The curious case of Omotola’s US TV debut

At what point did we begin to buy into the notion that Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is the best thing since french fries? (French fries trump sliced bread, by the way, just in case you were wondering). I mean, “Omosexy” herself clearly believes it but I’m genuinely curious as to when exactly the general public swallowed up the cheese like starving mice. The past few months have seen a number of steady but precisely-aimed attempts at further convincing the public of the Nollywood actresses supremacy.
First there was her Reality Show, which we won’t even begin to get into now as we would probably spend the whole day attempting to analyse what exactly it was we watched in an attempt to see Omotola reveal “The Real Me.”

It was all a bit curious, to say the least, but hey, stranger things have happened. We followed Omotola (via her Instagram and Twitter, of course) all the way to the United States, observing her palpable glee  in meeting and rubbing shoulders with Hollywood Royalty, among other folk.  Seriously, she looked like an excited little schoolgirl let loose in a life-size dollhouse, but who can blame her?

This was followed by multiple appearances at events across the US.

Fans were ecstatic. Finally, the world was being shown what a true star looked like. They would finally get a chance to appreciate that famous behind of hers. Others grumbled, however. The old woman was at it again, they said. Chasing fame around the globe while her husband and kids were neglected. Blah blah blah, you know how it goes. Omosexy of course ignored all this and kept it moving with a smile and a wave of her luxurious and shiny weave. This of course was all after announcements had been made earlier in the year about the star making her Hollywood debut in a TV Series called Bounce. She was even kind enough to share pictures from the set.
Fans were, as you can imagine, over the moon. Finally Nollywood would be exposed to the whole world, via the ample hips and acting talents of Omotola. Haters were infuriated. Who did this talentless woman have to sleep with to get a Hollywood role? Some were more ambivalent. Omotola who? And why should I care? But once more Omotola kept it moving. Amping up publicity for her appearance increasingly, as the date approached. The case even seemed to be that everything she had done since the beginning of the year had been leading up to this. Before we knew it, the D-Day was upon us. Omotola, in all her benevolence, reminded us via a tweet


So imagine our surprise when we realized the much hyped debut was in fact, not that lenghty. *Sigh* Oh Omotola. Perhaps we’ve drunk the Kool-Aid as well, and bought into the hype, but we can’t help thinking she’s a tad above this sorta thing. Then again, she did tell us not to despise the days of small beginnings. Ah well, without further ado, we present to you, Omotola’s debut on US Television. In all of it’s
5-secondglory…
Who knows? Maybe there’s more coming.

Written by SK Johnson

Learn From Mandela, Facebook Friends Tell President Jonathan

President Jonathan

Nigerians on social media say President Goodluck Jonathan has some lessons to learn from ailing former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
His friends on Facebook who lauded him for taking time out of his schedule on Thursday to wish Mandela a quick recovery on the social network, said the President should also replicate the giant strides made by Madiba in the southern African nation.
The message on the President’s Facebook page stated, “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I would want to let President Jacob Zuma, the government and the people of South Africa know that we are with you in prayers at this trying times.
“We stand firmly with you, our South African brothers and sisters, and together wish our leader, the unequalled humanist, the great son of Africa, former President Nelson Mandela, Gods’ speed on the journey to recovery.’’
Jonathan’s Facebook fans believe Mandela never earned these accolades through wishful thoughts and petty politics, but through selfless and purposeful leadership.
They told the President that it was not too late for him to etch his name in gold on the minds of Nigerians and become a globally recognised leader like Mandela.
One of his fans, Prince Kunle Ayo-Alara, said Jonathan should make it a priority to study the way and manner, Mandela was able to impact positively on the lives of his people.
‘’Thanks for your message, GEJ. You, too, should please leave a good legacy. Even if Mandela should die today, he will continue to be celebrated. Our gains of having a Mandela in this world are to learn why and how he positively impacted his people’s lives, not just passing through the Government House,’’ Ayo-Alara noted.
Commenting on why the President should ensure good governance, one of his friends, Comrade Abdulkareem Gunu says, ‘’Yes! I admire your (Jonathan’s) courage of accepting Mandela’s exemplarity, and I am hoping you’ll also be remembered for your good deeds.
‘’But, Mr. president, shine your eyes, don’t let the bad eggs surrounding you mislead and guide you wrongly, as you know, the sky is your limit and your name is already among the list of the international stakeholders. May God give you the wisdom for attitudinal change.”
On his own part, Oyedele Farinde wondered if any Nigerian leader will ever receive such good wishes and magnanimity from Nigerians, like Mandela is receiving from his countrymen and citizens of various countries.
Farinde states, ‘’But will Nigerians ever pray for any of their leaders like the South Africans are praying for Mandela? Even Mr. President was not truthful enough to tell Nigerians the state of health of his wife when she was indisposed, needless to talk of Nigerians praying for her. It is only a good leader that can enjoy such gesture from the citizens. Mr. President, this is a lesson for you. And will Nigerians remember you for anything after leaving in 2015?’’
As if taking a swipe at Jonathan for organising frequent Presidential dinners like the one held in Abuja on Wednesday, a friend, Fatai Omisanya, wrote, ‘’Mandela fought and served his people in South Africa throughout his youthful and ageing years. He had no time for elaborate dinners when his people were starving, humiliated, and killed as is the case in present Nigeria. Baba Mandela, the peace of the Lord will abide with you.’’
Many of his friends also directed the attention of the President to the fact that the South African government was not expending state resources to treat the ailing leader in a foreign hospital. According to them, the decision of the Jacob Zuma-led government not to do so was because of the fully functioning state of health care facilities in the country.
Olakunle Olatunde says, ‘’I want Mr. president to note that Mr. Mandela is wholly being treated in South Africa by doctors in South Africa. No flying ambulances! I am sure this would not have happened in Nigeria where you are the president. How many governors and first ladies have been treated abroad? I am sure you have lost count!’’
Another ally of the President on the social service, Ab Awolola, lamented, “If he had been a Nigerian leader, he would be receiving treatment in Germany, US, Britain, Italy or any of the so-called western nations now. How I wish you could all borrow a leaf from this great son and real patriot of Africa, including you, President Ebele Jonathan.’’
Prince Chidoruo summed up all the comments when he wrote, ‘’You (Jonathan) should emulate him (Mandela) and give us selfless and purposeful leadership.’’[iPunch]

Still on Omotola's US TV Debut.

 

 

On June 24,one of Nigeria’s major actresses, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, shared the joyous news on her Twitter account that she would be making her US television debut  in the hit series “Hit The Floor,” which airs on VH1.

The Nigerian blogsphere and entertainment world was buzzing about what her role would be, what she would wear, what she would say and so on. Omotola starred as Akon’s date at a fundraiser in the show and radiated as she gave her only line, “thank you, girl.”

Immediately after the show aired, comments started pouring in, many of which were of negativity and ignorance.  I was surprised to read things like, she had a “wakapass role’ and she devalued herself by doing the role. I would like to first ask this question to the many people that decided to post such comments. What have you done with your life lately?

I can only attest such comments to jealousy and self-inadequacy because there is no reason to belittle someone that is doing something with their life, no matter how small it is, especially in an industry that is very hard to break into.

There is a major difference between Hollywood and Nollywood and to have one of our own branch into a more experienced and creative industry is something to be applauded and not taken lightly. Nollywood is an industry that can produce 1 million movies in one year, while the American film industry may just produce a handful in one year. Why? Because quality and creativity take time. The reason why we even know top names like Mercy Johnson, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola is because just a few years ago we could see the same ladies in the same hundreds of movies per year playing the same old home wrecker, juju-priestess, and housewife fighting her husband’s mother roles that most Nigerian movies are known for.

Fortunately, the Nigerian film industry has seen a gradual transformation in the last few years and things are getting better. However, getting a role in Nigeria will still continually be simpler than getting a role in the US because there is still so much structure that the industry needs to attain. So when an actress or even a musician of our own has been swimming in a sea of comfort for years and decides to branch out into something more difficult, it is our duty to support him or her and not bring them down with hurtful comments like, they are belittling themselves.

No! They are not belittling themselves! They are setting themselves up for greatness because it takes guts and courage to do the extraordinary.  (Extraordinary actions yield extraordinary results)

In a structured industry such as the one in the US, extras work almost as many hours as some of the lead roles and even get paid at times. Many famous actors and actresses started out as extras and as walk-ons on many programs and commercials. The way to build anything in life is to start small and work your way up. People seem to easily forget that because in our country, many are given handouts and actually started from the top as opposed to the bottom (ex, people who are teachers one day and then become filthy rich the next day when they switch over to politics)

Like the pastor at my church always says, may you not be the enemy that someone else is praying should be destroyed. It is contradictory to go to our respective churches or mosques and pray constantly for progress and blessings and for anyone against our success to be destroyed, and yet come online to spew hateful and thoughtless words to others working hard to succeed in their respective industries. Granted, celebrities and entertainers put themselves out there to be critiqued by the people and there are indeed different types of fashion blunders, publicity stunts and actions that need to be questioned by reasonable people, but only when the comments are reasonable themselves and in-line with the situation at hand. And in this case, the situation at hand is one of laudable ambition.

Omotola is an inspiration to the entertainment industry and a good example of how to pursue your dreams.  This was her “first” role of such as she tweeted, and she can only go higher because she has taken a leap of faith in a completely new environment.

Whether you are believing God for a good job or a big role in your industry, the best way to start is to actually first get your foot in the door. So the next time your friend tells you she wants to open up a bakery and wants to start by peddling her bicycle around Ketu with her cakes in the basket, (imagine her name is Omotola) don’t tell her she is degrading herself. Tell her that she should go for it. Offer her your help in any way you can and pray that she succeeds, because in doing so, you are sowing a seed for yourself.

Written by Toyin Olaleye

Crowd Flood Shop Rite Ibadan (photos)

So Ibadan city finally got it's first international shopping mall today  - Shop Rite - and guess what, the whole town was there for shopping today!  As seen above, it looks like a crusade down there...LOL! 

See another photo below..

How I Was Kidnapped, Raped For Rejecting Love Advances – UNILAG Student

                                                                   The victim with bruises

This story has left me speechless. Our youths need a revival.

Policemen attached to Adeniji Adele division have arrested a 22-year-old man who alleged kidnapped and raped a student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, for turning down his advances.

The suspect, Babajide Bashorun, was also alleged to have taken nude shots of his victim (names withheld) and pasted them on the internet with her real name, school, department and age.


But the suspect in an interview with Vanguard claimed that the lady was his girlfriend. He admitted to have taken her nude pictures and gave them to his friends whose identities he gave as Aje Mayowa and Babajide Ademuyiwa, both final year students of  Architecture also of UNILAG.

The incident, as gathered, occurred two months ago at 1, Ajose Street, Enu-Owa area of Lagos Island. But the female undergraduate was silent over the matter until her relations abroad who stumbled on the nude pictures on the internet contacted her mother in Nigeria, last week.

How it started

Narrating how the incident occurred, the female undergraduate said: “Babajide  came to our house to treat our dog. In the process, he requested  for my phone number and I reluctantly gave him. He started calling me and told me he would like to go out with me.

“But I told him I already had a boyfriend whom I loved. Yet, he kept calling me, saying he was not interested in just going out with me but wanted to  marry  me. Aside that, he kept monitoring my movements and at a point, I deleted his contact on my phone.

“I was returning home for a weekend in April , a car stopped by my side at Idumota bus-stop. Jide was sitting beside a driver who was unknown to me.

“On sighting him, I walked past. But the next thing he did was to hold me by the hand, dragged me into the car and drove to his house.

“When he got home, he started beating me and tore my clothes, asking what  I wanted that he could not give me. He instructed me to unlock my phone and when he discovered that I used my boyfriend’s name as password, he resumed the beating.

“At a point, he gave me his phone to speak with some of his friends who told me I was in for trouble, for turning down a member of their unnamed cult, threatening that they would kill me for treating him shabbily.

“Thereafter, he raped me and when he was done, his friend took his turn despite my plea. When he saw I was bleeding, he stopped and started begging me. At that point, he brought out  his phone and started taking my nude pictures.  I made attempt to cover my face but he hit me on the head with a bottle and continued taking the shots.

How I escaped

“I begged him to allow me call my mother to give him some money for my release but he refused. I also appealed to him to delete my pictures when he started begging me.

“I stayed in that room all night till the next day when he went out to get me some drugs. Immediately he stepped out, I tried the door and discovered it was  not locked from outside. I quickly changed into one of my dirty clothes in my bag and escaped.

“But I could not tell anyone at home. When my elder brother asked what the problem was on seeing the blood stained clothes, I told him I was involved in an accident and when my mother insisted on knowing what the problem was, I told her I fought with a course mate. She insisted on going to school with me on seeing the magnitude of the injury but I prevented her.

“Barely had I settled down than Babjide called, threatening to kill me if I disclosed what happened to anyone. As if that was not enough, his friends also called and threatened me as well.”

She is my girlfriend — Suspect

However, on his part, Babjide claimed that the undergraduate was his girlfriend, adding that they only had a fight on that fateful day.

Expressing shock over his arrest, he said: “She is my girlfriend. We only fought in April and have resolved the matter.

“What led to the fight was her request for money to buy an IPad which cost over N100,000. Because of my love for her, I managed to raise N70,000. She visited me on that day and I advised her to change her way of living which included going  to club .

I also accused her of flirting with other men. Along the line, we started fighting and I used a mop stick to hit her and in the process , took shots of her and sent the pictures to my friends. But I did not tell them to paste the pictures on the internet.”

Police sources hinted that efforts were on to arrest Mayowa and Ademuyiwa alleged to have pasted the victim’s  nude pictures on the internet, while  Babajide had been charged to court  for kidnapping, rape, conspiracy, attempt to commit murder, indecent assault, and assault occasioning harm.

Source: Vanguard

MTN Project Fame All Star Concert in Calabar

The MTN Project Fame All Stars concert took Calabar by Storm last Friday. It was a jam-packed Cultural centre that gyrated and danced from one PF star to the other, plus featured appearances by Kcee and Wizkid.

In what turned out to be an event that will be talked about all weekend and beyond, the PF All stars rocked the stage with their newest singles and their post Project Fame songs and videos. Continue..

 

Cool Tolu, kicked off the night with Roy, Marvellous, Ochuko, Ella, Tomiwa, Praiz, AYO, imyke, Iyanya, Chidinma keeping the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along.

The crowd stayed all night and where thrilled throughout till when Iyanya and Whizkid closed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

 This is the first of two concerts and going by the turnout in Calabar, the Lagos concert will see a massive turnout. It looks like MTN Project Fame is back with a blast in season 6.0.

The concerts are free with registration by texting, name, location and age to 5005 from an MTN line.

The Lagos concert is on Friday June 28^th  at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lekki Toll plaza. 

With performances expected from both Nigerian and West African PF Stars including AYO, MONICA, iMYKE, PRAIZ, CHIDINMA & IYANYA, KESSE  & NII from Ghana, NICHOLAS & MUSULYN from Liberia, and ANIS from S/Leone plus special guest appearances from Whizkid and Davido. The MTN Project fame concerts promises to be the biggest concert by the products of one music reality show in Nigeria and West Africa.

Paulinho: There is no way I could turn down Tottenham.

Paulinho has revealed he is on the brink of joining Tottenham this summer after confessing it would be 'dream' to play for the North London club.
Spurs chiefs are confident they have sealed the Brazil midfielder's transfer from Corinthians ahead of next season.

Wide open: Paulinho is on the verge of completing a move to Tottenham after the Confederations Cup

The midfielder, 24, has been identified by manager Andre Villas-Boas as a primary transfer target and newly appointed technical director Franco Baldini has been working on securing the deal.
And Paulinho, who is currently playing in the Confederations Cup, has dropped a huge hint that he is off to White Hart Lane.
'It is important for the team and the Brazilian fans that at the moment all my focus is on winning the Confederations Cup - but after the tournament is finished I hope it is a deal that can get finalised quickly,' said Paulinho. 

Vital: Paulinho scored the decisive goal as Brazil beat Uruguay 2-1 to reach the final of the tournament

On point: Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas wants Paulinho to improve his options in midfield

'To play in England for a great team like Tottenham is a dream. What I respect about Tottenham is the ambition they have shown.
'This summer there has been interest in their coach and their best player - and they have been clear they both are not going anywhere. 
'When my agent made me aware that Tottenham were interested I knew it would not be a move that I could turn down.