Nneka Tells CNN Of World Of Love And Injustice In Nigeria

Nneka

It is a long journey from the Niger Delta to the concert halls of the United States, but it is one that Nneka is taking in her stride.

Nneka is a Nigerian singer and songwriter, who is making her name on the world stage and earlier this year, released her debut album and tour in the US.

At 28, Nneka is relatively a newcomer to music. She has only been singing for around five years, but wasted no time in winning over both fans and critics.

Last year, she won the prestigious MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award in the UK for Best African Act.

Her work combines soul, hip hop, reggae and African music, but the lyrics have an unashamedly Nigerian tone, covering among her themes, injustice in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

If you speak about corruption or hypocrisy of religious leaders, people don’t want to hear that.

“My music is very versatile, very mixed. I have different influences, Afrobeat, hip hop, reggae, raga, soul, a little bit of rock and, of course, the indigenous African or Nigerian influence,” she told CNN.

Nneka grew up in Warri in the Niger Delta region with a Nigerian father and German mother. She went to university in the German city of Hamburg and it was there that her singing career took off.

She told CNN: “When I went to Germany and being in a place where you have no connection, you are confronted in a totally different culture, tradition, mentality.”

“You’re here on your own, you need to function and that’s where music came in,” she continued.

It didn’t take long for her voice to make an impression in Germany and she began touring Europe and releasing albums while still in university.

In an interview with the Sunday Times last year, Nneka said: “In Nigeria, if you say you’re a singer, people say, ‘So what? Everyone sings.’ In Germany, my voice stood out more.”

This year, Nneka is touring the United States for the first time, playing at venues such as the Los Angeles Troubadour, a West Hollywood club played by Elton John and James Taylor early in their careers.

She has been chosen by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae star, Damian Marley, to join them on their Distant Relatives tour.

“It’s not just a tour about entertainment or music alone, but about connecting people around the world and making us understand that we’re all part of that one entity, which is love,” Nneka told CNN. “And I’m happy that I’m the person they chose to represent Africa, which is a big opportunity.”

While Nneka is captivating audiences around the world, it is playing in her native Nigeria which is most rewarding—but also risky—for her because of the political content of her lyrics.

According to her, “I must say I feel responsible for my people. People who might not have the courage to stand up or the opportunity to stand up and speak about things that are very delicate and that people do not want to hear.”

“People can identify,” she explained, “but at the same time, there are a lot of people, especially the government, who have problems with my speaking my mind or the minds of many.

“If you speak about the exploitation in the Niger Delta, nobody wants to hear that,” she continued. “If you speak about corruption or hypocrisy of religious leaders, people don’t want to hear those things.”

Nneka gives some hint on the background to her passionate lyrics when she describes her upbringing in Warri.

“You can imagine what kind of condition that may be, growing up around pipelines, around people who are very agitated and fighting for their rights, human and civil rights,” she told CNN.

“But you know, despite that chaos and the agitation, people still are able to feel comfort and peace within the madness,” she continued. “That is actually what has triggered me into going into music and doing music the way I do it.”

Story by Bayo Adetu
Source nigeriafilms.com

‘We’re Confused In Nollywood’---Clarion Chukwurah

Clarion Chukwurah

Nollywood actress and Chief Executive Officer of Jade Production, Clarion Chukwurah, has said that confusion reigns supreme in the movie industry.

The actress, who said she could no longer bear the plague that is ravaging the industry, has also advocated the introduction of the Nigerian Movie Workers’ Union and the Nigerian Movie Owners’ Union, to regulate the industry.

The actress decried the influx of Ghanaian actors and actresses into the Nigerian film industry.

According to her, the industry is faced with myriads of problems including poorly produced films, poorly paid practitioners, low budget, lack of product publicity and limited distribution channels.

“The Ghanaian movie industry union influenced market strategy has taken over Nigerian actors’ job in Nigeria by Ghanaian actors due to lack of a legislation,” she said, describing Actors and Directors Guild of Nigeria as not true representatives of all movie makers in Nigeria and that no single body could represent the workers and owners without creating constant conflict of interest.

“I have come forward with this call to unionise the Nigerian film industry which consists of players from Northern, Eastern and Western Nigeria, the Niger Delta and the Middle Belt.

“Based on my conviction and research, unionisation is the best way to adequately serve and protect the interest of all parties sustainable for posterity,” she added.

The actress also advocated for a movie workers’ union backed by legislation that will ensure that no non-union member works on any Nigerian film set. The union, according to her, will also ensure that only professionals work in the industry.


Story by Rukayat Igbanor
nigeriafilms.com

After 22 yrs in US, I returned to Nigeria with only $100----Victor Olaotan

Victor Olaotan

Victor Olaotan, the 58-year old lead actor in the popular M-Net productions, Tinsel, is a veteran actor. He started acting more than two three decades ago when he joined the University of Ibadan theatre group, which other artistes like Professor Wole Soyinka and Jimi Solanke among others. In this exclusive interview, the popular actor, who lived in the US for more than 20 years spoke on his passion, acting, sojourn abroad, which according to him, left him 'high and dry' and his encounter with the production which offers him a new lease of life.

In the beginning

I got into acting through a teacher who was a member of Ori Olokun Theatre group in the 70's. He gave me the opportunity to act for the first time in my life. I was 15years old then. From that time, I had contact with other acting groups like Jimi Solanke, Akin Sofoluwe, Yomi Fawole, and the late Laide Adewale.

The irony of my life is that my father wanted me to be a medical doctor. I was good in Chemistry, Biology, and Further Mathematics. So automatically you know I am going to medical school. My father later died and maybe that was why I was able to do whatever I liked.
I started playing football for Water Corporations in Ibadan and they were rivals to the then IICC shooting stars, now 3SC shooting stars. I played for five years and they later disbanded the team. My parents are partly Ijesha and Ogun state.

I met with Laolu Ogunniyi, and I did another film with him before I went to America in 1978. While in America, I was involved in another professional acting. I met top Hollywood actors.

With Laolu Ogunniyi, I was able to do the first television drama in Nigeria which lasted for three hours. I became popular in Ibadan and other western states. Anywhere I went in western state, they always call me by the name of the character, Dotun Oluronbi.

When I joined the performing theatre group in the University of Ibadan, Wole Soyinka was there, Dr Dapo Adegbite was there, Wale Ogunyemi, Jimi Solanke , Tunji Oyelana were all there. Tunji Oyelana was actually an actor but he did his music underground before he later took to music professionally. With all these great people around me, I was able to blossom into a fantastic actor. Because I had the same voice with Jimi Solanke, whenever I came on stage the directors no longer bothered about Jimi Solanke. With that I did so many productions like 'Lion of the Jewel' by Wole Soyinka. We were going to all the universities in Nigeria. Then, there were only five universities, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Lagos.

Acting then and now

In my years of experience, I have come across every notable man that you know in the performing act, and I learnt so much. Unfortunately today, the platform does not have the enigma that it used to have in those days. Acting at that time was totally different from now. Now, it has become commercialized. Young actors who are coming today don't have the opportunity to experience the training that we had. All of them want to be stars. We had to learn the hard way. We used to rehearse from 6pm till 6am the following day. That was how Prof Wole Soyinka rehearsed. Everybody can relax from morning till evening but once it is evening, that is when he works best, and I suspect that he writes most of his plays at that time too.

The trainings I had here were very useful for me when I got to the US because I met one Hollywood actor who wanted to take me in, but because of my citizenship factor, I couldn't get in. I wanted to register with the actors' guild when a friend of mine called me that he had a production, that as professionals we should travel around. We left US and went to Canada, Europe and started acting.

Sojourn abroad

I traveled abroad in 1978 and came back in 1980. They were selecting eight and good performing artistes in Nigeria and I happened to be one of them. Others were Tunji Oyelana, Yemi Remi, Joe Adigwe, Demola Onibon-Okuta, Tayo Taiwo and others. We went to five states in United States and the president of the US at that time gave us a brooch each. It is called presidential medal. If you are giving that brooch, no matter what you do in America, you will be forgiving because it shows that you have been pardoned by the president. I don't know where I put mine till today. I lost it maybe out of youthful exuberance. I went to three different universities in the United States to study acting.
When I was in the US, I was working for a company that produced perfumes as an auditor, and I was earning $35,000 annually. Later it became $55, 000. I worked there for five years and later moved to a car manufacturing company. There I was earning $120,000 annually while my wife was earning $170,000 where she was working as an executive. We were making good money. I had about seven cars and three houses in Atlanta, New Jersey and one other city. I had to leave all that because of my tax issue. I wasn't paying the right amount of tax I was supposed to pay and in that case if you are arrested, it is either you spend the rest of your life in jail or you pay triple of what you owe. When I calculated everything, it was over $4million. There was no way I could pay that money. The reason why I became a pauper was because I left all my properties in America. I had to run back to Africa. The IRS took over all the other properties. When I came back to Nigeria, I had only $100 and my suitcase with me. I couldn't hold big money.

Back home

I came to Nigeria in 2002 and opened a computer engineering outfit which I ran from 2002 to 2005. Then a friend of mine who have a filling station asked me to join him. He saw the way I was running the computer engineering office and I didn't have the money to upgrade. I needed about N1million but I couldn't find it. So I became a petrol station dealer with my friend. I still do that now. I am the Managing Director of Con oil, Oregun.

Friends noticed that I was back from the US, so they invited me to a festival organized by NANTAP. They wanted to do an old film by Wale Ogunyemi and they wanted old time characters who took part in the original film. Since I was part of the characters in the old ones, they called me. I wanted to play the lead role, but all the characters in that film are leading roles. It is about four main characters. So Akin Lewis played Sanmi Ajao while I played the house boy. It was fantastic. After that experience, everybody started saying they didn't know I am still good as I was back then. Eventually, I had to come back into acting. The reason I didn't want to come back in the first place was that I actually studied film directing and it takes a lot of money to do a good production and because I don't have that kind of money, I don't feel good to do a less than excellent performance.

I got back into theatre and started doing some modeling. I got some Globacom adverts. I understand I have some of the adverts I did at the airports though I am yet to see them up till now.

Growing up

I had a good childhood. I was a very active young man. I used to play football because I am a very good footballer. My father was a retired policeman; he had three wives and twenty children. As a young man, I wanted to have seven children. Then, seven, to me was ideal but today I think three is even too much. I was a Catholic. I didn't have a girlfriend until I was 22year old. So when I got to 'know' women, I went wild. I had my first son when I was 25year old.

Married life

I was married in the US to an African American woman for 17 years, but got divorced in 1998, for reasons I don't want to divulge on the page of newspaper. I remarried when I came to Nigeria to my ex-girlfriend. When I came home, I didn't even know she was still available. Somebody just told me that he saw my ex-girlfriend, that she is now a serious born again Christian. She was celibate for seven years before we met. She didn't have a boyfriend; in fact I later found out that I was her last boyfriend before I traveled abroad in the 80's. After I left, anytime she fell in love with someone, they would jilt her. When I left, I couldn't come home because I had problem with my papers abroad and that was how I couldn't marry her then. So I got to meet her again when I came back but this time, she was a different person. I wanted to continue from where we left off but she said no, that she has promised God that the next man she goes to bed with must be her husband. I had to wait for six months before we got married again.

After marriage, all the excitements of wanting to be with a woman were gone. We couldn't even sleep with each other until after two weeks. I saw then that God's hands were in my life. I have a 32year old son and a daughter who is also in the US. From my recent marriage; and I also have three children from my marriage in Nigeria.

Tinsel

It was my wife that was working with them on the production aspect. We were discussing about their trip to South Africa one day, and she told me that they were about to start the auditioning. I didn't know I would be given a lead role. The job has really changed my life. We work round the clock from morning to evening. It is not a fire brigade approach like Nigeria film industry. Everything is planned. We work very hard. Every now and then and it is definitely rewarding.

Unforgettable memories

I wont forget the day my girlfriend told me she was pregnant. I almost went dead. I had to go and tell my mother, and eventually we had to go and see her family and I accepted the situation. They wanted me to sign an undertaking that I would marry her after I finish school, but I said I can't promise that. After some years, she abandoned the boy and traveled abroad.

Initially, I didn't have a smooth relationship with the boy. There was a time he was revolting. He even told me to my face that we shouldn't have given birth to him when we knew we were not going to take care of him. I was wondering if I and the mother were around, he would have had a better upbringing. I still communicate with my daughter in the US.

Another was when the IRS issued me a letter that I violated the tax law. I nearly passed out. It was trying times for me.

Another time was when my mother died. I was in America and didn't know. There was a guy in the US that had the same initials and surname with me. This guy died, so people were saying it was me. My mum believed that I was dead. When I came home in 2002, I now learnt that my mother was dead. I asked when and was told 2001. Before I came, we lost contact. I sent money for them to buy phone so that we could be communicating, but I don't know want happened. I was sending money for her but till today, I still don't know whether she got the money I was sending to her. My brothers and sisters have refused to tell me what happened.

Regrets

My greatest regret is leaving the US. I should have stayed back and fight the case instead of running back to Africa. Maybe I would have won it. I might have found a solution to the issue.

Hope for Nigerians in US

As a Nigerian, you shouldn't have any problem in the US if you don't engage in fraud or any bad thing. It is difficult to get a good job. Even the Americans don't get good jobs. If you have a good job, you will be okay. It is when people want to get rich quick that you get into trouble. I was lucky, though I didn't get a job on time, but when I got one, I lived well. I even worked for a security company.


Story by ADETUTU AUDU & AYODELE OLALERE
Source : nigeriafilms.com

The Lion July 23 to August 22

Leo! About Your Sign...
The Leo type is the most dominant, spontaneously creative and extrovert of all the zodiacal characters. In grandeur of manner, splendor of bearing and magnanimity of personality, they are the monarch's among humans as the lion is king of beasts. They are ambitious, courageous, dominant, strong willed, positive, independent, self-confident there is no such a word as doubt in their vocabularies, and they are self-controlled. Born leaders, either in support of, or in revolt against, the status quo. They are at their most effective when in a position of command, their personal magnetism and innate courtesy of mind bringing out the best of loyalty from subordinates. They are uncomplicated, knowing exactly what they want and using all their energies, creativeness and resolution to get it, as well as being certain that they will get whatever they are after. Their followers know where they are with Leonians. Leonians think and act bigger than others would normally dare; the ambitiousness of their schemes and idealism sometimes daunt their followers, their practical hardheadedness and ability to go straight to the heart of any problem reassures those who depend on them. If Leonians meet with setbacks they thrive on the adversity.

On the whole they are powers for good, for they are strongly idealistic, humane, and beneficent. They have powerful intelligence and are of a broad philosophical, sometimes religious, turn of mind. Those who are devout may become very obstinate in upholding traditional beliefs and will cling tenaciously, but with complete sincerity, to practices and doctrines which liberal thinkers regard as absurdly out-of-date. These will be found as the 'lions' of industries, and in the forefront of the cutting edge of technologies.

Their faults can be as large in scale as their virtues, and an excessively negative Leonian can be one of the most unpleasant human beings imaginable, displaying extreme arrogance, autocratic pride, haughtiness, and excessive hastiness of temper. If jealously suspicious of rivals, they will not hesitate to use cunning, lies and trickery to discredit them. Self-centeredness, greed for flattery, boastfulness, and bombast, pomposity, snobbish superiority, and overbearing, and intolerant disdain of underlings; to whom they will nevertheless delegate the carrying out of minor details in their grandiose schemes, and from whom they are not above borrowing immoderately if an occasion necessitates it. Any of these can be characteristic of Leo.
Add to them a passion for luxury, a lust for power, unlimited sexual lust, and emotional indulgence, and a character emerges that no one would want to know either in public life or private. But their pride may go before a fall, as uncontrolled impetuosity is likely to bring them low. Fortunately it is rare that a Leo is so undisciplined as to give way thoroughly to this list of vices, and their tendencies to them are usually balanced by an innate wisdom. Those who are afflicted with them also have the intelligence it takes to consciously and actively overcome them.

In professional life they do well at any vocation at which there is room at the top. As politicians they are content with nothing less than a powerful position in government. In business they may be the chairman of their company's board, or at least directors or managers. They are excellent organizers and overseers, often laying the groundwork for new projects. If from the artisan ranks of society they will aspire to become the boss, partly because they are ambitious by nature, partly because they dislike manual labor, preferring to take charge of others doing it. If artistic, Leos can become stars of stage or screen (their bent is serious rather than light drama), maestros as musicians where they will gravitate toward the grand instruments or activities, such as the organ or conducting of orchestras and as painters; anything grand in conception and scale appeals to them. Leo women make exceptionally good welfare workers.

In his or her relations with others the Leo type is open, sincere, genuine and trusting. Outgoing, spontaneously warm hearted and plain spoken, though never lacking in kindliness, Leos are more disillusioned than the average if let down by those they trust. They are not good judges of character and are inclined to favoritism and an exaggerated faith in their followers which too often ends in disappointment. They have a strong sex drive and are so attracted to the opposite sex that they find it hard to be constant; they can be so intensely sexual as to become dissolute. They may have numerous love affairs for their love of pleasure and beauty is liable to drive them from one attractive partner to another. They are very much inclined to deceive. Their marriages may fail for the same reason, yet they are sincere and generous to their lovers while love lasts, and will remain attached to their homes so long as it is run for their benefit. They demand service but are incapable of giving it.

Possible Health Concerns...

Physiologically, Leo governs the upper back, forearms, wrist, spine and heart. Its natives are subject to a number of ailments: pain in the back and lungs, spinal complaints, diseases of the heart and blood, sickness in ribs and sides, convulsions, pleasantries, violent burning fevers including, in former days, when they were prevalent, plague, pestilence, jaundice, and some afflictions of the eyes.

Source : astrology-online.com

CASH MONEY

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FELLOW FORUMNIST



Story by Nigeriafilms.com

Again, Lara Adeboye finds love

Lara Adeboye finds love

Lara Adeboye, wife of the late radio presenter and comedian, Gbenga Adeboye, has now found a new love. We gathered that the lady, who recently dumped her former lover, Alhaji Lukman Ajuwon, a top notch of the National Union of Road and Transport workers (NURTW) in Ifo Local Government, Ogun State, due to some irreconcilable differences, is now in love with a top staff member of the Ministry of Information, Ogun State.

According to a source, the man, simply known as Oluwole, lost his wife in an auto crash two years ago.

“The man is in his 40s and he has a daughter. He has been seen together on several occasions with the light-complexioned woman and they are so much in love with each other. In fact, Lara even confided in her friends that she might consider marriage again,” the source said.

The source further revealed that her children and relatives also liked the man and might support her if she decided to go ahead to marry him.
However, in a telephone chat, she said, “What else do you want me to say? Does my comment matter anymore when you already have your story? So, you can go ahead and write it.”


Story by BAYO ADEOYE
Source: nigeriafilms.com

Update: “Terry G is okay” says Manager,

Terry G

Nigerians can now heave a slight sigh of relief. It would appear that all is well with Terry G and his House of Ginjah label mates, despite the accident that left his car a wreck at 3am this morning in Ogba, Ikeja.

Below is a message from Terry G’s manager just now circulated to members of the media updating the public on the singer’s situation.

“My people, no shaking at all!” The message reads. “This is to confirm that Terry G and some members of House of Ginjah actually had an accident in the early hours of today and to also confirm that they are all very ok now. We thank God for mercies. We will keep you all updated. Thanks for the love. Ayo”

Also, his PA, simply known as Uche, whose phone has been unavailable all day finally spoke with us and confirmed the incident. Sounding confused and almost at the point of tears, he stated that the singer is alive and well but is in a “critical condition”, although he would not disclose what hospital he has been admitted to.

Already, many have begun to draw analogies with the accident of rapper Da Grin, with entertainment entrepreneur and comedian Tee-A saying on Twitter, “Whatever happens, they must not take terry G to LUTH o!” It will be recalled that the late rapper was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital upon his accident also in the early hours of the morning and he passed away.

However, we can take a little comfort in the words of his manager: “They are all very ok now.”

#More details as they emerge.

Story by ymag

T-MONEY,NEW KID ON THE BLOCK IN GARDENCITY

T-MONEY, AN UPCOMING ARTISTE BASED IN PORT HARCOURT IS GRADUALLY PULLING HER WEIGHT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.IN THIS CHAT SHE REVEALS HER REAL SELF.

BACKGROUND:

My name is Tina Ewa,with the stage name T-MONEY . I hail from Ogoja Borum in Boki L.G.A of Cross River State. I happen to be the first daughter in a family of eight.

INSPIRATION:

Becoming a celebrity is what really inspires me most. I love to be in the shoes of celebrities like Beyonce and Mary J. I want to give out my best to my country Nigeria

ROLE MODEL:

Beyonce

How YOU RELAX:

I love to relax in my room when ever I come back from work.

HOBBIES:

Reading, watching movies, sharing jokes and singing.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS:

I Want to be known as a star that touches lives with my music and also to be a role model to the younger generation.

FAVOURITE COLOURS:

Red, Pink, White, Blue and Green.

FINAL WORD TO YOUR FANS:

Thanks to you all for your love and support, expect the best of T-MONEY.

Story by Eric Jeminiwa/Nigeriafilms.com

BREAKING NEWS: Terry G In Terrible Car Crash!

Terry G is lucky to be alive, after a nasty accident that left his car badly damaged around 3AM today.

The singer-producer was on his way home, after hanging out with friends in Ikeja, Lagos, when he ran into the road demarcation around Chemiron, close to Sunday Market, in Ogba.

An eye witness tells us Terry was the one driving, and he was in the car with friends.

‘The car is gone’ our source says. ‘And Terry is in the hospital responding to treatment’.

No word yet on where he’s being treated. His mobile phone is off, his BlackBerry inactive. And although his manager assures us ‘everything is under control’; we have cause to worry because he is either unwilling to offer details on the singer’s whereabouts, or he just doesn’t have the details.

Two members of House of Ginjah who were riding with him are also believed to be undergoing treatment.

The car- A Toyota Camry – is now lying at the office of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Why marriages of celebrities' crash ---Chidi Ihezie-Okafor

Chidi Ihezie-Okafor

She’s a talented, sultry actress, presenter and the CEO of Sochis Beauty Salon and Spa Center.

Married to a loving husband with two kids, Chidi Ihezie-Okafor has being in the Nigerian movie industry for 16 years. Her role in Billionaires Club in 2003 catapulted her into the limelight and since then, she has featured in countless movies including: My in-law, Deceiver, I’m in love, Fire on the mountain, 100% husband ---and many more.

In a recent chat with RITA OKAFOR, in her Akwonjo home, this Imo State born diva revealed the secret behind her successful marriage amidst several broken relationships of her colleagues, why she took a break from her acting career, her pet projects and other issues.
Ecerpts:

Busy year

This year, I have being very busy doing other things aside acting. That’s the major reason I have not featured in movies lately. You know, it’s not easy to be a wife, mother, actress, considering other roles attached to them. Honestly, it has been very challenging.

I had to reject some of the jobs that would take me outside Lagos, so I could devote more time to my kids and husband. Right now, they are my priorities; they come before any other thing, business, acting or whatever. I wouldn’t say I regret the break because the joy of seeing my kids grow around me is incomparable.

My in-laws love kids because they are not many in the family, so I intend to give them what they desire and deserve.This year was their year; I will surely bounce back early next year, by the grace of God. Many of my fans have being calling to know why I my face has been scarce in the entertainment industry. They thought I had quit acting. I have not; I just went for a short break.

Other projects

I have other projects at hand at the moment, so you see I am not just sitting at home, baby nursing.I was a presenter at Ogene T.V in Daarsat, alongside Florence Onuma. It is called Ejirimara. It’s a medium where we interview and chat with Igbo speaking celebrities in their local language.

Few months ago, I opened Sochis Beauty and Spa Center, where ladies could walk in and make their hair, nails, body massage, facials and other body beautifications. It has not being easy running the centre, but I thank God, because it has been wonderful so far.

I decided to try my hands on other things because I don’t want to depend solely on my acting career. Though my husband is up and doing, I am only trying to support him the little way I can. I really found the beauty center very helpful.

My husband & I

I got married to my husband 10 years ago and since then, we have been living together peacefully like brother and sister.
My husband is very understanding and supportive. He understands the nature of my job more than I do. Most times, I bring my scripts home to him and we go through them together, he also coaches me on how to go about it.

When I informed him of my plan to go into another business alongside acting, he gave me all the necessary assistance; financially, emotionally and otherwise. Our marriage is over a decade old now, yet it seems like yesterday, we have grown to be fonder of each other.

Why marriages of celebrities' crash

Most times people get married for the wrong reasons. Some women marry their husbands because of his fat account or his position. When the money is gone, that would be the beginning of their marital problems. Some may end up marrying the wrong man or woman.

Another major cause is pride. Some women are not submissive. Even the Bible gave the man authority over the woman and the women were told to be submissive to their husbands. But when the reverse is the case, what do you expect?

A marriage without God, is standing on sinking sands, anything could happen at anytime. My joy is that I am convinced that I married my own husband and not another person’s, that’s why my marriage is not shaking.

I try as much as I can to say sorry, even when my husband offends me, I would be the first to say sorry to him, just to make peace reign. Some women find that move very difficult to make.

One other thing we fail to understand is that the men like being in charge. So, you have to give them all the respect and authority they deserve if you want your marriage to last long.

Challenges

There is no work without challenges. Combing the roles of a wife, mother, actress and beauty shop C.E.O has not being easy. But my husband has been very supportive, both at home and in my shop. There are certain things he helps me to do. Since I don’t have a house help, my husband and I do most of our house chores together. Then, here in my shop, I have to be there always to attend to my numerous customers.

Although, I have staff that specialize in diverse positions but most times, my customers would want me to be there for them. Most especially my colleagues in Nollywood, they call to confirm my presence in the shop before they would come to patronize me.

I'll be back in Nollywood

Like I said earlier, by next year, I will surely bounce back to my acting career either as an actress or producer or both. I have missed going to locations to shoot because it’s lots of fun being with my colleagues acting and chatting. Most of my colleagues still come around to spend some time with me. I still enjoy few advantages as a celebrity. I go to parties or occasions and still enjoy the advantages of an actresses.

Quarrelsome actresses

Yes, I have heard much about the quarrels and backbiting dominating the Nigerian movie industry these days. But I am not involved. I greet whosoever comes my way. I often go to AGN (Actors Guild of Nigeria) office to know how they are faring. I don’t have problems or keep malice with anyone, be you an actress, producer, director or whoever.

I don’t’ have time to fight, quarrel or exchange words with anyone, because I strongly believe that what is for me will never pass me by.
If a particular role, is the problem I will leave for the person fighting over it, if God has stated that it would be for me, there is nothing that person would do to change that.

The movie that brought me to limelight, I didn’t drag it with anyone, so why now that I could still feature in as many movies as I want.
But the fact that I am gentle and easy going doesn’t meant that people should start stepping on my toes to know what I would do. As much as I would not fight you, I would make sure I tell you something that you will never stop thinking about.

Tochi (Chidi Ihezie -left) and Benson (Clem Ohameze) look surprised when Tochi's father, Echidime (Nkem Owoh -below) catches them together.

Echidime spies his daughter and Benson together at the newsstand