NIGERIAN SHOWBIZFLAIR

NIGERIAN SHOWBIZFLAIR

Contrary to speculations that sultry Nollywood actress Stella Damasus was harassed and rough- handled recently by men of the NDLEA for allegedly traveling to Dubai with substances suspected to be hard drugs, the mother of two has disclosed through her twitter handle and publicist that she was never harassed at the international airport.

She said she would never get herself involved in such an illicit trade. The dashing actress had left Nigeria on October 30 for Cameroon where she had gone for a movie shoot alongside actor cum director Daniel Ademinokan. She is still shocked over the allegation. But Stella Damasus said she has never regretted being a movie star and would never do so.

Between Naeto C and Numbers

Is there something we don’t understand in Naetochukwu Chikwe aka Naeto C’s addiction to numbers? Many are asking this question because from his debut album to his current single, there have always been songs that are related to figures.

Naeto C recorded a song entitled ‘10/10’and as if that is not enough, he has just released another one entitled ‘5 and 6.’  What is rather surprising is that these songs have become his main stay in the industry and some of the rapper’s biggest hit of all times. Has his rise got to do with numbers?

On Vector’s Ill-Temper
The name David Olanrewaju Ogunmefun may not ring a bell but Vector tha Viper would definitely strike a chord in the minds of music lovers in Nigeria.

Vector, one of Nigeria’s fast rising rapper, has been able to make good use of his vocal skills, which has been likened to that of American star Jay Z- to penetrate the Nigerian music scene. However, the good looking rapper, who has collaborated with top acts like Tuface Idibia and 9ice among others, is said to have a bad temper.

Those who should know hinted that Vector could be the best of entertainers while on stage and not so friendly off stage. His temper is said to be so bad that those close to him plead that he’s better left alone when he’s angry than approached because he could be deadly when he is seething.

Next Movie Star Gets Four Causalities

The pervasive feeling inside the Next Movie Star House now is that of uncertainty and stiffer competition. This is understandable because days back; four of the contestants were evicted from the popular reality television show which has over the years become the substantive platform through which young upcoming artistes are introduced to Nollywood and other entertainment endeavours.

The four evictees are Alexandra Ehigozie, a French graduate of Ambrose Alli University; Delta-State born Goodnews Amar; 23-year-old Oguejiofor Kimberly and Ogunrinola Funmilayo, a 400-level Mass Communication student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Coming after they had gone through the grueling but life-changing training and grooming sessions that lasted two weeks and an elaborate welcome party, the evictees broke down in tears and cried inconsolably.

Superstory Rated Most Watched Soap

Wale Adenuga’s production outfit seems to be heading for the tops with accolades and awards flying in from all corners. Just recently, the company’s TV Drama series, ‘Superstory,’ was adjudged the most-watched soap opera in the country.

According to a programme evaluation report by Media Monitoring Services Nigeria Limited (MMS), ‘Superstory’ is the most-watched Nigerian Soap Opera, while “ThisLife”, also from the stable of Wale Adenuga productions, occupies the second position as the toast of lovers of soap operas nationwide for the first half of 2011.

And for Wale Adenuga, the good times are here. He said: “We are humbled by the teeming fans that inspire us to strive for excellence. Our immeasurable gratitude goes to the cast and crew as well as the advertising agencies who work tirelessly to put Superstory on the pedestal. Our latest effort, Nnena & Friends TV show, was not being transmitted as at the time of the MMS report but is already a viewer’s delight judging by the rave reviews being received.”

Chocolate City Eyes Africa’s $100,000 Entrepreneurship Prize
One of Nigeria’s leading entertainment companies, Chocolate City Group, which is the parent company of Chocolate City Music, Chocolate City Media and Chocolate City Distribution, has made the shortlist of 10 companies selected from around Africa for the prestigious Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship 2011.

The company is eying a grand prize of US$100,000 and six other prizes of US $50,000 each including the Coca-Cola Prize for an Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur from Legatum, a private international investment group and Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, on December 8 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Interestingly, Chocolate City is the only entertainment company that made the top 10 shortlist placing the company as one of the biggest entertainment brands in Africa. The finalists will make formal presentations to an international jury of business leaders chaired by Malik Fal, Managing Director of Endeavor, Kamal Budhabhatti, Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Africa Awards; James Manyika, Director of the McKinsey Global Institute and Ayisi Makitiani, the CEO of Fanisi Capital.

Chocolate City Music recently won Record label of the Year at the City People Awards 2011, while its founder/CEO Audu Maikori recently won the “Entertainment Executive of the Year” award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) ceremony held in New York in September 2011. Other awards include the global award for the International Young Music Entrepreneurship (IYMEY) in 2007 by the British Council.

Compiled by Silvanus, Lagos.