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Tag: Nollywood

  • Digital TV will generate N100bn for Nollywood -Alhaji Lai Mohammed

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says that Digital Television will generate N100bn annually for Nollywood through FreeTV distribution network.

    The minister made this known on Wednesday at the launch of digital switch over at the premises of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin.

    He said that Nigerians have watched Nollywood moved from VHS tapes to VCD to DVD, adding that the whole world has moved to digital consumption of content with its attendant benefits and democratisation of distribution.

    Nigerian TV viewers, the minister said have been constrained by limited penetration of internet in their homes.

    “With the middleware in our `Set Top Boxes’; homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for internet.

    “Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to all the households in Kwara at the touch of a button. That is the kind of experience we are talking about,” the minister added.

    Mohammed added that FReeTV has the capacity to grow TV advertising market by 400million dollar per annum through audience measurement.

    “In this regard, permit me to use this opportunity to throw the weight of the government behind the NBC in its efforts to create a viable currency by which producers of content and channels can be re-numerated,” he said.

    The minister said that the digital switch over will create tens of thousands of jobs through Technical and Manufacturing opportunities.

    “`Set Top Box’ assembling and ultimately manufacturing is an irreversible mandate by the government to the industry.

    “We expect this to extend very quickly to local Smart TV and Tablet manufacturing.

    “With our strong consumer base, we can quickly become the supplier of these equipments to the whole of West Africa,” the minister added.

    Mohammed added that Electronic Programme Guide will also be a platform for App developers to create products that will make life easier for the home consumers.

    “For the people of Kwara, we welcome the publishers of Apps to start looking for how to make living easier and commerce easier, using the technology that sits on these boxes,” he added.

    Mallam Ish’aq Modibo Kawu, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in his remark said the switch over in Ilorin was the third since inauguration in Jos, Plateau State.

    Kawu said that one of the reasons for choosing Kwara in the North Central was the presence of old broadcasting house and its closeness to international borders.

    He said the switch over will be done in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, adding that Kaduna will be next to switch over to digital TV.

    The DG added that the Federal Government has imported 600, 000 Set of `Top Boxes’ at subsidised price.

    He said that when the 600, 000 boxes are exhausted, there will be no subsidy for subsequent ones as the boxes will be manufactured in the country.

  • Five Nollywood actresses you should be paying attention to

    Though the Nigerian movie industry is not where it is supposed to be, in the same vein it is not where it used to be. Despite the economic challenges plaguing the country, Nollywood has managed to soar inspite of government. The industry is however adorned with a myriad of acting talents that aee blazing the trail through their God given talents.

     

    In no particular order, TheNewsGuru takes a look at five Nollywood actress you should be paying attention to.

     

    1. Omowunmi Dada

    The soft spoken Creative Arts graduate of the University of Lagos may not be in too many mainstream movies, but the svelte damsel is brilliant when it comes to interpreting her roles. When you see the way she interpreted her role in ‘Omugwo’ you will be forced to ask yourself: ’Where has she been all this while?’

     

     

    1. Nancy Isime

    You may know Nancy as a model or TV presenter , but the Edo born Nancy has amazingly gown before our very eyes to become an actress. Nancy has this effortless naturalism and conviction when it comes to interpreting her roles.She has starred in movies like Gidi Blues, Treachery, This is It, among others

     

     

    3.Bimbo Ademoye

    Bimbo Ademoye possesses an intensity that makes her knock off any character she plays. The Covenant University graduate who has starred in movies like Backup Wife, Diary of a crazy Nigerian Woman, Naomi’s Dillema among others is one fast rising actor you need to pay attention to.
    No doubts ,this talented damsel is not a flash in the pan.

    So whether she plays the role of a young wife,’ Runs girl’,’Tush’ working class lady, or house maid? She shines through them all.

     

     

    1. Bolaji Ogunmola

    Watching Bolaji Ogunmola play dual roles in the movie, Sobi’s Mystic increased my respect for her. The beautiful actress has such a deep connection with the roles she plays that you will almost think she is the true portrayal of her characters.. Her articulation and versatility makes her stand out.

     

     

    1. Seun Omojola

    The beautiful actress is the epitome of brilliant characterization.Seun is the chameleonic actress with the capacity to immerse herself in the different roles she plays. From playing the role of a victimized wife in The Ex, to portraying the character of an helpless damsel in the movie Kirakita , she is a star who is bound to rule Nollywood

     

  • Shoot your movie in Abia, get N10m bonus, Ikpeazu tells NFC

    As part of the efforts to develop tourism sites and promote tourism potential in Abia, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has pledged N10 million as grant for any film shot in the state.

    Ikpeazu made the pledge when he received Dr Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), in his office in Umuahia.

    A statement signed by Mr Brian Etuk, the Head of Public Affairs, NFC, in Jos on Friday, quoted the governor as saying that the production `should be 100 per cent shot in Abia.’

    The statement said that the governor charged film practitioners to improve on the quality of their production so as to compete with the global market.

    It stated that Ikpeazu promised that his administration would participate in the capacity building offered by NFC, saying that Abia played a key role in the revolution of the market and sales of Nollywood movies which has had multiplier effects on the nation economy.

    “We have a policy to open up our market to genuine investors, private and public agencies amongst others through promoting `Make in Abia` instead of Made in Abia, proliferating more industries in the state,’’ the statement quoted Ikpeazu.

    The statement said, Maduekwe had commended the governor for approving office accommodation for the organisation’s South-East Zonal office in the state.

    It noted that Maduekwe said the gesture would create more employment opportunities for the youths, saying that corporation was also working toward establishing two more zonal offices in the North-East and South-South.

     

  • I made up my mind not to tie my future to Nollywood- Sam Anyamele

    Nollywood actor, Sam Anyamele broke into the movie world when he starred in Wale Adenuga Production’s Super Story. The actor in a recent interview disclosed that he decided to take a break from acting because he decided not to tie his future to Nollywood.

     

    According to him: “ I have always thought about the next phase of life. So when I discovered in Nollywood that decisions were generally driven by sentiments and prospective actors were given roles on a movie simply on the basis of their looks, I decided that it was not the kind of place I should depend on for the rest of my life. As a pragmatic Nigerian, I had to think seriously about doing other things.I found out that many of those who made decisions for the industry, who spoke to the government on our behalf in those days, were not really core practitioners. That encouraged me to go back to school and get more education.”

     

    When asked to share his opinion about a period in Nollywood when movie marketers banned some prominent actors, he said:”That was when my fears about Nollywood were confirmed and I made up my mind not to tie my future to the industry.”

     

    READ ALSO: My tribulation in the hands of Nollywood sexual predators- Sandra Onyenemere

  • How I got a lead role weeks after getting into film school- Debby Felix

     

    Debby Felix’s rise to stardom isn’t the regular story littering gossip blogs. The svelte actress who hails from Edo State is quick to tell you how fortunate she was to clinch a lead role weeks after she got admitted into Royal Arts Academy.

     

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with TheNewsGuru, the role interpreter who has starred in movies like Fermented Sin, High Stakes among others shares her inspiring story with TheNewsGuru

     

    “I am a God oriented person .I got into Royal Arts Academy, I paid money and I told God that I wanted to be able to make the money I invested into my school fees. God heard my prayer. Amazingly, I got a lead role weeks after I got into film school. The money I used in paying for my Royal Arts fees , I got it from my first movie appearance”.

     

     

    On her perception about Nollywood before getting into the industry, she said: “Growing up I used to see Nollywood as this place of glamour where all your dreams will come true”.

     

    Debby didn’t mince words talking about her favourite qualities in man. She says her man has to be good looking, funny and have a heart for God.

    “He has to be good looking, funny, and has to love God” she declares

     

     

    READ ALSO:I am not vulnerable- Debby Felix

     

    Watch the interview below

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv1dVFcMSGc

  • Actors Guild to curb sexual harassment in Nollywood

    The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) says that it is going to eradicate all forms of alleged sexual harassment of its members by some filmmakers.

     

    Emeka Ejezie, the recently elected president of AGN, said that it was part of his leadership’s efforts to sanitize the industry.

     

    He noted that sexual harassment of ladies is a common phenomenon in Nollywood.

     

    “And such allegations against film producers by actresses may either be true or false, but we are going to raise eyebrows to ensure it does not exist,” he said.

     

    “We will restore sanity into the industry by campaigning against sexual harassment of our members and ensure it begins to occupy its pride of place.”

     

    He said the guild would also create a database that would monitor the activities of those who come into the guild with other motives rather than acting.

     

    “We are going to expose the bad eggs in the industry if at all they exist by creating a database of actors; this will afford us the opportunity to know the real actors and fish out imposters,” he said.

     

    He also said the new executive would try to identify producers who were alleged to be extorting monies from young actors with a promise to allocate good roles to them in their films.

     

    “Most times, these amateur artistes may end up not getting such juicy roles often promised after they must have sold their bodies to such dubious producers,” he said.

     

    Ezeji reacted to the public perception that most styles of story lines were portraying fetish or traditional norms.

     

    He said that it was the business of script writers and producers but not the actors.

     

    “Actors and actresses are like messengers; we follow the directives of film producers who give us scripts, it is what the script says that we act,” he said.

     

    He, however, said that the guild would create an affiliation with the bodies in charge of scripts and producers to fine tune the quality of Nigerian films.

     

    Ezeji said that the guild would also encourage scriptwriters and producers to venture into writing scripts on issues such as agriculture, engineering and information technology that could improve national development.

     

     

  • Omotola, Omoni, others pay Eucharia Anunobi condolence visit

    Popular actress-turned evangelist, Eucharia Anunobi, lost her son Raymond, to sickle cell anaemia. According to reports,Raymond died last week Monday as a result of complications arising from the disease.

     

    Her colleagues in Nollywood paid her a condolence visit on Monday 29th of August at her residence.

    Susan Peters shared the picture of the condolence visit on her Instagram page. In her words:” You are all sisters indeed. The true fraternity. Heaven is proud of you and will honour you all. Thanks for standing by one of our own @euchariaanunobi in this tragic time. You all warmed up the house with your presence.”

     

     

    Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Susan Peters, Bimbo Akintola, Rukky Sanda, Omoni Oboli, Ufuoma McDermott, Jennifer Eliogu and others were present during the visit.

     

  • Toke Makinwa makes Nollywood debut

    Media personality and author, Toke Makinwa has declared that she will be taking on her first major acting role. The stunning diva said this is the first time she will be starring extensively in a film project

     

    Toke made this known on her Instagram page on Tuesday.

     

    “So I’m going to be in a movie guys… no be waka pass o. I’ve had a few cameos here and there in the past and I have a lot of respect for actors and film makers.

     

    “A major production coming your way soon and filming starts tomorrow morning. I feel extremely blessed and highly lifted so overwhelmed with Gods goodness.

     

    “This year has been soooooo busy and fulfilling guys, God has really opened doors for me and my prayer for everyone out there is that God brings you into your season too. Don’t give up, don’t lose hope too. You are closer than you know.”

     

    Makinwa besides being an author , is also famous for being a vlogger. The controversial way she examines topics on her vlog, adheres her to her fans.

     

     

  • Nollywood lacks original content- Ego Boyo

    After starring in popular TV soaps years ago, the name Ego Boyo, better known in the industry as Anne Haastrup, still rings a bell. Ego Boyo continues to be a household name even when she is no longer acting.

    The pretty thespian took to her Twitter page to lament on the dearth of originality in Nollywood.

    According to her:” I miss the days when the content was rich and original, even when the technology wasn’t rich. Now technology is great, even better. Mediocre can’t be our target . Are we selling out venues or selling out real content? Saying it like it is unwelcome in our industry” she said.

     

     

    The mother of three has found love in film-making. She is also the President of the International Women’s society (IWS).

  • A producer offered me six roles for rounds of sex- Juliet Patrick Odigwe

     

    Budding actress, Juliet Patrick Odigwe has stated the greatest price she had to pay for stardom. The beautiful light skinned thespian said a filmmaker in Imo State demanded for six rounds of sex in exchange for six movie roles.

     

    She told journalists: ”A production manager I met in Owerri came to me and said: ‘Babe, you are so good. I’ll give you six good jobs that can blow you to stardom, but after the six jobs, all I need from you are six good rounds of sex in return’. I gave him an outright ‘no’. I told him I could only take him for shopping when he makes me a star.

     

    “However, it didn’t end well. Although, he got me two good jobs, I kept reminding him that I could only take him out for shopping. He was pissed off and that was the end of the matter. He stopped calling me for jobs

     

    “Some producers won’t come straight to ask you for sex, they will begin by telling you how they love you, how they want to marry you and all kinds of love stories just to get into your pants” she said.