Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Felix wins Audience Award at Durban International Film Festival

                                                       " FELIX "
At the 34th Durban International Film Festival, audiences watching Felix laughed, cried and voted the feel-good South African family movie Best Film.
The audience award was announced at Southern Africa’s premiere film festival on Saturday at the closing night event at the Suncoast CineCentre Cinema.

In Felix, 14-year-old Felix Xaba dreams of becoming a saxophonist like his late father, but his mother Lindiwe thinks jazz is the devil’s music. When Felix leaves his township friends to take up a scholarship for grade eight at an elitist private school, he defies his mother and turns to two aging members of his father’s old band to help him prepare for the school jazz concert.
Durban International Film Festival manager Peter Machen called Felix “a South African equivalent of Billy Elliott… a lovely, vibrant, feelgood film about a young township boy intent on following his dreams.”
Felix‘s all-star cast includes Joburg-born Oscar-nominee Dame Janet Suzman in her first South African film; South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) Best Actress winner Linda Sokhulu (Isidingo, Generations) in her feature debut; and newcomer Hlayani Junior Mabasa, who was cast in the title role from over 400 auditions across the country.
Felix was created by a predominantly female creative team, with SAFTA Lifetime Achievement winner Roberta Durrant directing; Natalie Haarhoff as the DOP; Shirley Johnston as the screenwriter; Kate Schalk as the line producer; Surisa Surisa as the art director; Ayesha Khatieb as the wardrobe stylist; Islyn Goliath as the hair and makeup artist; and Maryke Kruger as the editor. This makes Felix the first South African film written, directed, shot, edited and line produced by women since democracy.
Shirley’s acclaimed script won Sithengi’s Writer’s Forum Award; was a finalist in the US Specscriptacular Competition; and was a quarter-finalist in both Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest and the Moondance Screenwriting Competition.

Musical director Murray Anderson, who has recorded Gold and Platinum records for the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, worked closely on the infectious jazz soundtrack with former Standard Bank Young Artists of The Year Mark Fransman and Bokani Dyer, as well as triple 2012 South African Music Awards nominee Lwanda Gogwana.


Monday, July 29, 2013

MEET DARE PRINCE ABIOLA THE INVERTERATE MISSIONER OF JUSTICE



1.Tell us about yourself – education and childhood memories?
Given names are Oludare Adedeji Prince Abiola...known as Prince Abiola.Schooled in National Film Institute Jos Nigeria,studied Cinematography! My Childhood Memories was becoming a Film Actor, when I was young I was always glued to the T:V getting emotional, when I got Admission to study Theatre Arts at Uni Ibadan and Ilorin,my Visa was flying ready ,so I flew away !I studied Hotel Restaurant,I was in Bagco Super sack Advert with Bassey Okon lai la, the last picture is me with Bassey in Cincinati Ohio this April 2013,I was in 33Beer Advertise I  have acted with National Troupe of Nigeria in the Silent gods, I attended classes with popular face Omotola Jolade Ekehinde.  I studied Management from Pen Forster Pennsylvania University. I AM THE INVERTERATE MISSIONER OF JUSTICE::that is the way I see myself.

2. Tell us about indiegogo and you fundraising event
I dont own Indiegogo, I was told about this platform when i went on vacation to America! Indiegogo is the platform that helps you showcase your Artistic innovation, idea and concept to the wider World.


3. When and why did you start?
When I started my launch on Indiegogo was in May of this Year ,Why did i start off this launch on Drug Terrorism ,it is to get the required fund to do my Drug Terrorism Film in Documentary Film Format or Feature Film,that is why i placed the idea on the platform of Indiegogo to raising fund 380 ,thousand US Dollars is the money needed in making this film to an Internationally accepted Film of note like HOTEL RWANDA; SLUM  DOG MILLIONAIRE; LAST KINGS OF SCOTLAND and if you want to make it SCARFACE like give me 900 thousand US Dollars i will give you the film,ARRIVING ARRIVALS; Drug Terrorism Film that will be termed African Scarface version..

4. What is the origin of the word “.indiegogo”?
What is the Origin of the word indiegogo ,I  don’t own it so I don’t know, I am only using the platform to raise fund for my Drug Movie.

5. Tell us about your forthcoming movie campaign
My Campaign in raising money to doing this DRUG Film is sky high ,i have written to more than 1000 people to support ,but to no avail nothing is forthcoming, some said NDLEA should sponsor the Movie I  have written them till date no reply, people just view my interview on YouTube www.youtube.comPrince Abiola.

6. How did your interest into war on drug start
,I have been living here since 15 years, and the numbers of African Nationals joining the DRUG OCCUPYING  WORLD of Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Cannabis, and Meth like a new Religion, and the Prisons I have visited were all full with Nigerians ,,they are injecting them ,take for example in Asia Continent China, Vietnam, Malasia, Indonesia ,Thailand, Laos, Gwam ,all these Countries since 1989 they have have killed close to 240 thousand Nigerians till 2013,in 2007 former President Olusegun Obasanjo was appealing to the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loang not to Execute the 2 Nigerians Iwachukwu Amara Tosshi 21 years old Okeke Nelson Malachy on Jan 26th 2007,Do you still remember Ojulope Bathlomew owoh, and Ogedegbe Benard these 2 Yoruba guys were Executed by General Tunde Idiagbon, Remember Edo State of Assembly 2011 Aspirant Eme Zuru Ayontor 52 years on January 2010 was apprehended by NDLEA for smuggling 2.2kg Cocaine he was a Pharmacist turned Politician I have up to 59 pages of Nigerians caught from all over the World ,plus NDLEA I have followed them like 1 and 2!

7. When you started out, who were your role models?
My Role Model from the Filming radar of the World was good films churned out of Hollywood, and SCARFACE  from Oliver Stone that starred Al Pacino as Tony Montana was the icing on the cake it was the film that revolutionized Drug movie ,I went bananas when I saw Scar face, and I say thank you to LTV Channel 8 Ikeja Lagos State for giving us good movies, and from the Nigerian perspective of Filming I will give it to JIMMY ODUMOSU,s Films, Village HeadMaster,Zebudaya Jegede sokoya, CoCK Crow at Dawn, Ivan Ikoku, plus Hubert Ogunde’s Movie were sky high, Indian film, Chinese films i loved it.

8. How would you describe your target audience?
My Target Audience is the Millions of viewers that will be watching my film ARRIVING ARRIVALS DRUG TERRORISM FILM: that Drug Trafficking using is not the answer while my film will make the Dealer, Trafficker, and User all visible.  My Film is the only Film to bring us the glory of Respect. The modicum of disrespect Hardworking innocent Nigerians have faced when they proffer Nigerian Passports is unbelievable. Remember the quote of the great Dr Martin Luther King he said and i quote "OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTERS MOST!

9. You easily impress me as a very energetic and highly entrepreneurial person. How have you developed your business savvy over time, and how do you constantly ensure that you are growing and improving in your profession?
 I will say my Investigative Script of the Drug World is the Bomb that will scatter Drug dealers from Nigeria ,from African Nations ,now is judgment day, the Nigeria home video got nuggets of wisdom about DRUG NIGERIAN COMMUNITY ::MY FILM SOLVES THE PROBLEM:I LIVE HERE:

10. What notable challenges have you had to tackle in your business?
When I cull the Nigerian news of crime and African Nationals into Drugs i get more power and the Script of 9 years ago is ready to take up Scarface...I am ready to explode once I get the sponsors to support my film into Documentary, or feature film. The only challenge crippling me is no fund to doing this Drug Terrorism Film; I have another one titled TROLEY! Against PROSTITUTION! FUNDING is killing me out on my project NDLEA SUPPORT ME NOW!

11. In what other ways are you giving back to the industry and society?
When I get required fund I will build 2 Standard PRISONS in LAGOS and >ABUJA AIRPORTS respectively! Very international and it will deter a lot of Drug dealers and would be prostitutes.

12. What qualities do you like in people, and which traits put you off when dealing with people?
I love honest people, and I don’t like people who only blame Government for the woes in the Country!

13. Could you tell us a bit about your normal daily routine and how do you de-stress after a rather busy day or week?
I work for a Lawyer, and I get the stress off by dancing before the big Mirrors in my house..

14. If you had the opportunity to wish for anything and it would happen instantly, what would it be?

I pray people come and support ARRIVING ARRIVALS DRUG TERRORISM FILM;NDLEA;COOPERATE BANKS ;DRUG ASSOCIATION AGAINST DRUG PEDDLING TRAFFICKING ;USER S;SHOULD SUPPORT ME ; www,indiegogo .com enter ARRIVING ARRIVAL S AND HELP, www.youtube.com Prince Abiola leave a message God bless.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN OFFICIAL SELECTION tiff




The Toronto International Film Festival announced the first selections this week, including Biyi Bandele’s Half of a Yellow Sun. Based on the novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the story follows the lives of two sisters during the Nigerian-Biafran War. The film stars Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anika Noni Rose, and Joseph Mawle and will have its world premiere at the festival.



Thursday, July 25, 2013

LONDON NA WA


London Na Wa.... We are in the Business of Making You Laugh.
Set in London, of course, London Na Wa promises to deliver on its promise to make you laugh till your ribs ache. Na sick note you go get from your doctor for time to recover!
There's the usual mix of romance, infidelity, juju, revenge, fabulously directed and shot by the Impresario, Nelson Spyk. Some of the stars include: Marie Gomez,  Eleanor Agala, Olivia Eze, Princess Nicole, Pam Pam, Christianah Awotayo, Kevwe Ogunje, Nonso Nwaiwu, Seyi Akinosho ,collins and many more.
Mustn't say too much about the movie, just go and see it on 26th July 2013, at Greenwich Odeon, Bugsby Way, London SE10 0QJ. Red carpet commences 9pm.
There'll be a crop of UK based Nollywood glitterati in attendance and of course Theodora Ibekwe the producer of the much talked about movie Shameful Deceit will be there. come and support UK Nollywood.

Written by Theodora Ibekwe

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

UNITED NATIONS: STOP THE NIGERIAN SENATE FROM MAKING UNDER-AGE MARRIAGE THE LAW!



Updated Petition Against Under-Age Marriage In Nigeria.
On the 18th of July 2013, the Senate voted on an amendment of Section 29 of the Nigerian Constitution, the relevant part which was: Section 29 (1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration prescribed manner for the renunciation. Sub-section 4 states: For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section. (a) "full age" means the age of eighteen years and above; (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.
A majority of Senators -- totalling (up to) two-thirds of members as required for a constitutional amendment -- voted to delete clause (b). However, a request for a second vote was made by Senator Ahmed Yerima on the basis that the deletion of that clause was discriminatory against Muslim women, in that Islamic Law permits females to marry under the age of 18. The amendment was once again put to vote -- after eventual concession by the Senate President, following an initial objection to a deviation from Parliamentary rules on voting. A majority of Senators once again voted to delete clause (b). However, on this occasion, the re
quired two-thirds majority was not attained, and the amendment was in effect defeated. Our position is that this clause legitimises the exploitation of female children since the effect of clause (b) quite simply is: a. To deem a female to be of-age, simply by virtue of the act of marriage; b. To thus legitimise the marriage of minors. c. To neutralise the provisions of Sections 21 and 31 of the Child Rights Act 2003, which serve to make unlawful marriage to and indeed intercourse with minors, defined simply as a child under the age of 18 years. Whilst it is acknowledged that this vote did not introduce Section 29 (4)b, since it was already in the constitution, it has however highlighted the need for legal protection for minors in the light of what is clearly a huge gap in Nigerian law.
Simply put, the law as it stands today, provides no protection for a minor being subjected to sexual intercourse regardless of age, as long as the same is done within the boundaries of marriage, even though she may not have the capacity to understand or appreciate the nature of the marriage contract. It is important to state that this matter is not simply part of a Muslim-Christian schism,  and it is noted that the votes in the Senate both for and against, appeared to cross both ethnic and religious lines. What is most important is that the effect of the retention of Section 29 (4)b will leave children all over Nigeria, whether Northern, Southern, Christian, Muslim or Animist with no protection from exploitation which is happening and will continue until action is taken.
The effects of Child Marriages are well documented and one of the most visible effects being the prevalence of the horribly debilitating disease Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) amongst young females in Nigeria. 12,000 cases are reported yearly in Nigeria, most of which are young females of northern extraction. This is not counting the unseen psychological and social cost inherent in mortgaging the lives of a generation of young children.
What we ask for is a universally applicable law protecting minors by defining a minimum marriageable age, since the simple fact is that without legislation, young children are legally exposed to sexual exploitation.

Please sign this petition, which could be your small contribution to ensuring huge positive change in Nigerian law and protecting many generations of Nigerian children, now and in the future, from sexual exploitation.

Thank you for your support!

Updated Petition written by Ed Keazor



Wednesday, July 17, 2013

First IMAX Theater in Nigeria Coming Soon

   

HAVING IMAX EXPERIENCE 

Mr. Giovani Dolci, IMAX’s Vice President for Theater Development in Europe, Middle East and Africa visited Nigeria for the first time from July 14-16, 2013, to meet with Mr. Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, a major stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry who is poised to have the first IMAX Theater in Nigeria as soon as possible. Mr. Giovanni Dolci has been in charge of IMAX sales and business development, responsible for negotiations with exhibitors and distributors throughout EMEA to support the market’s transition to digital projection technology. He joined IMAX after 10 years at London-based Arts Alliance Media, which specializes in digital cinema technology and was also film finance executive, and executive producer with Beach Front Films, a New Zealand-based film production company, where he oversaw financing international co-production projects.







                             Giovanni Dolci talking to Nigerian journalists.




Mr. Shaibu Husseini of The Guardian newspapers, Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, Mr. Segun Ajayi, Mr. Giovanni Dolci, Mr. Biola Ladipo, Mr. Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima and a senior officer of the Media Center at the meeting with the Amuwo Odofin Local Government's secretariat.




Hope Obioma Opara, Biola Ladipo, Giovanni Dolci and Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima meeting at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.


Giovanni Dolci and Michael Chima who was accompanied by his legal adviser Mr. Biola Ladipo, COO of Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC) and associate Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of the annual Eko International Film Festival met with the Nigerian Bank of Industry on Monday July 15, 2013, at the Lagos office where they were welcomed by Mrs. Cynthia Uche Nwuka, Mr. Okechukwu Madu and Mr. Lawrence A. Ewah. The Bank of Industry is investing millions of dollars in the sustainable development of the Nigerian film industry with the co-funding of the film adaptation of the award winning novel “Half of A Yellow Sun” of famous Nigerian female novelist Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie to be released before Christmas; financing the building of new movie theaters (called cinemas in these parts) and launching the largest distribution network for Nollywood with over 10, 000 sales outlets for Nigerian movies on DVD. The bank also co-sponsored the launching of Michael Chima’s nationwide Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project taking cinemas to communities in both the urban and rural areas in all the local government areas of Africa’s most populous nation with over 160 million people and famous for Nollywood, the continent’s largest film industry producing thousands of low budget movies (mostly in videos) and creating thousands of jobs for one of the fastest growing populations of youths in the world.
                                                   YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS FEELINGS

 Mr. Dolci also met with other stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry, including Mr. Femi Odugbemi, CEO of Dvworx and Co-founder/Festival Director of the annual iRepresent International Documentary Forum and Patrick Lee, the General Manager of Ozone Cinemas in Lagos. Then he visited Ozone, Silverbird and Genesis Deluxe cinemas all located in Lagos and scheduled to also visit the Silverbird Cinemas in Accra, Ghana before returning to London.

“The first IMAX Cinema in Nigeria and likely also the first in West Africa will be built in Festac, one of the most urbanized towns in the Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria and the most densely populated state in the country. Lagos has the biggest economy in West Africa and is the hub of the booming entertainment industry,” said Michael Chima at the preliminary meeting of Giovanni Dolci with Comrade Ayodele Adewale, the Executive Chairman of the Amuwo Odofin Local Government at the secretariat in Festac on Tuesday July 16, 2013.
   
       

They were welcomed by Mr. Segun Ajayi, BL, the Council Manager and other officials of the local government who showed Mr. Dolci the enormous potentials of having an IMAX Theater in Festac with a population of over 1 million people who are a successful blend of both lower middle class and upper middle class Nigerians and foreigners. The booming modern town was built over 36 years ago to accommodate thousands of participants and guests at the Second in 1977, but without a single cinema. At the meeting were Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, Mr. Biola Ladipo, Mr. Shaibu Husseini, Nigeria’s leading film critic of The Guardian newspapers, who is also Chairman of the College of Screeners of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Mr. Victor Akande of The Nation newspapers and news reporters of the Amuwo Odofin Local Government’s Media Center.

The first IMAX Theater in Nigeria is going to be ready before next Valentine and projected to attract over 500, 000 people weekly from all the communities in the Amuwo Odofin local government area and nearby towns. “There is no cinema experience like the IMAX Experience and until you see it, you have not seen the best in motion picture,” said Michael Chima who has attracted major investors and stakeholders to increase the number of IMAX theatres after the successful take off of the first one.

- See more at: http://www.nigeriansreport.com/2013/07/first-imax-theater-in-nigeria-coming.html#sthash.uHzEZrWT.dpuf

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL'S WEB THEATRE BRINGS WORLD PREMIERES TO ONLINE AUDIENCE


The Venice International Film Festival is pleased to announce that its web theatre, known as Sala Web, will once again make some of the festival's most groundbreaking programming available to international audiences without them ever having to leave their homes. Following the successful launch of the initiative last year, the festival intends to increase the reach of Sala Web for this year's 70th anniversary addition. Sala Web was conceived as an additional theater to complement and coexist with the traditional theaters on the Lido, allowing cinema enthusiasts from around the world to discover the festival's selection online and in real time.
Sala Web's program this year is centered on a selection of feature films from the Orizzonti (Horizons) section. The films and auteurs selected in Orizzonti represent the most innovative aesthetic and expressive trends in international cinema, showcasing the work of both young and well-established directors. Last year's Orizzonti selection included several festival titles that went on to become favorites with audiences, critics and distributors - including among others WADJDA by Haifaa Al-Mansour, THE INTERVAL by Leonardo Di Costanzo, A HIJACKING by Tobias Lindholm and THREE SISTERS by Wang Bing. The full line-up of Orizzonti films screening via Sala Web will be announced after the VFF Press Conference, scheduled for July 25th in Rome.
By making films in its official selection available online on the same day as their World Premieres, Sala Web is part of the festival's effort to combine the strengths of the Internet with the artistic and curatorial expertise of one of the world's major film festivals. Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, commented on the importance of increasing the impact of the festival experience and taking advantage of the Internet to do so: "At this time when technologies and digital are altering the landscape of cinema in ever more new ways, it is especially important to continue to explore and invest in these possibilities. Our Sala Web is an opportunity for selected films and directors to gain additional exposure beyond the Lido, while also providing these filmmakers with a controlled way to test the waters of the international market. This not only expands the reach of film festivals, but also establishes new kinds of direct connections between films and audiences worldwide."
Each participating film receives only one day-and-date screening corresponding to the date of its world premiere in Venice. Online screenings for each film will be available within 24 hours starting at 9pm (Italian time) on the day of the film's official presentation on the Lido. The festival has also emphasized the importance of making Sala Web accessible to everyone with a modest ticket price of 4.20 Euros per screening and all films screening with English subtitles. The number of virtual seats available for each online premiere is limited to 500. Starting in mid-August, users will be able to register on the Biennale website (www.labiennale.org) to access the box office and purchase individual tickets in the form of secure links to high quality online screenings provided by Festival Scope.
Festival Scope is the online platform normally reserved exclusively for film professionals. Festival Scope has partnered with the most prominent film festivals worldwide to bring the artistic discoveries, experience and business opportunities of the international festival circuit online.
The Venice International Film Festival runs from August 28th to September 7th.


Monday, July 8, 2013

World's biggest yacht


The newly-crowned world's largest yacht took the seas yesterday - a £400million behemoth which is a staggering 590ft long.

The yacht, called 'Azzam', was built by a German firm and has beaten Roman Abramovich's 533ft 'Eclipse' off the top spot.

Azzam was officially unveiled in April, but was seen by 'yachtspotters' being tested on the North Sea at the weekend.

The megayacht is believed to have been ordered by a Middle-Eastern billionaire.


It can travel in excess of 30 knots with power coming from a combination of two gas turbines and two diesel engines with a total of 94,000 horsepower.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

BOB EJIKE RETURNS WITH LEGEND


                    

                                                                   BOB EJIKE

Nllywood patriarch Bob Ejike is coming out with a new album entitled Legend. Two years ago he was honoured with the prestigious Legend of the Art award in Italy, and last December he won the World Music Fiesta in Dubai, little wonder his choice of title. But Ejike says that Legend is just the name of a love song in the collection. He is bringing a merger of the older music traditions where he is rooted and the new and youthful Naija beat as orchestrated by twenty-two year old whiz producer Erons B, with the help of many young singers and rappers, and they promise to bring new meaning to Nigerian music with songs with contemporary beats and meaningful lyrics for a change. What the industry desperately needs now.

Legend contains potential hits like Agbalumo, Cry, Dangote, Darijimi, Funke, Give Me, I love You, Let’s Stay Together, Working Night and Day, Naija Winner, Nakupenda, Sweet Sensation, UBD1, We De Go, Yaga Yaga etc. Recording took two years at Bob Ejike Studio Lagos and  though this experiment has registered many casualties, there is no reason to doubt that the man who started the most productive English language film industry in the world can transfer his feat in movies to music. Bob Ejike is a tenacious diehard, undeterred by his middle age, which he sees as evidence of experience and an advantage rather than disadvantage. This artistic technocrat is packed with multiple creative talents, inspiration and enthusiasm, waiting to explode and start another artistic revolution.  No one who knows his antecedence would doubt this. Bob Ejike was born in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, with multiple artistic talents that include narration, literary and musical abilities. He joined masquerade societies and distinguished as a drummer, percussionist and singer.

He attended Government College Umuahia and by his second year of college, was writing for Drum magazine and Daily Star newspaper, haring the short story page of Drum with Ben Okri. He soon began to write for daily star newspaper in his new town of Enugu, writing poetry and radio drama and became distinguished in this popular tradition. He was the youngest columnist and theatre director in Nigeria.
 In the next few years Bob Ejike became popular with his poetry and radio drama and the theatre he was directing in Enugu. He started writing television drama scripts and taking singing lessons from his friend the Wonder Boy Kris Okotie, (Now a Pentecostal reverend and presidential candidate). .  Okotie taught him how to convert his poems to music. Thereafter Ejike performed with other artistes like Jake Solo, Oritz Wiliki, Jide Obi, Loverboy Felix Liberty, Tina Onwudiwe, to mention but a few.
In 1980 he gained admission to University of Port Harcourt to study theatre arts. in Uniport he came under the influence of great literary minds like Kay Williamson,  Ola Rotimi, Gabriel Okara, Elechi Amadi, I.N.C. Aniebo, Chidi Amuta, and performed with celebrated artistes like Daniel Wilson, Dizzy K Falola, Sweat, Mandy Brown. In 1982 his film Echoes of Wrath, starring Richard Mofe-Damijo was released.  It won the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and became the first known Nigerian commercial film in home video format, launching the unprecedented Nigerian video-film renaissance aka Nollywood. In the following years Bob Ejike was involved in a number of other commercial film projects that ultimately opened up the market for the home video tradition.
Bob Ejike graduated in 1985 and participated in the National Youth Service Corp as a language teacher in the Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu in Ogun State. In this period he recorded and released his first music album No Vacancy, which championed the cause of the teeming unemployed.  At the end of his service year he joined Ken Saro-Wiwa’s  Basi and Co as an actor and scriptwriter. Within this period he engaged in artistic exhibitions sponsored by the British Council, Alliance Françoise, and Goethe Institute.
In 1987, he went for a musical concert in Italy and thereafter joined an Italian reggae band, Iree, and remained in Italy and went into graduate school at Universita Popolare of Rome which he combined with teaching English Language at Oxford College, and later at the polytechnic of Milan.
in 1988 Ejike for further studies where he combined graduate school in Universita Popolare of Rome with teaching English Language at Oxford College, and The Polytechnic of Milan. He also worked as translator for Italian publishers and newspapers, and anchored columns in several publications and online news websites. He became popular for his annual exhibition of Nigerian arts and culture in Milan, and his numerous public lectures in various European cities that helped advertise Nollywood into an international brand.
Ejike released his second album Checkin’ Out, and in collaboration with some of his academic colleagues, launched a huge campaign to further publicize Nigerian arts and culture globally. In 1990, he was chosen to officially present the Italian version of Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savanna to the city of Milan, in a crowded ceremony. Ejike also worked as an editor for Del Lavoro publishers, which published African authors, and translated books from English to Italian and vice versa.

In 1995 Bob Ejike was appointed Special Assistant to His Excellency, Dr. Giovanni Germano, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria. He returned to assume duty in Lagos, and one year into the mainly public relations job, the Italian Embassy became a recognized force in the Nigerian diplomatic community. In his spare time he also worked as a columnist for The Sun and The Post Express newspapers, and presented Tropical Rhythms, an NTA (Nigerian Television Authority), Channel 5, Lagos cultural programme. Ejike was the first Nigerian male super model.
 He published his books The Ambassador, and Weapons of Biafra and starred in 40 popular Nigerian films, within this period and produced and released several music albums. His movies include Sharon Stone 2 with Genevieve Nnaji, Maximum Risks with Regina Askia, Confusion with Kanayo o Kanayo, Deadly Proposal with Pete Edochie, Polygamy with Peter Bunor snr, Tears in Heaven with Susan Patrick, Nightfall with Charles Okafor, Executive Crime with Bimbo Manuel, Aba Riot with Olu Jacob, Wanted Alive with St. Obi, Next of Kin with Jide Kosoko, and several others.
In 2002, Bob Ejike was appointed Associate Professor of English as a Foreign Language at Universita Popolare di Roma, so he returned to Italy where he also worked as a translator for the Italian presidency and International Correspondent for The Sun.  In 2005, the Government of Abia State, (Bob Ejike’s place of birth) brought him back from Rome to Umuahia, honoured him and officially recognized his artistic and intellectual efforts towards the international promotion of Nigerian arts and culture. He thereafter assisted in the presidential bid of the then Abia State governor, The Honourable Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

In 2006 he was invited to Uganda to work on the Ugawood Project, a Ugandan Government programme aimed at creating indigenous motion picture industry in the East African country. He spent the next six years working on the project.  He also opened the Professor Bob Ejike Foundation for Performing Arts (probe) which runs audiovisual studios and marketing outfits to assist indigent artists. He used his position in that country to build a cultural bridge that
facilitated the arrival in East Africa of Nigerian products and performers, helping to make Nollywood the most popular font of home entertainment in East Africa. . In 6 years of Uganda, Ejike’s music flowered. He recorded about 70 songs and 20 music videos that dominated the top ten and awards in the entire region, making Bob Ejike one of the most popular stars in East Africa. The ordinary people called him Ki Nigeria, meaning Nigerian film.
Bob Ejike presently resides in Dubai. He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the National Edifice magazine and a director of Free Energy Resources Nigeria Limited.

...By Mary Ajayi



Saturday, July 6, 2013

JETA AMATA TO SHOOT ENTIRELY A HAITI FILM



The President of the Republic encourages actors, directors and producers renowned, to shoot films in Haiti and to draw inspiration from the history thrilling of the Haitian independence

Port-au-Prince, Friday, May 17, 2013: The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, welcomes with enthusiasm and supports the initiative of the Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata to shoot entirely in Haiti a film about Toussaint Louverture, in order to show the leading role played by this hero in the struggle for the independence of the first black republic in the world.
Hope Opara The President of Eko International Film Festival and Film Director Jeta Amata at the Haiti Pavilion during the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France 
President Martelly, in order to do a better know Haiti through the world and also the prowess of the native army and hero of the independence of Haiti, especially Toussaint Louverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, Alexandre Pétion and Henri Christophe, who defeatedone of the largest armies in the world at the time, Napoleon's army, encourages all actors, directors and producers known to contribute to this goal through specific films.

Besides its singular revolutionary history as first black republic in the world, Haiti has 27,800 square kilometers of surface including 1700 km of paradise coastline, a cultural richness unequaled in the Americas, one of the most spectacular coastline of the Caribbean Sea, the famous sites such as the famous Turtle Island (the first bastion of pirates), the largest grid of fortifications of the eighteenth century, the imposing vestige of colonial plantations as well as the greatest symbol of freedom built after independence, namely the Citadelle Henri Christophe.

Furthermore, the country was the most lucrative French colony in the world with 40% of sugar production and 60% of the coffee production of the European continent, not to mention its extraordinary potential in cocoa. All this had been to Haiti the nickname "Pearl of the Antilles."
                                                   Hope Opara  and  Jeta Amata  in France 
However, it is appropriate to point out that the independence of Haiti, gained on the battlefield, at the price of a lot of lives, of blood and sacrifices, was paid thereafter. And since then, the country has never really been able to recover its splendor. Also the President has he deemed  opportune, not only to make Haiti a tourist destination, but also a special field of work for the film industry.

In this optic, the Haitian government is arranged to talk and accompany all actors and other very important personalities implicated in the film productions, in order to facilitate the realization of films able to allow people around the world to discover this fold of the universal history unrolled in this corner of the Caribbean.


Dr Danjuma Dadu New MD Nigerian Film Corporation


A 1-Day interactive forum with motion picture practitioners as well as stakeholders in the motion picture industry organized by  The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) was held on  Tuesday, 2nd of July, 2013  at Nigerian Film Corporation Lagos office by FRCN/VON, Ikoyi Road Ikoyi, Lagos

Dr. Danjuma Wurim Dadu, the new Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) came to meet with existing Guilds and Associations on the challenges faced by film practitioners in the industry. In his speech, he promised to work with the entire stake holders to create a more viable film industry in Nigeria. After responses from stake holders he assured that all the challenges faced in the industry for many years now will be addressed and he promised to establish a study center that will accommodate even those without basic certificates that are interested in learning film business.


The filmmakers and stakeholders in the film sector including film festival organisers in the likes of Hope Obioma Opara the President of Eko International Film Festival and Fidelis Duker the organiser of Abuja Film Festival were all present during the familiarization tour.
In his closing remarks he assured that he is opened for more consultations for the way forward for a better Nigerian film industry.








Friday, July 5, 2013

AFRICAN BEAUTY



AFRICAN BEAUTY WITH NEW BRAIDS LOOKING RAVISHING AND NATURAL

WORKING MOMS MAGAZINE


Working Moms Magazine – an intellectual work piece and companion of today’s woman is out on the news stand, this time with added features you dare not miss.
This edition features exclusive interview on challenges and benefits of cross-cultural marriages as x-rayed by our cover page celebrity, Tanzanian ex-Big Brother Housemate, Elizabeth Gupta Chuwang Pam now Nigerian by marriage. Find the insightful, entertaining and educating interview on page 34.
Those still skeptical of motherhood should read our international model, Oluchi Onwuagba Orlandi’s take and experience on motherhood. As you flip through page 14, I bet you, your mindset MUST change towards motherhood.
Do you agree that time is money? Let’s see how well you’ve managed and made your money on page 18.
Do you know that truly, some men feel threatened by their wives’ success? Learn how to successfully handle and cope with this on page 28.
Join our in-house doctors on page 53 for your health needs even as Dr. Chin Akano lets us in on dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
What attitude do you tackle life’s challenges with? Hmmm……. Speechless is the word on Nelda’s page 44 true life inspirational story.
BB addiction is indeed everywhere. Page 49 features confessions of working moms members’ bb addiction experiences.
What have I just done? No way! You can’t have it all here, rush for your copy to read the amazing Relationship Corner, Fashion tips, Mom Fiction etc.
Welcome on board!

T

Dr.Victor Olaiya Ft 2Face Idibia ‘Baby Mi Da’(Baby Jowo Remix)




                     

 
             
DR VICTOR OLAIYA & 2 FACE