Durella, Olamide is on the DKM album & Album will be Available in all GT Bank offices Nationwide – D’Banj

D’Banj’s latest interview with seasoned entertainmentwriter, Seun Apara. He speaks on his career, why Bankulli left DB Records and more.

Multiple awards winningNigerian super star, Dapo Oyebanjo populalrly known as D’Banj is not doubt one of Nigeria’s most resourceful entertainers. His break up with his partner, Don Jazzy generated a lot of reactions both within and outside the music idustry. Many music buffs even took a bet on him that he won’t last more than sixmonths before he goes under. At that point, he became the most underrated music act. He heard all but pretended as if he didn’t and continued pushing his dreams.

Today, D’Banj seems to be very happy with the part he chooses as he declares he has no regret. His earnings have increased and he’s gained more international recognition. His road manager revealed that D’Banj now charges N8,000,000.00 and $100,000.00 outside Nigeria.

In his characteristic funny and lively attitude, he sat down with Seun Apara and speaks about his past and future.

First of all, how much do you worth now?

(Laughs). God has blessed me o. Ah, make I no lie (I won’t lie), Oluwa (God) is involved. I can’t start counting my blessings but I thank God.

The latest project from your stable now is the DKM album and it drops in two weeks. Give us an exclusive insight into it?

The ‘DKM’ Album, D Kings Men is a compilation of songs from the artistes on DB Records and is not a D’ Banj’s Album. It has a compilation of songs and sounds done by DB records artistes comprising myself, Kay Switch and J.Sol.DKM album has already dropped on pre-sales online. This is the first time I will be doing pre-sales of any album and I was surprised that in less than three days, the response was massive. I was in Atlanta and I flew back home immediately. I am actually excited about it and not just for me alone. I’m excited that if by God’s grace this works out, finally, it will curb piracy and provide another means of distribution other than Alaba Market.

Are you trying to set up a distribution channel?

Definitely and is not for the benefit of DB Records artiste alone, is for the benefit of all Nigerian acts. The big thing about this is that the distribution of DKM album is not going to be online alone. We have been looking for a way whereby our fans and the masses can get hold of our product other than on the street because I have heard complaints in the past that they don’t get the original copies of our albums. So now, it has been structured in a way that it will be delivered directly to your house, once you pre-buy the album. Then, it will be available in all GT Bank offices nationwide. I can tell you categorically that Fally Ipupa is on this album, Kanye West is on the album and Olamide is also on the album. Another shocker is that Durella is on the album (laughs)

Durella?

Yes, I know a lot of people will be surprised. Wait till you hear the song.

We heard you are also planning an album cum birthday concert?

We are definitely working on the DKM concert and will feature our friends that featured on the album. Other colleagues of mine will also be coming for the DKM concert scheduled for June 2013. It is such a big thing because my birthday is June 9th and we will be celebrating for the whole month of June. The Lord has blessed me and I need to celebrate. We have made such a big plan that when the album drops, I will go on tour throughout the month of June. Any of my fans in any country listed on the tour that already have the album will have access to the tour. The Koko community card inside the album gives them the chance to meet me and groove with me. The grand finale is on June 24^th at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel in Lagos where we will be staging the DKM Concert and my birthday bash together. I am bringing 2Chainz from America to perform at the concert.

I’m aware that you have other businesses, how do you manage all of them?

We have a management company called DKM that handles lot of brands and endorsements. So everything is more organized now with the launch of DKM Media last year. We started with the Koko Concert and that is the first time we did a concert and we wanted to do something different. Let me quickly use this opportunity to apologise to all my wonderful fans that trekked that long distance to the Koko Concert last year. I promise them we are not trekking again this year because we have a solid arrangement.

I listened to one of the songs on the DKM album titled Nonsense but I realized the song seems to have a violence theme. How will you explain that?

When I do my music, I do it like a day to day thing. You have heard Suddenly and Mogbona Felifeli. So this new song you are referring to won’t be an exception. When I say ‘egba ojue’ (slap him), it means enough of negative talks around you.

However, how do you end negative talks around you, it’s simply by stopping the negative things. For example, if you have an Ipad that is messing up, the best way to ‘gba ojue’ (slap it) is by repairing it.

With four nominations at World Music Awards including ‘Best Song of The Year and Best World Artiste’, what is more paramount to you at this point of your career?

What is more paramount to me is the same drive from the beginning. Oliver Twist did number 9 in the U.K top chart, number 2 in U.K R &B and number one in Romania. I will be 10 years on stage next year, though am already more than ten years in the industry but I released Tongolo in March 2004. Within ten years, I have been able to take our music and our culture to everywhere in Africa, Canada, America and Europe. With my partnership with G.O.O.D music and Universal Music,  sooner or later, the whole world will hear about D’banj and other artiste like MI, Olamide and many others .We will  showcase ourselves to the world and they are going to buy our music. The Grammy too is very near because we have won several Channel O awards, Soundcity, MTV, NMVA and many others.

Having done stuffs with few African top acts like Fally Ipupa, Sarkodie and 2Face, is there any particular African artiste you have in mind to work with soon?

I have done a lot of songs with 2Face but I still want to do more songs with him, infact do an album together. We will call it ‘Best of Both worlds’.

Having performed at top world concerts like Wireless, Radio 1 Hackney Weekend and few others, is there any particular concert you are eyeing at the moment?

It will be The Live Nation tour and any other major tour that is top class where I can promote African language and culture. I go to some tours and I’ll tell the white people that if you see a rich Nigerian, call him Igwe (King) and they will all shout Igwe. I teach them African languages and culture because I’m an African ambassador. Sometimes they don’t know the meaning until I translate.

What is your utmost possession?

For now, I will say is my distribution. For once, we need to get music distribution right in this country and be able curb piracy. Aside, musicians will be able to make so much money from their works.

What is the true story of your former manager, Bankulli’s exit from DB Records?

The thing is that I won’t really dwell too much on this issue but I want to categorically say everything that everybody has read or heard is a big fat lie.

Infact, I don’t know where that story is coming from. There is a definitely time for everything. Bankulli was a wonderful manager and he is still my brother. He is a good guy but he can’t be flying around with me again as he now does his own things. He still called us for a show recently when we were in South Africa. When people say someone that worked with me for one year is not working with me again, I laugh. My former manager, Sunday Are still gets me shows. People keep spreading unpalatable rumors.

Are you in touch with former partner, Don Jazzy?

Don Jazzy produced four songs on the DKM album coming out soon. I remember when I was in America and they were mastering a song and I heard the one featuring Fally Ipupa which was produced by Don Jazzy and I was like wow!  I called him immediately and he picked up. I said listen to what I’m hearing, this is a music you produced. So don’t get twisted like I said, love is a beautiful thing. I’m a businessman and I do what is right for my business. What I’m doing now is what I have always wanted as an artiste, professionalism and good distribution. I don’t have any regret.

Tell us about your relationship status…

I have dated a lot of women but I don’t really want to talk about them because most of them have moved on and some are married. I don’t have any regret at all because I am still young and am still a bachelor.

Do you feel bothered about it when your mum brings up the issue?

Not at all but it’s a normal thing for mothers. She is proud of me and I do let her understand that it’s not that I don’t want to marry but I have not found the right one. If she finds the right one for me; she can call me.

How do you react to rumors and critics?

It’s a normal thing for people to talk but you don’t have to be distracted. All you need is to stay focused. I want to thank everybody for staying with me genuinely even during the dreadful time. I promise not to let you guys down and you should remember that in everything I do, I’m also human.

PHOTOS: Genevieve Nnaji's Daughter Pictured In Bikini

If there's any award for the most secretive celebrity in Nigeria, it will go to no one but your darling A-list actress, Genevieve Nnaji who has done everything possible to shield the privacy of her only daughter and that of her dad.

Though, there had been so many controversies behind the man who fathered Genevieve's daughter, and whilst some school of thoughts are of the opinion that, Genevieve herself cannot boast of who the father is due to the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy because she was so young (she was impregnated at 15), your soar away magazine, National Enquirer which was the first ever tabloid to publish the intimate family pictures of the Nnajis including Genevieve's baby pictures and that of her daughter again discovered a certain man nick-named Acura who claimed he actually impregnated Genevieve and didn’t take the responsibility because of religious factor.

Acura hails from a liberal Christian background while the Nnajis are staunch Catholic who detest giving birth outside wedlock. Acura spoke exclusively to us then but trust Genevieve, all efforts to get her to talk have been abortive. Now, the exclusive pictures you're savouring is that of Chimebuka a.k.a Lily - Genevieve's 18 year old daughter who lives abroad.

The paragon of beauty was recently at the beach where she surrendered her privacy for paparazzi's lenses to click away. She also took some photographs of herself inside a car and another one in a dinner with friends. We even gathered that, she's considering a career in the area of modeling after high school. She's in her final year we scooped.

One Boston Marathon suspect dead, another still on run, officials say

By Becky Bratu, Kerry Sanders and Tom Winter, NBC News

The Boston Marathon bombing suspects — armed with explosives and guns — battled law enforcement officers in a Boston suburb early Friday morning, unleashing chaos until cops took one of the men into custody and the other fled, law enforcement sources said.

Officials later said the suspect taken into custody died and authorities identified the man on the run as the "white-hat" suspect, referencing photographs released by the FBI Thursday. Authorities warned he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The standoff in Watertown, Mass., erupted shortly after the fatal shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer. A transit police officer was also wounded in the Watertown fire fight, officials confirmed to NBC affiliate WHDH.

Officials in Watertown were warning residents to "stay in their homes and not open their doors unless a police officer is there."

"There is a terrorist on the loose," said one officer at an impromptu press conference at about 4:30 a.m. ET.

The suspect at large — believed to be the man who physically placed the bags containing the homemade bombs which killed 3 and injured 170 on Monday — was described as "dressed in a grey hoodie, light skinned male, brown curly hair."

Watertown resident Andrew Kitzenberg described the earlier police standoff outside his house. “They engaged in gunfire for a few minutes,” Kitzenberg said. “They were also utilizing bombs, which sounded and looked like grenades, while engaging in the gunfight. They also had what looked like a pressure-cooker bomb.”

The gunmen used "bombs that looked like grenades," Kitzenberg told NBC News.

Kitzenberg said when he looked out the window he saw two people taking cover between a black Mercedes SUV and a sedan, and watched them shooting 70 or 80 yards toward six Watertown police vehicles.

He said the pair took cover behind the Mercedes SUV and were shooting westward toward the police officers. They also had backpacks.

“It was a firefight,” he added. “There was a long exchange of gunfire.”

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Police with guns drawn search for a suspect on April 19, 2013 in Watertown, Mass. Earlier, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus police officer was shot and killed late Thursday night at the school's campus in Cambridge. A short time later, police reported exchanging gunfire with alleged carjackers in Watertown, a city near Cambridge. It's not clear whether the shootings are related or whether either are related to the Boston Marathon bombing.

One of the shooters then ran toward the officers, while the other got into the SUV, Kitzenberg recounted.

The person on foot later fell to the ground, but Kitzenberg said he was unable to tell whether he had been tackled or shot.

The other drove the SUV through the line of police cars at the end of the street, he added.

Kitzenberg said that while he had a “very clear view of the shooters,” he couldn’t see their faces but described them as “average size, average height.”

During the gun battle, a bullet ended up in the wall of Kitzenberg’s apartment, which is on the second level of a multi-family home.

Rebecca Carbone, 30, stood on the street wearing pajamas and a sweatshirt and had stepped out when she heard sirens.

"We heard a loud blast and we didn't know what it was," Carbone said. "It sounded like a car backfiring."

John Grimes, 69, a retired letter carrier, said that he heard three loud explosions, "and you don't hear explosions at night a lot."

The tense situation in Watertown followed an hours-long lockdown at MIT, where the campus police officer was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance on the Cambridge campus.

Even as police swept the campus, there were reports of a violent car chase and then an extremely heavy police presence in Watertown, which is only about four miles away.

The events began unfolding with reports of shots fired on the MIT campus at 10:48 p.m. ET, and the situation remained "active and extremely dangerous" for hours, according to MIT's emergency website. It was later reported that a campus officer had been fatally shot several times.

The MIT police officer was found shot multiple times in his vehicle, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office said in a news release. Authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and determined that two males were involved in the shooting.

A short time later, police received reports of an armed carjacking by two males in the area of Third Street in Cambridge, the DA’s statement read.

“The victim was carjacked at gunpoint by two males and was kept in the car with the suspects for approximately a half hour. The victim was released at a gas station on Memorial Drive in Cambridge.  He was not injured.”

Police went in pursuit of the stolen vehicle, following it into Watertown. During the chase, explosive devices were reportedly thrown from the car by the suspects, the DA’s statement said.

A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police officer was also severely injured  in an ensuing gunfire exchange between the police and the suspects in the area of Dexter and Laurel streets.

The university expressed its condolences in a statement: "MIT is heartbroken by the news that an MIT Police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty on Thursday night on campus, near Building 32 (the Stata Center). Our thoughts are now with the family."

Source: usnews.nbcnews.com

ASK TON: My Sister Wants To Snatch My Boyfriend

I'm a in serious dilemma right now and it has to do with my boyfriend. I'm presently dating a very sweet and cute guy, who works in an oil company.

My boyfriend loves me so much, and I also love him dearly. We're not a perfect couple though, but we're always able to handle/resolve our differences maturely. 

And the success of our relationship is making my friends to be envious of me. Because they've been in and out of several relationship, and are presently sober and desperate for love, and to make the matter worse, my younger sister who just broke up with her guy, is also eying my boyfriend.

Now, it's me against them. They want my fine, rich and loving boyfriend, and are hell bent on snatching him from me.

What should I do?

D’banj Crowned As Most Stylish Man

G.O.O.D Music signee, D’banj walked away with the Most Stylish Nigerian Entertainer award for 2013 at the just concluded Encomium Black & White Ball.

The event which was organised to celebrate forerunners and pioneers in the fashion and style business, had many Nigerian entertainers in attendance.

Upcoming fashion designers also had the opportunity to showcase their creations.

Others who were awarded include Julius Agwu, Florence Ita-Giwa who bagged two awards, Abike-Dabiri Erewa, Chris Okotie and Ebube Nwagbo in recognition of their enormous efforts in setting the pace in fashion and style in their respective fields.

Below is a full list of Awardees.

1) Best Occasions Wear Designer – Deola Sagoe (Odua Originals)

(2)Best Indigenous Attires Designer -Vivid Imagination (Godwin Mekwuye)

(3)Most Elegant Woman (30′s category) -Chief (Mrs) Shade 0koya

(4)Most Elegant Woman (40′s category)-Chief Nike Oshinowo

(5)Most Elegant Woman (50′s category) -Mrs. Ngozi Nkoloenyi

(6)Most Elegant Woman (60′s category) -Senator (Princess) Florence Ita- Giwa

(7)Most Stylist Man (30′s category) -Dbanj

(8)Most Stylish Man (40′s category) -Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

(9)Most Stylish Man (50′s category) -Rev Chris Okotie

(10)Most Stylist Man (60′s category) -Mr Lanre Ogunlesi,Sofisticat)

(11)Most Stylist Man (70′s category) -High Chief Alex Akinyele

(12)Life time Achievement , Substance and Style -Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun

13)Life time Achievement Substance and Elegance -Senator( Princess ) Florence Ita Giwa

(14)Special Recognition Award, Style Leader -Erelu Abiola Dosumu

(15)Special Recognition Award, Pace setting Designer -Hajia Abah Folawiyo

(16)Special Recognition Award, Culture Aficionado-Chief (Mrs) Nike Davis Okundaye

(17)Most Adorable First Lady-Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola

(18)Most Elegant First Lady -Dame Judith Amaechi

(19)Special Recognition Award, Pace setting Clothier -Mr Tex Egbedi (Texen)

(20)Best Promoter of Styles – Da Viva

(21)Most Stylish Governor -Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan

(22)Most Elegant National Assembly Member -Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa

(23)Most Stylish Senator- Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon

(24)Fastest growing Fashion Brand -Twice as Nice

(25)Most Stylish Entertainer- Mr Julius Agwu

(26)Most Elegant Entertainer -Miss Ebube Nwagbo

(27)Best Clothier-Twice as Nice

(28)Most Influential Fashion Brand -Sofisticat

(29)Florence Ita-Giwa is honoured with lifetime achievement award

(30)Emmanuel Uduaghan emerges 

Nigeria’s 8 Most Over Exposed Celebrities

Nigeria’s 8 Most Over Exposed Celebrities written by  Segun Adekoye. Nice list but you kinda skippedCossy Orjiakor and Karen Igho.

According to Segun Adekoye – “In this age, everyone has a Blackberry. Everyone has a blog. There are over 5000 entertainment blogs in Nigeria. Everyone wants to break the news but only a few get exclusive content so everyone copy-pastes whether it is true or a lie. In this era, everyone is a celebrity. If you hit the red carpet of events, and a hundred blogs can post your pictures, same pictures and repeat that procedure 4 times in a month, you are a celeb. You can make statements. Fashion statements. You can go to Twitter and start a Tweet war. Dahz all.

The problem with overexposure is that your news does not become news eventually and people go like “oh Tonto.. Now what? Unto the next abeg”. Who are the 8 celebrities in Nigeria who get more press, media attention than they need for their health. In no particular order, Segun Adekoye lists them below.

1. Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh understands that Nigerian bloggers want news as they are unable to create for themselves, so she gives it to them. She always wants to be in the news. Tonto wants to be seen on TV. She wants to be heard on radio, so she ventured into singing. She wants to be seen on Twitter so she starts Twitter wars and goes controversial. She likes the media attention. She’s making money from it. This is one celeb that overexposure works for and she knows how to handle it.

2. Mercy Aigbe
On Nairaland, on the web, Mercy Aigbe pictures as much as the Google Search results for “Make Money Online”. The funny thing about Mercy Aigbe is that she can take hundred pictures of the same cloth at the same time on the same spot. Then came the issue of husband beating  and the denials and video responses and press releases and ENOUGH of Mercy Aigbe already.

3. Dencia
Who is Dencia? I dunno. A musician who’s in love with her own looks. She loves to pose. She loves wild dresses. She loves to wow. I see pictures of her all over the internet. I think her face is more popular than her voice. I haven’t heard her song before but I heard she’s into music. You think i’m ridiculous. You can say it again.

4. Toke Makinwa
Toke Makinwa, a lady fair and fine. Toke is always on the news. On the red carpets. On her vlog which is becoming more widely accepted. On-air. Toke is practically in your ears, in your face… in your mouth. I believe she enjoys the media attention.
5. Annie Idibia
Annie has always been on the eye of bloggers, but ever since her traditional marriage to Tuface Idibia, she’s been kept even under more scrutiny by the press. Annie Idibia’s outfit to this… Annie Idibia’s outfit to that… Annie Idibia’s wedding dress… Annie Idibia’s wedding invitation. Annie should expect more though. Her overexposure is just about to start. She should check it.

6. Davido
Davido is always hitting the headlines. Either for a questionable pose with a fan in nocturnal circumstances or something else. When he parted ways with his manager, he was the topic for a while. Twitter dissing, singing or photography, Davido should calm down.

7. Tee Billz
Formerly fairly known as the Tiwa Savage’s manager, the tall dark dude has become more exposed than he should ever since he proposed to the “Love me Love me” crooner. Tee Billz has also posted pictures of himself using the toilet in Burj Al Arab in a gesture that signifies he’s realy seeking public attention.
8. Jim Iyke
Even before he started his Jim Iyke Unscripted reality TV show, he had always been in one form or the other on the news. From occassional bouts with Blogger Linda Ikeji to controversial fashion statements he makes such as the one he wore to AMVCA, Jim Iyke should be one of those topping the list.

Five easy ways to please your man

We know you wanna make your guy happy as much as you can, so we got experts to dish advice on how you can please your man.

These tips are so simple, you'll be able to execute ASAP and soon your dude will be calling you the best girlfriend ever.

Leave Him Alone

Not all the time. But when he first comes home from work, or when he's really stressed out about something, sometimes what a guy wants most is to be quiet and by himself for a little while. When a guy's lady recognizes this and gives him that space, he notices and is grateful.

Let Him Be in Charge

Let's face it. Guys like to feel like they're in control. Try letting go of your need to be right (even when you probably are). Sometimes you just need to let him pick the route, the restaurant, or the movie without interjecting your "better" idea. This will make him feel like he's in charge and that you trust him.

Give Him A Sexy Surprise

Maybe putting on lingerie isn't your thing. No sweat, guys don't need that all the time. But try going outside your comfort zone every now and then. Meet him out for a drink in an especially little LBD, or surprise him with some sexy underwear. He'll know you're doing it just for him.

Lend Him an Ear

It's tempting to take control when your dude is in a rut, but pause for a second. Try not to solve his problem or tell him how you would do it if you were in his shoes. Let him talk, listen, and be supportive. Jumping in to fix rips his masculinity away, and puts you, instead, in that role. What he wants is some feminine nurturing, so listen, give him a hug, and let him vent.

Make It Clear You Want Him

You don't need to be overtly sexual to let your guy know you want him right then and there. Try subtle things like momentarily slipping your hand into his crotch during the drive home, or at a movie, or under the table at dinner. Him knowing how sexually attracted you are to him will please him like no other.

Meet 15 Nollywood's Sexy Mothers [PICTURES]

Their faces adorned the four walls of the film industry in Nigeria, these thespians of reckon have brought glamour and panache into the movie industry in called Nollywood. 

When they aren’t in front of the cameras acting out their roles, they are within the confines of their various homes acting out the natural roles of being mothers to their biological offspring. Just as they have made a success out of their acting careers, they have so successfully set a standard worthy of emulation as mothers. we took a look at 15 of these hottest Nollywood mother divas.

Genevieve Nnaji

Gene, as the Africa's most sought after actress, Genevieve Nnaji is called would be thanking her star for giving her such a beautiful daughter in her likeness. Her daughter, today, has become her source of joy as she now flaunts her whenever she steps out unlike before that she rarely uttered a word about it. She is one of the sexiest Nollywood mothers the industry is proud of today.

Bukky Wright

This beautiful diva has become a force to reckon with. She has acted in several Yoruba and English movies and there are also some good number of films to her credit as a producer, she has two grown up kids, one of them, Amu, has also picked a career in entertainment precisely, music.

Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde

After four kids, Omo Sexy as Omotola is fondly called is still as sexy as she was when she started out years back. The beautiful actress is one of the movie idols who have kids and still look so radiant and beautiful.

Grace Amah

Grace Amah, the petite and beautiful Nollywood actress has returned to the industry now that her baby is now a ‘big boy’. Grace will forever be radiant even with three kids, not with her petite stature and the look of a teenager.

Omoni Oboli

You will all agree with me that Omoni is a paragon of beauty despite having four kids. The actress cum producer is one of the Nollywood divas whose homes are devoid of scandals.

Monalisa Chinda

For her marriage break too, Monalisa would have added one or two more to her baby because her ex, Richard loves kids and he loves to have a couple of them. Mona, as the beautiful Glo ambassador is called, has a beautiful daughter that added a year a few weeks back.

Mercy Johnson

She might not have been blessed with a Naomi Campbell look but the Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson is sexy and men are more than willing to give whatever it takes to have her attention.

The actress of repute, who recently joined the league of nursing mothers, is well endowed.

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry

She sways in Yoruba movie industry. This mother of two is beautiful, no doubt, and she has got alluring aura too. Despite being mother of two, her look is still like that of a young school leaver.

Bimbo Oshin

Whenever Bimbo steps out, not many of her fans will believe she is got a grown up kid. Bimbo, who is married to Dudu Heritage, is doing well with her marriage and her baby.

Oge Okoye

Angelic Oge Okoye is tall and has a physique that will turn heads anytime. She has a boy and a girl for her equally charming hubby, Stanley Duru

Stella Damasus

Maybe, who knows, she might have added to the number of kids she already had, her two girls, Angelica and Isabel but for the untimely exit of her hubby, Jaiye Aboderin. Despite the fact that Stella has two kids, she still has that irresistible aura that attracts men to her as honey does Bees.

Liz Anjorin

Call her an epitome of beauty and you are not far from the truth, Liz Anjorin Akanke, no doubt, was created on a weekend, a day God was actually resting. The mother of one is one of the few who has no tale sign of being a mother. And she is still very adorable and tempting to behold. Her daughter is 15 year old.

Iyabo Ojo

She has two kids and she is still blowing hot in the industry like fire. Her acting prowess is so unique that a lot of people just want to see her face in a movie even when she is not playing any active role.

Biodun Okeowo

Tolani Oshirin as she is popularly called is not just beautiful, she has a high sense of humour that will make any day spent with her a fun-filled one. The intelligent actress has two kids, a boy, 12 and a girl, nine. One things that makes Biodun a envy of others is her friendly disposition, she is so liberal and very accommodating as well.

Uche Elendu-Igweanyinba

Uche Elendu, who is married to the upwardly mobile businessman, Prince Nku is one of the sexiest mothers in Nollywood. The pretty actress still wears short skirts, bum shots etc, when you see her, you might mistake her foe a 16 year old girl. She has a daughter and maybe expecting another one pretty soon.

Half Of A Yellow Sun’ Confirmed As Nollywood’s Most Expensive Movie

Nigerians always complain of the poor quality of movies in Nollywood, however they still keep the faith that one day their prayers will be answered; well pray no more.

Nollywood, recently produced its most expensive movie yet, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’. The movie cost approximately N1.27 billion ($8m) to make.

Half of a Yellow Sun’ is an adaptation of Chimanmanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, the movie was shot at Tinapa Film Studio, Cross River State, and in the United Kingdom.

The movie is yet to be released but we have confirmed that the movie was directed by Biyi Bandele who had most of its cast and crew flown from abroad.

The cast comprised Britons and Nigerians such as Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots, American Gangster, 2012, Salt); Thandie Newton (Mission: Impossible II, Crash, The Pursuit of Happiness); Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, For Coloured Girls); Joseph Mawle (Women in Love, Game of Thrones); John Boyega (Attack the Block); Onyeka Onwenu, Nigerian singer and actress; Genevieve Nnaji and Zack Orji.

The production quality of the film directly points tothe growing professionalism in Nollywood. In the last five years, Nollywood has been growing in terms of output and quality.

.The development has also impacted huge returns. Not only is Nollywood ranked third globally in terms of quality of production, financially Nollywood is also placed third in the world.

Managing director, Robert Orya of Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), says: ‘The global film and entertainment industry generated about $90.6 billion revenue in 2010,’ Orya explains, saying ‘the revenue increased to $102.7 billion in 2012. Most of these revenue streams are largely from theatrical distribution. North America contributed the largest market share of about 40 percent. Europe, Middle East and Africa accounted for 24 percent, Latin America 20 percent, and Asia Pacific made only 3 percent contribution.’

Film maker Victor Okhai says a new breed of film makers began to bring professionalism into the industry, which explains the improvement in the quality of films produced lately. Some of those that fall into this group are Tunde Kelani with movies like ‘Thunderbolt’ (‘Magun’), Tade Ogidan with ‘Dangerous Twins,’ Richard Mofe Damijo’s ‘Out of Bounds,’ Ego Boyo with ‘30 Days,’ the Amstel Malta Box Office series.

‘It is expected that the quality of films will improve,’ says Okhai. ‘We are at a stage where we can no longer play the mediocre anymore. We have discovered that when we attend film festivals, we realised that nobody pays attention to Nollywood films. They look at the industry with disdain at these film festivals. Then local film makers came back home to do some serious work. Many film makers are challenged by what they see at film festivals,’ he says.

Before the emergence of ‘Half of a Yellow Sun,’ the movie ‘Tango with Me’ produced by Mahmoud Ali-Balogun, ranked as the most expensive film. The movie was shot with the latest Kodak 35mm camera, ‘Tango with Me’ costs over N50 million to produce says Ali-Balogun.

To show the passion Ali Balogun had for movie production, he travelled all the way to Bulgaria to master film technology. The end product of the trip was an outstanding film that ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ has knocked-off.

Experts say the return of the cinemas has offered a veritable platform for film makers to escape piracy and the open market. By granting first viewing to cinemas, film producers are assured of getting returns on their investments. But Okhai still emphasizes on the quality of production, he says:

‘Cinemas cannot project poor quality films,’ explains Okhai, as ‘your flaws as a film producer are blown in proportion to the size of the screen. Film makers in the Diaspora are returning home to show how good films are made abroad. Their films are changing the way local film producers are making films’.

True to Okhai’s theory, movie producers can recover tremendous amounts from cinema viewing. A couple of examples are In 2009 for instance, Stephanie Okereke’s movie, ‘Through the Glass,’ premiered at the cinemas making over N10 million. This was followed by Kunle Afolayan’s ‘The Figurine’ becoming the first local film to make over N30 million in the cinemas.

Chineze Anyaene’s film, ‘Ije,’ also recorded tremendous success at the cinemas, making over N57 million and viewed by an estimated 14,000 people. In 2010, ‘Ije’ was reputed to be Nigeria’s highest selling movie in the cinemas, returning to the cinemas three times that year. Its success was next to Hollywood’s ‘Avatar.’ ‘Anchor Baby’ produced by Lonzo Nzekwe also made over N17 million

PDP Makes Peace Overtures As Obasanjo, Anenih Hold Closed Door Meeting

Worried by the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, met with former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday.

Anenih led other notable members of the party, including the Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; former governors of Kastina, Nasarawa and Kaduna states respectively, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, Abdulai Adamu and Senator Ahmed Makarfi and the secretary of the BoT, Senator Waliu Jubril, to the secret meeting.

Others at the meeting were the embattled national vice chairman (South-West), Chief Segun Oni; the deposed national auditor, Bode Mustapha and a member of the BoT, Mrs Aduke Maina.

The meeting which held at the hilltop residence of Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, lasted for about three hours behind closed doors.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Anenih said members deliberated on how best to resolve the lingering crisis rocking the party, both at the national and state levels even as he added the details was not for public consumption.

When asked about the major issues discussed in the meeting, the BoT chairman said “we discussed issues that affect the party itself. I am here to see my leader, I am here to pay my respect and, indeed, I am here with my colleagues, some members of the BoT of our party, to discuss some issues that affect the corporate existence of this country.”

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Anenih said “as you see, we are all smiling, don’t you see me smiling? And my leader too is smiling. So we are quite happy about the outcome. For now, it is not for public consumption.”

However, sources privy to the discussions have revealed that the peace meeting failed.

Vivian Pius: “Lesbianism Has Come To Stay In Nollywood”

Nollywood actress Vivian Pius has opened up on the alarming increase of homosexual relationships in Nollywood, saying it was slowly becoming a norm in the movie industry.

Vivia on set in Festac took out time to say, “Lesbianism has come to stay in Nollywood. Though it exists in other industries such as banking, medical and others, that of Nollywood is more open to the public because of who we are, as a society`s role models.”

“It has come to be seen as a cartel where those who belong to a group find it easier getting movie roles. Some of them can even make you rich overnight beyond your expectation. Those who are in it and know their onions can tell you better.”

“They get the best of jobs and are richer driving in big cars and seeing at the best of places. The same thing goes for the homosexuals.”

“The industry has become what many of us never dreamed of, going the way of Hollywood and other European movie industries. It is also in Alaba International Market. They control the industry. It is all about packaging. But there is still hope that those who are not patronizing them will still make it in Nollywood.”

Don Jazzy And 9ice Collaborate, To Release 9ice’s ‘Certificate Reloaded’ Album

Last year November, the Yoruba pop singer 9ice announced to his fans that he would be releasing another set of double albums ‘CNN‘ and ‘GRA‘ in March 2013, apparently plans have changed.

The singer will still be releasing an album but with a total different title, ‘Certificate Reloaded‘ album.

The album Certificate Reloaded if fans can remember makes reference to 9ice’s 2007 debut album ‘Certificate’ which featured top Nigerian talents like 2shotz, Lord of Ajasa and Jah Bless.

Already, two spanking new singles ‘Mo Gbese Le’ and ‘Yi Bi Odo’ have already been released from the new album.

We also expect to see a big collabo between 9ice and the veteran beats maker Don Jazzy, the track is titled  ‘Ike kan‘.