9jaNollywoodstars

Anytime i see her on movies,she just always amuse me but i like her all the same-get to know her more from her interview in one of Naija Magazine:

Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Chukwurah was born on Sunday July 24th 1964 at the University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos to Mr. John & Mrs. Christiana Chukwurah.Mr J.C. chukwurah,a chartered accountant and top Lagos socialite,and c.o. chukwurah,an ibara abeokuta princess who was a building materials contractor.She is an only daughter with four brothers.She had a good childhood in a big home off Commercial Avenue in the Old Yaba,Lagos,growing up among upper middle class neighbours and family friends in a clean,organised and civilised neighbourhood of a not then over populated Lagos state, Nigeria.

She attended Moluka and Lady Lark nursery schools in Yaba, Lagos and All Saints primary school, Montgomery road, Yaba, Lagos. The loss of her father in 1975 when she was aged 11yrs moved her and her brothers to live with her paternal uncle in Aba, Abia State. She attended Queen of our Rosary College (Q.R.C.), Onitsha, Anambra State, Her hometown for her secondary school education. She was listed in the Daily Times as having passed her Common Entrance examination with the highest aggregate thus with the choice to attend a federal government college and she chose Q.R.C. She studied acting and speech at the Department of Dramatic Arts, University of Ife, Ile-Ife.She later did a three weeks refresher speech course in Leeds (North England) in 1997 sponsored by The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds.

She began acting as a keenly interested teenager in Oct. 1979 having played Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ both school plays while at Q.R.C.

She became a semi-professional actor with the University of Ibadan Performing Company and also joined Tunji Oyelana’s band “The Kenneries” as a back-up vocal. On Jul. 1st 1980, she left the UPC to further her professional training at the University of Ife on Oct. 1st 1981. She became a professional actor in 1984 with Lola Fani - Kayode’s soap opera “Mirror In the Sun”, she has in the twenty six year span of her career attended several theatre workshops, theatre business seminars, Script conferences and refresher courses. A deeply talented actor, she acquired skill with training and experience to emerge as one of the best at character and method acting in Africa. A continuous student of history and literature; she is a voracious fan of writers such as Robert Ludlum, Leon Uris and John Grisham. She got her foundational inspiration at age six from Michael Jackson and at eight years old from King Sunday Aladeniyi aka Sunny Ade. Her most interesting past times are long country side drives, sailing, fooling around with her family, reading historical or covert books, watching historical films and listening to R&Bs, Orlando Owoh’s and King Sunny Ade’s oldies.

She got married to her estranged husband in an elaborate traditional wedding in Onitsha about some years ago,had once married Mr. Tunde Abiola,younger brother of the late Basorun M.K.O. Abiola and also had a son for the Afro Juju music star, Sir Sina Peters.she presently lives with her first son Clarence Peters (a graduate of City Varsity Multimedia Film School, Cape Town South Africa) and two younger sons (Robert and Brian) in her Lagos home. She loves Al Pacino and Halle Berry. She loves the company of her brothers, nephews and younger people. She believes in discipline, loyalty and hard work.

The 2007 edition of the Niteshift Coliseum Nollywood Nite was held the other Sunday night at the Niteshift Coliseum,Ikeja and was a gathering of who-is-who in the Nigerian movie industry as the Coliseum threw its doors open for the second edition of the Nollywood night.The whole hall was filled to the brim with popular actors and actresses,their producers,directors, musicians,stand-up comedians to the young and upcoming showbiz personalities and the media gurus.

It was indeed a night of glamour filled with fun,where the good,the bad and the ugly were displayed from the most splendid to the outrageous.Stella Damasus-Aboderin, Jennifer Eliogu and Ohi Alegbe were the comperes.The event could not have held at a better time,with the yuletide season around the corner,Nigerians are beginning to revel in the mood of the season.Like the first edition that held amidst fanfare more than 12 months ago,this year’s was no exception.The stakeholders gathered for a reception to honour and celebrate the very best of Nollywood,said to be the third largest movie industry after Hollywood and Bollywood.

The prestigious event was supported by Amstel Malta,a product of Nigerian Breweries Plc and MTN bore the insignia of the two corporate bodies who have before now used the incredible platform of Nollywood to sell their brands and services to their consumers.The evening of glamour kicked off at 6pm with a red carpet reception that lasted all of 60 minutes.Some of the earliest arrivals include Mr. and Mrs. Alex Usifo,Emeka Ossai and his wife,Obey Etuk, Madam Kofo with her signature skyscraper headgear.The paparazzi had a field day taking the very best shots availed them by the intriguing garbs adorned by a majority of the attendees.Their style came in the very best of designs.

The scene was reminiscent of what obtains at the Oscars and Grammy.A beautiful dramatic display of fire works that lasted 15 minutes riveted eyes to the heavens when the sky bore a combination of colours with sparks flying in different directions signaling the end of segment one (the red carpet reception) and the beginning of segment two.Soon after, guests were relishing the cozy interior of the Arena where they were treated to a fresh round of entertainment. Coliseum in house band,The Shifters Band, was in their elements when they presented their carefully choreographed dance routine to an appreciative audience.

The Guvnor of the Niteshift, Ken Calebs Olumese in his welcome address intoned that the 2007 edition is an improvement on the previous year’s.He intimated of the forthcoming 20th anniversary of the upscale club that will take place next year.The combined efforts of the comperes ensured there was no dull moment to be experienced. They made sure the audience was a participatory one.Dreadlocked act,Rhymzo was the first musician to perform for the night.He was charged with setting an upbeat mood for the night.He dished out two wave-making hits from his repertoire that got the crowd swaying effortlessly.Okey Bakassi was able to sustain the high tempo of the occasion with his rib cracking jokes. He threw his jibes right at the audience who were engulfed with rapturous laughter in the midst of wining and dining.

The industry has come a long way having achieved international recognition. All these could not have been possible without the contributions of some people who made it happen.These set of people who by dint of hard work have made it to the hierarchy of the profession and rank among those who have professed love for the screen were honoured at the Nollywood night.The first set of awards went to time-tested actress, Joke Silva,Emma Edokpayi,Yoruba movie actor Jide Kosoko,ace cinematographer/movie producer,Tunde Kelani and Justus Esiri of The Village Headmaster fame.

Yahoozey crooner,Olu Maintain,literarily set the house on fire with his hit single Yahoozey that is currently ruling the airwaves and has become a national anthem among youths and elders alike.The young chap whose sojourn in the music world began with the defunct Maintain group made up of himself,Tolu and Big Bamo,went on to surprise critics when his debut solo effort spiraled above expectation.Unable to resist the lure of good music,the likes of Obey Etuk,Madam Kofo and Rachael Oniga found their way upstage doing the popularised Yahoozey step.His five star performance was a hit with the guests who nodded in approval to the lyrics as if asking for more.He was the man of the night.

The second set of awardees after a thrilling musical break was made up of movie industry icons like Olu Jacobs who was in far-away United kingdom,Clarion Chukwura who by popular opinion was adjudged the best dressed for the night.She was indeed red carpet worthy she looked sexy and glamorous.In fact, her appearance that night made her look far younger.When she was called to the podium, the effect was electric.
Okechukwu Ogunjiofor who starred in the first ever home video in Nigeria with Living In Bondage,Toun Oni,a cross-over actress and Chief Eddie Ugbomah who has written his name in letters of gold in movie world of celluloid films like Oyenusi,Death of a Black President among others.

The roll call was impressive.Actors and actresses from the Yoruba and English language movie sector were in attendance although the number of the latter far outweighed the former.

The first Nigerian film forum was held in Calabar the other week and it was witnessed by lot of practitioners in the Industry and Government Officials.The stars in Calabar for the event included:Paul Obazele,Kanayo O. Kanayo,Nkem Owo (Osuofia),Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee),Madu Chikwendu,Zak Amata,Sani Mu’azu,Ejike Asiegbu,Keppy Ekpenyong and Segun Arinze among others.

During the key note address,Mr Peter Igho,Executive Director, Nigerian Television Authority Enterprises told the gathering that Nigeria’s film industry popularly called Nollywood,is a haven for crooks and scam artistes who engage in sharp practices to swindle people.and this unwholesome attitude is killing the industry.He said“There are too many crooks in the film industry;we have to tell one another the truth.We have people who present proposals to investors to sponsor film production and when the money is released, rather than use it for what it is meant for,they buy new jeeps and build new houses and the investor at the end is told stories,”.

Mr. Igho said practitioners,especially producers,are in the habit of collecting money and failing to utilize it for the purpose for which it is meant and in the end,there is the constant litany of 'no funds'and 'lack of support' for the investors.He has been part and parcel of the industry since 1972 when he graduated from the university, stated that he had initiated a foundation to raise money to assist practitioners and called for attitudinal change.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Information,Alhaji Ibrahim Nakande,said the film industry is bedeviled with poor technical quality and incessant infusion of ritual and conflict among the practitioners.“Talking about content,it is worrisome that some of our movies appear to contradict government’s efforts to promote a positive image for our country.In addition,the industry needs to move away from frequently depicting ritual killing or fetish images,and rather produce films which promote more of our rich cultural values,” he said.

The practitioners, on their part, bemoaned the high rate of piracy in the industry.
Mr. Obazele, who spoke on behalf of the Guild of Producers, said the industry loses billions of naira to piracy.We are talking about the poor quality of our films, nobody has addressed the issue of piracy that is plaguing the film industry in Nigeria.Everyone here has been affected by the activities of pirates.The money we have invested in producing films have been stolen.Where does the money come from to invest again?Do I have to sell my father’s house again to produce film for it to be stolen again?” he fumed.

Ebube Nwagbo, 24, is one of the pretty faces in Nollywood. The eldest in a family of six grew up in Warri, Delta State. She attended Federal Polytechnic, Oko and later Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, both in Anambra State where she got a degree in Mass Communication.She started acting in 2003 while she was still in school.She enjoy watching movies as a kid and this helped to shape her interest in school.
She asked a friend who was in the movies how to go about it. He later told her about an auditioning taking place somewhere.She went for the audition and got a very good role. That was how she sarted in 2003.

The first movie she acted was Arrested By Love played a prominent role.It was challenging and interesting at the same time because she acted with the people she considered superstars and never met before then.She thought she was doing something extra-ordinary and had to be a very good girl.But with the help of her director and few friends who believed she could do it,even though she didn’t believe in herself, it came out well.

She is surprised about the way it turned out.The industry is so large now and for one to still be there and make impact it’s something else.She met so many people that started acting before her and know where they are today. She always remembered the day she went for the auditioning and met those who started acting before her but today they are still where they are and wouldn’t compare herself with them. She believe if you know what you want and work hard for it, you will get it.She has cted in between 30 and 40 films. Some of the recent ones I’ve done are African Soldier, Cadet, Stronger Than Pain, Zenith of Evil, Red Card, etc.

Acting has brought a whole lot of things to her - the good, the bad and the ugly. The good because the money is coming and it’s okay but could be better, the fame, it opens doors and people love you. The bad side of it, is that you tend to live your life for people, you are no longer like the normal girl out there. The ugly side of it is that you don’t have any secret to yourself anymore, whatever you are doing is for the public.

Her role models are Liz Benson and Joke Sylva in Nigerian film industry. Then outside Nigeria; she liked Julia Roberts. She like the personality and acting of Liz Benson. Even now that people don’t see her much on screen they still talk about her. That is who she wants to be like. Then for Joke Sylva I like her carriage and acting too.

She love sleeping and could sleep the whole day. She read too because she love reading. She like watching movies a lot because it was from movies I developed the interest to act. She likes her phone so much. She also loves listening to music. She model and sing but for commercial purpose occasionally. It’s not like she have an album but someone featured her in his music because of my face. But what she prefers is stage performance.


Her ideal man has to respect her and has to understand what she does because if he doesn’t there are likely to be problems. He has to be God-fearing too. Some people talk about love but love without respect is something else.

It happens in almost every profession,and so it is in the movie industry too.Some couples make their money from acting and their children are toeing their paths too.

Jide and Henrietta Kosoko: President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Prince Jide Kosoko, has been around the acting profession for decades, starting with Baba Mero Group. He must have acted in so many plays and movies that he can’t even begin to count. His wife, Henrietta, is also in the same profession. Before Henerietta he was said to have married a woman also in acting but now fully into something else.

Ojopagogo and Moji Afolayan: The man who is popularly known as Ojopagogo in Yoruba movies (Layiwola Razak), acting as an old man with a shaky voice, is actually a young man, married to Moji, daughter of Nigerian’s foremost movie-maker, Chief Ade Afolayan. Moji and her husband are based in Ibadan. Moji has also proved her worth through many Yoruba movies along with her brother, Kunle Afolayan, who made his debut in Saworo Ide about 10 years ago.

Sunday Omobolanle and Peju Ogunmola: Both of them are well-known artistes with Aluwe (Sunday Omobolanle) having established himself as a notable comedian also with the Baba Mero’s Awada Kerikeri group several years ago. His wife, Peju, is the daughter of late Yoruba dramatist, Kola Ogunmola, from Ekiti State. Both have made their marks as notable artistes in several Yoruba movies. They are based in Ibadan. Their son is also into acting.

Babatunde Omidiran and Moladun. Both being comedians, they have often left many wondering whether their marriage suffers the usual scruples often associated with the home. Based in Ikorodu, Lagos State, the artistes have waded through the thick and thin of life. Moladun gave birth to a baby some years ago after several years of marriage. Baba Suwe was also married to another actress who acted as Suwe when he was producing a television comedy series. Both have now separated after what you might apparently call "irreconciliable differences".

Fathia Balogun and Walata: They used to be the hottest Yoruba movie couples, until recently when the relationship hit the rocks. They often acted together in movies, which adds colour and bite to their productions. The marriage was for long the object of media report before it finally collapsed.

Toyin Adegbola requires no introduction amongst the Yoruba home video audience.In fact,her involvement in interpreting reel roles predates the advent of home video, she started acting when stage plays and celluloid films were the vogue.Today,she ranks as one of the actresses that enjoy the most patronage in the Yoruba movie circuit.She is one of the very few actresses that command the type of popularity she commands amongst the multitude of movie enthusiasts across the South western states in Nigeria especially in the ancient city of Ibadan,Oyo State.She is popularly known as Toyin Asewo to re mecca,to which she says a derogatory title such as Asewo needs not bother her since she does not practice prostitution."If they address me as Ajoke Asewo To Re Mecca,that is somewhat better than to be called Toyin Asewo.She doesn't really fancy it, but I have learnt to take it as one of the hazards of my job. And really like it but the role in that film launched me into stardom.A recipient of the prestigious Afro-Hollywood Award as far back as 1998.

She may not have studied dramatic arts within the four walls of a university but not many trained practitioners would beat her to the art and in aptly depicting movie roles.Aside being a rounded actress,she is a songster and dances like a professional.She traces these pluses to the trainings she received when she started out in optical theatre.She is a strong woman having become a widow many years back, she has single-handedly had to fend for her three children who are all resident in England."When I lost my husband, I was so sad;I don't think I can ever forget that day," she declared."It was like the world had come to an end because it is like a taboo in Yoruba land for a young lady to lose her husband.Each time I remember those moments,I feel terribly bad.Though it has not been easy coping for her as a widow. She says it is not an easy task raising a family all alone and playing the role of a father and mother to her children.Besides,no matter how virtuous a woman is,the moment she loses her husband,people would insinuate all sorts.However,she consoles herself with the products of the marriage and the fact that God had been very faithful which is why she is reluctant to re-marry even though she is never in want of suitors.

Born in Offa,Kwara State,she is a younger sister to the fiery politician,Ebenezer Babatope;Toyin believes that acting must have been the calling destined for her because she started showing traces of an actress since her childhood days.She was fond of telling people she would act their mother or sister and sometimes,she would act their father or brother as per her fancy.She did not start living her dreams until later in life when she started working with the television service of Oyo State as a producer of a children's programme.A certain Mukaila Paddy noticed the innate acting talents in her and talked her into it.Even at that,the fact that she was a civil servant at the time posed a hurdle.The same man advised her to write a letter to her boss asking for permission to act, she did and the permission was given.Unknown to the same man,she had,as teenager taken part in the Oyo State Festival of Arts and Culture in 1976.The moment she got started,there was no stopping her. While on the location of the first production Ejongboro,another producer sighted her and enlisted her for another job, Kanakana.

She says "Time will tell if I will re-marry.I have grown-up kids and whatever I do, I have to take them into consideration.Again,I don't want to intrude into any marriage because it is clear I can't marry a bachelor even if I decide to re-marry,".She is currently involved in a controversy surrounding her supposedly lover.

Binta Ayo Mogaji-This dark skinned lady is one of the most popular actresses in Ibadan.She fits well into any role and she takes part in both Yoruba and English movies.Though she has a good command of English,yet whenever the occasion demands it,Ayo is able to speak flawless original lbadan Yoruba.She is a frequent traveller. She lives around Bodija and former married to a fellow artist but now back to her old time love,who stays abroad.

Toyin Adegbola-She is presently the Hottest Actress In Ibadan.Her break came from the video "Asewo To Re Mecca, "after which she became a celebrated actress.She has a nice building to herself around the Bashorun-Ashi axis and she is reported to be into the sales of exotic wines.This beautiful actress shuttles between Ibadan and London(because most of her films now have London scenes in them) and this has changed her appellation from being Asewo to re Mecca to Asewo To Re London and recent to Asewo To Re Universe.She is presently enmesh with controversy rounding her supposedly lover.

Olumide Bakare-He is also a tested hand in acting.n the early 1980s,he was a popular face on NTA lbadan and many would give anything to watch his sitcom Koko Close then. Till today,the name has stuck and he is still referred to as Chief Koko in and around Ibadan.Today,he is one of the most popular Yoruba actors in the movie industry and he also gets roles in some English movie too.Though he shuttles between Ibadan and Lagos he still has his house on Joyce B Road.After a stint of absence from acting,the bespectacled man is back for good and the many movies he has taken partinclude Oduduwa, Kodun Kopo Kope (KKK) and O Yato.

Sunday Omobolanle-He is better known as "Papiluwe" which was coined from the stage name "Papa Aluwe".He started a group which had members like Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello),Lanre Hassan (Mama Awero) and Pa Ojoge.After the demise of the founder,Aluwe was one of those who held the group together when it became known as Awada Kerikeri Organisation.He is a comedian of note and his ability to fit into both English and Yoruba roles is an added advantage to his career. He cruises around in nice automobiles with his wife Peju whenever he is in Ibadan.

Kola Oyewo-He is another actor who has been in the business for a while.Most people remember him for his role in Mainframe's Koseegbe and Saworo Ide,both written by Akiwunmi Isola.Kola Oyewo is a good actor who fits very well into any role he plays. He has a good carriage both on and off the set.Apart from acting,he lectures at the Communication and LanguageArt Department at the University of Ibadan.

Femi Fatoba-He is a man that could be fished out amidst a thousand people.This is because of his bushy beard.This fair skinned grey bearded Doctor of Theatre Arts is also a veteran and to describe him as a professional is just stating the obvious.
He is a very good and talented actor and he is a master when it comes to stage plays while he also takes part in home video.He is known to have a serious approach to work for which he is admired and he is also known to be very disciplined.

Lere Paimo-He is better known as "Eda Onile Ola" or simply "Eda" which has been his stage name for more than two decades now."Baba Eda" as he is known among the artistes was one of the few men who could maintain and run a real theatre as far back as the 1970s.Apart from the Eda Inile Ola series,he had some popular productions back in time which included Aditu Olodumare(an adaptation of a book by D.O.Faguwa) and Ogbori Elemosho.Till date,Lere Paimo remains a force to reckon with in the movie industry he is about the only actor who can dance well to traditional drums.He stands out as a "bata" dancer.He rides a V-Boot in Ibadan and he is a frequent traveller too.He also has some international awards to his credit as well as countless appearances in home video.

Adebayo Faleti-He is a veteran broadcaster who ranks as one of the very best to have come out of Ibadan.He has been into broadcasting since NTA Ibadan was still WNBC/WNBS.Apart from broadcasting,acting is not new to Baba Faleti as he is now fondly called.He has been into TV productions before the advent of colour television in Nigeria.His proficiency in the use of Yoruba vocabulary as well as great acting skill has always endeared him to producers of Yoruba movie.A producer who is worth his salt would do anything to have him on set and with his wealth of experience,he is somebody the younger generation of actors look up to as a role model.

Aderupoko-In the comical aspect of films,Aderupoko is one of the most experienced men, especially in Ibadan.He started sometime in the 70s,as a member of the group known as Jesters International which comprised himself,Papalolo and Jacob (now of blessed memory).The popularity of the group was cut short by the demise of Jacob after which the other two decided to go solo.On the surviving members,Aderupoko has been the more active one and has acted in more films than Papalolo, who only gets minor roles nowadays.

Peju Ogunmola-Married to Sunday Omobolanle (Aluwe),people still know Peju better by her maiden name.For her,acting simply flows in her veins, as she was actually born into it.Her brother,yomi was one of the best film directors before he died.Despite being a star,Peju is well respected for her down-to-earth mature. She lives in a nice house with her husband in lbadan.

Deji Aderemi-He could be described as an old war horse.He is known to his fans and admirers alike as Olofa Ina and this dates back to the early 80s,when he floated the Olofa Inn Theatre Group.His acting skills endear him to many while his great command of the Yoruba language is acknowledged even by his co-actors who refer to him as Baba Yoruba.He prefers keeping a low profile lifestyle in lbadan.

Samson Eluwole-In lbadan,most people know him by the stage name-Jinadu Ewele.He is one of the most experienced actors in lbadan today and he has been into acting since the 70s,when he was a member of the group headed by the late Ishola Ogunsola(Dr.I Sho Pepper).As a member of the group,he took part in so many TV productions.This versatile and dynamic actor also has to his credit films like lrunmu L'owo and Obaluaywe.

Yemi Adeyemi-To those who were regular viewers of NTA Ibadan when it was still known as UNTV,Yemi Adeyemi would not be a stranger.His major break was in the drama titled "Omo Odo," in which he played the role of a maltreated house boy, way" back in the 70s.By the 1980s,he had become a regular face in the comedy series Efe.His unadulterated Ijesha dialect in the comedy series earned him the appellation Baba ljesha.All of a sudden,he disappeared from the scene, only to stage a come back as 'Suara" in the Super Story series, Oh . Father Oh Daughter!.

Dr.Larinde Akinleye-This doctor of Linguistics of Oke Ogun extraction is one of the experienced actors around.He is a man who can be described as having seen it all in acting,from stage plays to drama and home video productions.In the political arena as well,he has some experience as he was a representative in the botched Third Republic.He is a man that can boast of about 30 year's or more of experience in acting,he played a major role in the famous play " Basorun Gaa " in the days of MTV Ibadan as well as a comedy series titled "Efe' on NTA Ibadan.One of the things that stand him out is his fluent,undiluted and unique Oke Ogun dialect, which is second to none in the industry.