their ability to spend.

….hate them for
Nigerian men gossip a lot.

Nollywood stars and failed marriages.
It scares me honestly, even though I believe that it is an individual thing because I believe those my colleagues never wanted their marriage to collapse. But it still does not matter who is involved because there are some good ones among them and I say if theirs could collapse what would happen to mine. I pray that I don’t fall into that category.

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Ekwi Onwuemene

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Ekwi Onwuemene ventured into the world of acting about six years ago. The daughter of actress Tessy Onwuemene, Ekwi has horned her acting skills in such soap operas as “Heaven’s Gate”, “Closet”, and “I Need to Know”.

An English and Literature major at Lagos State University, the 22 year old actress has appeared in such notable Nollywood films as “Hand of God”, “Love of Love”, “Promise Me Forever”, “Remember Me”, For Real, Tumini’s song, Shattered Illusions, Secret Intention, 30 Days and etc..

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Monalisa Chinda

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Since her debut in the movie industry, fast rising actress, Monalisa Chinda has continued to prove her mettle in the industry giving the so called veteran, a run for their money. With her lovely effort in one of her newly released movie Total Control, Monalisa is sure gunning for the sky.

An excerpt from an interview with Monalisa:

When you say God fearing, what do you mean by that?

I mean I am a born again christian.

Are you married?

Yes

Can you tell us a bit about your husband?

(Laughs) My husband is the best thing that God has bestowed on me.

Can you give us a brief of your works?

Well as a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port-Harcourt, I did a couple of movies in the past. In 1996, I did Pregnant Virgin, that was my first major movie and subsequently when I finished school in 2000, I did Above the law and a couple of others.

Monalisa in SHE

Some of Monalisa Chinda Movies Includes:

CITY OF ANGELS

THE DEVIL IN HER

BLIND OBSESSION

FRAGILE PAIN

GIRLS IN THE HOOD

More of her movies are available here

*Monalisa is not married any longer, she divorced her husband due to abuse*

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