Paul Okoye looking dapper in new promo shots

Paul shared the photos on his instagram page today. Very Stunning

“There were times I wanted to quit music; Imagine if I did” – Singer, Waje

We caught up with superstar songstress Waje who is currently basking in the euphoria of reviews for her self titled debut album. She sat down and took us through a lot; future plans, that controversial nude scene in the ‘I wish’ video and why words arent just enough.
Enjoy!

Congrats on your album release, it took quite a while didn’t it?

Thank you. Yes it did. Ehen?

Any particular reason for the delay between your first singles and your debut album?

First of all, an album does not validate an artiste especially in the kind of market that we are in today, even internationally. Gone are the days when albums make the artiste because people don’t even buy albums anymore. Most important thing is keep churning out great music, whatevefr format. It took a while because I wanted to be able to defend my work, I wanted something to be proud of. It is one thing for people to say they are your fans and another for you to be able to deserve the fans based on the quality of work that you put out.

So did you make the album you have always wanted to make?

I know I did a 100% better than I’d have done 2years ago or even last year. As we grow in the business, we discover things about ourselves that we are able to do creatively. There are quite a number of things I did in this album that I never thought I could do. I used to be the ballad, straight-through-the-heart soul singer and I didn’t know I could have much commercial value when it comes to bringing out songs that people can dance or sing along to.

Why should we go out and buy the album?

Because you just cant help but love Waje – the artiste and the album.

Creatively, what does this record mean to you?

It is self titled because I have come to understand that many times as a creative person, you tend to show people your own view of things, not necessarily as they happened to you but how you view them. As a woman, mother and sister to a lot of people, you can listen to ‘WAJE’ and totally relate irrespective of demographic. You will always find a piece of yourself in my music. It is versatile in the sense that I did not stick to only one genre. One thing that stands out most in the record is the Waje personality which is why you will buy it anyway. Most times we buy albums because of the artiste and not necessarily because of the genre. Highlife, pop, R&B and all through, my vocal ability stands out.

There are some interesting collaborations on the record. With M.I, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy. Did you just pick artistes who are hot at the moment?

These are people that I have met in the course of my career and one way or the other we have worked together, they have inspired me and vice versa. This album is a journey. Like when you put your key in your ignition and start the car, there is an intended destination so for me I just started the car and I am driving and these are people I have picked up along the way. M.I is a very good friend of mine and we have worked together. I admire Tiwa a lot and she’s also a good friend of mine. Eva is not scared to say the things that matter most despite the fact that she is a woman. Burna is young and getting a lot of attention because of his personality and the freshness of his music.

You seem to be everywhere of late, from the AMAAS to the AMVCAs performing at all the big events. Is 2013 the year of Waje or what?

I don’t like to say this is the year of anyone because then what happens next year? Everyone’s prayer is to continue to grow so all I am saying is I am going to be here for a very long time so people should not just get tired. I am going to be experimenting, discovering things about myself. It is music so I don’t see why I should confine myself. It is the beginning for me. We have started the year well, it is the middle and things have been great and I thank God for that but I am not going to say this or any year is the Waje year.

I have seen you perform live with a backing band, do you think more artistes should embrace it or is it a form that is dying?

Live music can never die. I am not saying that playing pre-recorded tracks isn’t great but why would you ask someone to pay 1million naira to come see you and then play him the CD that he has at home? Respect your audience. Also, you are performing, you gauge your audience and they are not feeling it, you want to be able to switch it up immediately, CDs don’t give that freedom. The other day I did an exclusive gig with about 50 high profile people, business executives. Half of them were white and I have never played such an audience before. At some point I knew they needed to dance and I switched it, started doing some oldies and they made me perform for two straight hours. I was tired but they were enjoying it and it was great.

 What has been responsible for keeping you on the radar from ‘Do me’ up till ‘I wish’?

Faith. Because some times you don’t see anything. There are times people tell you; well done, great call but you don’t see anything coming out of it but what keeps you hanging on is understanding what you can do, your abilities. There are times, 2years ago that I wanted to quit, imagine if I did. I would then blame government, blame the industry meanwhile people wey dey success, dem no get 10 heads so why me no go success? My own is to keep doing what you know how to do. You know that 10,000 hours rule? Until I have done music for 10,000hrs, I’ll just keep doing it. Everything will work out for good.

Are you now more fulfilled as an artiste with the release of your debut album?

Yes I am. Fulfilled in the sense that I am loving the acceptance, it is getting great reviews. I am happy that people have accepted it. The other day a friend of mine was in a taxi and the driver was playing my CD. I never used to think I was an artiste that appealed to cab drivers so it is great. Music is for everyone. I am happy to have a compilation of work.

What is it like being a young female in today’s music industry?

It is fun. A lot of people say it is a male dominated industry and I agree but females can be successful as well. I know it is going to be a year of great albums. Omawumi released hers, I have done mine, Tiwa is following soon. It will get to a point where we will be headlining shows because being a lady does not stop you from being successful. It’s all hard work. Nothing else

Omawumi recently confessed you are a better singer than she is, how would you respond to that?

Truth about it is Omawumi and I are two different singers. I don’t like answering this question because people no dey call us for show based on who sings better. We no dey American Idol, we don grow pass that. We are business women now, this is our career so if you want comparisons go and look for young people. For us music is business. We are not in any talent hunt.

What is next for you: any new singles or videos in the works?

Lots of plans. We are preparing for a concert which will kick off my upcoming tour around September. We are starting publicity for the concert soon, trust that it will blow your mind. I am shooting a video, ‘Onye’ with Tiwa Savage. I havent decided on the one after that, maybe ‘Grind’’ because I noticed a lot of people like it.

I like ‘Ijeoma’

I am definitely shooting a video for ‘Ijeoma’ it is a big budget video and I have big plans for it so I want to chill till I don gather enough money. It is going to showcase the sights and sounds of Nigeria. We are going all out for it.

Let us talk about the video for ‘I wish’ and that hot nude scene. Were you or weren’t you?

But the whole idea was to make you think I was nude so why should I tell you now that I wasn’t? The concept of the video is a more interesting thing to talk about so I’ll say that it is a sad video. I wanted to show emotions, vulnerability and my state of mind in visuals so the ‘’nude scene’’ as you have called it, was just me trying to achieve that.

Source: YNaija

DAYO ADENEYE (D1) & his WIFE CAROLINE, Talks About Their Marriage

Dayo Adeneye a.k.a D1 and his wife, Caroline, have been married for 12 years. The couple reveal their staying power
How long have you been married? 
Caroline: We got married in 2001 but I have known him for about 15 years. We courted for two years. 
 
How did you meet? 
 
Dayo: My father introduced us to each other. She had some friends next door to my father’s house and he always told me about these two ladies who used to come around and he said he wanted me to meet with them. I just said to myself: Is it this old man that would give me a girlfriend?’ But my curiosity got the better of me. Then, we met and took it from there.
 
What was the attraction? 
 
Dayo: She just seemed very down-to-earth apart from the physical attraction. She was very friendly and I associate with people I can converse with. I do not go for just beauty, I prefer somebody I can discuss just anything. I found that in her and I was very comfortable with it. We went on dates and we just had fun. 
 
Did she give you a hard time when wooing her? 
 
Dayo: She did. According to her, I was a celebrity and she does not date celebrities because they don’t make good boyfriends or husbands. It was left to me to change her mind and show her that what I do for a living does not define me. Once I leave the TV or radio, I am just Dayo Adeneye.
 
How did you bring yourself to date and later marry a celebrity? 
 
Caroline: I had a thing or two against celebrities because most of those we looked up to did not really have a home. Marrying Dayo was a project my late father-in-law embarked on- I just had to marry his son. After meeting Dayo, I watched him closely. He was nice, reserved and forthright. We stuck together even though my parents were against it. After I had my daughter, we were still not married and when they saw that he kept coming around and would take part in family activities, they just called me one day and said we should go and do the wedding. Dayo is a deep-minded person, who allows you to grow. He tells me, ‘I don’t mind if my wife is richer than me.’ 
When I was in school, I used to run away from the Yorubas. But God made me eat my words and gave me a man I could not resist. 
 
How did he propose to you? 
 
Caroline: He proposed to me outside the country and he did not take me to any fancy restaurant. We were eating eba and vegetable soup. He just said he loved my nails and he wanted to get a closer view. The next thing he did was to slip a ring into my finger and asked me to marry him. I keep telling him that when we are celebrating our 15th year anniversary, he will propose to me again and this time, in a fanciful manner. 
 
How did your union survive the first five years of marriage, which are termed the toughest? 
 
Caroline: It takes a lot of patience and compromise. My mother and one of my aunts told me that if one survives the first five to seven years of marriage , there is a great tendency that both of you would stay together. I had the challenge of being submissive but we were able to overcome it because there was real love, trust, and friendship. 
 
Do you sometimes wish he was not a public figure?
Caroline: No, because when he is at home, he is the Dayo Adeneye I married. 
 
Are you concerned he is a ladies’ man? 
 
Caroline: My father used to say, ‘If you do not go after women, they would go after you.’ When you do not dwell on it, you will not be bothered. I am happy and do not think I would want him to do anything else because he enjoys what he is doing. 
 
Apart from being his wife, what else do you do? 
 
Caroline: I am a lawyer and I do general business. I am into construction, I do events, and I make branded luxury items. 
 
When you quarrel, who is the first to apologise? 
 
Caroline: D1 is a kind of person that keeps to himself. When he is upset, he does not want to talk. I just let him be. In the early days of our marriage, I did not understand, but with time, I adjusted. I realised that in a short while, he comes around and will usually send the kids to tell me to get him this or that. However, when he upsets me, he starts demanding for things as little as cake and then gradually, he talks his way to my heart. So we really don’t wait for who would apologise first. 
 
How do you balance your roles at home and at the office? 
 
Dayo: It is not very difficult for me. In the early years, because we were working to build a brand, it was difficult for me because we put in many hours at work. In those days, it was very easy to find me working weekends, holidays and I do not think we have spent Valentine’s Day together in the last 12 years and even major holidays like Easter or Christmas, because that is when we are the busiest in entertainment. She understands and fills the void when I am not around. That is why it is important to marry your friend because marriage is not all about love. That friend would be willing to do anything for you. When I am not working, I am always home spending as much time as possible with them. 
 
How often do you give your wife a treat? 
 
Dayo: In the early days, it was a lot of material things such as a car or a parcel of land. But I think we have become so much of friends now that we look out for little things. She knows I do not need the big things to make me happy. Just ordering me an apple pie, (she knows I like it) or a pack of cupcakes makes all the difference. I try to do the same. If I come home early from work, I whisk her off to a Chinese restaurant, just to let her know I am thinking about her and I appreciate her being in my life. 
 
What would you like to change about each other? 
 
Dayo: She knows. I always tell her she is very stubborn but I have learnt to look at it this way- sometimes, what you consider a weakness could also be strength. Just tweak things a bit and adjust it. That her stubbornness and tenacity also help her in her business because when she locks onto something, she does not give up until she gets it. I tell her, ‘When I say anything to you, listen and digest it before giving me a reply.’ She usually tries to answer immediately and I think that is just the lawyer in her. I tell her, ‘We are not in a courtroom.’ 
Caroline: He is too strict and I think he should relax. I think he ought to be more open. We can sit here for hours talking and he will not say a word. Meanwhile, he would have taken in everything in the environment. 
 
Is he romantic? 
Caroline: He is but not to the extent, I want him to be. For someone who lived in America for 17 years, I do not think he is doing well in that regards. Before, I used to receive text messages every now and then but now it comes once a month. 

Dayo: It is network problem. 
 
How do you spend time together? 
Caroline: Even though he is not around during the holidays, he makes up for it. Recently, we went to Virgin Islands and we had a lot of fun. 
 
Do you have pet names for each other? 
Caroline: Not really. I just call him ‘Honey’ and this started even when I just met him. 

Dayo: I do not have any but when I am being romantic, I call her by her middle name. which I do not want to make public.
Source: Punch

Bollywood Actress Jiah Khan's Boyfriend Arrested

Bollywood actress, Jiah Khan, 25, committed suicide by hanging herself on Sunday 2^nd of June at her home in Mumbai. A six-page suicide letter was found by Jiah's younger sister in a wallet box belonging to Jiah when she was looking for some poems written by Jiah to be read out at her prayer meeting. It's understood that the letter has been handed to police investigating Jiah's death along with handwriting samples. Jiah's mum, Rabiya, has reportedly released the letter to the press after there was speculation that her daughter took her life because of depression related to her career. She made it public "so that everyone may know the truth behind my daughter's tragedy".

 
Jiah's ex-boyfriend, 21 year old Suraj Pancholi, the son of famous Bollywood actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, was arrested yesterday Monday June 10th, on suspicion of abetting her suicide. More Pictures after cut 

Tonto Dikeh: Role Model Or Nuisance?

Tonto Dikeh

If you haven’t heard of the name Tonto Dikeh in the Nigerian entertainment industry then you are so 2000 and late. Tonto Dikeh is one name that has penetrated every household in Nigeria. Tonto as she is fondly called is popularly known for her acting prowess and came into limelight in 2005 when she competed on a reality TV show The Next Movie Star and emerged the first runner up; since then, there has been no stopping her.
However, the issue here is not Tonto’s acting career but her recent venture into music. The star actress turned singer has been in the news lately for her sojourn into the world of music. She has released songs like “Hi”, “Itz Ova”, “Jeje”, and is set on releasing another titled “Carriage”. All of these songs have met with mixed reactions and opinions from fans and haters alike. While some have praised her efforts, some have been quick enough to tear her down. Negative criticism both verbal and written have trailed her attempt at music while there have been few also admiring her doggedness and determination to get her music accepted.

I have come to notice that we Nigerians are fond of the habit of stereotyping our celebrities. Once someone is famous in one particular field, we refuse to let them grow out of that role. Even when they try to move out of that box, we continually cage them in and refuse to change our perception and mindset about them. This trend can be found in Nollywood where particular actors are known for a particular role and without having to see the movie, one can tell what the movie is about and the character played by the actor just by the appearance of that actor in the movie. Producers and directors alike refuse to give them roles outside this particular one they are well known for and this has stunted growth and killed diversity.

It is this same mindset that has affected our orientation and mentality about many things. If a musician suddenly decides to turn into an actor, the intention is received with so much apathy that if such a person is not careful, it may mean the end of their career or their will being dented. The same goes for an actor that decides to dab into music. The public out of their microscopic mentality are unable to view the person in any other light apart from the already established one. Even before the release of the music, there would be so much controversy about the whole affair that one would wonder how people could be so negative.

I have heard talks and comments about how whack Tonto’s music is and how she lacks talent. Numerous advices have been given about how she should focus on her acting rather than wasting her time with music. I read a particular write up in which the writer claimed that Tonto Dikeh was a nuisance to the society because of her music. The writer must have had his reasons which I fail to see. All I see is someone trying to entertain you and if you don’t like it, simply turn away. If I don’t like a particular actor, then I don’t have to watch a movie he is casted in; it is as simple as that. She has been lambasted time and again for trying to ‘force’ her music down our throat and I wonder to myself how possible that is. If you don’t like her song and it plays on your radio or television, it is a free world, simply change the broadcast station.

Just as much as you don’t like her music, there are those out there that do enjoy it and appreciate her efforts. The writer further went on to talk about how there are thousands of people out there and how the likes of Tonto are stopping them from shining. According to him, she is using money to push her music and this brought a smile to my face. How possible is that? Each man to his lot and if she uses money to push her music then why not let them push their music with talent?

Tonto isn’t the first actor to turn musician but of the lot she seems to be the only consistent one. The likes of John Okafor, Genevive Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Nkem Owoh (Osuofia), and some few others have all at one time or the other ventured into music only to meet with negative acceptance.

Her music may not be the super-fly sounds of the likes of Chidinma, Omawumi, Mocheddah, Waje, Tiwa Savage, etc but her efforts should be commended. I for one particularly like her creative video for ‘Hi’ which looked like a Nigerian version of Katy Perry’s ‘Last Friday Night’. Her determination despite the trail of criticism and negative reviews should be emulated by young ones in pursuing their dreams.

We all should learn to open our minds to people exploring themselves and living their dreams. The example of international teen star, Miley Cyrus is a good example; she is well known and respected for her acting and music skills. Even the sojourn of female musicians like Beyonce and Rihanna into acting was met with much appreciation.

Perhaps if we learn to give people a good chance instead of stereotyping, then we may make head way. In the end I leave the question to you, is Tonto Dikeh a role model or nuisance?

Beyonce and Rihanna

Source: Poshkidcharming

Ojukwu Was Right On Confederacy In 1966 – Prof Oluyemi Fagbohun

One thought dominated the comments of discussants on how to make local councils in Nigeria effective at a forum in Lagos Tuesday:   There is so much rot in the councils and decisive actions are needed to make them deliver democracy dividends.

However, the discussants were divided on how to ensure effective governance at the grassroots. While some asked the National Assembly to remove the Local Councils as a tier of government and tie them to the states in line with the dictates of classical federalism, others said the councils should be allowed to operate as currently enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
Among those who proffered solutions to the decay in the councils were Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; legal icon, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN; Professor Francis Oluyemi Fagbohun; and Mr. Onyekachi Ubani (Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja branch).
This came as Prof Fagbohun, who chaired the event, said that late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was right when he called and fought for confederacy in 1966 but people misunderstood him and branded him a rebel.

According to him, events in the country indicate that “we are returning to confederation. Nigeria has concepts which you can’t find anywhere in the world. Our federalism is homegrown. What we have is not a federal system. We started on a wrong note. The federating units did not come together and agreed to unite. That is the basis of our problems.

“Nigeria is an artificial creation. Before independence, we had true federalism. The East was even operating three tiers of government and it worked. After the 1976 local government reforms, the councils have never remained the same. Even the establishment of the Joint Account Committee has become a problem in most states.”

Aregbesola on his part, attributed his inability to conduct council polls in Osun State to pending litigations, assuring that once the legal fisticuffs were resolved he would hold the polls.
They spoke at the second edition of the National Public Discourse organised by CMC Connect in association with O’Ken Ventures, at MUSON Centre, Lagos. It was themed: “Local Government Authority: How Autonomous?”

The governor attributed the rot in the councils to military introduction of unitary system of government, designation of councils as a tier of government, over-concentration of power at the centre to the detriment of the federating units, creation of federation account and allocation of funds to other tiers of government.

Citing the examples of United States of America, India, Brazil, Switzerland and Australia among others, he said countries operating a federal system of government have two tiers of government – the centre and the federating units (states) arguing that it is an aberration to make councils a tier of government.

He picked holes in the allocation of 51 per cent of revenue to the Federal Government with the 36 states getting 26 per cent. “The Federal Government is too distant from the people. What is the Federal Government doing with its 51 per cent allocation? It is impossible for the government at the centre to present itself to the people in the grassroots.

“The introduction of garrison federalism made it a rule that everything (revenue) must come to the Federal Government and ensured straight jacket garrison command of allocation of funds to the local governments. Which other federation outside Nigeria allocates revenue from the Federal Government to other tiers? Government exists to generate income. Any government that cannot generate income is not worthy of its existence.”

To make councils functional, he said the states should be allowed to create and fund councils as they deem fit without input from the National Assembly as currently obtains; the country should be restructured with power devolved to the federating units because defective federalism is responsible for the widespread poverty in the country and without allocation only a few states and local councils would survive.

Speaking in like manner, Sagay said the question of autonomy for councils in a federal setting was an aberration. His words: “What we have in Nigeria is an aberration. It is unheard of for local government to be listed in the constitution. The local government is totally and completely an agent of the state government for development. What should happen is that every state should decide how many local governments it wants and fund them by itself.

“The Federal Government should not fund local governments. Why should we have a federation account? Why do we all share from one account and say we are a federation? Why must we have the same system of government in all the councils?  States should be able to decide the form of local government system they want whether parliamentary or presidential…

“Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo recognized in 1947 that the only way we (Nigeria) can be together is through federalism. We should be thinking of how to reduce the stifling control of the centre. Nigeria has to practice a federal system of government. What we have now is a semi-unitary system. The Federal Government should be thinking of how to convert the zones into powerful regions and leaving the centre with a few responsibilities because the Federal Government is the weakest government in the country.

“If we follow the correct principles of federalism and allow power to devolve to the federating units we will get it right. The regions funded the Federal Government in the past and kept 50 per cent of their revenue. Today the Federal Government strips states of their resources. The Federal Government has no resources. All they have is Abuja and Abuja has nothing. If it is not Niger Delta oil or Lagos VAT, it is Customs duties. Not up to five per cent of Federal Government resources come from the Federal Government.”

Beyoncé Tells Serena Williams To "Stunt On Them" In Open Letter

Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has shown a knack for penning open letters and made no exception with tennis superstar Serena Williams following an impressive French Open championship win last weekend.
A hand written letter from Bey to Williams has started to circulate across the Internet. "Stunt on them Serena. 31 and in your prime. You have no idea how much you inspire all of us women. Im so proud of you. All my Love and Respect. Beyoncé".
The note reportedly came shortly after Williams added more gold to her name by winning the French Open. Beyoncé wrote a lovely note to Serena Williams after the tennis star won the French Open on Saturday. Yes, it has a girl-power vibe to it, why do you ask? Did she send this message via snail mail? Transcribe it from a text after lip-syncing it? Or was the note written solely for the purpose of posting on Facebook?
It's most likely the last one, even though that sounds phony and shallow and we all know Beyoncé and her team are neither of those things.
Last year, Bey inked an open letter to First Lady Michelle Obama. "Michelle, is the ULTIMATE example of a truly strong African American woman. She is a caring mother, she's a loving wife, while at the same time, she is the FIRST LADY!!!! No matter the pressure, and the stress of being under the microscope - she's humble, loving, and sincere. She builds and nurtures her family, while also looking out for so many millions in so many ways. Michelle, thank you so much for every single thing that u do for us - I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to. Love, Beyonce."
Her comments did not go unnoticed and sparked a reaction from Mrs. Obama.