9jaNollywoodstars

Pretty,outgoing and intelligent,married prolific actress, Opeyemi, is a paragon of beauty.The graduate of Accounting from the Lagos State University started acting by a stroke of luck and a chance meeting with popular TV producer,Wale Adenuga,she was at the right place at the right time,she went visiting her brother at the Ogun State University.Fortunately, Wale Adenuga was there at the time shooting a movie.She was there watching them in action and somebody just walked up to her and said Mr. Adenuga wanted to see you. That was the beginning of her story and her career has been on the ascendancy ever since.


She started as an innocent and naïve girl who fell to mischievous machinations of some street-wise guys in Gbenga Adewusi’s popular movie; “Ige Adubi”.The happy ending to the story marked the beginning of Opeyemi’s rapid rise to the top. She, however,believe that her rise has not been on a platter of gold but the determined and dedicated.

Opeyemi Ayeola and a few other ladies and guys are the face of the emerging Yoruba movie industry.Most of this class of young,upwardly mobile and daring ladies,the end justifies the means,they breathed a new life to the industry but she belief it has to do with their orientation.Their generation of actors and actresses are much different from the old people.They have been able to bring about professionalism to bear on the industry.

Her success has been at a huge price.Her path to success has been strewn with different negative stories.At a point,the story was her alleged affair with comedian,Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe.At another time,it was said that she has a secret child for an unnamed man.And yet,another had it that she was arrested in England and her controversial relationship with corporate picture boss.These are just few of the several stories that she had to cope with.However,to her credit, Opeyemi has come out stronger each time.She denied most of the rumours,attributing them to enemies.They are just enemies who don’t see anything good in another person.

While she has done well at managing the rumours surrounding her,same cannot be said of cat calls she gets each time she steps out.She has found the antics of the area boys a hard nut to crack.Most times people she doesn’t know would call her number and start telling her all sorts of stories but she found a solution to the problem by making sure that the phone is always with her personal assistant.However,the one she find difficult to escape is the catcalls on the streets.Most times, it is the agberos who make her nervous.

She got married to her sweetheart in a church in England in 2006 and had traditional wedding last year and will most likely quit acting to relocate to England to be with her husband.

Just like Nollywood,the Hausa movie industry has been growing in leaps and bounds, and with its expansion came a crop of talented actors adored by their numerous fans. Since 1999 when it was dubbed Kannywood,it has spread beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries like Ghana, Niger Republic, Sudan, and Chad Republic.

Most of the films that come out from the North are shot in the bustling city of Kano and quite a number of movie have been produced in Kannywood since existence. The most important skill an actor needs is dancing,as most Hausa films have love themes fashioned after Indian films (Bollywood).Good looks are also celebrated.In the beginning of the 1990s,the movie industry changed its phase from its earlier primitive and grassroots aspect to a more modern one with new dimensions.Techniques were adopted that helped to promote it to international standards.Stakeholders began to reshape their activities,which marked the beginning of making romantic,action, political and even spiritual films that suited international cinema criteria.

Kano state,the commercial center of northern Nigeria took up the flag of being the center of the region's movie industry,popularly called "Kanywood".To date,the state has continued to maintain that status.Sixty-five percent of northern Nigerian inhabitants speak Hausa, so filmmakers had no option but to make their movies in that language.

The early artists that contributed in northern Nigeria were Kasimu Yero, from Kaduna, Umar Danjuma from Katsina, Karkuzu from Plateau and many other popular Hausa artists that reigned in the 80s.

Early Kanywood films that achieved international standards were "Gimbiya Fatima," "Kara da Kiyashi," "Ki yarda da ni," and many other interesting films. Though these films were made in the Hausa language and the norms and values of the people were displayed,they were subtitled in English for international audiences.

From the beginning of 1999 to date,Kanywood has reached its peak in the making of Hausa films.The filmmakers explored channels to further improve the quality of their productions,like the use of modern equipment.During the first quarter of 2000, Kanywood filmmakers added new innovations by including traditional singing and dancing.From the same year the filmmakers began to export their films to foreign countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States.

In Nigeria,the rise of Kanywood was not the work of the northern people alone;their southern counterparts also contributed by purchasing films for home viewing.In northern Nigeria, filmmakers generated huge revenues through cinema shows and home viewing.Today,Kanywood has become the focus of unemployed graduates from across northern Nigeria who come to participate in filmmaking as a way to earn their living.Statistics show that over 6,000 individuals are benefiting economically in Kanywood, performing as artists, cameramen, directors, editors, musical composers, and location managers.As a result,unemployment has been drastically reduced in this part of the country.

The Kanywood filmmakers continue to get international recognition.Ali Nuhu, one of the shining stars of the industry bagged a meritorious award sometime ago in the UK and several talented actors and actress received awards from the Hausa filmmaking moderators of Yahoo.

Just like Nollywood, the Hausa movie industry has been growing in leaps and bounds, and with its expansion came a crop of talented actors adored by their numerous fans. Since 1999 when it was dubbed Kannywood, it has spread beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries like Ghana, Niger Republic, Sudan, and Chad Republic. And most of the films that come out from the North are shot in the bustling city of Kano, and close to 300 have been produced in Kannywood’s eight years of existence. The most important skill an actor needs is dancing, as most Hausa films have love themes fashioned after Indian films (Bollywood). Good looks are also celebrated.

Major players in Kannywood

Ali Nuhu

Ali Nuhu is Kannywood’s most talked about actor. He came into the scene in the late 90s. Some of the films that shot him into limelight include Abin Sirrine, Dingala, Yana Yi, and Tasir

Nuhu holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Jos and has won so many awards within and outside our shores.

Ibrahim Maishunku

This 31-year-old actor is among the best in the Hausa movie genre. Ibrahim Maishunku started acting while in SSIII. He has acted in dozens of films and some of them are Alieba, Jarumac and Hujja. The interesting thing is that all the films he has featured in are box office hits.

Kabir Nakwanjo

The octogenarian left 18 years of trading to venture into the world of make-believe. Kabir Nakwanjo is a producer and director, too. He has received several awards for his acting skill from Kaduna and Kano governments and the Bayero University, Kano.

Mustapha Mustapha

Kano-born Mustapha Mustapha is admired for his role delivery. Though a new comer, Mustapha is already a favourite among Hausa movie aficionados. Critics say he has a bright future in acting.

Sharrif Anuni Alhan

This towering fellow rules among the most talented actors in the Hausa movie scene. Alhan is an admired director and producer, too. Married with children, films like Mafia, 419, Rufa-Rufa are among his outstanding works.

Sanni Danja

Sanni Danja is undoubtedly one of the prolific actors, producers and directors in Kannywood. He started acting in 1999 and is known for block-buster movies like Kwarya Tabi Kwaya Zuga Zuga and Students Dalibal. The celebrated actor is also into music production. He is single.

Abba El-Mustapha

Twenty-nine-year-old Abba Mustapha ranks among highly sought after actors in the Hausa movie industry. He is a director and producer of films like Ruda, Girma and Auduga. Fondly called Abba Aruda by his fans, the Bayero University graduate is still single.

Fati Mohammed

Some say that Fati Mohammed is on a sabbatical from acting. But this has not diminished her popularity among movie buffs in the North. Formerly married to another Kannywood star, Sani Musa Mai’iska, the ex-Pittsburg Regional College, London, student has a cult-like fan base.

Zainab Idris

Pretty Zainab Idris is a popular Kannywood actress. Her dancing prowess is her unique selling point. One of the youngest actresses on the scene, the Kaduna State Polytechnic student is in hot romance with another Kannywood star, Abbass Sadiqu. Twenty-six-year-old Zainab has featured in films such as Kallabi and Ikarra.

Kubura Dacko

Niger State-born Kubura Dacko is a starlet in the Hausa movie scene. At a relatively young age (23), Dacko is already staking her claim among older actors. She is considered the best dressed actress in Kannywood. The sociology undergraduate of the Bayero University has acted in many films including Gata, Madafa and Ceata.

Bashir Bala

Call him the best comedian in Kannywood and you will be right. Highly talented in the art of comedy, many Hausa movie fans say he is their number one pick any day. The acting bug bit Bala early in his primary school days. He is also involved in directing and production.

Abbas Sadiqu

Plataue State-born Abbas Sadiqu is a star in the Hausa movie industry. A one-time disc jockey, he has stared in hit movies such as Komai Dozen and Fufar So. Sadiqu is an accounting student at the University of Jos.

Isa Bello Ja

Isa Bello Ja is very much respected in Kannywood. The Sokoto State-born actor is revered in the industry because of his over 30 years acting experience. Isa Bello Ja is one of the leading lights in Kannywood.

Umar Gombe

Umar Gombe, like his name suggests, is from Gombe State. The 23-year-old actor loves adventure a lot. He is currently studying for a degree at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. He is rated as one of the brightest stars in Kannywood with movies like Haske, Saida and Salini. He has a number of awards to his credit.

Hajara Musa

Hajara Musa is one of the biggest actresses in Kannywood. Mummy Haji, as she is fondly called, is regarded as a role model for upcoming actresses. The mother of four starred in some NTA soaps before getting into Hausa home video. She is also a broadcaster.

Ahmad Nuhu

Known for his versatility, directors are full of kind words for him because of the way he interprets his roles. He has played lead roles in some major films in Kannywood including Djangala directed by the late Tijjani Ibraheem. He has appeared in other films like Lnzam Da Wata Al-Mustapha and Akasi both directed by Ishaq Sidi Ishaq. He is married to actress, Hafsat Shehu. They met on the set of Zabari, but fell in love on the set of Yayee. Ahmad and Hafsat are Kannywood’s most celebrated couple.

Safiya Musa

Safiya Musa has a lot going for her as an actress. She is pretty and incredibly talented. In Kannywood she has loads of loyal fans. Her face sells any film she appears in.

Nollywood recorded positive transformations and improvements in terms of quality and number of standard movies produced by the movie makers, as well as superb role interpretations by the Nollywood actors.Outstanding actresses for last year are:


Uche Jumbo:-Uche Jumbo has successfully established herself in Nigeria’s movie industry. The Abiriba-Abia State born actress and graduate of maths and statistics from the University of Calabar is today a renowned actress, producer and script writer . She is also into modelling.



Dakore Egbuson:- This Bayelsa State born dread locked actress, singer and TV Presenter shot into limelight in 2000 through her first movie role in Emotional crack,’ followed by ‘Dangerous sisters’ in 2005. The delectable actress who holds a diploma in mass communication, majoring in PR and advertising has many awards to her credit including the real awards.




Joke Silva:- She has come along way in the make believe industry. Since the early eighties, she has carved out a niche for herself as a serious actress on stage, film, television and radio, primarily in Nigeria and England and a recipient of several awards. Married to veteran international actor, Olu Jacobs, Joke also won the AMAA Best actress award in 2006.




Patience Uzokwor:-Patience Uzokwor is a popular actress and a house hold name in Nigerian moviedom. Her performance in the thespian world is simply breathtaking and sets her far above her peers. Mama Gee as she is popularly called by her fans is known for her wicked roles in movies that many people find it difficult to separate her role in drama from her actions in real life. The seasoned actress, musician, widow and caring mother has toiled to give her children the best of life after the demise of her husband.




Rita Dominic:- The pretty Rita did not disappoint her fans in 2007 as she soared into their hearts with her humidity and roles interpretation. Among her hit movies are ‘Desperate Billionaire,’ ‘Vengeance of a woman” and ‘Girls Cot.” The Mbaise, Imo State born screen diva is a graduate of theatre Arts from University of Port Harcourt (1999). She is single and blessed with stunning and attractive looks.




Genevieve Nnaji:-She is arguably the most prominent actress in Nollywood and has reached the pinnacle of her career as far as movie making is concerned.She made her entry into Nollywood via ‘Most wanted,’ a movie produced by Ralph Nwadike in 1998 where she played the cameo role of a news caster.It wasn’t until she played the lead role in ‘Ijele,’ an Epic film that she shot to the limelight.Since then, she has starred in over five hundred films and was the former face of lux Beauty soap, a modelling job that made her extremely rich.The beautiful actress and mother of one is still single, drives choice cars and lives, at highbrow area of Lagos, evidence of her financial muscle.




Kate Henshaw-Nuttal:- She is a talented actress and a microbiologist. She was launched into limelight through a movie titled “when the sun sets, “which was produced by Hints Magazine. Her ability to perfectly interprete her scripts has earned her a niche in the movie industry. She is happily married with three children.



Bimbo Akintola:- She started her acting career in 1995 when she featured in a Yoruba movie titled ‘Owo Blow.’ She is a graduate of Theatre Arts from University of Ibadan and has featured in several chart buster movies. She also held sway in the movie industry in 2007.

They are easily distinguished actresses because of their acting prowess. Skill apart, they also stand out from the Nollywood crowd because they are physically well endowed. The first thing that tantalizes a man’s sensibility on first contact with these “blessed” actresses is their mesmeric mammary glands which by a freak of nature, are to say the truth- gigantic.

Foluke Daramola
Foluke (nee) Daramola is arguably, the most physically endowed of all Nollywood actresses. Her enormous “twin projections” are more highlighted by her short frame. But her height has not detracted anything from Foluke’s allure. Ditto marriage and child bearing. If anything, Foluke’s rating and desirability seems to be on the upward swing ever since the talented crossover actress swapped last names.

Bimbo Akintola
If there is one actress that can match Foluke Daramola “twin for twin” and “tower for tower,” that actress is sultry beauty, Bimbo Akintola. To say Bimbo is merely busty would be a travesty of injustice. She is well stacked in a proportionate natural composition- made more desirable by her enormous twin mammary.

Cossy Orjiakor
Talk of the most admired and photographed pair of busts this side of the Atlantic and Cossy Orjiakor’s would leap into mind. As a matter of fact, Cossy holds the “distinguished honor” of being one of a few actresses propelled into the limelight courtesy of her enormous breasts. Not that she is a bad actress. Quite the contrary. More focus however has been on the size of her tits rather than on her acting and musical skills.

Ronke Oshodi Oke
As a matter of fact, Ronke’s moniker-Oshodi-Oke, was derived from her heavily fortified twin mammary. The stark reality of the propensity of her “Titanic” boobs were amplified in the home video that shot her into limelight. Ironically entitled “Oshodi-Oke,” the title however had nothing to do with the upper side of the notorious Oshodi area but rather an innuendo created by her co-actor, Baba Suwe, to draw attention to her extra large appendages.

Ini Edo
Delectable Ini Edo made her debut into Nollywood about four years ago. And ever since her emergence on the screen in her first movie entitled “Casandra-Child of Destiny”, movie lovers have not been able to stop talking about her acting prowess, beauty and especially her enchanting cleavage and derriere.

Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka
She came into the limelight in the home video “Ole ku,” where she played the role of Ashake in a Akinwunmi Ishola Yoruba novel. As a matter of fact, Feyikemi’s physical attributes-not excluding her well “top heavy” and well proportioned body- landed her the lead role in the movie.

Nonso Diobi was born July 17th,in Enugu to the Diobi’s family.He grew up in Anambra state,Nigeria.He grew up with a family of 5,2 girls and 3 guys.As the last child of the family,Nonso Diobi always saw himself in the limelight and as an independent individual.He began his own mini business at a tender age,selling clothes to his fellow individual at his high school.His parents exposed him to explore his God given talents by doing stage plays at his local church when he was 15years old.He became one of the best in his church drama group.

In the fall of 2001,he decided to take his acting skills to another level by entering into the now famous Nollywood.He featured in his first movie “Border line” which was shot by top director “Adim William”.His first breakthrough movie “Hatred” came right after he did Border line”.Hei never looked back,as Nollywood keeps calling on this young,handsome,dynamic,and multitalented star with over twenty movies to his credits.

He is the first Nigerian actor to be signed unto Jton Productions in New York,Nonso Diobi is using his opportunities to explore other God talents which he plans to unleash within the next few years.His greatest joy and soul satisfaction is to continue to entertain his fans as they are his number one priority.He finds joy when his fans admire and watches him on screen.One of his goals is to own a studio and enter deep into movie making and Animations.Nonso Diobi’s hobbies are listening to music,dancing,singing,long tennis,playing soccer in his PS2.

Nigeria's Film Industry is # 49 on the list of things to watch out for in 2008,highly impressive.Be sure to mark your calendar for April 26th,2008 when the brightest and best in Africa's Movie industry across the African continent and the diaspora gather for the Africa Movie Academy Awards.The event is quite monumental and historically has attracted actors such as Danny Glover,Monique and Vivica Fox, among others.Showcasing Africa's best performances and talents,AMAA is broadcasted to more than 150 million people across the globe on major local TV channels and satellite stations like NTA, Africa Magic and Ben TV Europe.The African Movie Academy Awards,AMAA is an offshoot of the African Film Academy.The Academy founded on the best film tradition,is geared towards research,training and propagating film making in Africa.Behind it are film producers, directors, designers, writers, critics and scholars who share in the belief of a renaissant African film.AMAA is thus conceptualized as an annual celebration of the brightest and the best in African movie.It is about class and style, blitz, glitz and razzmatazz.

Benita Nzeribe is one of the few actresses in Nollywood who have worked hard to achieve the goal of becoming an A-list performer.From a humble beginning in 1996 on the set of the Beyond Our Dreams TV soap opera the Ihiala, Anambra State-born thespian, is now a strong force to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s movie industry.

It all started when she used to travel all the way from the East to Lagos for auditions.The star actress registered her presence in Nollywood in the movies Notorious Virgin and Gold Diggers in 1999.She has escaped the usual controversies that have always trailed some of her female colleagues in the motion picture industry.She would rather keep anything about her relationship close to her chest But not after assuring that 2008 might be her year when the bright sparks in her love life might come to the fore.

Shy and easy going,she is fondly called by her colleagues and pals as Benny.She divulged that she is afraid of heartbreaks,and as such has built a wall around her emotions.And any guy must have the right equipment that will enable him scale that wall if he wants to see what she keeps locked up in her heart.

Benny,who has acted with some of the best actors around,says she loves working with Olu Jacobs, Ejike Asiegbu, Fred Amata, Oby Edozien, Joke Jacobs, Uche Jombo, Genevieve Nnaji, Dakore Egbuson, Kate Henshaw and so many of her colleagues who have been professional in the discharge of their duties as artistes.

Benita is from the very popular Nzeribe family would rather play down on her family name.This is because she sees herself as someone from a humble background who knows where she is headed.That must be why her background and upbringing has not stood in the way of her life and career.She says she only heard about the issue of sexual harassment,but that she has never been harassed." I have heard people talk about it; I have heard some say they were harassed but I have never been a victim. My determination to succeed as an actress, coupled with the divine guidance from heaven has made it possible for me to have come this far. As a gifted and well groomed actress, any good movie producer will give me my due, and not the other way round as is the case with some up and coming actresses,who because of their urge to get to the top, throw themselves at these moviemakers, and become vulnerable to sexual harassment.

Having made a name in Nollywood, one would expect that the good things of life that go with success would have come her way naturally. She says she has worked very hard,so it is only normal that she would have everything she need.She have a jeep and a Toyota car to sort her transport problems.She lives in a duplex at Ire-Akari Estate in Isolo.There is also a comfortable home in Lekki,where I run to get away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos.She has indeed done well for herself.

She said that right now she would be patient and concentrate on her career, as she still believes that instead of looking for Mr. right,it was better to make herself the right person so men would come looking for her.she said her ideal man must be one who understands her feelings,and who will always be straight with her in all matters.A man that loves a woman knows his limits, no matter what he does. And I think that is every woman’s dream.

Aside acting, Benita also does a bit of modelling and interior decorations when she is having less work on her hands, and has found it rather interesting and enjoyable.

In the present day Nollywood where movies are churned out on a daily basis,Benita revealed that she has done close to over 100 movies in Nollywood as an actress, and still remembers how bad her parents felt when they found out that she was in the acting career.

She said they did not "kick against her choice, but they were skeptical about her career choice. But thank God she is been able to prove them wrong.They let me be after seeing the success I’ve made of myself."

Throwing more light on her background she said "I was born in Aba and grew up in so many places.I attended primary and secondary school in Aba and Umuahia.I also attended a convent school with the hope of becoming a reverend sister." But she left when she felt that was not for her. She recalled that growing up was normal and nice for her. It was "nothing too fantastic with little pains here and there. The fondest memories about my growing up years came when my dad bought me my first car at the age of 14.Growing up was indeed fun for Benita who happens to be a third child out of four children, two boys and two girls, born to her parents. Her dad is an international businessman, "while mum is a retired chief nurse."

Benita believes she made it big because God has been good to her. She may be up there with the stars but she has never forgotten where she is coming from. One reason no doubt why she has kept her head in the face of her fame and fortune. She has not stopped praying "that we all join hands together to build Nollywood and make it a better place."

While looking back at the journey of Nollywood, Benita opined that government should come in and do more by giving support in all areas that concern the motion picture industry. To her things can still get better if the right attention is given to Nollywood.