For those of you looking to make contact with some of our Naija celebrities, here are websites for some of them.

www.aboutgenevieve.com - Genevieve Nnaji
www.ritadominic.com - Rita Dominic
www.omotola.com - Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
www.rmdpromptions.com - Richard Mofe Damijo
www.lagbaja.com - Lagbaja
www.ruggedmanonline.com - Rugged Man
www.styl-plus.com - Styl plus
www.tonytetuila.com - Tony Tetuila
www.stephanieokereke.com - Stephanie Okereke
www.zackorji.net - Zack Orji
www.ramseysworld.com - Ramsey Nouah
www.bantucrew.com - Bantu
www.cossyorjiakor.com - Cossy Orjiakor
www.kunleafolayan.com - Kunle Afolayan
www.ibinabofiberesima.com - Ibinabor Fiberesima
www.segunarinze.8m.com - Segun Arinze
www.reginaaskia.scriptmania.com - Regina Askia
www.newdawnwithfunmi.com - Funmi Iyanda

Well, that's it for now. As soon as I get more websites I'll load it up for you guys.

from

Some governments are recognising the potential of some Nollywood actors and have appointed many to different positions in the state. Chinyere Okoye profiles some of these actors who are already in government

Before now, actors were not taken seriously in the society. Now their importance and contributions to social development are being recognised by various strata of government, which explains why some of them are being invited by serving governors, to contribute in governance as well as serve as role models to the up coming youths in the society.

Today, with their exposures in movie industry, they sit on top, fashioning a new track in public service, I think this is an opportunity for them to serve, more than anything else. Enthusiast, they fancy themselves as entertainers that create ideas and bring those ideas to fruition. Those ideas sometimes come in form of scripts and songs. At the end of the day, when you bring the ideas together, people tend to appreciate it. What do you think they can do now that they are in government? One thing is sure. It is said, to whom much is given, much is expected. The reward for handwork is more work. With your support, strength, and divine wisdom from God, they will be able to excel in this new challenge.

Again, since they used Nollywood as a platform to portray the ills of the society and suddenly they are in the government, it is a beat easy to avert the problems and worries of the people. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) was appointed the Commissioner for Culture in Delta State. He’s one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces and has been in the spotlight for a long time. He previously held the post of Special Adviser on Talent Development to Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor. Born on July 6, 1961, the new commissioner had stints in the media before his acting career blossomed. He was Arts and Culture reporter for the defunct Concord Newspaper, a writer for Crown Prince and Classique magazines and later publisher of Mister Magazine.

A multiple award winning actor, Mofe-Damijo is best known for hit films including Critical Assignment, Out of Bounds, Keeping Faith, Private Sin and The Intruder and many others. Having starred in numerous movies, he is one of Nigeria's highest earning actors, though he likes to play “well grounded characters” in his movies. RMD wears several hats: he’s a playwright, poet, publisher, entrepreneur, and recently bagged a law degree from University of Lagos. He was once married to the late Nigerian journalist May Ellen Ezekiel Mofe-Damijo. Through a relentless pursuit of professionalism in Nollywood and an innate ability to do common things in an uncommon manner, Mofe-Damijo has emerged the actors' actor.

Popularly called RMD, Mofe-Damijo has been associated with virtually every icon of show business from Denzel Washington to Richard Gere. He has brought a lot of glamour to the acting profession. Today, because of his composure outside the movie world and success in journalism and public relations outfit called Whitewater Limited as part of his production company, RMD is the focus of competition - the man to beat. He calls the shots, sets the pace, dictating the rhythm of the industry. Until date he is the highest paid actor, with less than twenty films to his credit.

Okechukwu McAnthony Onyeghule, popularly called Okey Bakassi, a highly sought after stand-up comedian, Nollywood actor, master of ceremonies and acclaimed all round entertainer, was recently appointed an Executive Assistant to Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State on Entertainment. Popular and quite athletic stand-up comedian, Okey Bakassi, started out as a television actor. He is happily married with two daughters and armed with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Rivers State University of Science and Technology; he first came to Lagos for his youth service.

“I was a member of the NYSC drama troupe. So it was only natural at the time that I wanted to be part of what was happening on television, I had a little audition with Zeb Ejiro, and he introduced me to his brother, Chico. That was how I got the role, Nick, a bodyguard to the Johnson. Aside from acting, he is also a producer, and has been in the business of entertainment for 15 years.

Hilda Dokubo Mrakpor started acting in 1991 and is a youth advocate from Buguma in River State. The first daughter, married with two sons and a graduate of Theatre Arts. She also has a master’s degree in Theatre Education from University of Port Harcourt. Hilda Dokubo Mrakpor believes that the opportunity given to her to serve the people in a different capacity was made possible through the experience she gathered in Nollywood. Toward her drive to help other people and the passion to fight, to eradicate hunger and challenges of her immediate environment through her NGO “Street to Star” project, she was appointed as special adviser to the governor of River State on youths in 2007 and so it opened doors for her to have direct interaction with a lot of young people.

As an actress, it is difficulty for her to have that kind of access because there are people out there waiting to be reached but the job provided the opportunity for her to talk with young people who wanted to do so many things but they don't know how to do them. “They want to be famous and don't know how. Some do not have the opportunity of exploring their potentials. Our educational system was nose-diving; people went to school but were not educated. Our country has given us so much and it is time for us to give it back to the society,” she said. While in government, “it is about what you are able to do for the people, it is about impacting lives, it is not a tool for enslaving people, it is a tool for doing things for people. I am a leader just like the little child in the home. We all need to understand that we have a very special role to play in the development of our society, state, and nation. “Since my inception as a special adviser, River State Youth Parliament can boldly voice themselves in ways they were not able to do before and come up with their own articulation of politics. It became youth friendly, they could tell you what each article represents. I also taught them to look at what government says they have given to them so they were able to either accept or reject it.

Onyeka Onwenu is a woman of many parts. Broadcaster, singer and actress rolled into one. From her broadcasting career with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the 80s, to singing career and later Nollywood, the Elegant Stallion was ranked among the best artistes that Nigeria has produced. She launched her first album Endless Love in 1979. Onyeka had in year 2000 laid siege at the gate of NTA and for over two weeks she lived in the open, a protest that elicited the support of notable personalities such as Lagos lawyer Gani Fawehinmi and Charley Boy. Her grouse was alleged non-payment of royalties to artistes whose works the NTA was commercially telecasting. In 2003, she joined the fray, vying for the chairmanship of her local government in Imo State, Ideato South Local Government on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Amidst her tight schedule, the mother of two revealed her attachment to her late father, Late D.K Onwenu, former principal of the famous Enitona High School, a member of House of Representatives in the first Republic, former Deputy Mayor of Port Harcourt, career, kids and other issues.

Fare enough, she steps into the big shoe of her father, who died over 50 years ago, fondly called ‘The Old Teacher.’ by late Tafawa Balewa colleagues. In September 8, 2006, she celebrated her 25 years as female music icon on stage “In the history of Nigeria, no Nigerian female has engaged the Entertainment industry like the multiple award winning, Onyeka Onwenu (MFR). As a singer, Onyeka has for a period of 25 years lifted the spirit of the nation with some of the most memorable songs in the history of our country. As an actress, she has been an outstanding star in the Nollywood experience. Either as a broadcast journalist or a writer, Onyeka Onwuenu has been nothing but special.

I’m not a lesbian – Empress Njamah

Take another look at Empress. Take particular notice of the fish-net pantyhose. Follow it all the way up. Stop there! Imagine the rest – what lies beyond the pantyhose, that is. Now, how can a woman keep all that for another woman, in the name of lesbianism and same-sex relationship?

Luckily, for all the men out there, Empress is not such a woman. She would have none of that. She prefers men. But don’t begin to get funny ideas. She’s not searching.
But that is one reality she’s been severally called upon, by the rumour mill, to explain.

For “controversial” is one adjective that aptly describes Empress Njamah’s rise to movie stardom. Every step of the sexy eyeball’s march through moviedom seems to have been trailed by one controversy or the other. One redhead swears on his mother’s grave that Empress is a lesbian. Another says she’s a kleptomaniac while yet another says she dates many men at the same time – not by way of three-in-bed, just double (or is it multiple?) dating.
But Empress says all the lesbian stuff is just the figment of some jobless guy’s not-so-rich imagination. “It is a product of warped minds”, she assured Saturday Sun.
“It is not only that I am a lesbian, they said I am multiple men person and a kleptomaniac. But it is not true”, she says.

“Lesbianism is one terrible thing in the bible that God does not like. I am somebody who is close to God. I don’t joke with my Sundays and Wednesdays. Talking about multiple men, they can not call me a lesbian and still say I am multi-men. So they don’t know what they are talking about. I can’t be a lesbian and still talk about multi men in my life. I am one person that doesn’t have much time for men”.
As for the kleptomania bit, she says there is a story to it. “It happened when I went with a friend of mine to the Airport and he gave his jacket to the gate man to hold for him. When he came back, he wore the jacket and travelled to United Kingdom. When he got there money got missing from his jacket and he was asked who he gave the jacket to, and because I was with him his secretary never liked me and thought it was the best time to really blackmail me… Trust Nigerians, the story just spread.
But I am saying I know myself and that I am not lesbian, a kleptomaniac or multi-men kind of person”, she restated bitterly.

Acting runs in my family
Beside all this distractions however, Empress is one hell of a star. And she’s been around a little while now. The dark-skinned, stary-eyed, all-feminine bomb exploded unto the scene in 1995 and since then has been able to hold her head high in the industry. Of course whatever she lacks, she can always dig dip into her veins to bring out from the genes - for acting runs in the family. Two of her siblings were already in the profession before her.
“We are five in number. Three of us are into acting. My brothers were into it before me. I went out with my brothers one day to a rehearsal in Surulere and the girl that was supposed to play a particular role did not come and I was asked to stand in for her. After, the director called me and asked if I was interested in acting, I said yes and got the role. But my father never wanted me to be an actress because of the negative things one get to hear about actresses. But when he saw one of my movies, he said I should just give it a try. But my mother has always been there for me”.

An actress’s lifestyle
There is a stigma that goes with actresses in Nigeria that unnerves Empress: the Imo state-born actress is not happy with the belief that actresses are promiscuous. And she is ready to do battle on this turf. “It depends on the factor you are looking at it. I believe, as an actress you have every right to marry or date an actor. It happens everywhere, hospitals, banks even in your (The Sun) office. It’s just that we are in the limelight and people tend to say bad things about us. If an actress wants to go out with a colleague, I believe there is no problem to it. One has to follow his or her heart in this”.

Sleeping to the top
“I hear a lot of cases of actresses sleeping with a director in order to get a role, but I always say that if you don’t have it there is nothing you can do about it. If you want to cheapen yourself to get a role and it came out in the movie with you not doing well, then you have yourself to blame. Acting is not something you jump into, it’s something that lots of people see and commend your worth and say ‘yes she is doing well’. But you can not put a square peg in a round hole”.
So has Empress slept with a director for a role she desperately wanted?, you ask.
“ I am not supposed to be answering that question. Nobody you actually ask that question would ever tell you ‘yes’, she has done it before, but I can boldly say I’ ve not done it before”.

Come to my room
Asked the English undergraduate if directors have sex

Thrills And Bores Of Mobo 2008 As 9ice Wins Best African Act

This year's edition of MOBO awards was held last Thursday with the usual highs and lows for various artistes as 9ice further registers his name in gold.



The sky seems the limit for rave-making Nigerian hip-hop sensation, 9ice. He adds yet another feather to his cap, winning the Best African Act at this year's London's Music of Black Origin, MOBO awards held last Thursday. This latest feat he performed, beating fellow compatriots, Faze, D'Banj, Mo'Hits All Stars, Asa, P'Square, and other African acts like Magic System, Jua Cali, Jozi, Wahu and Hip Hop Pantusula who were all nominated for the category.

28 year old Abolore Akande, a.k.a 9ice has actually carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian, nay the world music scene. On the 27th of June this year, he performed at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute concert, singing Gongo Aso in London and soon after that was made a 46664 Ambassador. At the last edition of the now famous Hip Hop World Awards, 9ice came off as winner of Revelation of the Year award, along with Best Vocal Performer, Male. Later, he went on to be nominated for the Best New Artist at the maiden edition of the Soundcity Music Video Awards. His hit single, Gongo Aso is unarguably, currently the most popular song on radio in Nigeria. But the MOBO award is definitely his biggest 'kill” so far. His unique blend of Yoruba and English lyrics forms a rather unique Afro-Hip Hop which has stuck to his name like a signature. This no doubt, was what gave him the edge over other nominees at the prestigious Mobo award this year.

Like Nigeria's own 9ice, other artistes who got away smiling at the Mobos are: Best UK (Female) Estelle, Best UK (Male) Dizzee Rascal, Best UK (Newcomer) Chipmunk, Best International Act - Chris Brown, Best Reggae Mavado, Best Jazz - YolanDa Brown, Best Gospel Jahaziel, Best Song (American Boy) Estelle, Best R&B/Soul - Chris Brown, Best Hip Hop - Lil' Wayne, Best Video (Bleeding Love) - Leona Lewis, Best Album Spirit - Leona Lewis. The Best Radio DJ was won by BBC Radio 1's Trevor Nelson, while the Best Club DJ went to Tim Westwood. This year’s Lifetime Achievement went to Motown.

Celebrity Takes 2: Aifoyebi wins

Funlola AofiyebiWho would have thought that broadcaster and actress Funlola Aofiyebi is a dancer, or ever imagined her winning a dance competition. But this was the case last Sunday, when Funlola was announced winner of the much publicized reality dance contest, Celebrity Takes 2.

She beat fellow contestants beauty queen Omowunmi Akinifesi to the second position while fuji superstar Wasiu Alabi Pasuma came third. For her effort, sponsors of the contest Skye Bank Plc, gave Aifoyebi a Hummer Jeep and a gold cup.

Ten celebrities began the race, over two months and they were on a weekly, basis evicted by voters, leaving the stage for Aifoyebi, Pasuma and Akinifesi. The show was an initiative of the Spirit of David dance group

Arsenal Need To Be Like Chelsea, Claims Gallas!

Arsenal defender William Gallas, 31, believes that he was made a scapegoat for the Gunners failure to lift any silverware last season.

The French international also admits that Arsenal lack a winning mentality, something Gallas' former club Chelsea had in abundance.

"There was controversy about my captaincy but people had to find a scapegoat as we didn't win any trophies last season," Gallas told the Islington Gazette. "So they talked and talked again about the Birmingham match. Indeed I made a mistake, I must admit I flipped my lid. We should have won that game easily."

He went on to say: "Before Arsenal, I spent six years at Chelsea. That team was capable of getting ugly wins. If we had an opportunity to win a cup, we would never miss it."

"I became imbued with the winning culture, which doesn't exist yet at Arsenal.

"Our game made people dream, but we had empty hands. We have to show a more clinical state of mind," the Arsenal skipper declared.

"I can say we have not seen the Gallas from 2006 this term so far," he added, reflecting on his recent form. "In a few matches, I have not been so good."

"Above all I miss consistency. One match is good, the other one is not so good. However, I am doing everything to get to my best again."

Alan Dawson

Nigeria: Fela Resurrects At 70

Imagine if Fela had been alive, he would have been 70. Now this is a cause to celebrate because Fela is not just anybody; he was Nigeria's version of a human right activist and political maverick, who used his music as a political tool against successive anti-people governments. It would be recalled that his hit album Zombie was a mocking attack on Nigerian soldiers, using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. His songs infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against his Kalakuta Republic, during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Fela was severely beaten, and his aged mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. Kalakuta Republic was razed, and Fela's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Fela claimed that he would have been killed if it were not for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. His response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, Coffin for Head of State and Unknown Soldier, referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier. He later formed his own political party, which he called Movement of the People. In 1979 he put himself forward for President in Nigeria's first presidential elections for more than a decade but his candidature was refused. Until his death, Fela was one Nigerian who made history by openly attacking the government for their injustice. It is for this reason and also for his unique afrobeat kind of music, that the enigma called Fela is being celebrated. The memorial event is tagged Baba @ 70, Felabration 2008 had since commenced on October 14 at the New African Shrine and is due to peak on October 19. The event is an afrobeat extravaganza, a posthumous celebration of Fela's birthday, who would have been 70 years old had he lived till now. Although many people who know Fela's recording from the 1980's and beyond, this show is about Fela at his funkiest, the 1970's. Last Tuesday, there was an exclusive exhibition showing 70, keeping with the theme, original Fela Kuti's vinyl, as well as never-before-seen photographs and some Fela-inspired arts.