Nollywood: Big Winners And Losers Of 2012

2012 has come and gone, never to be seen again.But our deeds that underlined the year are still very much with us. Few days into the New Year the echoes of the past year could still be heard. At least, history never forgets.

As usual the entertainment stars, both in movie and music, made a big show in the year. While some took their careers to another level of prominence, some seemed to be fading away andothers seemed not to have shown up at all. It will remain a hot debate any day, the criteria for selecting stars who shine and those who shine not, but general consensus is that awards and recognitions won during the year is a good way of beginning.

Yes, there are many stars who had a hot year, with top of the range shows and movies and yet fail to turn up for any award during the year. There is even a case that some have won too many awards that awards organisers are tired of giving to them any more because they take the fun and the honour out of the award.

For instance someone like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde lost out in most of the awards she was nominated for last year except for the one she won in the United Kingdom , that is, Favourite West African Actress of the Year at Screen National Film and Television Award. Though she bested other notable names like her arch rival, Genevieve Nnaji, Mercy Johnson, Jackie Appiah and others. In the FAB Award, she lost out to Rita Dominic.

In Nollywood Movies Award, she also lost to Mercy Johnson. Even when she was nominated in a supporting role at Africa Movie Academy Award,she could not out-muscled other nominees deemed lesser than her and the award was won by South African Terry Pheto. Her losing streak continued with other awards like Nigerian Entertainment Awards, NEA, where Funke Akindele won the Best Actress.

If Omotola had a rough year in terms of award, then her arch rival, Genevieve had an insulting one. She lost out in every award she was nominated. Best of Nollywood award, BON, FAB awards, Nollywood Movies Awards, NMA and the Screen National Film and Television award.

To think this is a lady that has won virtually everyaward in the book and didn't even get mentionedon most nominees' list is but insulting. Then, those who have followed her last year may argueshe had a lean year as she didn't feature in many movies but for Omotola, she holds the record of appearing in most box office films last year.

The best lady of the screen this year must arguably be Rita Dominic. She came head-to-head with the leading ladies of Nollywood, Omotola and Genevieve on more than three occasions and she came top on each occasion. The ''Shattered" star did it both on local and international scenes.

Whether anybody likes it or not, she is Best African Actress for 2012, at least, the Africa Movie Academy Awards, has her name pinned to that. She also defeated Omotola and Genevive forMost Stylish Actress at the FAB award and the Kenyans thought big of her enough to bestow on her the KALASHA film and Television award for Best Actress.

She is lighting up cinemas right now on "The Streets of Calabar" and who knows what she could come up with again?

Monalisa Chinda had a couple of awards to show for her labour in the year. So is Tonto Dikeh, for all of her media-splitting headlines and Funke Akindele, Ayo Adesanya, Iyabo Ojo and Nse Ipe-Etim. Uche Jombo, Stella Damasus, Kate Henshaw, Nuella Njubigbo and others just didn't show up.

In the men categories, the big names like Jim Iyke, Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot, Emeka Ike seemed to be leaving the stage for younger and maybe finer men. Jim Iyke is more of a businessman these days than a movie star and so is Emeka Ike, who is more involved with running his school than running to locations.

Desmond has now preferred staying behind the scenes to run matters as producer and director, so for him, it is not so much a matter of being absent it looks like a change of scene. But then all these men are no longer winning the trophies in the movie sector. The stage now belongs to theduo of Uti Nwachukwu and Joseph Benjamin.

Between them, these guys won over ten awards last year. Uti, won five awards in two months and still showed up for others.
Uti won Glama Award in Houston Texas for Best New Actor, Best of Nollywood for Best Kiss in a film, Nigeria Models Achievement Award for Best Male Model, Sexiest On-Air Personality at Nigeria Broadcaster Merit Award, NBMA, and Most StylishPersonality at Style Bourne.

He is also the Best Entertainment Personality, according to the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, NEA. Joseph Benjamin on the other hand has done it in a big way. At Best of Nollywood award he won the Best Actor (Leading Role), and even beat the likes of Ramsey Nouah for Best Actor at Nollywood Movies Award. He is also the reigning African Actor of the Year, the award he won at African Films Award a.k.a Afri Hollywood award and the Most stylish Actor (male) at the FAB award.

On the music scene, the biggest, noticeable loser is Tuface Idibia who failed to show up. Though Two-Baba, has also won everything in the book but then so is D'Banj and P-Square, but they still came looking good and gave the new boys on theblock a good run for their money.

They won big and D'Banj even clinched his most elusive award in the past, the MOBO for Best African Act though some will argue Tu face has won this before but D'Banj and P-Square albums, Oliver Twist and Invasion won through and through.

Now, the biggest music star is none other than the Island kid, running the shows now, Wizkid Ayo Balogun who bagged more awards than anyone in the music industry. Some have teased that Davido would have been the star of the moment but with Wizkid in the background, OmoBaba Olowo, had aless than fulfilled year. He has been to Davido what Leo Messi has been to Cristiano Ronaldo but Davido has consolation in acouple of awards and juicy endorsement deals to scuttle any sorrow Wizkid must be bringing his way.

Wizkid won over eight awards in the year. Three at the Headies, two at the Nigeria Movie Awards, one at Future Award, one at BET Award. Davido also has about 4. Darey Art Alade, Vector, Samklef, Brymo have a couple to their names. Names like Banky W. Lynxx, M.I., and others didn't have a good call. For the female music stars, Tiwa Savage, J'odie, Mo' Cheddah led the way while names like Asa, Sasha P., Waje, Chidinma, Omawunmi didn't do so well.

But by and large, those that won awards are not the ones who made the most money. For instance, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde made more high budget movies more than Rita Dominic who cornered most of the awards.

So is Desmond Elliot and Kunle Afolayan who stayed behind the scenes, making millions quietly. Wizkid is sure the hottest item on the music scene but it must be Banky W. , with no award to his name, maybe the Edutainment award, who is smiling to the bank.

Counting The Mess Up Of D'banj KoKo Concert

Wasn't D'Banj's Koko concert which held on December 27, 2012 supposed to knock us off her rocker, wishing the night never ended as it promised to offer fun to last us into the New Year? But it seemed the Koko Master hit the blank this time, ending a rather awesome year ona roller-coaster ride of shame.

Though everyone applauded the artiste for the choice of venue which was the Eko Atlantic City but when you come to terms with the distance you have to trek to get to the heart of the concert, you would realise walking some 20km stretch isn't a balmy way of starting a night of fun, especially one you paid through your nose to have.

Then the Nigerian factor really became a virus, a virus that ate up people for more than three hours standing and shuffling for space before the show could really get started in earnest. All the posters and the media merry-go-round said it would begin at 7pm but any semblance of the show coming on didn't take shape on stage until well after 10pm.

Now UK based actor, Idris Elba, the host, is as cool as they come especially if you still feel the pangs of "Sometimes In April" but the handsome dude isn't cut out to be a host at a show not to talk of a huge concert. Get a picture of a run-down gramophone trying to deliver a mix of heavy metal rock and hardcore rap? He virtually got some people dozing off instead of getting them in the mood.

Isn't a concert supposed to be a live band kind of thing but most of the acts got off on CD-backed performances which were mostly off key.

Then, the moment most had been waiting for, arrived; D'banj making one of the most majestic intros, getting on stage with a golden robe adorned with a traditional crown. D'banj however made matters worse, delaying his performance with unnecessary banter, which only irritated most of the already-tired audience. He was, however, brave enough to use the live band, the first performer of the night to do so, performing songs like 'Olorun maje', 'Suddenly', 'Oyato' and more.

Between performances and romancing the VVIP crowd, D'banj brought on Naeto C, Kay Switch, Ikechukwu, J-Sol and Davido, with all the featuresbeing lacklustre. 40 minutes into D'banj's performance, there was a mass exodus from the venue, leaving a quarter of the original crowd ending the show with D'banj as he finished up with 'Oliver Twist' his monster hit.

Wizkid and 2face, who had been earlier announced to attend and perform at the concert were missing, while many guests, including Seyi Shodimu, Darey, and Banky W reportedly turned back, after trying for hours to get to the venue.

Now, the next day was a day of rage with thousands taking to the social media to vent theiranger on what their ordeal was at the show. It was meant to be a night of fun but many walked away looking rather morose and those who endured it felt not only disappointed but also denied.

AMAA Film Screening Winds Up

It was a gathering of Nollywood bigwigs in the nation's seat of power, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Thursday, as the curtains finally fell on this year's edition of the nationwide screening tour of 2012 African Movie Academy Awards (AMMA) winning movies sponsored by leading telecoms service provider, Airtel Nigeria.

With an exclusive all-stars After Party at the TKlezLounge, Hotel De Bently, the Abuja film screeningprovided occasion for class entertainment, fun, social networking and reunion for members of theActors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) led by the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter, Chief Onwurah Ifeanyi and the Chapter's Sole Administrator and veteran actor, Sidney Diala.

At the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja, venue of the screening exercise, Abuja celebrities as well as other select members of the public and followers of Nollywood got the chance to view AMAA 2012 Best Film, Adesuwa, produced by renowned film Director, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and Man on Ground, written and Directed by Akin Omotosho.

Commenting on the eventful conclusion of the Awards, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Olu Akanmu expressed satisfaction over the partnership which he described as significantly natural given the vision and commitment of the operator to bringing smiles to the faces of Africans.

His words, "Although our primary call of duty is to provide borderless mobile telecoms services, we also take pride in empowering Nigerians by lending support to their passions. Our partnership with Nollywood through the sponsorship of AMAA resonates with that commitment and we are delighted that this screening exercise has not only showcased creativity of the Nigerian nay African, but also provided opportunity for Nigerians to mingle live with their screen stars."

It would be recalled that the 2012 AMAA Awards sponsored by Airtel Nigeria held on April 22 in Lagos and featured 60 nominations in 26 categories out of the initial 134 film entries submitted.

Other stars who graced the Abuja event from the make-believe industry were the national financialsecretary of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Sunny Stclement, Iyke Ezeani, actresses Samantha Nkiru and Akwandaye Agatha among others.

P-Square Sets To Go On January Break

After a hectic festive period, where they performed numerous shows in Nigeria and withinthe African continent, pop duo P-Square have announced they will be on break for the entire month of January.
In an interview with Silverbird Entertainment, Peter Okoye, who is chiefly responsible for the energetic dance moves said "Anybody who is thinking of booking P-Square this month, should forget about it.
We will be resting throughout the month of January."

The Okoye brothers are one of the hottest groups in Nigeria and within its shores and have had to regularly book private jets, to be able to meet up their increasing gigs.

I Don't Date Sugar Daddies - Laide Bakare

Pretty Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare has been in the news lately due to her acquisition of expensive automobiles, especially SUVs. In fact, as at the last count, she has four wonder-on- wheels conspicuously parked in her garage.

And this has set tongues wagging about her source of sudden wealth, with many alleging that the married mother of one, must be dating some money bags (Sugar Daddies).

Others even accused her of romancing the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala.

In this interview with, the Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Ibadan, spoke on the above allegations and her source of wealth.

Bakare, also opened up on her cold war with Bisi Ibidapo Obe and many more. Enjoy.

You are a very pretty woman, don't men disturb you for affairs regardless of your marital status?

One thing you must know is that not everybody that likes you as a person would want to date you. Some just want to be friends and that's all . Most of them know that I am married. Even if they are crazy about me, they should know that I am married. Actually, thereis nothing to talk about them. Besides, it is not everybody that has access to me , so they can only admire me from a distance.
It is only family and friends that have access to knowing me better. Anyway, it is good for people to likewhat you do, appreciate you and learn one or two lessons from your movies.

Aside your fans, how about top society men who 'spoil' our actresses with money, have you been in such situation?

Well, I see no big deal in that. As long as one is a lady, men of different calibres will always come around you. Ijust don't see it as anything but the lady has to take a stand; if you are not available, then you are not. Things have changed a lot now, unlike the good old days when such things are seen as taboo and shouldn't be talked about. if a man asks you out, it is just a matter of mutual understanding, just talk it over and that's that.

It is being rumoured that the fleet of SUVs you cruise in was bought by one of your sugar daddies, how true is that?

Lot of stories are going around, I must say. But anyway,that's Nigeria for you. Our African mentality. We tend tobring up issues at the slightest occurrence. As for me, I don't know where this particular one emanated from. Maybe because I have four SUVs and other normal cars so they believe that someone out there must have bought them for me.

Well, my love for big cars like Jeeps is not questionabale because that is what I inherited from my father.

While growing up, my father buys big automobiles a lotand also drives us around in them. And while we are in these vehicles, I also hear them talk about the latest Jeep in town, its features and stuffs like that. So since then, I just fell in love with big cars. I also travel a lot, when I go to America and I see the car that I like , I just go for it and send to Nigeria. And I bought them all withmy money.

So you are saying that there was no time anybody bought you a car?

It doesn't matter. But I just can't get a car for a gift, it isnot possible. I bought the four SUVs and the Honda car with my own money.

Which of them did the former Governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala buy for you?

I honestly don't know where all those stories are coming out from. Nothing of such happened. He didn't buy me anything.

Back to acting , you once had a fight with SaheedBalogun on stage, what caused the fight?

Ha! I am just hearing that for the first time. You know you journalists hear things we don't even know existed.Saheed Balogun is a big brother to me in the industry, so I see no reason to pick a fight with him. I address him as my big brother.

What challenges do you encounter as an actress?

The only time I had challenges was when I was in the university. It was not easy struggling with education and work. Struggling with my education and the birth of my baby was also a challenge.

At a time, I needed to leave school to go and have my baby so, all those things were challenging. I had to travel out of the country to meet my husband and then come back. I was always going out and coming in.

What has being famous deprived you?

A whole lot o! I just want to be as free as possible. Go clubbing, dance like I want to, drink and just be free Laide. Move around freely, jog around, and go to some places . I cant do that anymore because of my fame. It is really eating deep into me. Same reason I will not allow my kids to be popular.

Any regrets so far being in the limelight?

No! Not all. Because in everything I give thanks to God. Where I am today, I never planned for it but God in his infinite mercies has been seeing me through.

Insiders are alleging that there is a rumoured cold war between you and Bisi Obe-Ibidapo?

I hardly meet her, in fact we hardly see. I have no business with Bisi. She is just a colleague and not a friend.
Maybe journalists might have seen us at events snub each other but that doesn't mean we have a rift. We areneither friends or enemies.
If the acting of a movie brings us together, we'll do our work and go our separate ways.
I have lots of them like that in the industry. I am the kind of person that choose my friends and not the otherway round. I am a reserved person and I don't have too much people around me as friends but few of them.

Like you said, you travel a lot and also has a verytight schedule, how then do you strike a balance between your job and the home front?

It is God. I won`t talk about my family because that's what I so much cherish. I so much treasure my daughter and my husband. I treasure them a lot. I avoidanything that will affect them. I don't want to have problems with my family. I don't want to put them in the public eyes. I would rather keep it to myself. I don't talk about my family. They are strictly private.
Yes! My husband loves me and supports what I do. He encourages me in every way he can.

How Davido Wrecked His Father's Marriage

According to reports, the duo have been having problems over the billionaire's indulgence of his children from his first marriage, especially his son, David aka DavidO whose reckless lifestyle is becoming an eyesore.

According to inside sources, the quiet woman believes"Baba Olowo" is not doing a good job as father when it comes to instilling discipline in his son and all he keeps doing is giving him more money and "pressing buttons" for him all in the name of supporting his career.

Things got out of hand recently when another picture of the music star with a prostitute surfaced on the internet and nothing was done to reprimand him.

After series of complaints and arguments, the senior Adeleke was said to have told his wife point blank that his children's lifestyles should no longer be a subject of discussion and if she is not ok with it…."thedoor is wide open".

According to the source, "Oga believed he owes everything he has in life to his late wife, and promisedher on her dying bed that he will take good care of their children."
The first sign that all is not well with Dr. Adeleke and his wife was her conspicuous absence at the Family's annual thanksgiving celebration few days ago.

Families and friends of the couple are said to be making efforts to reconcile the feuding duo, but "Baba Olowo" is said to have stood his grounds that no meaningful reconciliation can be achieved without her stay off his children's business.

Amazing First Class Student Pulls Stunt To Get Job

Adam Pacitti, a 24-yr-old 1st class graduate who has
been unemployed for a while has placed his CV on a
Billboard advertisement in a bid to attract potential employers.

The first class graduate claims he has applied to over
250 job positions with no success. He decided to use his
last £500 to place an advert in order to attract
potential employers.
And to his amazement, he has over 7,000 re-tweets of
his CV adverts with thousands of phone calls from
employers and unwanted people.

See faith in action.

Davido's Father Suffer Marital Problems

The father of Nigerian pop singer, Davido, Dr Deji
Adeleke has separated from his new wife of less than three years.

We learnt the couple who got married 2 years back are
in troubled waters in terms of their union.
Though the reason for their separation could not be
ascertained, we learnt the former lovers have gone
through some tough marital problems.
According to family sources who confirmed their
separation, the trouble started when Mrs Adeleke was
nowhere to be found in Dr Deji Adeleke's annual family
thanksgiving event.
Dr Deji Adeleke married his new wife after the death of
his former wife, Dr Vero Adeleke, the mother of singer Davido.

The former Babcock university lecturer passed away in
2003 after a brief illness.

Mario Balotelli Sister Is Pregnant For Obafemi Martins

Yes o the deed has been done, we can now confirm that
the beautiful sister of Mario Balotelli, Abigail
Barwuah is pregnant and expecting a child with
Nigerian footballer Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins.

According to a report from an Italian magazine, Abigail
Barwuah is pregnant for striker Obafemi Martins.
The dad of Abigail's unborn baby is said to be the 28-
year-old striker at Inter, Newcastle United, Vfl
Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City and now Levante.

Abigail was quoted to have said: "The baby is making
its presence felt. This is a very special Christmas
for me ."
Few weeks ago, the lovers were spotted by paparazzi in
Italy kissing and hugging each other.
The relationship between Obafemi Martins and his new
Ghanaian-Italian girlfriend started back in Milan, Italy
when Obafemi was playing for Inter Milan FC.
According to a source, Balotelli is not happy with their
relationship.
"Balotelli is deeply concerned about his sister's future
with Obafemi Martins" – said a source
Obafemi the striker ha ha ha una well done o

Hanks Anuku Spotted In Ghana

To those who have no knowledge of who this guy is, he
is a former popular Nollywood actor in the hay days.

Hanks Anuku was a former Nollywood bad boy who
has been replaced by Jim Iyke. He was spotted in Ghana
on the 26th of December last year at Nite of 1015
Laughs and music event, a bi-annual event that takes
place in Ghana.
From the look of things, Hanks Anuku who might have
relocated to Ghana isn't doing badly with the exception
of his massive tattoos.

Now we understand why the adage says "a leopard
never changes his spots".

Do you still remember him?

2face Idibia And Annie Macaulay Set To Marry Bigtime!!!

Just about when we thought pop star 2face Idibia and actress Annie Macaulay were finally settling to their new life as husband and wife after last year's surprise engagement and secret wedding, we have now confirmed that the Idibias aren't done just yet!

The lovebirds have something big up their sleeves, we've been told. And gistbank.blogspot.com has gathered, reliably, that preparation for a more flamboyant '2face and Annie' wedding is in top gear.

Sources told us yesterday, that the couple will have the ceremony in Abuja next month.

We're told plans for Dubai are also in the works, but we could not immediately confirm if that's for a belated honeymoon or friends + family only reception.

Everyone who has heard the news is excited and Annie herself has already been dropping hints on her Twitter page.

' Wedding planning with the bride to be @AnnieMacaulay1 … #ActlikeYouKnow ', Nigerian model and Jacob's Cross star Kendra Etufunwa excitedly tweeted, with Annie retweeting yesterday. Another friend tweeted multiple photos of Mrs Idibia and friends/'bridesmaids' having a 'wedding committee' meeting.

2face made Annie a surprise proposal on Valentine's Day in 2012, the couple then wedded secretly in May 2012.

Nse Ikpe Etim Expecting A Child Soon

Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe Etim who got engaged over the Christmas holiday, might just be expecting ababy soon.

She posted the doll picture above on her Instagram page with the caption ' Doll, Toy, Getting ready for…*wink*'

Getting ready for motherhood I guess?

Don't Attribute Death Of Actors To Juju - Saheed Balogun

In the wake of the sudden death of Yoruba movie starlet, Bisi Komolafe, who passed away on the New Year's eve at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan,fellow actor, Saheed Balogun, has disclaimed the stories making the rounds that Komolafe's death was as a result of fetish practices and husband snatching scandals.

Balogun, who is currently putting finishing touches to his latest movie, 'You or I', says, "I find it very absurd that anyone would attribute the death or illness of any Yoruba actor to juju. Many people die every day as a result of various ailments but the reason behind the hullabaloo over the death of a star is just because we are popular. It has nothing to do with jazz (evil forces) and no one knows the day he/she will die besides God. It is just sad that she died at a time when she was about to blow in the industry and fans looked forward to more works from her."

On the complaints that Yoruba movies are filled with fetish scenes and diabolical practices, an angry Balogun retorts, "Yoruba movies are filled with juju scenes because I have never seen a situation where an actor will need to play a witch and then put on a pastor's robe or dress like a teacher to act like a thief. We act it as it is and do not pretend about anything. We the film-makers are like teachers who help you shape your future and mirror your present."

Refusing to examine the circumstances behind Komolafe's death, and when reminded about the fact that his industry (Yoruba movies) lost quite a number of its acts in the last two years, Balogun says, "With all due respect, if you recollect, you will remember that it was the elders that passed on last year. Komolafe, was a young and rising star and one of the few young ones we have lost."

On steps to be taken to forestall similar occurrences in the New Year, the Kwara State-born actor notes, "Usually, when things like these occur, the elders organise prayer and deliverance sessions for we the practitioners, and we are going to do just that right now."

On the professional side, he concedes that the Yoruba movie industry is plagued by the copycat syndrome. "Besides piracy, the major issue facing us is that many practitioners are not organised and focused. Just because one person produces a comedy, everybody will join the band wagon. If it is a war film, they will tow that line. Everybody cannot be a producer, director or actor at the same time. You musthave the talent then get the necessary skills to match."

The late Komolafe will be buried today, according to family members. There will be a special mass service at the Catholic Church Okepadi, Salvation Army way, in Ibadan. She will be buried at the same venue.

Roberto Mancini And Mario Balotelli In Ugly Brawl

Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli have seemingly been photographed amid a training ground bust-up, putting the striker's future at Manchester City in further doubt.

The photographs, posted on the Daily Mail website, appear to show the Italians confronting one another, with the newspaper reporting the dispute was sparked by an over-zealous challenge from Balotelli on Scott Sinclair.

The incident occurred as City prepare for their FA Cup third round tie against Watford, with the Manchester Evening News also reporting that the clash came about as "Mancini reacted furiously to the challenge and chastised Balotelli".

Balotelli, 22, has regularly been in the spotlight since his transfer to City from Inter Milan for £22 million in 2010, with the forward recently dropping his appeal against a two-week fine imposed upon him by the club.

The Italy international had taken the Premier League champions to a tribunal after they handed him a fine reported to be worth £340,000. His lawyers were set to present their case before an agreement between club and player was met.

Balotelli has scored 20 goals in 53 Premier League matches for City, but his future has been the subject of conjecture, with Mancini claiming he would unlikelyplay again for the club after he was sent off against Arsenal last season.

But the striker returned to the squad towards the end of the campaign and played a part in City clinching the title as he assisted Sergio Aguero's dramatic winner versus Queens Park Rangers.