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.
Every coin has two sides and so does acting. For every ounce of success or near misses achieved by celebrities, there is always a price to pay. It is either they are celebrated for the right or wrong reasons. Here are those who made headlines in 2007.
Those Who Won Awards
IT was Chioma Akpotha's turn to be recognised as one of Nollywood's and indeed Africa's leading actresses in 2007. Chioma who is better known as Chioma Chukwuka and who recently put to bed was voted Best Actress of the Year at the 2007 edition of the African Movies Academy Award (AMAA), which held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
It was also the year of the deep and veteran actor Olu Jacob who recently returned from an acting run in Dubai. He was crowned Africa 's Best Actor at the AMAA. Ali Nuhu was voted the Best Promising African Actor at the AMAA for his role in the award- winning flick 'Sitanda', while Carol Ekanem who recently put to bed received the best actress crest at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Movies Award (NIGMA) which held in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
It was also in 2007 that the veteran actor Bruno Iwouha received the AMAA crest for Best Supporting actor while the Chief Executive Officer of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Peace Anyiam-Fiberisima gave Nigeria and indeed Africa something to cheer about. She received a UNESCO award in far away Paris, France for her contribution to the development of the film industry in Africa .
Also during the year delectable Bhaira Mcwizu, a Philosophy graduate of the Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos was named winner of the 2007 edition of the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show programme. For emerging tops, Mcwizu who hails from Anambra State went home with a cash prize of N100,000 and a brand new car. Also Mcwizu would be expected to feature in a Nollywood movie to be sponsored by the promoters of the AMBO reality show.
The gangling top Nollywood director Theodore Anyaji and the busy Nollywood director turned singer Tchidi Chikere aka Total Chidi were also recognised during the year. The Creative Designers Guild named Tchidi as the best director of the year 2007 while Anyaji got a crest for knitting the two part movie 'Erak and Eran' together. Emeka Ike received the actor of the year crest while Patience Ozokwo aka Mama Gee and Mercy Johnson were voted Best actress and best up coming actress respectively at the award ceremony which held in Enugu in November.
Those Whose Relationship Kissed The Canvass
The sultry actress Shan George, Ayo Binta Mogaji, Eucharia Anunobi, Stephanie Okereke and the duo of Saidi and Fathia Balogun led the pack of celebrities who had a sour tale to tell about their relationships last year.The gossip press was replete with tales of how Ekwu, Eucharia's celebrated husband of seven years disappeared into thin air leaving her all alone to cater for their little son. Same fate befell the Cross River State-born actress Shan George. The London-based Tony Nwosisi, at a time, the love of George's life also left without announcing his separation from her, a mother of two kids, products of her very first marriage. It's not clear now whether the couple, who were engaged traditionally, are formally divorced. But George's recent interviews suggest that she may have also called it quits as far as her celebrated wedlock to the gangling Nwosisi is concerned. She has since dropped Nwosisi as her last name.
And so has the Ibadan-based cross-over actress Ayo Binta Mogaji, whose brief but eventful marriage to the grey-bearded veteran actor Prince Jibola Dabo took a different turn last year. They both decided to be separated. Ayo would not volunteer a word on what led to their separation, neither would Prince Jibola who is already married with children.Well, Ayo Mogaji has since moved on. She remarried recently. But the delectable actress Fathia Balogun is still single even though she has been separated from Saidi Balogun, the father of her two kids for a while now. Although they kept the news of their separation secret for a while, the burble bust when Fathia finally moved from her matrimonial home. They have even stopped starring in same movies since their separation.
The actress Stephanie Okereke and the gangling actor and of recent, director, Ernest Obi would rank as the last of the celebrities whose marriages kissed the canvass in 2007. While Obi confirmed his separation from his Europe-based wife, Okereke returned to Nigeria last year and announced her separation from Nigeria 's ex-international Iloanusi. She has sworn never to return to that marriage as their differences according to the actress of many credits 'will forever remain irreconcilable'.
Those Who Were Romantically Linked
While some were at daggers drawn with their spouses, others were busy building bridges they hope will translate into a permanent nest for them. It is no longer news that the versatile actress Dakore Egbuson and Olumide son of the business mogul Harry Akande are in love. Their love life peaked during the year under review. Friends of the actress say it will not be long before Dakore and Olumide walk down the aisle 'for real'.
Former beauty queen Ibinabo Fiberisima who was romantically linked with the busy actor Fred Amata declared during the year that she was indeed dating the once married actor. The love birds showed how close they were when they engaged the red carpet together at the 2007 edition of the AMAA award. It is not clear now how both of them stand since they are scarcely seen together, but friends of the former beauty queen who doubles as an actress say 'nothing has changed' between them.
It was also in 2007 that top Nollywood actress Ini Edo made headlines for the wrong reasons. The actress who at a time was romantically linked with fellow actor Mike Ezurounye was in 2007 romantically linked with the two album pop star D'Banj. Although Ini denied having any affair with the hip hop rave of the moment, it took their decision not to be seen together in public for tongues to stop wagging. But it is quite obvious now that Ini has moved on.
Those Who Said 'I Do'
But it was not all about separation in 2007. Quite a number of the major actors/actresses took matrimonial vows. First was the top Yoruba actress Opeyemi Aiyeola. 'Ope' as the accountancy graduate of the Lagos State University is fondly called, exchanged matrimonial vows with her London-based fiancZ in a well attended ceremony held in Lagos.
It was also in 2007 that the Nollywood top actress Oge Okoye quit spinsterhood. She joined her industry mates like Chioma Chukwuka and Georgina Onuoha who are already carrying the first fruits of their marriages.
Also two of the top Yoruba actresses Laide Bakare and Moji Olaiya, daughter of the legendary Victor Olaiya exchanged marital vows with the love of their lives during the year. It was also in 2007 that the versatile actor and one of Nollywood's best Obinna Nwafor aka Saint Obi found the 'bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh'. Though a quiet affair, that quick dash that he took got ample mention in the entertainment press.
Some observers have, however, predicted that this may well be the year of the following Nollywood celebrities who are single but insist they are not searching: Grace Amah, Ini Edo, Queen Nwokoye, Bisi Ibidapo Obe, Segun Arinze, Ebube Nwagbo, Mercy Johnson, Oby Edozie, Tricia Esiegbe, Rita Dominic, Benita Nzeribe, Ernest Obi, Genevieve Nnaji, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chidi Mokeme, Uche Jombo, Lilian Bach, Empress Njamah, Emeka Enyiocha, Mike Ezurounye, Nonso Diobi, Sam Anyamele, Jim Iyke and Ofiafuluagu Mbaka.
Those Who Were Docked
It was in 2007 that the popular Nigerian film and television actress who specializes in Yoruba movies Hassanat Akinwande Taiwo was found guilty of drug trafficking, convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of fine by a Lagos Chief Magistrate Court. Hassanat a.k.a Wunmi Yetunde was arrested by men of the National Drug Law Agency (NDLEA) at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja in possession of substance suspected to be cocaine, on her way to London. Hassanat who has had leading roles in over 50 films have since joined her colleagues on the turf having paid the fine. She recently completed work on a movie about the dangers of drug trafficking. The NDLEA had earlier turned down her request for collaboration on the movie.
But Uche Odoputa, a notable Nollywood actor was not as lucky as Hassanat. He served out his jail term having been convicted for a similar offence. Both Hassanat and Uche are yet to get their groove back.
Those Who Were In The News For The Wrong Reasons
Nollywood actress Anita Hogan was in the news for the wrong reasons in 2007. Some repulsive, obscene and very personal photographs of the actress and her fiancZe (whom she later married) were conspicuously published in some Lagos-based publication. The photographs revealed very private and highly sensitive parts of her body and those of her fiancZe. The pictures and accompanying stories appeared as though Anita posed nude for money. It was indeed a very trying moment for the upcoming actress who claimed to have lost a three-month pregnancy she was carrying for her fiancZe then because of the shock of being exposed to the publication. Anita later addressed a press conference where she claimed that the publications were made after some persons attempted to blackmail and extort money from her. She then called on the authorities to arrest, prosecute and jail all those who invaded her privacy 'if found wanting and irrespective of their status in the society'.
If the Anita saga gained ample space in the entertainment press, the media war between ace movie director Zeb Ejiro, OON aka Movie Sheik and the Beauty Queen Ibinabo Fiberisima over copyright infringement also did. Fiberisima petitioned against the Movie Sheik for infringing on her rights. She claimed that she funded the two-part movie 'A Night in the Philippines' but that the movie sheik has not only refused to release the movie to her but that Ejiro has gone ahead to enter into a broadcast agreement with a pay cable channel without her consent.
Ejiro denied the allegation. Though the matter has since eased out of the pages of the entertainment press, there are indications that both parties may have opted for an 'out of media settlement'.
Those Who Quit The Stage
Death, dealt a big blow on the motion picture industry as it snatched four of the industry's valuable actors and directors- Joe Layode, Francis Agu, Ebere Onwu and the gangling Tse Agbe ra Gba, Konshisha Local Council of Benue State-born dancer and actor Joseph Terhemba Adekwagh during the year. Joe Layode who was popular as 'Teacher Garuba' gave up early in the year and was buried in Lagos. Francis Agu who became popular for the role he played delightfully in the long rested television soap 'Checkmate' died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after a protracted illness. The Maverick artistes, playwright, poet and director Ebere Onwu died in a ghastly motor accident around the Alaka, Surulere, Lagos while Joseph Adekwagh or 'P,J' for short, slumped while serving as compere in a show to mark the 40th-year-on-stage of the veteran actor Lari Williams. The remains of the late Adekwagh who will be remembered for living delightfully the role of Tanko Daruje in the long rested television soap Wind of Destiny' were later committed to mother earth in his home town.
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