9jaNollywoodstars

These actress are not only beautiful,they have what it takes to be the best in their chosen profession.Most of them would have made good wives but not all of them are so lucky to keep their homes.Any time they get into relationships with the hope of consummating the affairs,disappointment usually keep them still searching for "Mr Right.Though they have love children as a result of such unions but prefer to keep these children out of public knowledge for their own interest.

Shan George:
This light-skin actress came out hot when she started out in the movie industry. Before her entry into the industry, Shan George was living in her home town. There, she had a forced marriage at a much younger age of 17. The marriage did not last. That marriage produced two grown up boys who are now schooling abroad. After that she tried to go into two other relationships, which did not last

Ann Njamanze:
Before the fatal accident that almost claimed her life, Ann was a prominent actress in the movie industry. She lost her visible presence due to the accident, which restricted her to the sick bed for a long time.Then her celebrated relationship with fellow actor Segun Arinze was cemented with the birth of her daughter Morenike. The union didn’t however survive the test of time. Today Ann Njaminze has moved on with her life. It was even heard that she had another baby not too long ago for the new man in her life


Ibinabo Fiberesima:
The beautiful actress has her own share of failed relationship. Her affairs with Phillip Trimnell and top singer Daniel Wilson were widely celebrated.Not too long ago she got into trouble when her car rammed into a doctor’s car, killing him in the process. Today, it was reported that Ibinabo and fellow actor Fred Amata are planning to hook each other in wedlock.But time will tell if Ibinabo, who already has two children from two different fathers, would be lucky this time.

Alex Lopex:
Unlike most actresses who find it hard to openly identify with their children, Alex Lopex’s case is different. At any given time, she’s ready to tell anyone that she has a son, Joshua, whom she had for her lover. Although, the relationship did not last, however, Lopex is ever grateful for the joy of motherhood that the relationship afforded her.

Fathia Balogun:
Just like Fathia Balogun’s relationship with her first husband, Tunde Anchor, the marriage between the Edo State born actress and fellow actor Saheed Balogun is said to be over. Before meeting Saheed Balogun, Fathia has a son in London for her former husband Tunde. The son lives with the father in London.

Genevieve Nnaji:
Before the sanction imposed on some foremost artistes including Genevieve, she was one of the most sought-after actresses in the country. Genevieve, a gifted model and beautiful actress attained an enviable height in the industry.At the age of 16, she was put into the family way by one of her boyfriends who lived around her former Egbeda residence in Lagos. That pregnancy resulted in the birth of her baby girl who is about nine years old now.

Regina Askia:
These days, Regina has faded out of reckoning in the movie world. She was every producer’s delight. Producers and marketers can’t afford not to feature her pictures in their jackets and posters. And the reason was because she is an ex-beauty queen. Regina’s relationship with a French businessman produced her daughter, Stephanie, who is now into modelling in the United States.After the relationship with the Frenchman collapsed, Regina went into another marriage with an American identified simply as Ruby, which produced children. But just like the Frenchman’s, the relationship has packed up.

Elfreda Rowland:
Elfreda Rowland is a very daring actress, who could act naughty roles in movies. A happy-go-lucky lady who likes to catch her fun, that’s why if she’s not on location, she’s rocking around town. Elfreda has a girl from a relationship she had in the past; the father of the girl lives abroad.

Ronke Ojo (Oshodi Oke):
Ronke, a busty actress, who got the nickname Oshodi Oke from the title of a movie she starred in as a lead actress, is one of the hottest Yoruba actresses in the movie industry. About three years ago, she got pregnant and no body seems to know who was responsible for it.The pregnancy was linked to many people including a marketer and a London based socialite Wale. But Ronke came out to tell the world that the father of her daughter lives in Canada and that put paid to the controversy.

Mariam Apollo:
Pretty Apollo was widely believed would become the better-half of fine boy actor Ramsey Nouah because both of them were very close then. But Ramsey left her for his wife when the marriage issue came up. Before her celebrated relationship with Ramsey Nouah, Mariam Apollo had a baby for her former lover.

Iyabo Ojo:
Pretty Iyabo Ojo, one of the top Yoruba actresses in the country, also has two kids, a boy and a girl from a marriage she went into when she could hardly differentiate her right from her left. Today, she has been linked to another Yoruba actor Muka Ray and also to Kunle Afolayan.

Clarion Chukwurah:
Clarion Chukwurah is one of the veterans in the movie industry. This University of Ife Theatre Arts graduate started acting in the early 80s. While on the set of the movie Owolagba in the 80s, Clarion had a fling with juju star Sir Shina Peters (SSP) that resulted in a baby. Today, the god of love has not been fair to the beautiful lady, just like her marriage to Mike, Abiola’s brother, she recently lost another marriage she had with a London big boy Femi Egyptian

Bimbo Oshin:
It all started like a rumour that Yoruba actress Bimbo Oshin was involved in a love relationship with the boss of Dudu Heritage, Ola Ibinronke. It eventually came out to be the truth when she got pregnant for the American-based promoter. The relationship went through turbulence because of the wife of the American promoter. The relationship produced a boy named Michael.

Bose Joseph:
This crossover actress had a baby out of wedlock. The baby girl, Opemipo, is now a toast of many movie producers both in English and Yoruba. Opemipo’s father rejected her pregnancy and took off for the UK. Now that this child has become a star, he now wants to claim her paternity. Just like the first pregnancy, Bose had another man who refused to take responsibility for her second pregnancy. And now she has two kids for different fathers out of wedlock.

Obot Etuk:
Obot Etuk is one of the most respected in interpreting movie roles but this is not the same with her life style. She was celebrated for her love affairs with younger colleague Ernest Azuzu. Despite the age difference, several times, the actor would beat her to the surprise of most people. Today, Obot has three kids out of wedlock

Babara Udoh:
Babara Udoh came into prominence through her role in the famous movie The Glamour girls. Although before that time she was a regular face in most soap then. Babara has not been too frequent in movie production these days and people have been wondering what the problem might be.Babara Udoh is one of the actresses that have babies out of wedlock.

Sandra Achum:
Sandra Achum today has two children from two fathers. The first came and the father was unknown so also is the case with her second child.The reason for keeping her relationship from the pages of paper may be due to the loss of her proposed marriage years back which most soft sell magazines feasted on.

Edith Jane Azu:
Today, she has given her life to Christ but only that she is happily married, but as long as she lives she will never forget how she became a baby mother at the age of 16.

Toyin Raji:
Toyin Raji is an ex-beauty queen that also got into the movie world. But before she could exhibit her God-given talent for a long time in the movie world, she left when she became pregnant. She solely nurtured the baby on her own.

Ndidi Obi:
she is better known as Nneka the pretty serpent because of her role in that movie. Ndidi left the movie industry when she was put in the family way by a business man. And ever since, little or nothing has been heard about the lady who once held her fans spell bound with the way she interpreted roles.

The motion picture industry in Nigeria, otherwise known as Nollywood added a new feather to its cap with the establishment of Project Nollywood. The new production outfit is fashioned after top-notch production company Dream Works SKG, owned by Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg and David Gaffen, all leading moviemakers in Hollywood. And as a formidable movie company charged with the vision of producing quality Nollywood movies, the quartet behind the outfit, namely: Chico Ejiro, Fidelis Duker, Charles Novia and Fred Amata, recently received the support of Ecobank Plc, which promised to finance four chartbusters by the group.

The movies which are expected to hit shelves soon in Nigeria and other African countries include, Caught In The Middle, a romantic comedy, 100 Days In The Jungle, an action packed adventure, Senseless, a gripping drama full of suspense and Letter To A Stranger, a fascinating yet intriguing romantic drama. Speaking on their historic partnership with Ecobank at a parley, Duker said it was in line with the bank’s renewed vision of investing heavily in the entertainment sector and its firm belief in the fast growing Nollywood, already ranked third globally and first on the African continent.

These movies will give birth to a multi-million naira distribution network solely financed by Ecobank with over 2,000 staff strength employed who would be ready to market these movies across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond. It is projected that within the first six months of release, the movies will hit over five million copies thus making up for Nigeria which promises to take about 70 percent. While shedding more light on the partnership, Ejiro hinted that Ecobank equally approved and funded the business plan for Project Nollywood, aside making available millions of naira for the production and worldwide distribution of the four movies. Ecobank believes that only banks can jumpstart the potentials of Nollywood, as can be seen from the multi-billion dollar Hollywood in America, which is massively backed by American banks. Ecobank have pledged to continue to support Nollywood as well as other areas of the entertainment industry.

Also, Novia, another producer, said it was the first time in the annals of the Nigerian motion picture that four top producers would agree to come together and form a vibrant entertainment company. He re-stated that theirs is a company with the sole aim of producing quality Nollywood movies that would give maximum entertainment and enjoyment. The four movies would be elaborately premiered and launched before being released into the markets both nationally and internationally. They are proud to be associated with this epoch-making venture and want more of such from other corporate bodies.

The National film & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in partnership with Nollywood Foundation, Inc; Best of Nigeria Expo UK, and the Heart of Africa project of the Federal Ministry of Information & communications is holding the maiden Nigeria in the Movies (NIM) international road shows in London from the 18th to 20th, October 2007. The theme is “Global impacts of the Nigerian Film industry”

The Business forum is aimed at creating necessary linkages between Nollywood stakeholders and European counterparts, particularly experts in regulatory and enforcement, sales agents, distributors, financiers, investors and general film business. The success stories of the emergence of Nollywood as the third largest movie industry globally will be presented, Nollywood practitioners will be exposed to core lines of international best practices to further build their confidence and commit them to engaging in standards that are able to compete in global markets.

The event will also feature a special “Pitching Session” which will be arranged by Nollywood Foundation. The Nollywood Foundation, Inc. (NF) is a US based not-for-profit organization committed to supporting the Nigerian film industry in becoming a leader in the international film community, thereby introducing international audiences to the richness of Nigerian and African film and culture.

During the pitching session, five Nigerian producers/directors would have the opportunity to make presentations on their “live” projects to a select panel of sales agents, financiers and distributors organized by renowned film maker and media consultant Ms Parminder Vir OBE who is also a Nollywood Foundation Advisory Board Member. While there is no guarantee of funding, as the final decisions will be that of the panelists, this will give selected film makers an unusual opportunity to pitch their ideas to an international panel of decision makers interested in Nigerian Film.

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