Nollywood actress, Princess Chineke reveals the messy details that led to her allegedly being bitten by a colleague

Princess Chineke

The last has not been heard of the messy fight involving Nollywood actresses, Princess Chineke and Chrystabel Goddy on a movie set penultimate Friday.

Princess Chineke, who had earlier narrated how she was allegedly bitten on her thigh by Goddy, has further revealed the messy details that led to the fight, how Goddy resisted arrest and how she smashed her mother’s phone among other punishable offences.

Read full text of her story:

‘This is not the 2016 I saw,certainly not a good way to start the year. Hmmm its well. You claimed I pulled your hair, why not pull mine? I would rather deal with the whole of my hair pulled off than these pains, Fever, trauma, scar, being home bound, losing out on several jobs, events and activities. Having so many unanswered questions roaming through my head, God why, why me, what, why, where did I go wrong, after concluding the beginning of the year 21days fasting and praying on the 31st of December all I get is a bite in less than 2weeks?

If I had the slightest inclination this would have happened I would have gone for the job. it took a while before i agreed for the job, had a flat tyre that morning ,my car broke down on 3rd mainland bridge that day on my way to the job.my friend said all these temptation for this job. I said the devil didn’t want me to work,little did I know it would be this. Why didn’t I see this coming? But like my loved ones said, it could have been worse, if not for the prayers.

Thank God. I thank God the hot water Chrystabel asked for came when everywhere was crowded only God knows what would have become of me.You said I’m worse than ugly,you said I envy your beauty, new complexion you did to look good on camera,why waste energy to design an ugly being? Thank God i was lying down when you attacked else you would have bitten off the breast you bitterly complained about.from my school of thoughts, every woman is beautiful, being a female is beauty itself. I don’t indulge in envy and comparison, I only compare where I am now to where I want to be.

I reported the first incident to the director, Aaron Ugede he said he will take care of it.Your words before the attack was ‘Pm take this tramp out of here,she is not meant to be in this project,she is not meant to be in the hotel.i got marveled at such words from a rivers state,junior colleague who just relocated from PHto Lagos last year,calling me and my family witches,I replied “are you the executive producer or is this your father’s job? Then i turned away playing with my phone lying sideways,next thing was a hit on my face,her fingers on my neck before I could be done with taking off her fingers and sitting up,she bounced on my thigh with her teeth,being more of advantage standing up while I was still lying on the bed,I struggled my thigh off ,picked off my phone and called our senior colleague, the room got crowded the director peeped and left without saying a word .she said princess you have been in the industry but you will see how far i will grow more than you,check your leg, that bite is little compared to what I will do more. After the hospital stitches, the director insisted that I continue with the shoot.

Chrystabel Goddy.

When the pictures went viral she cried to the director which made him call us for a meeting saying I have to remove all her pictures on the internet or make a press Conference call with her saying we have resolved it.I refused. He said Christabel I will take off your pictures from the Google search,Internet though it has gone viral.He and his friend did try to remove the attached injury to my pictures.

My mum got to get the news from neighbours, came the next day to take me out of the set. Took a male and female police officers to invite her to the station.She hit the police officer with the door on her head pushing her out while they were talking and locked herself in.The police officers demanded for back up assistance from their station. The supervisor, manager and owner of the hotel knocked but she refused to open the door. The owner of the hotel was furious at the sight of it and scolded his staffs why would they let her stay, do they want her to commit murder before they let her go out of his hotel? He ordered they break the window,door that he will pay.which they did using ladder through the window and brought her out,she came out and she hitting/ assaulted the police officer.when the 6 armed men came with a police van and arrested her. she got to the station created a scene which they found rebellious. D.p.o said he thought it was a lady and that’s why he sent a male and female police officers if he had known its a lion he would have sent the police van with the armed men first.He asked her to apologise to my mum for smashing her phone on the floor and hurting her daughter, myself the IPO she assaulted, she refused .

He tried to settle but she refused so he said ‘I’m in my 50’s since you are older than princess’s mum, myself every body here, you will have to go to court and explain better to show you we still have law in this country. She denied the bite saying her God will judge me for lying against her. She also denied not knowing Chrystabel Goddy that she is now Amaka Robert F. Even the lawyers she brought called her Chrystabel to the surprise of the police.She called on the director who came over, when it was time to get her locked up,she pretended to faint, the director suggested she be taken to the hospital.

The police officers said they are not surprised after all she is an actress. We got to court the case is now in her new found names. Commissioner of Police vs Amaka Robert F./Chrystabel Goddy:

1. Charged for biting a colleague

2.refusing arrest, hitting the door on a police officer and attacking her.

With all she displayed i really can’t believe the whole drama. You claimed I called you a lesbian. I never did and I won’t, guess they wrote that because of the position of the bite, anyway its her first time in the news and she is not doing badly for one who wanted to act since 2009 and relocated to Lagos last year for greener pastures. What a way to kick off. Why would I envy your complexion when we have more dark skinned great actresses than the light ones eg mummy joke, Genevieve, Mercy Stephanie, INI, Ivie etc you don’t need to be light skinned to be successful God’s grace,craft,destiny,timing does it all.

‘I didn’t make it through from my teenage modelling years, Skomit miss uniben,Face of Uniben, engaging in several national pageants,running a modelling agency ,acting,having worked in corporate organisations by having scars on my body or fighting at my place of work knowing its against the rules of the job. Nobody fights lying. See you in court next month. Like I promised you on the 12th of February, ‘you have eaten my flesh and blood, hope you are happy now, the next time you see that space it will come out flawless, ok…maybe a bit flawless but not as bad as you wanted it to be” All I need now is the holy spirit to pass through this process,heal not just physically ,emotionally, .Pray my mental exercise picks up fast for healing.’

In the meantime, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has suspended Chrystabel Goddy for allegedly inflicting bodily injury on Princess Chineke pending the conclusion of investigation.

Photos: Actor Jnr Pope & son, Jason, step out in matching outfits

Photos: Actor Jnr Pope & son, Jason, step out in matching outfits

Nollywood’s Influence In Africa? ‘We Can Tell Our Own Stories Now’

The stories told by Nollywood, Nigeria’s booming film industry, have emerged as a cultural phenomenon across Africa, the vanguard of the country’s growing influence across the continent in music, comedy, fashion and even religion.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, overtook its rival, South Africa, as the continent’s largest economy two years ago, thanks in part to the film industry’s explosive growth. Nollywood is an expression of boundless Nigerian entrepreneurial-ism and the nation’s self ­perception as the natural leader of Africa, the one destined to speak on the continent’s behalf.
“The Nigerian movies are very, very popular in Tanzania, and, culturally, they’ve affected a lot of people,” said Songa wa Songa, a Tanzanian journalist. “A lot of people now speak with a Nigerian accent here very well thanks to Nollywood. Nigerians have succeeded through Nollywood to export who they are, their culture, their lifestyle, everything.”
Nollywood generates about 2,500 movies a year, making it the second biggest producer after Bollywood in India, and its films have displaced American, Indian and Chinese ones on the TVs that are ubiquitous in bars, hair salons, airport lounges and homes across Africa.
The industry employs a million people — second only to farming — in Nigeria, pumping $600 million annually into the national economy, according to a 2014 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission. In 2002, it made 400 movies and $45 million.
Nollywood resonates across Africa with its stories of a precolonial past and of a present caught between village life and urban modernity. The movies explore the tensions between the individual and extended families, between the draw of urban life and the pull of the village, between Christianity and traditional beliefs. For countless people, in a place long shaped by outsiders, Nollywood is redefining the African experience.
“I doubt that a white person, a European or American, can appreciate Nollywood movies the way an African can,” said Katsuva Ngoloma, a linguist at the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo who has written about Nollywood’s significance. “But Africans — the rich, the poor, everyone — will see themselves in those movies in one way or another.”
Most Nollywood films have budgets of about $25,000 and are shot in a week.
Today in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, Nollywood permeates mainstream culture. Local women copy the fashion, makeup and hairstyles of the actresses; local musicians grumble at the popularity of Nigerian imports,
like Don Jazzy and the P­Square twins.
Trésor Baka, a Congolese dubber who translates Nollywood movies into the local language, Lingala, said the films are popular because “Nigeria has succeeded in reconciling modernity and their ancient ways, their culture and
traditions.”
Nollywood has also created a model for movie production in other African nations, said Matthias Krings, a German expert on African popular culture at Johannes Gutenberg University.
In Kitwe, Zambia, local filmmakers were recently making their latest movie in true Nollywood style: a family melodrama shot over 10 days, in a private home, on a $7,000 budget. Burned onto DVD, the movie will be sold in
Zambia and neighboring countries.
Acknowledging the influence of Nigerian cinema, the movie’s producer, Morgan Mbulo, 36, said, “We can tell our own stories now.

Learning from Nollywood

Few high quality African movies make it to the world stage and many struggle to find an audience in Africa. At Africa Day at the Berlinale film festival, filmmakers and experts discussed how to change that.

Nigerian film critic Didi Anni Cheeka knows the problems of Africa's movie industry firsthand. "We have the strange situation that new cineplexes are coming up every day, but they only show Hollywood movies," he told the audience during the World Cinema Fund's Africa Day at Berlin's International Film Festival, the "Berlinale."

It's a common problem all over Africa: High quality movies from the continent hardly find an audience or even a place to be shown. Without a market in sight, few high-quality movies are shot. Only so-called "Nollywood movies," mostly produced in Nigeria in just a few days or weeks, are thriving. Nigeria's movie industry earns around 250 million US dollars (224 million euros) from Nollywood movies.

You come across researchers from Europe or America who want to talk about Nigerian cinema and all they talk about is Nollywood," Cheeka said.

Few African films at the Berlinale

Participants at the Berlinale's Africa Day looked for strategies to promote African cinema.

The effects are visible at the Berlin International Film Festival and elsewhere. "There is a lot of production in Africa but many of these productions will not make into our official program," Dorothee Wenner, the Berlinale's Africa Delegate told the audience.

"We're looking at many Nollywood productions, but we cannot invite them into our regular programs, because we would risk seeing a large part of our audience leave the cinema hall," she said. Only five African films are being shown at this year's festival.

Finding solutions to enable more high-quality productions from Africa was the key theme of Africa Day, organized by the World Cinema Fund. The fund is an initiative of the German Federal Cultural Foundation and the Berlin International Film Festival in cooperation with Germany's foreign ministry. The fund supports high-quality movie productions in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

Plenty of talent, but no money 

"Creativity and talent is there [in Africa's movie industry], but it needs the environment to flourish," veteran Mozambican filmmaker Pedro Pimenta told the audience. Lack of capital to produce high-quality films, lack of training in movie production and lack of revenue collection through effective distribution of movies are some of the factors he listed that bog down Africa's movie industry.

"There is something that all of us owe to Nollywood - it started to make it possible to talk about the possibility of cinema in Africa, from Algeria to South Africa", Pimenta said. One lesson filmmakers can learn from Nollywood is effective movie distribution. Pimenta cited informal video parlors which are blossoming all over Africa as one way how filmmakers could reach audiences and generate revenue.

"On the ground there are thousands of people earning a living out of cinema. There is a huge potential that we often do not see, because the seats are not in red velvet. But this is a real economy we are dealing with," Pimenta said.

Western funding is not the answer

Many cinemas in Africa have closed down.

Congolese filmmaker Tschoper Kabambi has already started to reach out to audiences in the absence of a cinema. Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to almost 10 million people, but does not have a single big screen. Kabambi's company "Bimpa Productions" has started to show movies in different neighborhoods.

Dorothee Wenner praised African filmmakers' creativity and called on donors to support them. She suggested more funding for African movie productions through microcredit programs and "on the job training" for African moviemakers through exchange programs and internships.

Pedro Pimenta welcomes outside support but cautioned African filmmakers against relying on this alone. "Resources are limited. To think that we are going to transform everything in Africa based on this is fooling ourselves. We need to go beyond that, we need to find new ways," he said.

Irokotv Has Overdubbed Its Nollywood Content With French, And Is Calling It Iroko+

The first fruits of the Canal+ investment in Irokotv have ripened. After a vague allusion to the launch of a shiny new product on Twitter, Irokotv’s founder and CEO, Jason Njoku took to his blog today to announce Iroko+, which is basically previous Irokotv content, overdubbed with French.

Today we go live across all countries in French Speaking Africa.There will almost 1,800 hrs of French dubbed Nollywood, Telenovelas and African series. And even better, we are going to make it free until 1st June 2016.

If you assume that each film title runs for 90 minutes, Iroko+ would easily have more than 1,000 titles ready for this new french audience to consume. That is less than a quarter of Irokotv’s vast catalogue that comprises Nollywood movies, telenovelas and African series. But the plan is to collect data on viewing habits and preferences to inform the next wave of french localisation. To drive the mission home, Iroko+ will be delivered via an Android app that is French through and through.

Asides Netflix which rolled out to the whole world in late 2015, the only significant VOD streaming platform that catered to French-speaking Africa was Afrostreams.tv, a YCombinator-incubated startup. Canal+ and Irokotv reckon they can reach a whole new audience to the 250 million who reside in Francophone Africa with Iroko+. The visual concatenation of both brands suggests that the integration will be deep. A future outright acquisition of the Nigerian startup by the 32 year old media company is not out of the question.

“This launch goes far beyond exploration; it’s a considerable expansion for us, and a real test of the new iROKO / Canal+O partnership”, Jason said, on his blog.

In January 2016, Irokotv announced that it had raised $19 million from previous investor, Kinnevik, and Canal+, a French media company active in Europe and French-speaking Africa. That transaction brought Jacques du Puy, President of Canal+ Overseas, onto Iroko’s board.

Ozokwor, 30 others named most influential people in Nollywood

Patience Ozokwor

Screen favourites Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor and OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde have been named alongside renowned movie director TundeKelani in a list of 32 of the most influential figures in the Nigerian movie industry. 

The list is released by top entertainment news website TheNETng ahead of the fourth edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) holding on Wednesday 20 April, 2016. 

Published for the fourth year running by the TheNETng, the list is based on factors such as longevity, media following, output, awards and popularity within the industry. 

TundeKelani Cinematographer, CEO Mainframe Films Globally recognised as a leader of Nollywood, cinematographer TundeKelani has seen stars come and go.

He’s also made many stars and big hits. But what ensures longevity for him and his Mainframe studios, is a rather rare connection with underdogs; a passion for inserting anonymous characters into leading roles and changing their careers forever. 

Plus, he brings fading cultural stories into the contemporary space, making films out of independence era literature, and preferring to trade in his native Yoruba. KunleAfolayan, himself a bonafide leader of the new school will tell anyone who cares to listen, that Kelani is his mentor and master. 

He’s not alone. EmemIsong Producer, scriptwriter Tunde Kelani This AkwaIbom-born movie producer is one of the most respected people in Nollywood.

Beginning her career in 1994, she has excelled in writing and producing. With provoking and well thought-out plots, she has earned her place in Nollywood as one of the best screen writers. 

Isong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar and a diploma in computer science from the Computer Science Institute (NCR). 

She runs a film school, Royal Arts Academy, with which she has discovered young actors who are now giving the established ones a run for their money. Richard MofeDamijo Actor Currently on vacation from politics, Richard Mofe-Damijo is working the phones, hoping to get busy with Nollywood again. But he hasn’t had to call much. 

His number has not stopped ringing since he announced his return. Since he discovered how to use Instagram. Since he decided to keep his beard. The grandfather has been a sex symbol for almost three decades; a charmer for even much longer. 

He’s the actor other actors want to be like; the brand corporate Nigeria want but can’t have. It’ll take a while for anyone to come close. 

KunleAfolayan Filmmaker/actor Now on his fourth film, Afolayan, the son of a film icon, is perhaps the most remarkable name in Nigeria’s contemporary film industry. While still struggling with funds, he’s succeeded where many have failed. And, as his local and international awards will show, he’s plotting a new path for an industry stuck in an era that has passed. 

Like Kelani, he’s choosy about his stories, finicky about his actors, and ambitious with his projects. If ‘New Nollywood’ was a thing, he’ll be the one running the show. Genevieve Nnaji Actress Genevieve does not do as much public charity work as Omotola, her long time archrival. She doesn’t do as many movies as Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke or FunkeAkindele. 

But she is regarded globally as Nollywood’s leading female super star, with a brand apparently bigger than most of her colleagues put together. Careful about her image, and almost snobbish about associations, she’s one of the few Nollywood actresses you may never encounter face-to-face. She spent 2015 repositioning as an executive, with the success of her debut film, Road to Yesterday. 

It remains whether she will cross into waiting markets in Europe and America. But it shouldn’t matter, if she continues to have nearly 20 million young Nigerians in her palms. IbinaboFiberesima Actress, AGN president The Rivers State-born actress is the first female to lead the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN). Ibinabo wields uncommon influence and power among Nollywood practitioners. Having done very well being at the helm of Actors Guild of Nigeria for four years, Ibinabo was re-elected AGN president last year.

OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde Actress Talented, charming and graceful are perhaps the words that best describe OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde, popularly known as ‘Omo Sexy’. The Lagos-born star, who hails from Ondo State, made her debut in Nollywood in 1995. 

Since then, she has acted in about 200 movies and has endeared herself to producers and marketers. Her star power has seen her snag numerous endorsement deals and even a listing by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, along with the likes of Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton. OdunladeAdekola Actor, producer and director It is difficult to mention any actor that is as popular as OdunladeAdekola in Nollywood let alone a more prominent name in the Yoruba section of the movie industry in Nigeria. 

So adored by lovers of Yoruba movies in Nigeria and beyond is the tall actor and producer that the risk of exaggeration is remote if one begins to pour the water of superlatives on him. To put it as it is, OdunladeAdekola is the biggest Yoruba actor at the moment and indeed the most prominent brand that section of Nollywood has had for a while. 

The Glo ambassador is easily in the frontline when any compilation of the list of those dictating the pace of the Yoruba movie industry is compiled. 

Dele Odule Actor and TAMPPAN president It’s not for nothing that he’s appointed the president of the new guild of the new Yoruba actors guild, Theatre and Motion Picture Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPPAN). 

The Ogun-state born actor has paid his dues. He came into acting 30 years ago, under the supervision of the late MukailaAdebisi, the manager of Oloko theatre group where he was trained. His artistic career was influenced by the late Theatre Arts professional,Dele Ogunsanya with whom he worked after his training. 

He made his debut in between 1985 and 1986 coming into limelight in many movies, particularly Ti Oluwa Ni Le produced in 1995. Femi Adebayo Actor/producer Femi Adebayo, son of legendary actor, Adebayo Salami popularly known as Oga Bello has gone from living under the shadow of his father to carving a niche for himself in the movie industry, especially in the Yoruba sect. 

The Jelili actor began acting in 1995, the same year he featured in a TadeOgidan’s movie titled Owo Blow. Femi, who won two awards- 2015 ZAFAA and Afro-Heritage Broadcasting & Entertainment Awards (AHBEA), two months ago, produced and featured in several hit movies this year. 

The lawyer-turned actor cum producer owns a movie academy name J-15 School of Dramatic Arts based in Ibadan. ToyinAimakhu Actress/Producer Toyin is one of the highest paid Yoruba actresses on the continent. An interpreter of roles whose talent is never in doubt, Toyin has garnered many fans over the years with her acting skill and good look. She began acting in 2003, when Bukky Wright, a Nigerian film actress, visited Ibadan to shoot a movie. She’s known for blockbuster movies like Alakada, Eta Oko, Iku Doro among others. 

She’s now built a solid image and following that put her firmly in a position to lead the thousands of actors unsure of how to play in a terribly fragmented ssytem. RazakAbdullahi CEO Corporate Pictures He’s one of the people who call the shots in the Yoruba movie industry. He owns a successful movie marketing outfit, Corporate Pictures and his company has backed several blockbusters. Nearly all films from his stable have won or been nominated for major film industry awards. 

A veteran by every definition, he’s not just a money man. Those who know him confirm he’s an ideas man, a deals broker, and passionate investor. 

MuyiwaAdemola Actor, producer and director A talented actor cum producer, MuyiwaAdemola is a favourite star and TV face of millions of Nigerians. Any movie he features in is always a delight to watch due to his touch of professionalism and diction. 

He is mostly known for Ile (2009), IgiOwo (2007) and Orí (2004). Desmond Elliot Actor, producer, director Elliot, who is now a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, is one of the prominent actors in Nollywood. 

Also a producer and director, the Lagos state born actor has produced several blockbusters under his production company Denziot Productions. He is involved in public relations projects for the Nigerian telecoms giant, Globacom, and is said to be one of Nigeria richest Nollywood actors, making his money from acting, directing, endorsements and advertising. 

Charles Novia Filmmaker, Actor, Writer He has been a strong pillar in the Nollywood industry. Charles, who is popularly known as Mr. November, has been a major force in both the movie and music industry in Nigeria over the past 15 years, churning out lots of hit movies such as The Bridesmaid, Real Love, Missing Angel, More Than Sisters, You Broke My Heart, A Christmas Passion and recently Alan Poza. 

Besides making good movies, Charles Novia has also helped in discovering lots of A-list stars in the movie and music industry. 

They include Desmond Elliot, Grace Amah, Empress Njamah, Caroline EkanemDanjuma, among others. 

He also helped in re-engineering the careers of many artistes like Stella Damasus, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal and a host of others, who he reintroduced to stardom through his movies and November Records music label, which was home to MajekFashek, whose last album Little Patience, was executively produced by Charles Novia and sold over a million copies. 

He hasn’t done much work in recent times, but he continues to be a powerful voice, using his blog to shape thoughts and perspectives. 

Patience Ozokwor Actress Patience-Ozokwor Patience Ozokwor has perfected the art of playing the role of a villain especially the wicked mother-in-law, so much so that many people (wrongly) assume that that the characterisation mirrors her real life persona. 

The movie star, who is from Enugu State, is also a singer, brand ambassador and businesswoman with investments in real estate. 

EmekaMba DG NBC A former Regulatory Affairs Manager at Multichoice Nigeria and Director General of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mba is currently the honcho of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. Soft spokenMba’s popularity amongst broadcasting stakeholders has remained on the rise with his digitisation project and the restructuring to ensure strict adherence to NBC’s rules and regulations. 

Under his administration, the NBC celebrated its 20th anniversary with a showcase of landslide achievements. Lancelot Imasuen Filmmaker This Edo state-born producer and director may well be reckoned as the first Nollywood director to shoot a film in Hollywood, with a $200, 000 non-union budget film titled, ‘Friendly Enemy’. 

He has also done quite a number of movies outside the country: Zero your mind – which was shot in Berlin, Saving the Crown, Home and Abroad, Seed of seduction, Windstorm and Adakhanva, which he did in his native language. 

Lancelot is referred to as a star director in Nollywood because of his ability of getting the best out of any actor he works with on set and he has received numerous awards for his excellence in his profession. 

Chris Ihidero Film producer, writer With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this movie producer has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern Nollywood. Chris has directed about 100 hours of television drama, including Fuji House of Commotion, Tempest and Now we are Married. 

He recently produced the 4th series of the ground-breaking HIV and behavioural change focused drama series, MTVShuga. Protégé of revered Nigerian filmmaker AmakaIgwe for 8 years, Chris was responsible for managing the production services at AmakaIgwe Studios (AIS) including training of creative professionals at the Centre for Excellence in Film & Media Studies, the training arm of AIS. 

He is the founder of True Nollywood Stories, and Pin Point Media. Seun Oloketuyi Journalist, Founder BON awards A popular entertainment Journalist, Seun Oloketuyi is the founder of Best of Nollywood Awards (stylized as BON Awards), an annual awards ceremony that has been honouring outstanding achievements in the Nigerian Movie Industry. 

Seun Oloketuyi is also the publisher of Best of Nollywood Magazine, a journal that focuses on happenings in Nollywood Joke Silva Actress A Unilag graduate, she has featured in over 300 Nigerian movies. She is most popular for movies like Phone Swap, The Secret Laughter of Women and Last Wedding and also as one of the Faculty members on the MTN Project Fame. 

Joke Silva is married to another equally influential actor Olu Jacobs. She teaches and speaks regularly, owing to her passion for capacity building. 

Peace AyimOsigwe AMAA Founder The brain behind arguably Africa’s most recognized and respected awards for movie practitioners on the continent, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe stands tall among visionaries who have given their all to the growth and development of the movie industry in Nigeria. Having run one of the biggest awards in the movie industry for ten years now, Peace has rewarded, promoted and built the industry in a remarkable way. 

DakoreEgbuson Actress She went off the scene when she newly got married, but she is now back to reclaim her spot as one of the leading actresses in Nigeria. 

Dakore has appeared in many classic movies, including recently released ‘Fifty,’ Caught In the Middle, Lunch Time Heroes, Peace of Flesh among others. 

Some say she (and her husband Lou, son of billionaire Harry Akande) may be silent investors and backers in an industry that rarely attracts private sector funding. Jason Njoku CEO iROKOtv Jason ChukwumaNjoku is a British-born Nigerian entrepreneur, film magnate and African start-up investor. 

He is the founder and CEO of iROKOtv, one of the early video-on-demand movie platforms for Nigerian movies A self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur, iROKOtv is Njoku’s 11th attempt at starting a business. 

He came up with the idea of launching a new distribution platform for Nollywood whilst living at home with his mum, aged 30, after a number of failed enterprises. SaidiBalogun Actor, director, Producer. 

Saidi is a renowned actor, director and producer, who has done remarkably well for himself in the movie industry. He is presently the co-founder and the president of The Movie Ambassador, a stakeholder group in Nigerian movie industry. 

A prolific filmmaker with a career spanning over 20 years, Saidi’s recent credits include EtiKeta and You or I. Adebayo Salami Actor/producer A former president of Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, Oga Bello, who celebrated 50 years on stage last year, is one actor many young acts are looking up to. 

His influences have no doubt rubbed off on his children, with three (Femi, Sodiq and Tope) of them already well established in the trade.

JideKosoko Actor/producer Lagos State born actor, JideKosoko is an accomplished actor who has been able to cut across the various movie groups and associations. 

A versatile actor with a career spanning over four decades, Kosoko’s influence became unquestionable after he emerged the president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners and led the association for eight years. 

Andy Amenechi Film Director The bearded six foot tall prolific movie director hails from Ilah in Delta state, Nigeria. A 1982 graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Andy as Amenechi is simply called is reputed to be one of the hottest and busiest movie directors on the Nigerian home video scene. 

He trained in advertising, marketing and advanced television and film production both in Nigeria and abroad. A long standing member of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Director Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Amenechi, is the directing force behind some of the sectors enduring offerings like Rituals, Narrow Escape, Oracle, Blood of the Orphan, Time Bomb, Lord of the Mountain, Deep Love, Egg of Life, and the epic movie Igodo which he co directed with Don Pedro Obaseki. 

Gabriel Okoye CEO G Media, movie producer Gabriel OnyiyechiOkoye, popularly known as IgweGabosky, is one of the most respected in the Nigerian home video industry. Over the years, Okoye has worked himself into becoming one of the top stakeholders in the Nigerian movie industry, having produced many blockbuster movies and helping champion the cause for a better movie industry. 

He is a recipient of various awards both in the country and outside. Notedly, many actors and actresses in Nigeria today owe a debt of gratitude to him for bringing them into limelight. He now runs G-media, using new thinking to power distribution, with support from Bank of Industry. 

AkeemOlatunjiBalogun CEO Olasco Films Known for bankrolling many blockbuster movies which include FunkeAkindele’s flicks, Jenifa, Return of Jenifa and Omo Ghetto 1 & 2, this popular movie marketer, wields appreciable influence in the movie industry which is why many refer to him as the godfathers of the movie marketing business. 

John Ugbe Ugbe is leader at DSTV Administrator and MD of Multichoice Ugbe has been managing director at Multichoice for over four years, overseeing a deep involvement between the South African giant and Nigeria’s Nollywood.

The result is more Nollywoodcentred programming, a successful annual awards, and a commendable investment in production. He holds a masters degree from the University of Liverpool. 

KeneMkparu KeneMkparu is giving Nigeria more cinema screens by the day Owner of Filmhouse Cinemas Mr. Mkparu wants to give Nigeria50 cinema outlets by the end of this year. 

What’s not to love about that? He’s secured the funding, he’s put systems in place, and he;s now rolling out strategically. With over 20 years experience in business management and cinema operations management in different parts of the world, pundits say he’s the man for the job.

SAD! Another Nollywood actor is dead

Mike Odiache passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016.

The Nigerian movie industry has again been thrown into another round of mourning as another actor, Mike Odiache died on Monday, February 15, 2016.

According to reports, Mike passed on after a brief illness at a general hospital in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The cause of his death is, however, still unknown as at the time of filing this report.

The role interpreter has featured in a large number of Nollywood movies, including the popular flick, ‘Prophet of Doom.’

He was also known for his role in the much-acclaimed movie, ‘Igodo,’ in which he was buried alive.

Mike’s demise is coming just as the industry is still mourning the demise of two of its prominent actors, Peter Onwuzurike Onyehidelam also known Dede One Day and Sikiru Adesina popularly called Arakangudu.

Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola weds hubby today

Two years after holding their traditional wedding ceremony, Nollywoodactress, Foluke Daramola and husband, Kayode Salako signed the dotted lines today, Saturday, February 13, 2016 as a lawfully wedded couple at the Kosofe Local Government Registry.

Check out photos from their celebration of love:

Isaac Izoya on changing Nigeria's image using Nollywood

– Nollywood stakeholder talks on importance of Nollywood in changing Nigeria’s image globally

– Laments lack of government support in the process of developing Nollywood

– Speaks on incident where a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw in Europe and broke down in tears, adding that they helped saved his marriage from divorce

Mr Isaac Izoya, from Edo state is based in Frankfurt, Germany where he has been part of a major transformation process for the Nigerian entertainment industry.

He is the founder of the Nollywood Film Festival in Germany and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards.

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File photo of Nollywood stakeholder Isaac Izoya

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, he spoke about his efforts at restoring Nigeria’s image in the international community using Nollywood as the vehicle for change.

He has since been involved in the process of hoisting the nation’s image, adding that the western world previously had a wrong notion about Nigeria.

He said: “I’ve been in Nollywood since 2002. I delved into film making to put the record straight. Before now, the Western world never believed that anything good could come out of Africa and Nigeria in particular.

“They never believed we have airports, and other developmental projects in Nigeria. I believe pictures don’t lie, and with Nollywood, we have been able to correct some of the erroneous impressions that the developed nations have about African countries. I also use my movies to promote integration.”

He added that the perception of the western world about Nigeria was so bad “if a Nigerian marries an European woman, and divorces her after some years. People would generally conclude that the Nigerian used the European woman to get his residence permit however, if an European woman marries a fellow European and divorces after six weeks, people wouldn’t complain.”

Mr. Izoya studied Journalism at the London School of Journalism but has being a part of the Nigerian movie industry for 14 years now.

In the light of projecting Nigeria’s image in a favourable light in the international community using Nollywood, he also embarked on a tour across Europe with Nollywood stars.

This, he said, has been helpful for the re-branding process.

He said: “I also came up with an idea to expose Nollywood stars to the Western world to improve the quality of movie productions. By touring Europe with Nollywood stars, they have been able to learn many things.

“I’ve been doing that since 2003, and I can tell you I’ve sponsored over 50 stars including Mama G, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah, Aki and Pawpaw, Nkiru Silvanus, Basketmouth, Timaya, Olu Maintain, among others. I’ve also stepped it up by organizing the Nollywood Film Festival Germany and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards. I thank God for what I have been able to achieve so far.”

Despite his individual efforts at improving the nation’s image, Izoya lamented that the Nigerian government had not stepped in to support the process in any way.

However, he recounted that other international bodies and foreign governments have been supportive.

He said: “Financial hurdles is the number one challenge, and it’s so sad. I told you earlier that I began doing this just to better Nigeria’s image in the outside world, but sadly, the Nigerian government doesn’t seem to realise this.

“There has been no help from them at all. Meanwhile, other countries spend heavily to boost their reputation through the Arts. The last event we organized was supported by Ethiopian Airways, German Ministry of Art and Culture, and German Ministry of Integration, among others…yet, nothing from Nigeria, whose image we’re promoting.

“However, those in the Nigerian Mission in Germany now, especially the Head of Chancery, are really doing well for us. They played major roles in bringing Ambassadors from different parts of the world to our last event.”

In spite of all these, the cultural ambassador said he is elated about the achievements the Nigerian movie industry has enjoyed till date.

He recalled an experience in which a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw on one of the European tours and started shedding tears, saying the actors saved his relationship with his wife as he was about to get a divorce at some point.

He said: “I remember once, when we were on an European tour with Aki and Pawpaw; a Ghanaian who was driving by, stopped and ran after us.

“He lifted up the two actors in the air, and can you believe that the man, who is over 60, started shedding tears that Aki and Pawpaw saved his marriage.

“He recalled that he was on the verge of divorce and wasn’t on speaking terms with his wife, before his son slot in a film featuring the two comic actors, and the whole house