Obeisance to the Mind

STOP! In case you have forgotten how to laugh because the economy has been bastardize beyond your imagination, or you don’t even know how to cry anymore because life has toughened you, or that you don’t care that nothing excites you anymore, I recommend you get Obeisance to the Mind and get some cure, and fast, as you are taken through a journey with powerful words.

Obeisance to the Mind is a collection of sixty-one poems written by Jesurobo – Owei Gift Imafidon. It touches on different themes that includes love, colours, family, event, nature, motivation etc. and it comes with the spoken word, an audio version of it, embedded in every copy of the book.

You can get a copy at Debonair Bookstore located at Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos or online at www.debonairbookstore.com

WOW-CY JOHNSON, CHOI!

Hate or love her, marriage seems to agree, totally, with Mercy – the -rollercoaster –unstoppable Johnson. I can’t help but admire her more and more in these pictures in the recent edition of WOW Magazine culled from Bellanaija.com.

Eric premieres ‘Number One’ video

R & B artist Eric Arubayi recently concluded work on the video of his hit single, Number One

Eric whose rise to fame began with his participation in the debut edition of the West African Idols, recently released his ‘Redefined’ album. The launch of this album which held few months back had appearances and performances from some Nigeria’s leading artists.

The Number One video, which was shot on location in South Africa and Ikoyi, Lagos, tells a story of love, of friendship and of marriage. Directed by Frizzle n Bizzle Entertainment and shot in high definition, the Number One video featured surpassing video clarity and editing.

‘This video is particularly important to me because the song touches on the subject of love”, said Eric Arubayi. “We (my team and I) wanted to get the right quality and make the

production exceptional. We had to shoot the video four times, twice in South Africa and twice in Nigeria before we agreed on the current production’.

Download & enjoy 'Number One' Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD_-uXRGdME

Get more info & updates on Eric:

http://www.ericarubayi.com

www.twitter.com/ericarubayi

http://www.facebook.com/ericarubayi

Wives of Delta State Leaders Ball Out as Part of Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

PINK Pearl Foundation continued its campaign to create awareness and enlighten the nation about Breast Cancer; after feeding over three thousand women and riding bicycles between two States in commemoration of the 25^th World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was time for another spectacular event, the ‘Ball Out’.

The day was 22^nd Octoberand the venue was Squash Club, Asaba. The wives of members of the Executive Council and the wives of members of the Legislative Council of Delta State slugged it out in a football match in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. It was a rainy day but that didn’t deter the women from giving guests a day to remember whilst emphasizing the purpose of the event.

After a brief speech by the Founder of the Foundation, Orode Jade Okpu, the mood was set and the match kicked off at 4 p.m. The women came on with plenty of zeal and passion and gave their all, thrilling everyone with their performance on the field. At half-time, the foundation’s Doctor took spectators on a session to enlighten them about the disease and those interested were taken to the screening room to be checked and examined. Over 40 women signed up to be screened and 3 were had lumps in their breast.

The match continued with lots of moments worthy of remembrance. With a two all score board, after such a pleasant display by the women, who were now tired but satisfied that they had supported a good cause. They were soon refreshed and joined in the rest of the activities outlined for that day.

The First Lady of Delta State, Mrs. Sheila Roli Uduaghan, was available amidst celebrations to give remarks about the day’s event, she said, “It’s been a wonderful experience and this novelty match shows the unity and love between Delta women and their concern for things that will improve their health and those of their families

Tango with Genevieve Nnaji

By Richard Odilu

That sunny Sunday afternoon gave no warning of the heavy downpour that sent people scampering for shelter from the rain as I seized the opportunity to have my siesta. I had barely slept when a call woke me up. The caller, an editor of a popular blog wanted me to attend the movie premiere of ‘Tango with Me’ at the Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island. Sleep disappeared fast.

I arrived the venue late because the notice came late so I missed the red carpet event but was in luck to start the movie with other invited guests.  

When the movie ended I was very proud of Genevieve as always. Her portrayal of a newly wedded wife who got raped in front of her husband (played by Benjamin Joseph) on their honeymoon was flawless. Hate or like her, she is in a different league, way above many established acts, and the rookie Benjamin won my respect as well for not being intimidated by her star qualities.

A while later I was on the red carpet running after the likes of Monalisa Chinda, Emem Isong, Kunle Afolayan, Onyeka Onwenu, and Benjamin Joseph to get their pictures. But my mind kept reminding me that the shots would be incomplete without Genevieve, as I looked around for her to no avail. Then I wondered why a major act in a movie would miss its premiere.

When I had given up on seeing her, the sound of a broken glass startled me. Alas! It was the diva herself whose hands a glass cup had slipped from, and she almost tripped as someone caught and steadied her. Quickly, she was surrounded by fans and her colleagues as they ensured her safety. Her facial expression somewhat displayed embarrassment. I fixed my gaze on her revamped look – she could pass for eighteen years old, conveniently, no wonder she keeps getting the love roles. To me this is how a star ought to look like, not gather fats everywhere like some people do as if it is the dividend of an investment.

Alas! My moment to invade her has come as I thought of how to approach her.

Wondering  where she had come out from as the paparazzi’s were observing her rather than take a quick shot,  I approached her and requested she posed with the director, Ali Mahmoud Balogun, Joseph Benjamin, and a few stars around. She looked at me with the expression of ‘you really have guts’ but obliged me all the same. As I set my camera I was suddenly surrounded by other cameramen with their more sophisticated camera as they feasted on my catch.

I mumbled curses at the scavengers as I joined them, but ‘madam superstar’ I guess didn’t seem excited about the picture session as she showed no excitement and tried to look away at every turn. That got me thinking if she was still upset about the broken glass episode or about the fact she was accessed easily by people she hardly knew or may be something else.

When no one bothered her again she smartly excused herself to go be with Onyeka Onwenu, and a white lady, as they rapped away. I reasoned that it was the moment to interview her, even though I hadn’t it in mind to do so when I left my house that day.

As soon as I was convinced, I waited patiently my turn but noticed a bouncer and a guy that had Bluetooth strapped to one of his ears that I may refer to as an aide-de-camp, both of them waiting on her. After clearing with them I was allowed access, for six minutes, informing me that I had to be swift about it as she was ready to go.

She obliged me, a second time; although I could sense her impatience from her body movement, but her face this time did not betray her emotions. She answered every question I threw her way. The only snag was her bouncer who kept fending off the midget I used as if I wanted to throw a bomb in her mouth or may be to prove he was really working for his money. Unperturbed, I engaged her for twelve minutes.

My encounter with her only reinforce the ritual she has to undergo on a daily basis, according to Oprah Winfrey, as the Julia Roberts of Africa, whether she likes it or not.

Bouqui motivates with blast from the past

Who said what's in the past stays in the past. There are some things that can't just be forgotten, no matter how much you try. Sunny Ade's "Igbeyinloju" hit track from the 80s, is one of them.

Bouqui is no stranger to the music scene, dues well paid, foundation well laid, choices well made, she has chosen to inspire and motivate with her gift with two albums to her credit, B.O.U.Q.U.I; the self titled debut and Redefinition 2nd album).

Presently in the studio with genius producer Sam clef and also working with Cohbams and many more, Bouqui is determined to give her best to her third album.

Her new single produced by Jerry Metz. Igbeyinloju is one of the very unique songs of the early days of King Sunny Ade and she talks about choices and how they can make or break you with two interesting stories.

Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, RMD, Mo’Cheddah and Others Serve Food in Cancer Awareness Campaign

PINK Pearl Foundation Kick-started its flock of activities to commemorate the 25th world breast Cancer awareness month with the ‘Pink Kitchen’, which held between Wednesday 5th October andFriday 7th October. The event, hosted at the 911 Field, NPA Road, Warri, Delta State, featured over three thousand women interact with the Foundation.

The PINK Kitchen had various dignitaries and celebrities serve the people food. The attraction and buzz created by these celebrities gave the organizers of the event an opportunity to talk about the dangers of breast cancer, its symptoms and ways of preventing it. There was also free screening and consultation for participants.

The first day had His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Executive Governor of Delta State and the First Lady, whose presence attracted other top government officials. Other celebrity servers on the day were singer, Onos Ariyo, actor and TV personality, O.C Ukeje and comedian, Seyi Law.

On the second day, Delta born Sammy Okposo thrilled the crowd not just by serving them food, but also by performing his songs. Wife of comedian, Mabel Makun also participated in serving food on that day. The third day featured renowned actor and Commissioner for culture and tourism, Richard Mofe-Damijo, MTV Award winning singer, Mocheddah and her producer Rogba Aromokun.

One of the participants, Mrs Joy Eruemena, who commented after the event said; ‘PINK Kitchen made me know how to prevent breast cancer and I am grateful for the opportunity. Being served food by the Governor of my state also showed me the need for service and I am encouraged by that to go out and serve other people by educating them about breast cancer and its prevention”.

The event’s medical director, Dr. Ufoma Okotete who took the women on the ways to prevent/Check for symptoms of Breast cancer said; ‘with the high incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria and the world at large, there is need for a voice to cry out for people, both men and women need to be aware of this killer scourge and also informing them that early detection is the only tool/key to fighting breast cancer and educating them on Breast Self-Examination.

Over 300 women were screened and a total of 44 women and a man were found to have lumps and other breast abnormalities. They were advised accordingly and were booked for follow-up. Also, a lady diagnosed with Breast Cancer was assisted with funds to enable her receive chemotherapy and surgical treatment’.

Expressing her gratefulness to sponsors and supporters of the event, PINK Pearl Founder, Orode Jade Uduaghan said, ‘Pink kitchen was a fantastic experience, the three(3) days event with a lot of women from across Delta State coming to learn about cancer and the free screening; we were able to get good insight on incidence rate among delta women. I will say we got exactly what we were looking for and I am grateful to all who helped make this happen’.

Other PINK October activities lined up include PINK Ride (18th – 21st October), Ball Out (22nd October) and Camp Diva (27th – 29th October).

The New Leading Men of the Screen

Joseph Benjamin

For a young man whose first shot at fame was in 1991, his explosion was delayed but not denied. After so many auditions, as an actor and a wannabe musician, some of which includes Idol West Africa and Project Fame West Africa, this brother finally got into our consciousness when he landed the job as co-host of ‘Project Fame West Africa’ Season 2. Although, he’s done some bit of acting in Superstory, and the MNET TV Series, Tinsel, it was his role in ‘Tango with Me’ as the husband of Genevieve Nnaji that solidified his new found fame. Aside his very good looks, his skills are quiet noticeable, and may make him a favorite in a long while.

OC Ukeje

Just when this very talented and humble young man got everyone interested in him with his victory as the winner of the reality show AMBO2 and his effortless delivery as child with autism alongside Joke Silvers and Rita Dominick in Whitewaters, and an AMAA Award to show for it, he suddenly disappeared as fast as he had appeared.

He went on the low, performing in stage plays, beside his training in the New York Film Academy, and his appearance in the BBC Drama Series ‘Wetin Dey’. When we were about believing the allegations of Azzizat, a previous winner of AMBO1, that Nollywood is not interested in using people from the reality show, he comes out again with a bang in ‘Two Brides and a Baby’ alongside Stella Damasus, and ‘Kidnap’, one of the most anticipated movies from the stables of Emem Isong. Bro you need to stay locked in this time.

Gideon Okeke

If you’ve met him in person, you’d wonder how he’s able to pull through the character as the spoilt son of a wealthy movie mogul in the very popular MNET TV Series, Tinsel. He’s very down to earth, and but his swags cannot be denied. His TV role has got him fans across the  border and haters as well, but you cannot deny his talent and energy which is yet to be maximized.

The very first and only Big Brother Nigeria in 2006 gave him the platform to show what he’s capable of , followed by a partial musical stint and presentation on air, but TV did it for him, and the movies too have beckoned with ‘Relentless’ and ‘Half Empty, Half Full’

Chris Attoh

This handsome Ghanaian has done well for himself on the screen with his convincing portrayal of a paralyzed man on Tinsel, but he started out on radio, and then to TV as a fine presenter, and he claims it was directing he had set out for.

His commercial value has seen him been approached for movie roles which he claims to have turned down because they were very watery. We hope he consolidates on his new power.

Alex Ekubo

He may look pretty, as some of his female admirers have noted online, and may have become the second most desirable man in the Mr. Nigeria pageantry, but he’s more than just a hanger for clothes as he’s proven with his transition from the ramp to the screen.

The movie ‘Ladies Men’ not only won him more female admirers but has placed him on the pedestal of ‘to-go’ for convincing romantic roles which was once occupied by the Ramsey Nouah’s and Desmond Elliots, and he has proven he’s more than just a pretty face.

Which Naija Celeb Deserves To Be In The Forbes List of 40?

Entertainment has grown in Nigeria, a country that has produced a Miss World in Agbani Darego, and a Genevieve Nnaji reputed to be the 'Julia Roberts' of Africa on the Oprah Winfrey Show, a land that built and refined young, and very talented living legends in the persons of Tu Face Idibia an Asa. Need we mention the very energetic D' Banj whose swags Snoop Doggy Dogg couldn't ignore and he had to adopt as his nephew. By his side we see the hit-producing and tweet addict Don Jazzy, and they have become Kanye West latest allies.

Other names are funny bones, Basket Mouth; the identical twin, PSquare; Omotola Jalade; Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams of The Future Projects; Uche Eze, CEO/Founder of Bellanaija; Stephanie Okereke. The list is endless.


In September, Forbes online magazine seeks to publish a definitive list of the 40 most influential celebrities in contemporary Africa, but not without the help of the fans and followers whose patronage have made these once ordinary folks cult figures.


You can vote for your favorite stars by sending your nominations on Twitter @EmperorDIV, via email on mnsehe@forbes.com, or by commenting on http://onforb.es/px1Psz on or before the 20^th of September.

Thrills and Frills of Coterie

August 20, 2010 was another memorable day in the dairy of some celebrities and their fans as they all gathered at the Nubian Beach, a new seaside relaxation spot in Lekki, Lagos to mingle and network at the event tagged “Coterie”(a celeb & singles beach rave).

The epoch making event was staged by an event management outfit, April City Entertainment. The event created an avenue for many single young adults to have a chance to meet and mingle with some Nigerian celebrities. Prominent on the list of the celebrities were Koffi, Mc abbey, Doris Simeon, Living Sax (second runner up at Britain’s got Talent), Chidinma Ekile, Tolu Adesanya and Yetunde Orija (MTN Project Fame), Gaise, Olorisupergal with DJ Gosporella on the Wheels of Steel. The event was anchored by Mc Acapella.

According to the coordinator of the event Atoyebi Atoyegbe, ‘Coterie seeks to bridge the gap between celebrities and their fans in a serene and relaxed atmosphere; it’s also an avenue to celebrate these celebrities. It also seeks to promote fresh talents and at the same time afford single young adults a chance to mingle and unwind in the ever busy city of Lagos.’

Atoyebi noted that the idea of not celebrating these artistes, actors and comedians in their lifetime prompted April City Entertainment to initiate the move. Besides, most fans don’t know much about their celebrities. The little they know about them is gotten from media, speculations making the rounds and also roles played on the screen.

“The event was not just fun for the celebrities and fans but an avenue to build a cordial relationship between them. It is an opportunity to awaken the micro giant in many Nigeria youths, to lure them away from social vices, to exploit many virgin land in the entertainment industry as well as promoting peace and unity in the country”, he said.

Expressing his feeling at the occasion MC Abbey, praised the organiser for organising the unique event. He said: “this is a very unique and lovely concept, I can believe what I’m experiencing here and it will forever ring in my memory”.

Kayode Oresanya aka Living Sax (second runner up from Britain’s got Talent) who was hyper active throughout the event, said: “I am really delighted and can’t wait for the next edition; this event is the first of its kind I’ve attended”.

The next edition of Coterie is in November and it promises to be bigger and better.

THE NEW DEFINITION OF SOUL MUSIC

British born Bukola Damola (Ebisan) debuts with ‘Love Story’.

Ebisan first hit the airwaves with her 2006 single, What Women Want - A song which featured DM Squared and was on the UK Top 20 Gospel Charts. The song also received massive airplay from radio stations across the UK including the BBC radio stations and remained on the Cross Rhythms chart for a year.

Ebisan made her entry into the Nigerian entertainment industry with the title tracks for the critically acclaimed blockbuster movie, Tango with me. Her songs, ‘Suru’ and ‘Dance with Me’ were appraised as riveting soundtracks to the movie.

Now managed by Emem Ema’s ONE Management, Ebisan who just relocated to Nigeria, has a degree in Accounting and a Masters in International Business Management. Her love, however, has remained with music. “Music has always been part of me”, she says. “I have been performing since I was eight and I have taken opportunities in my life to tell stories through the art of music”.

She believes that growing up in the U.K, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria has helped her understand music internationally. Her focus however is to put her soul music in the heart of every Nigerian.

Get more of Ebisan:

www.reverbnation.com/ebisan

www.twitter.com/ebisan_online

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ebisan-Page/241909789169313

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For Press and Online PR, contact - media@randkonline.com

R&K Consulting

Going gaga with Boy Gaga

By Odilu Richard

I caught up with our own Mr. Gaga at The Future Awards after party at the MicComm Golf Resort and Hotel in Osun State, and he takes me into his sanctuary where anything can be expected – as a lover, an eighty year old man, a porn artist and a serial killer.

Q – In the bus yesterday, on our way to Ada, Osun State, and someone was talking about Lady Gaga, and I asked, sarcastically, who she was. Of course I did get a lecture for that but in the midst of the lecture another person came to my rescue asking if she is doing anything extraordinary that Denrele had not already done.

A – Ah! That is very complimentary, that is high praise, eh!

Q – And yet another said Denrele is Boy Gaga

A – Ha-ha! It started on twitter, you know when people put a ash, I think it’s called trending. There was a time I was trending and people started saying oh, Denrele is Nigerian Lady Gaga, me I really don’t send all of these things so I just kept laughing, I will put a funny comeback or retort and just send it, and somebody, a very smart person then said what is all this comparing Denrele with Lady Gaga, that before she came into existence Denrele has started building his brand, and this smart person was Funmi Iyanda. Walahi! I had never known who Lady Gaga was, funny enough, I don’t tell people this but I will say it, I have met Lady Gaga even before her first video.

Q – Are you for real?

A – Yes, her name is Stephano Gemahota or something. I had met her in South Africa in a club, I think they were doing a tour and they were testing new singles, and it was Akon, her manager that was with her then. She wasn’t so dressed, she just wore this outlandish short and long blonde hair and they were playing her songs and I was grooving to it at Monoco night club in Johannesburg and she walked up to me and said ‘I love the way you dance to my song and I am gonna shoot my video soon …’, and I just thought she was one South African chick, I didn’t know, and I don’t want to start hitting my head and saying, hey! If I had known, I don’t like to regret things, I just didn’t know who she was because she looked very tarty (laughs), you know she was wearing something very revealing at that point in time and she hadn’t even done the video. So it was until we got on that Sound City Campus gig, myself with P Square in Enugu when we saw her video and I went like ‘eh, I know this girl’ and they went are you serious. I think I like the compliments, but I am not into the whole comparison thing, though I can’t stop it. People will always say what they have to say and I’ll just take it in good faith. Boy gaga habi? Ehn! So be it. When someone new comes on the scene they will find another name for me.

Q – I see and hear you are everywhere and your phones are always ringing by the seconds –

A – (Laughs) my batteries are low –

Q – Does this translate to more money?

A – Let me put it this way. You know we already spoke about happy people, people like to be around happy people, people just feel Denrele will add that extra spice to my event, bla bla bla, I have done so much charity for people, my goodness, but when I call in for favor people answer me without even bathing an eyelid (his friend’s phone rings for the umpteenth time) oh! You and this phone, I think you should live it there (rings again) just carry it with you to the other room. Okay back to, there is something I want to say before this distraction (thinks) okay, now the thing is I am an all rounder, I have noticed. The kind of shows I get you’d be surprised. A lot of people think that I am tilted towards the student crowd. That is a lie. I have noticed that it’s even the older people who know me even more, of course the students know me as well, I like Denrele’s gut, I like that he is eccentric, I like his confidence, and they are always excited when they see me and I am always making noise, that is by the way. Then the older crowd thinks I am hilarious, they just don’t understand me, and I am always very respectful being a Yoruba. I get all kinds of shows, you won’t believe it. I do kiddies parties (clears throat), the ones that will drop oh, then the school shows, then the corporate events. Today is Saturday. On Tuesday, I did BAT (British American Tobacco) Shows, Trade Management and Distribution Division. I did the red carpet and hosted the show. So nobody can say I am not getting the deals.

For me, I don’t think if I should say this, it’s not healthy for business, I am not money inclined, and it’s not about the money. I started Sound City

Q – Which aptly describes you – Denrele, a bunch of characters, or Denrele, the talented guy?

A – I think Denrele is a bunch of characters with lots of talents. If I am a talented person, then I will just be good with a specification but I am a bunch of characters as I have realized over time and I am still going over that sense of actualization. There are some things about me that just come to play. Most times when I host shows, its not just talking and making people laugh, I do all kinds of stuffs, theatrics I call them. I am a very good dancer, and I dance wearing my horrendous shoes. It’s a very funny sight seeing someone, seriously pulling off serious dancing on shoes like this, and then I dance proper and I know how to connect with the crowd and drag them out. At the end of the day, for me, it’s always about social networking. I know what to say to the right people and know how to get them to listen to me. I know how to entertain, when I want to, and how to listen when I want to. I know how to appreciate, celebrate and crack people up. I think it’s a bunch of characters. The thing is you could be good at your job but your delivery might not be on point and you might not have good references at the end of the day but I think everything just plays. Then I discovered that I could write, also that I could design my own clothes, and recently I started styling a couple of videos just for the fun of it, all of Goldie’s videos I styled and Ashley Stephanie’s. I think a bunch of characters would do

Q – Have you pictured Denrele when he’s eighty years old?

A – Ah! I will be fun loving, no doubt. Of course, my grand-children and great grand-children will relate with me on every angle

Q – I am bothered more about your physical appearance than I am about your relationships

A – I know, that’s like an aside. For them to be able to relate with me that mean I am not going to loose the essence of whom I actually am, this is not an attempt to gain attention, this is who I am. I will still be the same, dress the same way, still wear my huge shoes, except something else catches my fancy.

Q – You are seriously saying you can pull it with shoes like these at that age?

A – Hmm, age might tell but it depends, I go with the flow, something else might catch my fancy but I think we should let time tell but at that point I know at eighty people will climb podiums and say the things I have done for them. I want to be part of people’s success stories. At that age I will like to read stuffs and see that I am quoted everywhere. I think that is enough.

Q – Denrele alone under lock and key, what is he like?

A – Ah! Funny enough I like my solitude but I hardly get it, and when I travel I pray that I a foreigner sits next to me so that I run things through my mind while listening to music. If I get that opportunity to be alone without my phones, I will walk naked around the house, I will dance naked, I like to watch TV, I like to read a lot, I will be doing all these things simultaneously while eating my food, from morning till whenever, and I will have my own mock fashion show, and will have the time to brood on stuff because I never have the time for it, I am always surrounded by people.

Q – Do you think you would have been a successful porn actor if given the chance?

A – I don’t know oh, not with this kind of body oh, may be if I reincarnate myself and I am well buffed up. I am as skinny as God knows what. If I take off my shirts now, you will count my ribs. But may be a rock star, I would have been a successful one because I have this thing for stage, I never get tired.

Q – Has anyone even thought of offering you such a job?

A – Yeah, there was one time they were shooting one and I was called upon and I said eh! I can’t even imagine myself doing something like that. Well people like porn but I am not porn oriented. I can’t watch it till the end, even when I did I got tired, well, I have friends who are addicted to it but I can’t watch it, and I can’t even imagine myself as porn star, what will I be doing there and me I am too gra-gra-gra, I will just be jumping up and down. I will be too excited; I don’t think I can pull that off. That is not something I think I can do.

 

Q – Denrele the serial killer, who will be your first target?

A – hmm, I don’t have any enemies but there are people who will not like one, but there are some people that have said terrible things about me (hiss) and I can’t retaliate and when I let these things go some of my friends are like , ‘what?’ You bring someone to your house and the person gets so closed, then the person goes out and start saying everything that went on in your house and starts talking trash about your family, that’s really frustrating, and I am now wondering kini mose funwo tiwo lo so ro be (what did I do to them that they had to say such things). Well I am not one for confrontation so I really don’t bother. I almost embarrassed someone on stage because he had done something like that to me but everybody begged. I wanted to really embarrass him and I will get away with it but the person will never climb the stage again, but I just let it go. Then there was an artiste, who was nasty to me, but he was drunk anyways and he’s been begging ever since, but I think he realized after. I don’t want to call names so that you won’t publish it and they don’t come and shoot me in the ass at night but it will be about those who really said hurtful things about me. I am human, I really am. However hard I try to act, they get to me.

Q – Do you ever shed a tear?

A – You must think I am snow queen or an ice, of course I do. It’s the minute things that really hits me and has to do with family. I am human and I have to cry

 

Q – Do you believe in love at first sight?

                        

A – No, I don’t, I think love is a progression. I have been in situations where I see some persons for the first time and I think I might be in love and then when I see them repeatedly much later and I am like, ah, I don’t like this person at all.

Q – How will you like to die?

A – I will wear a very nice outfit with my sexy shoes and I want a glass coffin so that even the witches cannot penetrate it, and of course with a very fantastic hair do, then we would have a pamphlet with all of my crazy pictures. We will make it like a wedding ceremony, more like a carnival because for me I like the noise.

Q – Thanks for your time; it’s been pleasant talking with you

A – it’s my pleasure

The Mercy Johnson I know

By Richard Odilu

When I first knew the alleged dreaded seductress was so many years back, during my undergraduate years, when I watched on video her brilliant performance as a possessed maid in the Kenneth Nnebue (NEK Video Links) movie ‘The Maid’, and I have followed the success of her screen career ever since. My friends and I talked about her non-stop: forty percent was about her acting prowess and the other sixty was devoted to her voluptuous image. Over the years I have gotten to know that she is a home wrecker, a bitch, harlot, witch, she has a fast finger, and destroyer of pleasant relationships. All these are allegations I read in some soft-sell magazines but I never lost sight of her talent, she really is an amazing talent. Like the biblical Nicodemus, I took in what I read with a pinch of salt. That is she is innocent until proven guilty. But sometimes I am nudged by the over-used adage ‘that there is no smoke without fire’.

Are the write-ups and gossips about her mere rumor - the devices of haters and spoilers of anything beautiful – or are they true portrayal of what she has always been?

The opportunity to confirm or disprove these rumors presented itself when I booked an appointment with her for my column ‘What were you thinking?’ in Y! Magazines second edition. Oh boy! Like most superstars would I was played like a football left-right-center until it dawned on her I wasn’t letting go until I achieved my aim, and the interview finally happened in a very private guest house tucked in Omole Phase One. Had I know she would have come by almost seven pm then I would have gone there by six-thirty pm disregarding the three o’clock appointment she gave me. My patience almost ran out as I kept checking in with her publicist, as I did not have her direct contact at the time, to be sure the interview would hold still. But when she showed up, I eased up easily, forgetting that I had sat waiting for her royal highness for almost three hours.

Her arrival was without pomp and pageantry, like I expected, and she wasn’t dressed like a harlot either, like some of my friends whom I already hinted about the proposed interview anticipated. Then when she walked up to me to inquire if I was the journalist she was supposed to meet with – how did she know I was a journalist, is it written on the face – with an apology I’d assure you wasn’t pre-rehearsed, my opinion about her changed, as I did a mental re-arrangement of the questions to ask.

Yes! The questions changed but they got harder and she did not dodge any of them, neither was she in haste to leave. From her scandalous dressing, to seduction, to bed hopping, to marriage, to witch-craft, she answered everything. There were moments we shared some laughter and moments when I thought I saw tears at the corner of her eyes. I saw the human behind the alleged Dracula. It appeared I was doing a show on TV as her companion, a very lively lady, listened with rapt attention and an elderly man nearby puts in a word or two unsolicited. Even when I stopped, having quizzed her for almost an hour, she still wanted me to go on, and commented that she did not feel like she was been interviewed. To her we were two friends just having a tête-à-tête. She got me asking why people labeled her everything bad if she was this homely, and yes! She reads everything written about her, and some of the reports, she alleged were unconfirmed made her cry. When I asked her about her relationship with Genevieve, the glow that radiated from her will make you think that was the person who gave her life.

Finally I told her I had to leave and she insisted on dropping me at the nearest bus-stop where I may board a vehicle, and gave me her private number with the promise that I text or flash her when I get home, that way she would know I arrived safely. I texted her by almost 11pm and her response was swift. I slept thinking if that was her real person or if she was putting up a show for good publicity, but whatever that was about I believed it, and until she does otherwise she remains the proverbial dog whom people call names just so they could hang it.