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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