As the year 2014 comes to an end, a lot of major events worth recalling occurred. From crashed marriages, artistes’ bagging awards and even to deaths. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM and SAMUEL ABULUDE write on major events that took place in 2014.
For an industry that grabbed national attention on account of it contributing 2% to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy, the entertainment industry is what has given Nigeria its flavour and channelled the talent of its young population into positive means.
Next to the sporting industry, the entertainment industry namely the music, film, comedy and other allied sub-sectors has been abuzz with
interesting tales that new blogs are being made to feed the educated populace.
Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy, the entertainment industry is what has given Nigeria its flavour and channelled the talent of its young population into positive means.
Next to the sporting industry, the entertainment industry namely the music, film, comedy and other allied sub-sectors has been abuzz with
interesting tales that new blogs are being made to feed the educated populace.
Nollywood Marriages and Crashes
2014 was a potpourri of consummation of marriages and crashing of marriages in the
entertainment industry. Ibinabo Fiberesima, a former beauty queen and president of Actors Guild
of Nigeria (AGN), after four kids got married for the first time on December 18, 2014 to one Uche
Egbuka amidst pomp and pageantry. Earlier, prolific movie maker and doyen of romantic
movies, Emem Isong had solemnised traditionally her marriage to a Camerounian, Akama Misodi.
entertainment industry. Ibinabo Fiberesima, a former beauty queen and president of Actors Guild
of Nigeria (AGN), after four kids got married for the first time on December 18, 2014 to one Uche
Egbuka amidst pomp and pageantry. Earlier, prolific movie maker and doyen of romantic
movies, Emem Isong had solemnised traditionally her marriage to a Camerounian, Akama Misodi.
Before then, Nollywood gal, Ini Edo announced that her marriage to Phillip Ihegiewani had hit the rocks. The sad tale which was broken by Iniobong herself, made the headlines and accusations of her being unfaithful, the reason for the separation came to the fore but Ini immediately reacted that it wasn’t because she was sleeping out that broke her union but irreconcilable differences between her and Phillip who is based in United States.
Though there are others like Ann Njemanze who also finally got hooked, many other celebrities
where in and out of their relationships.
Though there are others like Ann Njemanze who also finally got hooked, many other celebrities
where in and out of their relationships.
Keffe and Dan Ibro’s sad Deaths
The sad and unfortunate death of the gospel/ inspirational singer, Irikefe Obareke Don-Momoh
popularly known as Kefee shook the music industry. Kefee was the success story behind Branama, the traditional song that kept every one
dancing.
Keffe gave up the ghost on June 13, 2014 on a Friday morning after being in a coma for weeks at an undisclosed hospital in the United States, having collapsed while on air travelling.
She had embarked on a 14-hour flight to Chicago, United States for an event when she went into coma, forcing the plane to land in Los Angeles, so that she could be urgently attended to. Kefee whose music career started at age eight in her church as a chorister, was famous for her gospel songs ‘Branama’ and ‘Kokoroko’. She won
several awards including the best collaboration, HEADIES Award in 2010.
Also, controversy followed on the cause of her collapse mid-air after her manager debunked the rumour that she had eclampsia, a risk women face during pregnancy.
popularly known as Kefee shook the music industry. Kefee was the success story behind Branama, the traditional song that kept every one
dancing.
Keffe gave up the ghost on June 13, 2014 on a Friday morning after being in a coma for weeks at an undisclosed hospital in the United States, having collapsed while on air travelling.
She had embarked on a 14-hour flight to Chicago, United States for an event when she went into coma, forcing the plane to land in Los Angeles, so that she could be urgently attended to. Kefee whose music career started at age eight in her church as a chorister, was famous for her gospel songs ‘Branama’ and ‘Kokoroko’. She won
several awards including the best collaboration, HEADIES Award in 2010.
Also, controversy followed on the cause of her collapse mid-air after her manager debunked the rumour that she had eclampsia, a risk women face during pregnancy.
Prayers were made for her to
survive the coma after a doctor’s statement that Kefee would need a miracle to survive. Her death
was a huge blow to the gospel and entertainment industry. She left no child of her own having married twice, initially to her husband-manager, Alec Godwin.
Popular Kannywood comic actor Dan Ibro died after a protracted illness during the year. His death left behind a huge gap in the movie industry in Kano.
survive the coma after a doctor’s statement that Kefee would need a miracle to survive. Her death
was a huge blow to the gospel and entertainment industry. She left no child of her own having married twice, initially to her husband-manager, Alec Godwin.
Popular Kannywood comic actor Dan Ibro died after a protracted illness during the year. His death left behind a huge gap in the movie industry in Kano.
Olamide Acclaimed King of Rap
Indigenous rapper, Olamide Adedeji held 2014 spell bound by releasing hits upon hits. The artiste started 2014 where he ended it after
winning three HEADIES award. The singer dropped ‘Story For The Gods’, ‘Anifowose’ and Goons Mi.
winning three HEADIES award. The singer dropped ‘Story For The Gods’, ‘Anifowose’ and Goons Mi.
The song trended massively. Other rappers like Phyno, Ice Prince and MI also grabbed the headlines in 2014 with Jude Abaga (MI) dropping
his album titled Chairman. Olamide continued to grab headlines and consolidated with a new album titled Street OT to be launched today
(Sunday, December 28, 2014). It is to the Duro Soke and Eledami crooner that when other musicians find it an uphill task to record an album in two years, Olamide performed a major feat in Nigeria hip hop genre by releasing two albums, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth and Street OT in the
space of fourteen months, just about a year. Also, Ice Prince won the prestigious LEADERSHIP entertainer of the year award which was held at
Thisday Dome.
his album titled Chairman. Olamide continued to grab headlines and consolidated with a new album titled Street OT to be launched today
(Sunday, December 28, 2014). It is to the Duro Soke and Eledami crooner that when other musicians find it an uphill task to record an album in two years, Olamide performed a major feat in Nigeria hip hop genre by releasing two albums, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth and Street OT in the
space of fourteen months, just about a year. Also, Ice Prince won the prestigious LEADERSHIP entertainer of the year award which was held at
Thisday Dome.
Era of Blockbuster Movies: Half Of A Yellow Sun, October 1 take centre stage
After Lupita Amondi Nyong’o, a Kenyan actress made Africans proud globally by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the attention shifted to Nigeria, thanks to Half Of A Yellow Sun movie. Arguably Nigeria’s biggest
movie in 2014 and perhaps in recent times, Half Of A Yellow Sun (HOAYS) with critical acclaim was the movie that gave Nigeria a global attention, away from stories on the Northern
Nigeria region’s insecurity and insurgency that is awash in the foreign media. The big budget movie, Half Of A Yellow Sun, is adapted from a book with the same title by Chimamanda Adichie.
It featured accomplished actors from Hollywood: Thandie Newton, BAFTA award-winner for the
movie, 12 Years A Slave, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anika Noni-Rose, John Boyega and Hakeem Kae-Kasim,
and Nollywood greats that included Genevieve Nnaji, O.C Ukeje, Onyeka Onwenu and Wole Ojo among others. The movie which centered on the
troubled era in Nigeria’s history, the Biafran war which began on July 6, 1967 and ended on January 15, 1970, was directed by Biyi Bandele.
movie in 2014 and perhaps in recent times, Half Of A Yellow Sun (HOAYS) with critical acclaim was the movie that gave Nigeria a global attention, away from stories on the Northern
Nigeria region’s insecurity and insurgency that is awash in the foreign media. The big budget movie, Half Of A Yellow Sun, is adapted from a book with the same title by Chimamanda Adichie.
It featured accomplished actors from Hollywood: Thandie Newton, BAFTA award-winner for the
movie, 12 Years A Slave, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anika Noni-Rose, John Boyega and Hakeem Kae-Kasim,
and Nollywood greats that included Genevieve Nnaji, O.C Ukeje, Onyeka Onwenu and Wole Ojo among others. The movie which centered on the
troubled era in Nigeria’s history, the Biafran war which began on July 6, 1967 and ended on January 15, 1970, was directed by Biyi Bandele.
The movie did much to open sore wounds in our history and it was initially banned from being screened in Nigeria cinemas only for the Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB to state that it was not banned but awaiting certification
before it will be screened. After several weeks of waiting, the movie already getting rave review
from the cinema abroad, Half Of A Yellow Sun was certified to be screened but not without the
removal of some violent scenes which security agencies may have seen to possibly cause uproar. All in all, the movie that finally hit the
cinemas in the third quarter of the year made record sales according to an unconfirmed survey.
before it will be screened. After several weeks of waiting, the movie already getting rave review
from the cinema abroad, Half Of A Yellow Sun was certified to be screened but not without the
removal of some violent scenes which security agencies may have seen to possibly cause uproar. All in all, the movie that finally hit the
cinemas in the third quarter of the year made record sales according to an unconfirmed survey.
After the success of HOAYS, another movie titled October 1, a political thriller directed by award- winning moviemaker, Kunle Afolayan grabbed headlines. The movie proved that Nigeria has got to the best creative hands and that the industry could generate more revenue if attended to and structures put in place by the government and
their agencies.
their agencies.
Screen Works Media, Mercury Pointblank Unveil Christian Film Project
Screenworks Media and Mercury Pointblank Production are set to produce their first film together. The film which is titled Redeeming Love,
is poised to redefine the ways Christian movies are perceived and produced in Nigeria. Speaking to the press on Thursday in Lagos, the president of Mercury Pointblank Production, Ogbor Kingsley said his organisation is pleased to venture into Christian Film making and hoping the film will achieve its desired result of influencing married
people positively all over the world. Concurring with Ogbor Kingsley, the vice president of Screenworks media Betty Olumowe says in a world where weddings take preeminence over the actual marriage of couples living together as husband and wife forever, the film, Redeeming Love has become expedient. She further states that with the high cases of divorce spreading around the world, this film will go a long way to inform and educate married people about living as one and eventually drawing their attention more to Jesus.
is poised to redefine the ways Christian movies are perceived and produced in Nigeria. Speaking to the press on Thursday in Lagos, the president of Mercury Pointblank Production, Ogbor Kingsley said his organisation is pleased to venture into Christian Film making and hoping the film will achieve its desired result of influencing married
people positively all over the world. Concurring with Ogbor Kingsley, the vice president of Screenworks media Betty Olumowe says in a world where weddings take preeminence over the actual marriage of couples living together as husband and wife forever, the film, Redeeming Love has become expedient. She further states that with the high cases of divorce spreading around the world, this film will go a long way to inform and educate married people about living as one and eventually drawing their attention more to Jesus.
Throwing more light on the film project, the film director, Afe Olumowe says they are going to be
casting from the robust Nollywood film industry as notable stars would be contacted to play the various parts. When asked if he has any particular actor in mind, he responded by saying they have quite a few to select from.
casting from the robust Nollywood film industry as notable stars would be contacted to play the various parts. When asked if he has any particular actor in mind, he responded by saying they have quite a few to select from.
Bickering in Actors’ Union, PMAN
2014 recorded a show of supremacy and discontent among union heads. First, the union for the musical body, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) which has been in
perpetual crisis continued with Hajia Amina Danjajia and Kevin Luciano holding the reins as factional presidents. The situation continued and perhaps simmered into the state PMAN executives with different states sacking and re-instating their
leaders. The courts had to come to the rescue and an interim committee headed by Pretty of the defunct Pretty and Junior group, with Tolu Obey, Sunny Neji, Tu face Idibia coming on board to organise a fresh election in 18 months in tandem with the guidelines of the PMAN constitution. We hope this is the much-needed succour that the
music union needs as younger entertainers are fed up of the hullaballoo.
perpetual crisis continued with Hajia Amina Danjajia and Kevin Luciano holding the reins as factional presidents. The situation continued and perhaps simmered into the state PMAN executives with different states sacking and re-instating their
leaders. The courts had to come to the rescue and an interim committee headed by Pretty of the defunct Pretty and Junior group, with Tolu Obey, Sunny Neji, Tu face Idibia coming on board to organise a fresh election in 18 months in tandem with the guidelines of the PMAN constitution. We hope this is the much-needed succour that the
music union needs as younger entertainers are fed up of the hullaballoo.
The Yoruba movie union, Association of National Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) also experienced bickering even after the judgement in a court in Ibadan gave Victor Asaolu the mandate. Soon
after, a rival body, TAMPAN emerged from ANTP with the endorsement of former ANTP presidents, Adebayo Salami and Jide Kosoko. Other groups like TMA headed by Saheed Balogun came on board and the union somewhat became hydra-
headed. ANTP, the bigger and recognised body struggled to forge ahead but accusations were made by the elders like Eda Onile Ola, Jimoh Aliu to mention a few, that Comrade Asaolu was not carrying everyone along and those that backed him to become ANTP leader, rescinded their support. Now, the situation is still the same with the Igbo dominated and nationally recognised Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), having issues The MOPPICON Bill, a document that ought to unify the union bodies including MOPPAN, AMP, ANTP
and the likes is yet to be ratified by the lawmakers after more than eight years since Obasanjo-era, the unity needed by actors and stakeholders to fight the demons bedeviling the
industry is still a mirage, then the industry may not fair much better than what happened this year in the coming 2015 as the solution is at the feet of the stakeholders as stated by Mr Emeka Mba, director general (DG) of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation NBC.
after, a rival body, TAMPAN emerged from ANTP with the endorsement of former ANTP presidents, Adebayo Salami and Jide Kosoko. Other groups like TMA headed by Saheed Balogun came on board and the union somewhat became hydra-
headed. ANTP, the bigger and recognised body struggled to forge ahead but accusations were made by the elders like Eda Onile Ola, Jimoh Aliu to mention a few, that Comrade Asaolu was not carrying everyone along and those that backed him to become ANTP leader, rescinded their support. Now, the situation is still the same with the Igbo dominated and nationally recognised Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), having issues The MOPPICON Bill, a document that ought to unify the union bodies including MOPPAN, AMP, ANTP
and the likes is yet to be ratified by the lawmakers after more than eight years since Obasanjo-era, the unity needed by actors and stakeholders to fight the demons bedeviling the
industry is still a mirage, then the industry may not fair much better than what happened this year in the coming 2015 as the solution is at the feet of the stakeholders as stated by Mr Emeka Mba, director general (DG) of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation NBC.
Linda Ikeji in Copyright mess with Google.
Popular blogger, Linda Ikeji was in the middle of very big controversy which nearly saw her blog shut down. Though at the top of the threats was that of one US based social commenter, Mr Aye Dee, who claimed he had reported Linda Ikeji to google for copying his posts without giving him credits for them.
He claimed he notified her of her wrong actions, but she called him bluff and disregarded him.
He claimed he notified her of her wrong actions, but she called him bluff and disregarded him.
Linda Ikeji’s blog went down days later, and everyone buzzed over it.
Though some called it a popularity stunt to draw more traffic to her blogspot, no matter what it is, she really got what she wanted and more
attention all over the world were drawn to her. It could be said to be the best thing that have happened to her in 2014.
Though some called it a popularity stunt to draw more traffic to her blogspot, no matter what it is, she really got what she wanted and more
attention all over the world were drawn to her. It could be said to be the best thing that have happened to her in 2014.
Other Awards
Kannywood’s actor, producer and director popularly known as Uzee may not be a man that blows his trumpet, but little did people know that this young energetic actor cum-producer received over 14 awards in 2014.
Though there are other events like AFRIMA, LEADERSHIP Entertainment writer bagging
Goodwill Ambassador Awards and Davido being acclaimed the best artiste, there are more things to be expected in 2015 as it’s going to be a sure year for entertainment followers. Happy New Year!!!
Goodwill Ambassador Awards and Davido being acclaimed the best artiste, there are more things to be expected in 2015 as it’s going to be a sure year for entertainment followers. Happy New Year!!!
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