9jaNollywoodstars

About ten years ago, most of them were either not there at all or mere newbies in the industry. Today, however, they call the shots and command the big bucks to boot.


FunkeAkindele

Most Nollywood fans started seeing her in I Need To Know, a television series about teenage sexuality funded by some international agencies.
Later, she broke into Nollywood appearing in both Yoruba and English language movies. Today, she has already notched up several appearances such that one would think she has been there all these years.


BukkyWright

She studied Economics at the University of Lagos, but somehow found herself in the movie world. Her first time out was on the set of Fidelis Duker's Images; and since then, she has not looked back.When Tunde Kelani came with Saworo Ide, she was effectively in the limelight and followed it up with appearances in Wale Adenuga's Super Story series as Abike in Oh

father oh! Daughter. She has also tried her hands at producing her own movies, with flicks like Owo Ale (debut movie), 7’oclock, Agbeke, Temi Ni Nkem and Dugbe Dugbe to Nbo. If she is not on set, she is into some buying and selling


GraceAmah

She wanted to read Law at the University of Ibadan, but something would chip in to change her path altogether introducing her into acting which would later become a passion. She dumped Law. She first appeared on a a television series: One Bad Apple. Then came Day of Atonement, Elastic limit, Cinderella, Atlanta, Love, Paradise and soon she can't keep track of the number again.


UcheJombo

Her father warned her not to go into acting, but she disobeyed and went headlong into it. Then she got her first movie role in Visa To Hell. Since then, many other roles have followed. Today, she is making waves and money.


BimboAkintola

This University of Ibadan Theatre Arts graduate first starred in Out of Bounds, Mourning After. Her movie roles cut across both the English and Yoruba sectors.
Today, as a result of her background in Theatre Arts, she still has the chance to act on stage. Money-wise, she is also one of the highest paid female actresses around.


Eucharia Anunobi

‘U.K’ as friends and colleagues fondly call her, started off as a model; fashion and photography when she was an English Language undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.She came into the movie Industry when she acted in Nneka the Pretty Serpent (Part II) as a goddess and later had her break when she starred in Glamour Girls(Part II).


Carol Ekanem
Since she cut her teeth in acting when she featured in Chico Ejiro’s Deadly Kiss, Carol Uduak Abasi Ekanem has never looked back. Born to a British mother and a Nigerian father, Carol went into acting not only for the fame and glamour, but to use her talent to impact on her society. Though blessed with ravishing beauty, Caroline is not one of those Nollywood actresses who allow the glamour of screen acting to get into their heads.


Jummai Joseph
In Nollywood today, soft-spoken actress, Jummai Joseph stands out as one of the most beautiful and successful actresses. A product of Kogi State University where she read Mass Communication, aside acting and producing, this second daughter of a serving police officer is also the C.E.O. of Kleen Image Pictures, a complete production outfit. I’m child number two from a family of eight. We are four at par. I’m from the Igala-speaking area of Kogi State. Mum is a successful trader, while dad is a police officer working and residing in Abuja. So many of them. Disguise, Shadows, Ogidan, Ale Ariwo, Camouflage, Blood Money, Oracle, Faces, Culprit and few others.



Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

She is another actress who has proved that she is also one of the best around. She hit the limelight with her role in "Mortal Inheritance" years back and also proved her worth in Kingsley Ogoro's movie, "Prostitute",.She is from a family of five (5); Mrs & Mrs Shola Jalade (both late) and two brothers Tayo and Bolaji Jalade. She attended Christland Nursery School, Opebi, Lagos and Oxford Children School Santos Layout. She then proceeded to Kaduna for her Secondary education at Command Secondary School. She is currently undertaking a HND course in Estate Management at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos.

Prior to 1984, film lovers in Nigeria had to be contended with going to cinema houses.The tide changed remarkably when in 1984 Alade Aromire produced the first made in Nigeria home video titled ‘Ekun.’ Though far from being a commercial success, the production of ‘Ekun’ on VHS format opened a new chapter in the evolution of home video film industry in the country.

It was in1996 that home video made its biggest impact in Nigeria. It was the year Kenneth Nnebue produced “Living in Bondage,” a soar-away commercial success.Thereafter,he has produced other equally successful home video like Bondage, True Confessions, Dirty Deal, Glamour Girls, and Rituals etc.It did not only mark the turning point for the Nigerian film industry but also opened the floodgate of investment, entertainment and employment. The rush to cash in on the glamour inherent in these films which fascinated viewers made other movie makers to join in.

At this early stage of the development of the home video industry, the trend was for the marketers to converge in the Surulere Area of Lagos where most of the pioneers of the industry operate. They includes: Zeb Ejiro and his brothers Chico and Peter, Kenneth Nnebue (Nek Video), Opa Williams and several others.The modus operandi was for the marketers to pay money to the producers who will hire the scriptwriters, the actors and assemble his production crew. The marketers’ surfaces gain to pay the balance of the production in case of outright sales or to negotiate the terms of release of the flick with the movie maker.
In those days, the marketers limited themselves to finding ways to distribute and market the films they were interested in and nothing more. These were the days when films such as Tears for love, Flesh and Blood, Goodbye Tomorrow, Glamour Girls and the rest were made. Such was the success story of the Nigerian move industry a.ka. Nollywood. The artistes became familiar faces in several parts of Africa and beyond. Nigerian films were hailed for their richness in cultural background, costumes, humour and their distinct difference from that of Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India which the world had been used to films, which fascinated viewers, made other movie makers to join in.


At this early stage of the development of the home video industry, the trend was for the marketers to converge in the Surulere Area of Lagos where most of the pioneers of the industry then operated. They include: Zeb Ejiro and his brothers Chico and Peter, Kenneth Nnebue (Nek Video), Opa Williams and several others. Then, the modus operandi was for the marketers to pay money to the producers who will hire the scriptwriters, the actors and assemble his production crew. The marketers’ surfaces gain to pay the balance of the production in case of outright sales or to negotiate the terms of release of the flick with the movie maker.
In those days, the marketers limited themselves to finding ways to distribute and market the films they were interested in and nothing more. These were the days when films such as Tears for love, Flesh and Blood, Goodbye Tomorrow, Glamour Girls and the rest were made. Such was the success story of the Nigerian move industry a.ka. Nollywood. The artistes became familiar faces in several parts of Africa and beyond. Nigerian films were hailed for their richness in cultural background, costumes, humour and their distinct difference from that of Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India which the world had been used to.


This was before the marketers hijacked the industry. It all started with Kenneth Nnebue, the pioneer producer to venture into the market at Idumota with his dual role as producer and marketer. The marketers at Idumota also believed that they could handle the roles and now took up the title of executive producer, which gave them the opportunity to dictate to the movie makers. Initially, they started by choosing the kind of stories they wanted and cajoling the producers to use certain locations. In no space of time, they started dictating the actors and actresses they wanted on films. Before any body could guess their next move, some of them even became directors and established their offices among the film makers themselves.
While the real professionals were yet to fathom that move, the marketers began to dictate who must get roles and who should not get roles. Six years ago the marketers struck with a ban on Hilda Dokubo and Ejike Asiegbu, the offence of the duo was that they were too critical of the marketers. The ban was however, a clandestine affair as they (the marketers) were still afraid to assume such powers. By 2004, the situation changed completely with the marketers not only dictating who should act in films but also which films should be released into the market and which ones should not. It was that same year that the marketers exercised the biggest power of all when they banned 10 top Nollywood stars alleging indiscipline, very high fees and other sundry matters
The banned artistes included Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Chief Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Ramsey Noah, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Stella Damasus. Others were Jim Iyke, Kenneth Okonkwo and Emeka Ike. After one year, the marketers known as the ‘Awka mafias’ with an office in Awka, Anambra State asked the affected stars to appear before them and apologise for their ‘sins.” Nkem Owoh, Kenneth Okonkwo, Pete Edochie, Ransey Noah, Emeka Ike, Jim Iyke reportedly complied with their orders and were unbanned while RMD, Genevieve, Omotola Stella Damasus refused.



Among the marketers that hold sway and call the shots in Nollywood is Ossy Affasson. He is currently the most powerful in the market as the president of the marketers association, Cosmas Ndule, the boss of Contech Films, Ojiofor Ezeanyechie, the boss of O.J. Productions and Sunday Nnajiude. Others include the Amaco Brothers, Gabriel and Damian, the two brothers who are very influential in the movie business, Dozie Eriobu, the boss of Infinity Merchants, Okwytex, Azuka Odunukwe, the boss of Ulzee Nig Ltd and Bonag, run by the most successful couple ever to venture into movie marketing.

The control of the movie industry by the makers and the ban on the top artistes has its good and bad sides. The good aspect of it is that it has given some of them opportunity to venture into other areas, particularly music, among whom are Nkem Owoh, Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus, Omotola Jalade Ekinde etc, while Jim Iyke has ventured into a foundation that has to do with facial deformities and they are all doing well in their new fields of endeavour.The bad aspect of this hijack of the movie industry by the marketers has to do with the absence of strict implementation of controls, the use of greenhorns, repetitions and fallen standard of production. It is now a case of square pegs in round holes. It is a development that must be checked by the regulatory bodies to save the industry

The Yoruba movie industry like other genre of the Nigerian movie industry is witnessing a turn-around that is sure to place the industry in good stead in the larger movie industry. Some years back, no Yoruba movie was complete or good enough if the faces of some top artistes were missing. Then, a comedy movie without the face of Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe) and epic without Lere Paimo (Eda Onileola) was most likely to end up in the trash bin.In the same way, serious movies without the faces of Bayo Salami (Oga Bello), Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan, amongst several others was considered unmarketable. Yes, give it to them. They were about the best in the trade and they gave their best churning out one blockbuster after another.The ladies too were not left out. Women like Mama Rainbow, Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Orisabunmi were top of the list for choice roles.

However, the tide has changed. Today, we have a new set of artistes who wow their fans with superlative performances that is gradually easing away the memories of the older artistes from the consciousness of the movie watching public.Top of the list of the new kids on the block are younger men like Yomi Fashlanso, Funsho Adeolu, Muyiwa Ademola Saheed Balogun, Bolaji Amusan (Baba Latin), Yemi Solade, to list a few. The ladies have an even longer list. Few among them are Opeyemi Ayeola, Lola Alao, Foluke Daramola and Bukky Wright.However, one particular feature of these young men and women is the level of their education. Most, if not all are university or polytechnic graduates. The consensus among movie aficionados is that education has played a major role in the emergence of these new kids on the block.

Yemi Solade:
With a good physique and a command of both Yoruba and English languages, Yemi has proved that he is indeed an all-round actor. Also, his ability to interpret roles has won him hordes of fans. A good example is Yemi’s role as a Ghanaian immigrant in “Madam Dearest”.Yemi Solade’s other hit appearances include N150 million and Awenibaku.

Mr. Latin:
This Abeokuta, Ogun State-based comedian has almost taken the shine off the other Yoruba movie comedians. His ability to make you laugh without necessarily going to the extreme has endeared him to many.Other reason his fans claim they love him is his subtle manner of interpreting difficult roles. Mr. Latin is sure going to make you laugh any day. A pip into his role in the flick entitled: ‘Sondoko” tells the story of a good interpreter of roles.Among Latin’s several other good flicks are Imported Lomo, Pink Lady, Obaj’oba lo and Sondoko.

Yomi Fashlanso:
Yomi has several things in common with Yemi Solade. Young, handsome and good command of both English and Yoruba languages put him in good stead for movie roles.He belongs to the new class of emerging force in the Yoruba movie industry that is crying for positive change.This force, though not known to many, is gradually bringing its idea of a good industry to bear on the industry. Olokada Iboji.

Muyiwa Ademola:
Muyiwa Ademola belongs to the class of the younger generation of Yoruba artistes that are gradually taking over both production and acting aspects of the industry from the older generation.With a good feature that makes him one of the toasts of the industry’s young ladies, Muyiwa has been able to merge his knowledge of production into good role interpretation. His emergence on the scene few years ago received a good stamp with a five star performance in movies like Ori, Ile amongst several others.

Saheed Balogun:
Saheed Balogun remains one of the few young men who has been able to blend together roles in both modern and epic movies. Saheed’s performance in a soap opera few years ago, his ability to drum and dance has proved that he is an all-round artiste.Married to a fellow artiste, Saheed’s good command of ancient Yoruba dialect means he fits in squarely into epic movies. Handsome and educated, Saheed has acted in roles that are too numerous to mention. He has acted the role of thug, drunkard, cultist, and banker to mention a few.He belongs to ranks of the younger generation that are presently dictating the pace in the industry. Among Saheed’s hit movies are Omo Alhaja, Mafikangbakan and Oju Ina.

Funso Adeolu:
Funso’s story is not in any way different from that of the other emerging young forces in the industry. His good command of the English language has come handy in movies with modern theme.

Bukky Wright:
Bukky, with little doubt, is presently on top of her world. From the time she burst into limelight with A-list performance in Saworoide and Agogo Eewo, this petit lady has churned out goods movies to the delight of her fans.To prove her mettle as an all-round artiste, Bukky’s role in television soap, Super Story was the icing on the cake of a solid career. She has used her petit stature to several good advantages, with roles as student, young girl etc.

Opeyemi Ayeola:
Yemi is no doubt the leader of the pack among the younger female artiest, judging by the number of roles she has played in recent movies. One particular attribute of this young lady is her total dedication and ability to interpret roles.Though still single, Opeyemi, most times has acted as wife and mother in Madam Dearest and Iyawo Panda deserves accolades from movie buffs.In Madam Dearest, she proved beyond any reasonable doubt that she belongs to the A-list of actresses in the Yoruba movie industry. Few of her works include Iyawo Panda, Ige Adubi.

Foluke Daramola:
As a graduate of International Relations, Foluke, from the onset was equipped for a life in the soap box. She is one of the few Yoruba artistes who started out with the English genre before crossing over to Yoruba.Today, Foluke is getting popular by the day. Her roles in movies like Lehin Odun Mewa, Final Year mean the mother of one has a bright future in the industry.

Lola Alao:
Heavily endowed Lola is one of the new faces in the Yoruba movie world. Her profile has remained on a steady rise since emerging on the scene few years ago. This new found status is no doubt rubbing off on her personality.

Loy Nabeta is a Ugandan and a Nollywood freak.He observedthat though our movie scenes are commendably African in the true sense but in maintaining this basic element, they don’t do any justice to the person who has an early wakeup call e.g the typically African wailing and falling over when someone dies.


I’m aware it will be hard, after writing this, for me to shake off accusations of being the poster child for successful Western cultural imperialism but one has to take the risk.I watched my first Nigerian movie in 1997. I was very impressionable then - for I was 10 years younger. And if my memory serves me, it was the hit movie (a hit in Nigeria, that is) titled Sakobi, which I think was also the name of its dazzling heroine. The movie, which was essentially about the wages of greed, featured a lot in the way of the supernatural, specifically the predominance of cults in Nigerian life. Although I thought it was generally an impressive piece of work, it also impacted on me in such a way that when I visited Nigeria later that year for two months, I found myself caught in an uncharacteristic paranoia that had me constantly looking over my shoulder, wanting to run from even my own shadow. I could never go out of the house alone!



I had thought I would go back to the shop to borrow some more Nigerian movies but I somehow never got round to doing so. Since then, however, back home in Uganda the Nigerian cinema bug has all but conquered everyone in its path - be they pastors, house girls, housewives or corporate types. Nigerian movies are a big deal and smart TV station proprietors are making the most of this seemingly insatiable demand.In fact, in Uganda today, when someone says they loved last night’s Ekinigeria (literally meaning, “Nigerian”) you are supposed to understand they enjoyed last night’s movie - and not the date with Olusegun or some Nigerian dude they just met. In Tanzania too, I have also found that there is no escaping the Ekinigeria bug. It is big. And these are just two countries. Would it surprise anyone that the Nigerian movie industry, now dubbed Nollywood, is a $600m enterprise (as of 2005)? I guess not.


What I find surprising though, is why - and I can’t think of a better way to put this - after sustained exposure over a long period of time to endlessly superior (Western) cinema, Africa is suddenly eagerly gobbling up such crassness, such directionless, tasteless, utterly embarrassing and annoying stuff that is now being strutted as “African cinema”? Seriously.Brainwashed brat? Guilty as charged. And while we are on the subject, switch on your TV for a moment and sass out the phoney American accents oozing from your favourite Nollywood stars and then tell me who is the fraud. Do they really have to speak that way? In my opinion, the Edge of Paradise, a Nigerian soap on M-Net, is about the only Nollywood product that has survived this vice - and that is why it’s the one thing I may allow myself to be caught indulging in as far as “African cinema” goes. That, and the Super Story series.
Oh yeah, some people will no doubt argue that it is not only Africans who are enjoying Nollywood. True. But the fact that people are watching doesn’t mean they are necessarily liking what they see. I suspect some viewers just want to see how far seemingly normal, decent looking African adults can go in clowning themselves today in the name of making movies. (Perhaps these viewers are understandably fed up with the chaotic politics and constant slaughter they find on the television news channels).

Virgin Nigeria theme for this year Nollywood Award is ‘Globalization of Nollywood – Opportunities for the Diaspora‘ and slated for October 27, 2007.The Virgin Nigeria – Afro Hollywood conference and 12th awards is a celebration of excellence in film, arts and entertainment.

The event offers an excellent vehicle for international corporate communication especially as Nollywood has established a bond between the Carribeans and the British Africans.This will be the third consecutive year, Virgin Nigeria Airways will be flying the Nollywood stars to receive the continents most valuable award in London, according to Virgin Nigeria Country Manager UK Stuart Bailey, “ We’ll continue to support Nollywood as we are a World Class Airline from the heart of Africa”. Meanwhile, the scramble for nomination among film practitioners has commenced for the most prestigious film and arts awards in the continent. A list of Nollywood stars and the best of African cinema actors and actresses representing South Africa, Ghana, as well as a host of other celebrities have attended in the past and also will be attending this glamorous awards evening now in its 12th successive year.

The 12th annual African Film & Arts Awards a.k.a Afro Hollywood 2007 will be held on the 27th of October 2007 at the London Hilton Metropolis between 6pm and 2am. Afro Hollywood Awards is the most prestigious and pioneering of Awards that have contributed very substantially to building the international profile of Africans, especially Nigeria’s growing collection of, film stars.This year, Afro Hollywood proposes to introduce an intellectual content into its annual recognition program by having a day of presentations at a film conference. The conference would then be capped with an awards ceremony in the evening. Over the years, Afro Hollywood has served the purpose of promoting and advancing the dynamic growth of Africa’s Film and Arts in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom.

‘African Voice Newspapers, Britain’s leading newspaper for Africans in Britain and BEN Television organisers of the event has announced 48 artistes nominated for this year’s prestigious awards. The list includes film practitioners, culture administrators and art patrons across the continent.The annual awards in its 12th year will release the names of the 18 Nollywood winners at a media event in Nigeria on the 30th September 2007. Also some British filmmakers will be visiting Nigeria to use the opportunity to explore areas of collaboration with Nigerian filmmakers.

The annual Africa Film and Arts Awards will celebrates it twelfth edition on Saturday October 27th, with some corporate organisations and top African Banks such as UBA REMIT, Fidelity Bank Plc confirming interest to attend the conference and awards aimed at targeting the Diaspora.Nollywood is the fastest growing Nigerian film industry that has united the Diaspora community through the high quality of entertainment and the popularity of their cast and crew. Therefore, it serves very well as an effective marketing tool for companies seeking to deepen relations and gain greater exposure for their products with the African Diaspora.

According to Mike Abiola, founder & CEO of Afro Hollywood “Starting the week commencing 9th of September in the UK, Ben TV our broadcast partner have commence transmission of last year's event and continuously for 8 weeks till the D - Day which is the 27th October. The event will have a 30mins airtime 3.30pm – 4.00 pm on Sundays tagged - The Afro Hollywood Show - showing highlights from the past 11 editions of the annual event. Also, African Voice Newspapers will give readers a full insight and continuous update.High flying professionals in events packaging both in the UK and Nigeria such as Aneka Johnson of Miss Black Britain, Christian Udechukwu of Business in Africa Events, the MD of CMC Connect Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and Actress Golda John Afro Hollywood UK event co ordinator have thrown their weight behind this year’s event to make sure it meets the needs of our corporate sponsors.

Afro Hollywood expects to use this year’s event to attract more investors and further encourage British – Nigerian collaboration.The Awards 2007 is supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) and Nigeria Film Video and Censors Board.Minaj Broadcasting International is the broadcast partner in Nigeria