Every part of my body is a selling point – Uche Ogbodo

Uche Ogbodo is one of the hottest rising actresses  in Nollywood today.  Though people have associated her name with controversy, she is still an actress to behold. After the alleged fight she had with an actor cum popular comedian Kingsley Ogbonna  on a movie set,few years ago, and the recent face-off she also had with a marketer, who accused her of delaying his production, Uche has maintained a steady rise to stardom since hitting the screen in 2006. She recounts the story of her journey to stardom and the many controversies that trails her acting career..

Six years  after

I have grown in so many ways. Emotionally and spiritually, I have become more matured. I have also  made a name for myself in the industry as a star. Anywhere I’m going today, it opens the doors of favour for me. I thank God for everything He has done for me. It has been a memorable journey to stardom.

Any record of misgiving, disappointment or ugly incident so far

Since my debut in the industry in 2006, I have not recorded any misgiving , disappointment or ugly incident. But there was one that I had recently which affected me. It was the fight I had with a marketer called AMACO Investment.

Uche Ogbodo

It was one incident, I really regretted. I never knew I could get  such an assault from Nollywood. I don’t care because I’m more stronger today. I can always overcome any challenge that comes my way at this moment.

Allegation of abandoning the set

I can’t answer that question. If you are asking me what happened between myself and the marketer, I will tell you my own side of the story. But I don’t want to  talk about the incident now because I’m putting it on hold at the moment.

I want to institute a legal action against the marketer. But  his association somehow intervened and appealed to me to put it on hold  for some time. I have a lot of respects for  their judgment, and the  manner in which they handled the matter so far.

Misunderstood in the industry! 

Yes, I have been  misunderstood in several ways. But I don’t see it as a challenge because I don’t have anybody to complain  to, except my God, who created me.

One think I know I cannot do today is to hurt a fly. I’m a different person, but people judge me based on the roles that I played  in movies. I want the world to know that my job is a professional one. If I’m not able to interprete my role very well, I wouldn’t be as  successful as I am in the industry today. I’m a successful actress  because I’m able to interprete my roles in movies very well.

And that’s why producers are inviting me to star in their movies.  I try to put in my best in interpreting my scripts no matter how bad or good the role I’m playing is. I see it as a challenge. But one thing about me is that I like to surprise my fans. Acting comes from the inside of me.

Negative stories about me

It makes me feel bad, but it doesn’t make me want to shield tears. Why? Because I know who I am, and I also know the kind of people that I meet in my day to day activities. I know the people who  are closer to me very well, and they know me too.

I don’t care what anybody would write about me. There are so many ‘rubbishes’  that had been written about me in the past. But I know who I am, and that’s why I remain unshakable.  They are only destroying themselves, as people actually see them as unserious people.  However, bad press sometimes turns out to be good press. May be, they were writing all those rubbishes to promote my works and my personality.

Projecting a new brand 

I re-brand myself almost every year because I need to look good. I’m a kind of projecting a new identity for myself; trying to make myself a brand that people will appreciate. A brand that can sell any product. As a star, I need to re-brand every year. I think it is a good idea that I re-brand myself.

What makes me sexy  

Everything about me makes sexy; my diction, the aura  that I carry about, and the way I dress also makes me sexy. I wear what I feel comfortable in. Actually, before I leave my house every day, I sample so many of my clothes to see which one of them will fit my style. I’m crazy about fashion and accessories. They are the basic things a woman needs.

Keeping low profile

I like to keep a low profile, that’s why I’m not seen all over the places like my colleagues.

My love life

Love has been kind to me. I’m in a relationship at the moment. But I’m not married, I still searching. I’m still waiting upon the Lord. If He says, that the man I dating presently will be my husband, so be it.

Heart breaker!

I don’t break hearts, rather I mend  hearts. I have never been heart broken in my life. And I have never broken anybody’s heart.

My life on campus

I was never a bad girl on campus, and I have never been a bad girl. That’s the truth, I’m a very homely girl. I’m very religious and prayerful.

My kind of man

Honest and good-looking men with an enviable dress sense trips me.  Men who have good sense of tyle and the fear of God.

Existence of lesbians  in Nollywood

I only hear of its existence, but I’m not one of them. I have never had any encounter with them. I’m not a lesbian.

Did I set out to become an actress?

 I didn’t, it was something that came by accident. My father brought me into Nollywood. I never knew anything about the industry until father encouraged me to go into acting. I have been doing drama since I was a kid.  At the time, I had just finished my secondary education, he came home one day and told me he had something I might be interested in. He told me he had a link to Nollywood. He told me he met someone who could introduce me into the industry.

That was it. The next day, my father got me registered with Actors Guild of Nigeria. My father believes in me, and also in my talent. He wanted everything about me to be expanded, he knows me too well and he knows also that nothing can influence me. So, I appreciate my father for the role he played sin my life.

Movie that challenged me

I try to put everything in me into any role I’m asked to interprete. So, any role I played in a particular movie have been as challenging as the role I played in another movie. I put all my energies into the role. But at the moment, I haven’t done that movie that will challenge me more than every other role I have played in the recent times. I’m yet to shoot that movie.

My dream  

In the next five years, I intend to get married and be in my husband’s house.

My selling point

Every part of my body is a selling point, particularly my eyes and my mouth.

Eucharia Anunobi becomes pastor …vows to stick to acting

Few  weeks ago, it was rumoured that actress Eucharia Anunobi would be ordained as a pastor in the Vinyard of God.
That rumour came true last Sunday, when the former bad-girl of the movie industry, who shot into fame with her role in the block-buster movie, “Glamour Girls”, was finally ordained  as a pastor at Fresh Oil Ministry International, Egbeda, Lagos.

*Eucharia displaying her certificate after her ordnation

The ordination was performed by Pastor Psalm Okpe, who anointed the top Nollywood actress, accompanied by other Men of God. She was not alone, as some of her close colleagues  Susan Peters and Clarion Chukwuka were on hand to support her.
With her ordination, Eucharia can fully preach as a pastor in the vineyard of God.This is a new dawn for the actress who only two weeks ago took delivery of N10 million BMW X5, the wonder-on-wheels, which she used as a new year’s eve gift to herself.
Speaking after her ordination, Eucharia  vowed to use her fame  and rascality to winning souls for Christ.  She also assured her teeming fans that she would  not abandon her acting career, pointing out that  she will be more choosy in terms of accepting roles in movies.

Femi Kuti gets third shot @ The Grammy

As the count down begins for the 54th edition of the American Grammy award taking place on 12th.Febuary 2012 in California USA, Nigerian fans of Femi Kuti who is nominated in the World Music Category pray that he is third time lucky this time around.
Femi picked up his third ever nomination in the World Music Category for his ‘Africa for Africa‘ album on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 when the list was unveiled at the ‘Grammy Nominations Concert Live!‘ in Los Angeles, US. An excited Femi who was monitored by Showtime on a cable TV station said, the news was totally unexpected.

*Femi Kuti

“I was shocked when I heard the news. The surprise here, is that, I didn’t expect an album recorded  and produced here in Nigeria studios could be nominated for the Grammy. I can understand it, if the album like the previous ones (that gained nominations) was recorded in Europe.
If the organisers decided, it was good to gain a Grammy nomination, it then show just how much our production competence has risen in Nigeria”, Femi disclosed.
Is expecting to win the Grammy this time, we sought to know?
“Well, we are keeping our fingers crossed. But the truth is that a mere nomination is enough to excite any musician worth his/her salt
In 2003, Femi, eldest son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, picked up his first ever Grammy Award nomination but lost out to Panamanian salsa singer, Rubén Blades.
He similarly lost in 2010 when he was nominated in the same category. US banjo player Bela Fleck walked away with the award.
His recent nomination sees him up against Latin/Roots music band AfroCubism, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Malian band Tinariwen.
‘We’re extremely happy, and hoping they give him this time around‘ Femi’s elder sister and Positive band veteran Yeni Kuti told us the week over the phone. ‘It’s his third time and he has really worked hard. I can’t say if he’ll attend or not, but I hope he will. He did not attend last year,” Yeni says.
US rapper Kanye West leads the pack with seven nods, making it the second year in a row a Hip-hop artiste has reached that feat. (Eminem topped the nominees list in 2010, with 10nods. He walked away with two wins).
Kanye is closely followed by UK singer Adele who is tied with Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars with six nods each. But the controversial rapper-producer was, surprisingly missing on the biggest award category ‘Album of the Year’.
Other notable acts that missed out on the big prize are Taylor Swift and veteran singer Tony Bennett.
The awards ceremony is billed to hold on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

How I survived as cart pusher in Alade market – 9ice

•Says he’s forgiven  ex-wife Toni but…   •Speaks on his double album
Call him whatever names you like, it does not remove the fact that music sensation, 9ICE, real names Abolore Akande stands a world apart from many of his contemporaries with his genre of music and bluesy delivery. With an album that every track is  a little masterpiece and  a reflection of his wealth of experience on the streets, 9ICE  in this interview with Showtime Celebrity recalled how many things fell into place to create a double album that is powerfully raw and is fast creeping to have a chart-topping commercial success with an ambitious concert come March .
Then hear this: Never, say never. To all fans of 9ICE there are indications that he may not have fallen out of love with ex-wife Toni Payne. Next time, you see her in his arms, remember love conquers all.
Finally, the Bashorun Gaa and Versus albums is out, what kept you so long?
What kept us so long, was that so many things happened when we released the last album. The album took a long time before it picked up. While it was picking up we didn’t want to put out any other album that will disturb the sales of the album. That is why we relaxed to allow the album sell before we released another.
Were you just experimenting or was it deliberate to have a lot of tracks on that double album?
It was neither of the two. Everything just happened the way it happened. People just believe if he is saying this, he is singing about this, this is happening, and then it is a premeditated song or he has had the idea even while he was recording the song.
Some of the stuffs were probably from your experiences…
Most of the songs on the Traditional album were personal experiences and things happening in the society that most Nigerian artistes don’t talk about. They are too busy doing other things. So I said, let me talk about these things or subjects. I thought that, by talking about these issues, I will attract some set of people to my own side.  It was deliberate.
In sports, you do not change the winning team. Gongo Aso was a huge hit and most of the tracks were produced by Cabasa; what led to this variety of producers?
Now, if you listen to, say ten hits songs recorded from 2010 till now, you will see a whole lot of changes in the Nigerian music scene entirely. There are lots of upcoming producers that are doing so well. And it will be wrong for the so called already made artistes not to encourage them, by patronising them. It is a way of expanding the industry and bringing in new people to the scene. It helps the industry grow. But that does not mean you abandon the producer you’ve been working with before, no. A little bit of this and that, makes a better album.

9ice

There are speculations there is a crack in your relationship with ID Cabasa
People have talked about that but there is no truth in the that story. There was a time Cabasa was signed to  a label and  released an album. I was part of the project. There was a time he signed on an artiste, while he was working with Olamide, I was part of it. There nothing he does that I’ve not been part of. There is a Yorubas proverb that says    Ogun omode o le s’ere fun ogun odun(Twenty children cannot play together for twenty years). Ajasa lives in Ikorodu. Jahbless stays along Lagos- Ibadan expressway, I live in Abule- Egba while  Cabasa stays in Akoka. We cannot be as together as we were before but that does not mean when we have something in common to do I will not be part of it.
How true is the story that you dumped Olamide for Vector on the track that you had Vector?
(Smiles) I’ve known Vector for a long time. And  Olamide is very close to me. He lives three blocks away from my house; I’ve known Olamide even before I met Cabasa. And he has been with me ever since. Olamide is like my brother.  And I can’t push away my brother to bring in an outsider. But then, Vector is my brother too. As a student of the University of Lagos, he was always around me whenever I go to have my hair cut in the school.
And when he passed out from the University, he came to tell me. He also told me he now raps. I said to him okay, bring the song. And while we were working on the song, I was also working on my own song. I said OK, why not do something on this song as well and he did it and that was it.  Most of the songs that we recorded on the Versus album were not meant to be. Whizkid, Tiwa Savage, were not meant to be on the album.
Because we lost the hard-drive where we had most of the data and the marketer was waiting for us to submit the album, we invited Whizkid and Tiwa to join us in the studio. It was a turn around thing that I never expected and surprisingly, those songs are now doing well.
Why do you keep changing your marketers? Is there something they or you are doing wrong?
It is not me, they are the ones. St. Jude is yet to give us a dime from the first album. We printed 50,000 copies of the first album ourselves. He sold them and he is yet to remit that money. After that he printed an additional 300,000 copies, yet he didn’t pay a dime to me or the record label owner Ibrahim Okulaja.
Will you encourage me to do another business with such a person? When Afrobest sold out Gongo Aso and was making a lot of money, I warned him against signing up unknown artistes in a hurry but he would not listen. But he went ahead and signed almost all Nigerian artistes and the money went away. Till date, Afrobest still owes me.  I cannot do another business with such a person.
Gbenga Soforte and I did Tradition. When the Versus and Bashorun Gaa albums wanted to drop, he said he wanted the whole 65,000 and I said no. This time around I’ve  been in the industry for quite sometime, my dreams and inspirations are quite different now. We disagreed on principles. We had no problem with money or that he did not meet my expectations. He did everything to please me, but what I want now is not what he can afford. So I had to go to who could give me what I want. And that is what happened. T Joe is giving me what I want and that’s cool with me.
Do you still have your mind on winning the Grammy?
Most definitely. May be when I win a Grammy I will retire.
Do you have any plan to collaborate with foreign artistes?
Yes. We were supposed to do that on this Versus‘ album but because it was taking too long and people were no longer ready to wait anymore, we had to fast forward everything. Probably in my forthcoming album we will have international artistes involved.
Don’t you consider yourself a misunderstood person, before the media and some of your colleagues?
Definitely. I’m not the type that talks recklessly. It is what people hear from you that they will feed on.  So, I cannot blame people writing what they write about me because when they have a one on one chat with me they will have a different view of my person. But how many people will I be able to have interviews with when they have the materials on their desks and are in a hurry to meet up with their deadline to publish. But when they have a one- on- one with me they will have a change of mind.
Do you enjoy your single life?
I will not say so. But now I think, If I say I want to travel to Lokoja, I can easily go because my son,  Zion will not be crying on my neck, ‘daddy do not go’. Yes the freedom is there, but there are some elements that are missing in my life that I enjoyed as a married man.
Like what?
Like waking up in the morning and my food is served and waiting on the table. Listening  to the cries of the baby is also a very joyous moment to me. Now I no longer have the baby to cuddle and hold on to, because he is not there. These are

9ice and Toni...when the going was good

the things I miss in marriage.
You feel more comfortable signing in Yoruba, am I right?
Yeah. I feel more comfortable singing in Yoruba because it is my local dialect and Yoruba has been the medium that I have used in all my albums, It has taken me this far. I will continue using that language.
Do you do you do any consultations or researches on the those Yoruba innuendos and idioms you use in your songs?
Yeah. I make researches and consultations now,  but when I was doing it then, I was just doing it for the  fun because those were natural  and  they come without tasking myself. Now when I am talking about something, I make sure they are well researched and on point. Like the Bashorun Gaa album, I had to make researches to ensure that what I am saying is on point. And if there are some proverbs I’d want to use, I consult the elderly people. I am making my researches that way.
I think it is in the track, Everyday that you mentioned you pushed the cart in Alade Market, is that a real experience?
A lot of people think it is Alade Market on Allen Avenue. But there is an Alade Market in Bariga. Truth is, the Alade Market on Allen Avenue, Ikeja is more popular than the one in Bariga.
We used to push carts loaded with Ewedu and Ugu  vegetables for market women who come to the market to buy in bulk but cannot handle their wares because they loads on their heads. So while they carry some on their heads we will be pushing the rest in the cart behind them.  Sometimes, because some bad boys run away with  their goods, they insist we push the carts ahead of therm so they can see the movement of their goods. Those were some of the things that I did  in those days to survive.
How much were you earning per day then?
Then if you push the cart with Ewedu and Ugu from Alade which is in Jagunmolu or from Jagunmolu to Okoko you will earn at-least N100:00 (One hundred naira).
So 9ice, having gone through this, how well are you giving back considering the fact that many boys are still on the streets?
We did a show last year in Bariga on Christmas day. We realised that on Christmas Day Bariga can be so boring. So instead of letting the people go to Lekki  to go and watch shows which many cant afford, we brought a show to them. It was a free show.  Today we have provided free pipe-borne water people living on my street. And we are trying to do more. I have done the same for the community I live currently. I am still trying to do more, like sharing free textbooks to secondary and primary schools’  students through the 9ice Foundation.
Do you forgive people when they offend you?
Yes, definitely I do because even God forgives us when we offend Him.  So I have to forgive and let go.
Have you forgiven Toni?
Most definitely, I can call her now. We are friends. If you want me to call her now, I will call her now.
Will you give love another chance?
Definitely.
With Toni?
No, it might not be with her but I will definitely give love a chance. And it might be with her as well, who knows?
So love between you and her is not ruled out?
Yes.  It is not ruled out.
What about marriage?
To give marriage a second chance, abi? Yes, I can remarry. Of-course, it is possible.
You can remarry Toni?
It is possible. Anything is possible.
What are the expectations regarding your concert that is coming up in March?
People should expect me to sing songs from the new album. And it is been a long time that I did a live-band performance because a lot of people do not know that I started with a live band. That day I will be doing some songs live and King Sunny Ade and K1 ‘D’ Ultimate will be performing live on that day as well. And all the artistes that I featured on that album will be performing live on stage.
So what is the deal with Cecil Hammond’s FlyTime?
FlyTime is the one packaging this event for me as they have done for other artistes. I believe if this event scales through it is going to be like  breaking a barrier and moving to the next level.

N7m up for grabs as Nkiru Sylvanus gives back to society

Nollywood star actress and Face of Hope Ambassador, Nkiru Sylvanus  is about to write her name in gold as she concludes plans to kick start her  talent hunt show any moment from now.
The talent hunt show, “Ï ‘ve Got Talent”was unveiled last year but could not kick-off until now.
The Abia State-born entertainer who  currently serves as a Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, wants to use the show to give back to the society that has done so much for her.
Nkiru told HVP, during the week that the show which commences in the next ten days, will not be aired  after three weeks of its kicking off.  She intends using the show to empower the youths and discover more budding stars in the nation’s creative industries.
Speaking on the rationale behind the project, she said “I’ve Got Talent” is a TV reality talent hunt show that is searching for special skills from all walks of life in Nigeria.”
“It seeks to positively affect lives of the less privileged youths in the Nigerian society through nurturing them. In addition to talent, the project seeks personality, intelligence and technical ability.”

Nkiru Syvanus

Explaining further, the famous actress who doubles as the Head of Imo State Liaison Office, in Lagos, added that the show, which will begin airing on both national and cable TV stations starting from this month, equally aims at discovering talented Nigerians and Africans who due to hardship and lack of opportunity do not have the medium of showcasing their talents.
The show will also empower and nurture them by creating a platform for their growth.”
Nkiru said as a star, she does not want to limit herself to acting and singing alone. “I also want to help in the area of discovering talents. For me it is a passion, and I hope that the talent hunt show will help to eliminate crime in our society.”
According to the actress, “32 contestants will be put in a house to compete   for 60 days non-stop. They show  is expected to feature  special talents in  varied fields such as acting, singing, performance, dancing, instrumentalist abilities, disc jockeying, fine arts, fashion and many other creative endeavours.”
The actress, who took the movie industry by storm with her stellar performance in ‘A Cry for Help’ a movie directed by Andy Amenechi, said she’s delighted with the project and thinks it will give ‘hope and support to hundreds of Nigerians with talents.’
The overall winner of the show will go home with the huge sum of N7million, in addition to other benefits.
On what distinguishes the show from other reality shows, Nkiru said “this show emphasizes on the things that can benefit the average Nigerians.” She is looking forward to making the show a yearly affair.
Mr. Onyenso Iyke, the management  consultant to the project said , the show aims at  encouraging, monitoring, and contributing to the success of selected Nigerian youths during and after  the show.”

Wedding: Steph Okereke opens up

After much speculations about her upcoming wedding and the annulment of her marriage to Chikelue Iloanusi by the court, actress, Stephanie Okereke has come out to clear the air.
Speaking on the issue during the week, the Kanakelon brand ambassador described the story as “untrue” adding that, ‘I’m not getting married in February, please tell them.’

Stephanie Okereke

She  made no comment when asked if the wedding will take place in Paris as reported in the dailies.
Also, reacting to the story, Okereke’s publicist, Yetunde Taiwo of ICY Public Relations reportedly said “There is no update about the wedding at this time and unless it is coming from our press office. It is simply all speculations by the media.”
“Once we have the information that is needed we will send it to you as always in our press release.”
The actress also revealed that her marriage to Super Eagles player Chikelue Iloanusi was never  valid. ‘I sought for annulment and I got it. I never sought for divorce. The court cannot grant annulment unless I had proof. The case has been on since 2007 and been dragging because of our court system.’
According to  the court, ‘the marriage never existed and couldn’t have been valid because at the time they got married, Chikelu was legally married to another woman in the US.

Ejike Asiegbu plans big for Ojukwu’s burial

Erst while president of  Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN),  who doubles as the former Personal Assistant to the late  Dim  Odumegwu Ojukwu at the 1994 National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, Ejike Asiegbu has unveiled plans to pay his last respect to his former boss and mentor in grand style.
The bulky actor is organising a ‘Night of Tributes” in honour of the departed Biafran warlord, which is billed to hold at the popular  celebrity hangout, O’jez, in Surulere, Lagos, before the end of the month.
“Ï am talking with a lot of concerned Nigerians in respect of how  we can come together to pay our last respects to the late Ikemba. It is not about the celebrities now, everybody  is free to attend the night of tributes.
“It will hold at the National Stadium. On that day, we will wear his T-Shirts and caps, and also reflect on those things which Ikemba stood for, while he lived. What is happening in Nigeria today is part of what Ikemba saw over 30 years ago,” Asiegbu hinted.
Late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, who died in a London hospital in the early hours of Saturday, November 26, 2011, will be buried on March 3, as announced by the  national burial committee.
Asiegbu was the former Personal Assistant to the late Ojukwu at the 1994 National Constitutional Conference in Abuja. In his recent interview, the bulky actor described Ikemba as “a father to me, my mentor and former boss.”