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Friday 21 October 2011

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.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

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).