Fresh off an extended tour of the United States, the Okoye brothers recently took delivery of some brand new wheels courtesy of Coscharis Motors. As the family moved into their newly completed Omole mansion, all four brand new auto mobiles moved in with them, relegating their previous fleet (which included Hummer jeeps ) to the background. So the equation is finally complete; brand new home, brand new cars, it's a brand new P. Square!
Fashion is a new magazine focused on the very best of commercial Nigerian fashion and celebrating the stylish looks of Nigerian celebrities.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria [AGN] on Monday, July 27 suspended Nollywood star actor and winner of the first edition of Gulder Ultimate Search: Celebrity Showdown, Emeka Ike as the Vice President, south-east of the guild.
The Boeing 737 Aero Contractor aircraft which veered off the Yakubu Gowon runway in Jos Nigeria's North central region has been removed from the Jos Airport runway.
The Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] says it is working towards finding a solution to the flood problem in Soku, an oil rich community in Rivers State.
The petroleum tanker drivers unit of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers [NUPENG] has commenced a warning strike in Lagos state, Nigeria South West region.
Five persons were confirmed dead while more than 200 sustained injuries following massive flooding in four coastal communities in Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom.
The Imo state police command has paraded 30 suspects of crimes ranging from kidnapping, car snatching, and cultism.
Amnesty International has challenged the credibility of data cited by a senior U.N official investigating oil-impacted sites in Ogoni land rivers state.
Michael Ezuruonye
Omotola Ekeinde
Fred and Wife
A Lagos High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday March 29, 2010, adjourned further hearing in the petition for dissolution of marriage sought by Nollywood actor, Fred Aseroma, against his wife, Blessing Aseroma, till April 30, 2010.
From evidence before the court, Mr. Aseroma, 40, had on November 4, 2009 submitted an affidavit of urgency, praying the court to dissolve his marriage to enable him remarry a British resident, so as to complete his education in the United Kingdom.
“I have been living in the United Kingdom without the appropriate papers for some time as a student. [That] my wife-to-be in the UK does not wish to accommodate me any longer unless I am able to formally obtain divorce from my present marriage. [That] the only option available to me to remain in the UK is get married to a resident, to enable me conclude my studies,” read the affidavit signed by Mr. Aseroma.
Though the case did not come up for mention owing to the ongoing deployment of Lagos State judges, Mrs. Aseroma, 38, said her husband has not been truthful about his marital situation to the court. She said her husband has already got married to his would-be benefactor in the UK, while not yet divorced from her.
“He told the court that I left our matrimonial home because of his absence to seek for greener pastures. This is not true. Even when he kept travelling to the UK and hardly sent upkeep money, I have always been at our house in Ojodu with our three kids and his brother, Temotighe, who lives in the same house with us,” Mrs Aseroma said.
In a media report (not NEXT) published on February 3, 2010, Mr. Aseroma was said to have secretly married Titi Jacobs, described as a ‘London Big Girl’ seeking “to be a successful film maker”; with them both living in an apartment in Hackney, London.
The report also read: “Fred who relocated to London few years ago is seeking greener pastures in UK after he fell on bad times in Nigeria and the only way for him to survive in UK is by getting married to someone who can help him facilitate his resident papers.”
Following Mr. Aseroma’s arrest last week Friday by the Ojodu-Abiodun Police Division over allegations of wife battery, Mrs. Aseroma, who met her husband over 10 years ago while they were both students at the University of Lagos, said she is willing to concede to her husband’s request for a divorce, but not on his terms.
“I have suffered his beating for over 10 years. I cannot take it any longer. Let us go our separate ways. But I will not accept for him to take my children from me. These are the same children that I am the one taking care of, looking for money everywhere to pay their school fees,” Mrs. Aseroma said.
Mr. Aseroma had asked the court to grant him custody of their children, aged six, eight and 10 years, while proposing that their mother “have access to the children once a month” and that they “spend part of their long holidays” with their mother.
Also commenting, counsel to Mrs. Aseroma, Simeon Ikani of Ikani, Afolabi and Co. Chambers, questioned the procedure applied by Mr. Aseroma in seeking his divorce, which he said suggests wanting the court to hear and determine the marriage dissolution proceedings without Mrs. Aseroma contesting.
“The petitioner (Mr. Aseroma) filed his first petition for dissolution of marriage on March 4, 2009. Another petition was filed on October 8, 2009 with the affidavit for urgency filed in November 2009. But throughout this time, my client (Mrs. Aseroma) was never served. I had to apply myself for all the documents,” Mr. Ikani said.
Though all phone calls and text messages to Mr. Aseroma went unanswered, his lawyer, Lawrence Ehiwogwu, in a telephone call, said he would not comment, as the case is in court.
“My friend, why are you wasting your credit? The matter is in court. I cannot place it in the domain of public opinion. You can find out from the court,” Mr. Ehiwogwu said.
Sultry Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, has said that achieving success in the Nigerian movie industry was not on a bed of roses, as she had been asked to take movie role in exchange for sex.
Mercy, who is arguably the most sought-after Nollywood actress of the moment, told nigeriafilms.com in an interview that it takes only God to be successful in the Nigerian movie industry.
When asked if she has been a victim of sexual harassment, the Kogi State-born damsel: said “yes! Such had come my way, but if you sleep around for roles, will you also sleep around to make your fans love your work? You only choose what you want. It only takes God to be successful in this industry.
“It’s a matter of choice if the ladies are approached with such. If you feel that your body is cheap and worth the script, then go ahead, but it is an individual thing. If any lady tells you in Nollywood it hasn’t happened to her, it is a cheap lie. Most people are scared of telling the truth, but the truth makes upcoming ones to watch their steps without making mistakes.”
Mercy was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, so her growing up was terribly tough and now that the story has turned to success, she wouldn’t mind becoming a child again if she has her way.
Hear her: “When I was in secondary school, I would wash my mates’ clothes and polish their shoes to get paid so that I can also pay my brother’s school fees, and whenever names of people owing school fees were mentioned, mine was always on top of the list.
“I faced a lot of embarrassment in school. My teachers flogged me; my uniform was always torn and tattered. When someone stole, they pointed at me because of my poor condition. It was a miserable life, but today, they’re most shocked at my success. I lived an inferior life throughout my school days… if I have my way; I want to be a child again and live large.”
Dakore Egbuson is not the kind of actress that can be spotted just anywhere and anyhow. Her mission and vision in the entertainment industry as a whole is very clear to her and she sure knows her way around.
According to the Bayelsa indigene, who doubles as ambassador for Amstel Malta and spokesperson for Amnesty International and Oxfam of America for the control of arms and ammunition, her rise to fame was as a result of her brilliant performance in her fifth movie, Emotional Cry and she has not looked back since then.
“I was on the campus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) but was unable to complete my degree programme because I left in the third year as a result of incessant strikes and went to London to develop my talents. In London, I started working as a presenter on BEN TV and was on the Black Variety show with Ronke Apampa. There I started doing music and performed at big events with top acts like Tony Allen and Weird MC. But before I left for England, I had starred in four movies Silent Tears, Play Boy, Tentacles and She Devils. The movies came out when I was trying to build a career and was away in London in 2000 but after the movies came out, people were so impressed with my performance and they persuaded me to come home that Nollywood is really doing fine and all that. That was how my acting career blew up. I won an award for my role in Emotional Cry, which was my fifth movie. Emotional Cry, which was released in 2003 shot me into limelight and I rose to stardom. That, of course, was a turning point in my life,” she recounted.
This first child of a building contractor and caterer reeled that the discovery of her talent is as a result of her parents’ encouragement, which included paying for arts lessons and enrolling her in a school that would help notice her talent early in life.
“I am the first born of my family. I have three brothers and a sister, my father was a building contractor. He had his own construction company and worked with Shell for several years. He is now retired and in the United States. My mum is a caterer and at the same time taking care of the home. My father knew me as an artiste as a kid and he encouraged me. He paid for the recorder lesson, sent me to good schools. In a way, my background has really helped my acting career. I went to Corona School, Gbagada, Lagos one of the best schools in Nigeria, which I am very proud of. It was at Corona that I discovered my talents. I always loved to act, dance and sing. I was a member of the choir and was everywhere doing something. I got a lot of time to express myself artistically,” said the dazzling actress with stunning modelling features.
How she has been able to maintain her unusual lifestyle, which is devoid of the everyday celebrity lifestyle is what she has termed as the grace of God and her ability to learn very quickly in life.
“When I started out it wasn’t my intention to be famous. I had a talent and I was excited about my talent and where it would take me. Fame is as a result of being an actor because I wasn’t prepared for it. It is by the grace of God because I can’t take any credit for it. Naturally, I am a very boring and low-key person. I don’t go out that much. I am not the type that you see everywhere and that has always helped too. I don’t have too many friends.”
Though Dakore is not one who would readily tell the world about her private life, she still accepts the obvious fact that she is all over the moon with a certain young man. The young man, of course, is Olumide Akande.
“Oh yes there is a man but I wouldn’t want to talk about it. I’m not talking about him. I am a woman and I would love to settle down and have my own family someday but first, I have to ensure that I am in the right place at the right time. It would definitely happen but I am not anxious,” she said tersely.
The Amstel ambassador noted that she is happy to get the job, “I just got a call that they wanted me for an Amstel Malta advert and that was it. Amstel Malta was my major hit and it was amazing. I am proud of it. We shot the commercial in South Africa. It was my first time in South Africa. I went with a world-class crew. I had my own wardrobe, a make-up artiste. People love the advert and they praise me on the road that the advert is good. Amstel Malta has supported Nollywood in a big way and I am very honoured to be its model.”
Dakore, who is still passionate about her music career, also said that she is doing all within her reach to stage a successful outing and not just sizzle like some of her fellow Nollywood colleagues.
“I am doing what I can to have a successful outing. And that is why I took it to Los Angeles in the United States, working with Akon’s producer and people who have been in the business for over two decades. I am also coming out with my talk show entitle Dakore Show.”
Dakore, who has her mum, Oprah Winfrey and late Alaere Alaibe as outstanding role models, said about her dreadlocks: “I am only trying to create an identity for myself, it is the hairstyle that I’m comfortable with, I have been growing it for years now and it’s been wonderful, my hair is growing and people admire me.”
Nollywood actor, Mike Ezurounye is a private person. At his insistence, this interview is conducted in his car. As we make our way from Anthony to Surulere, he is spotted by fans that recognise him instantly, causing him to light up in a shy grin. "That's the price we have to pay for being in the limelight. I have lost my privacy," he says. Over the next 90 minutes, no question is out of bounds, save for his age. "I am old enough to do what adults do," he says laughing. He is fresh off the set of a movie in Abuja where he played a pastor torn between the lust for the flesh and his spiritual duties.
As he speaks, the suave actor occasionally stares out the window to wave to yet another set of fans. Other times he tries to avoid them. Celebrity obviously has its pain. In his navy blue corduroy blazers atop pair of black pants Ezurounye is quite dapper. I ask how he handles female fans. "Maturely," he quips. The actor also talks about onset romance. "It's a job. A lot of people think that when we kiss on set it is real, what you see is the movie. Trust me, there are so many people behind that camera... So, nothing can happen".
Born and raised in Lagos to disciplinarian parents, the boyish looking actor was exposed to the klieg lights from a tender age. "I was really an NTA kid. I had a headmistress, Mrs Njideaka, who was involved with NTA, so I was always going to the NTA to do variety show, debates such as Kiddies Junction', ‘Kiddies Debate' and lots of other stuff."
Nollywood Calling
Although he wanted to become a lawyer, he ended up studying accountancy. Upon graduation, he worked in a bank and later a shipping firm. The company relocated to Tanzania when the MD's best friend became president of that country. Ezurounye's first acting opportunity appeared around this time, while he was torn between moving to Tanzania and quitting the firm. By chance he met Ruke Amata, who would become his mentor. "I got my first movie role from Ruke Amata's recommendation but it never saw the light of day-it was a series by Zeb Ejiro titled Ultimate Heroes."
While at school, he was nicknamed ‘Fair Mike the Recorder' because of his ability to imitate colleagues and seniors. "That nickname is one thing I have going for me which in turn has helped me switch characters. I was always joking with it but I took my education serious, so it was not considered a weakness by my parents." This trait was all he needed to land his first big role.
"I was on my way to drop a friend of mine, Songito when I stopped over at a filling station at Maryland. While mimicking my uncle to my cousin over the phone I was speaking phonetics, I didn't know that there was a director -Dickson Ireogbu - behind me who liked the way I spoke and had a character such as mine in mind. He asked me if I ever considered acting and that was where it started." Ireogbu featured him as a lead actor in ‘Broken Marriage'. He acted alongside established acts like Pete Edochie (who reminded him of his late father_ and Chioma Chukwuka-Apkotha.
However, not until he starred in Critical Decision, where he played a physically-challenged character alongside A-listers like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Genevieve Nnaji and Ngozi Ezeonu, did he achieve mainstream acclaim. Things changed dramatically for him afterwards, and he found himself on the path of six digit artist fee. He was soon being touted as a replacement for Ramsey Noah; and quickly consolidated his big break with appearances in movies like Emotional Blackmail, Bless Me and Kill the bride.
No easy walk to fame
The road to the top didn't come without challenges, which he however says failed to deter him. "There was this one time I was on set and one of the known stars came and said ‘hey come here, go call me that guy'. I knew I was older than that person and she was talking to me because she said it to my hearing and was pointing at me. All I did was tell the guy seated beside me to go tell her to come to me if she wanted to talk to me because I thought that was rude. I do not do that to upcoming actors... Whenever I have upcomers on set I talk with them and make them comfortable. I am one person who has a lot of self esteem."
Worst movie role
In a little over five years in Nollywood, Ezurounye has featured in no less than 100 movies - but has endured his fair share of bad press. He believes it comes with the job. "I tell myself that if you are not important, no one will talk about you. When it is good I am happy; when it is bad, I say I wish they could understand me. Professionally, we always say that every form of publicity, either good or bad, is publicity since in some way it does extend your clientele."
He says that the worst thing ever written about him was: "that I had an affair with someone who I knew for sure I had only seen three times in my life. It was so sad that someone could just cook up something like that. It just shows that some people want to get you up inside. They will be like, how come this guy is just having neat run? So, they just want to taint you your image a little bit."
And his most embarrassing moment? "When a couple of Aruba students on tour in a UK mall rushed at me and tore my shirt. I was surprised because obviously they were not Nigerians but I still took it in good stride." Driven by the urge to excel, he confesses to watching all his movies by himself because "I watch to criticise... I take up a lot of challenging scripts because I feel I am a lot more challenged when I take up roles which are different from the everyday Mike." His dream role is "to play an old man from start to finish." Unlike many of his colleagues, music is not on the cards.
Life is good
Despite the meltdown of the past year, Ezurounye insists business has been good. In 2009, he was made a Globacom ambassador and the face of Malt Guinness. "I feel great. It shows that the corporate world is watching and appreciate my craft which is why I try to make it as natural as possible. I have to do a whole lot more because it comes with a new sense of responsibility."
Already he's looking at the future. "I want to be a proper brand for Nollywood, a very big vehicle which has in some way rebranded Nigeria - definitely Nigeria's best export to the outside world. [I also want] to be a positive spokesperson for young [people]."
The ride comes to an end, and it is time to say goodbye. As I step out of the car, his last words come as advice. "Be a good girl," he says, smiling mischievously. As he drives off, some people recognise him. His words come back to mind; this is merely the price to be paid for stardom.
