Thursday, August 29, 2013

A CHAT WITH KUNLE AFOLAYAN








http://www.goldenicons.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Fugirine-Premiere-Houston-301.jpg
Kunle Afolayan whose latest movie Phone Swap is now showing in cinema’s is currently one of the most sought after and probably the most revered film maker out of Africa right now. His last movie Figurine was a big hit with the audience as the usual movies made from that region are hardly up to the standard.
With the amount of noise his current movie is getting, Kunle Afolayan’s Phone Swap moved from premiering in Nigeria to Ghana were Nigerian movies have got a huge number of followers.
In an interview with Ghana Celebrities, Kunle Afolayan talked about his decision to cast Lydia Forson in Phone Swap and his intentions concerning casting other Ghanaians in future. According to Kunle, casting actors from Ghana is not a problem for him, however they MUST portray their nationalities as that works fine for him.
According to Kunle who talks about being all out for originality, it works better for him to cast actors to play characters of their nationalities as he says African’s are not ready for anything otherwise “If I’m doing a story that involves a Ghanaian and a Nigerian or a cross-border kind of story, why will I want to play Ramsey Nouah as a Ghanaian and Why will I want to play Majid as a Nigerian? No, for me, it won’t sell, it won’t work that way…It took Forrest Whitaker like a year like a year to actually learn the Ugandan accent, he is big, it will be difficult for Majid to play an American… well maybe if they put him into training for like-2 years for him to learn the accent and also how to speak the language.

TADE OGIDAN'S PROFILE







TADE OGIDAN…worked with the NTA for almost ten years. While at theNTA, he worked on landmark productions and was a highly talented Writer, Producer and Director. His works won quite a number of awards in television festivals in the 80s. A very notable drama would be THE REIGN OF ABIKU. Most still remember the saga of Omotara and her Abiku playmates from the award-winning drama.
Mr. Ogidan also produced THE NEW VILLAGE HEADMASTER, PLAY OF THE WEEK, TELE THEATRE, etc., for some years.
He left the service of the NTA in 1990 to set up his own company, OGD PICTURES LTD, which has become quite a household name and an industry benchmark for first class productions. OGD is coined from his surname OGIDAN.

Ace-Filmaker,Tade Ogidan's interview on HITZ

“I can never hit a woman” Tade Ogidan denies battering his wife


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“I can never hit a woman” Tade Ogidan denies battering his wife

By on June 17, 2013
Veteran moviedirector/producer,  Tade Ogidan, has denied beating his wife as alleged by online reports that went viral over the weekend.

Tade Ogidan responded thus:
“I just got back to Lagos from a trip abroad. It was Friday night in London that my phone started to ring off the hook with the news of this publication.
Anyone who knows me near well enough or even well enough will know that I CAN NEVER HIT A WOMAN. It just cant happen! If anyone ever upset me, I simply walk away or take a drive.
A friend of my woman whom they’ve been in rivalry from school days did that to mess her up.
Yewande didn’t post the document. In fact, she’s been inconsolable since this publication. She is been crying endlessly. She is lost for what to do.   Yewande is like a tomboy. She can play rough. We were all in my office, the day after Children’s day. I have been quite busy at work because of the reality show we are working on. That means I am not home everyday. Our major location is far along the Ajah axis; far from my home.
Yewande and the kids came to spend time with me in the office. When it was late, no NEPA, and the attempts to get the gen working [failed], she was ready to go home with the kids.
My little 5 year old girl was screaming that she didnt want to leave yet. Her mother insisted. The little girl ran into my office and shut the door to prevent her mom from taking her. I told Yewande to give her time. You know how mothers can be with their kids.
She insisted that they should leave as she didnt want to drive late. I blocked the door so she can give the girl a reprieve. She was playfully pulling me off the door. She does things like that all the time. She lost her grip and staggered into that three seater wrought iron chair in the open office. She obviously hit the ridge of her nose on the steel arm of that chair. The cut was managed.
She models and had obviously taken a photo of her face, for posterity (something to laugh at another time). One of her old school friends, with whom she’s had rivalry from school days, stole the photo from another friend of hers and went viral with that damaging story. The obvious intention is to mess her up.
Sadly, one is caught in the firing line. This has created such a stress for her, our family, my workers, my friends, and most especially me.  You can imagine me having to spend time to explain this to everyone who knows me and finds this strange! Painfully for me, there are just so many people that I can attempt to explain this to.
She was quite worried that she’s been running all over to ask how to manage this. Before I got back from the trip, she gave an explanation to another friend of hers to publish on the site that first sent out the false story.
Everybody is trying to manage her, so she wont affect her health from the outcome of this. That is what happened. I HAVE NEVER HIT A WOMAN, AND I JUST CANT. I counsel people who have issues and they respect me greatly for the wisdom I bring to the table. People in and outside this society hold me in high regard. I am ALWAYS mindful of anything I do anywhere.
This is a major distraction for me as I spend quality time to explain the situation to all who reach out to me (from all over the world).”

RARE INTERVIEW WITH TUNDE KELANI


NgEX! Exclusive interview with Tunde Kelani
Q: NAME?
T K: Tunde Kelani
Q: WHAT DO CLOSE FRIENDS CALL YOU?
T K: T.K
Q: WHAT DOES KELANI MEAN?
T K: Kelani is an arabic name, it is a moslem name.
Q: WHERE DO YOU HAIL FROM?
T K: Well, my father is from Ogun state so I'm from Ogun state but, you know I've been in Lagos for a long time so it won't be fair for me not to claim it as well. You know they help me a lot, Osoba (Ogun State Governor) helps me as well. So I'm from both states. (Laughs)
Q: WHERE IN OGUN STATE, DOES YOUR FATHER COME FROM?
T K: He is from Ijange Kukudi Abeokuta

Q: WHICH SCHOOLS DID YOU ATTEND?:
T K: I attended Oke Ona United Primary School and my secondary was Abeokuta Grammar School.
Q: WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER SCHOOLING:
T K: I worked as a clerk for some time, then later worked at Dotun Okubanjo studios 1968/69. I later worked at Western Nigeria Television as a trainee film cameraman. Then moved to NBC channel 10 in 1974.
Q: DID YOU READ ANY COURSE RELATING TO PHOTOGRAPHY?
T K: Yes, I hold a degree in Art and Technique of film making from London International Film school.
Q: WHEN DID THIS LOVE FOR THE CAMERA START?.
T K: My fascination for the camera started from primary school.
Q: HAVE YOU ACTED BEFORE?:
T K: Yes, in Mr. Johnson, I had a small part and I was also the 3rd director in the film.

Q: NOW YOU HAVE MAINFRAME, WHY THE NAME MAINFRAME?
T K: Everything in the photography world ends with a frame. Apart from that, I was into computers then and I believed Mangrama was the best that was how the name came about.

Q: WHAT DOES MAINFRAME REALLY DO?
T K: We do Television and film productions. We also do documentaries even for foreigners, Newsreel footage inclusive.

Q: DO YOU THINK NIGERIAN FILMS ARE SEEN ABROAD?
T K: Yes, all my films are always shown in cinemas abroad subtitled and all. We're even trying to get to the Francophone countries, and few of them have been shown to them and they like it we are trying to expand it more. We want to make the film industry better, using better cameras and better equipmnet.

Q: WHAT ABOUT THUNDERBOLT? THIS IS YOUR LATEST WORK, WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT?
T K: It's about a woman that was laced with magun.

Q: WHAT IS MAGUN?
T K: Magun is a Yoruba Juju, that means don't climb. It is used on women suspected of not being faithful to their partner. If she sleeps with anybody during this period, the sexual partner dies instantly but if she doesn't the Magun will kill her. That is what Thunder bolt is about. It has been in shown in cinemas for sometime, London Inclusive, it is now on video, it came out today (2nd of April)

Q: IS T.K MARRIED?
T K: Yes, I'm married with children.

Q: SO FAR, WHICH OF YOUR MOVIES DO YOU LIKE BEST?
T K: Thunderbolt.

IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE TELLING THE TRUTH?

CULLED FROM GISTMANIA. COM

Quite a number of perks come with being a movie star in this part of the world. They include designer clothes, luxury cars and posh apartments. Apart from their penchant for such status symbols, today’s Nollywood actors and actresses are also seen as role models, especially to the young and impressionable who dream of becoming stars some day.

But, judging by the results of a recent investigation conducted by Saturday Beats, it appears all that glitters is not gold, after all.

Contrary to popular opinion, the life of the average Yoruba movie star is that of constant ‘suffering and smiling’.

In spite of the fabulous profiles and immense goodwill enjoyed by some of these celebrated screen gods and goddesses, the contents of their bank accounts are really nothing to be cheerful about.

Even the ‘alarming’ increase in the volume of home video films produced in Yoruba language ought to be sufficient to improve the bank balances of such celebrities. To make matters worse, many of them suffer from a financial disease known as ‘Withdrawal Symptom.’ In fact, it is no longer news that a good number are regular visitors to ATMs.

“As soon as money is paid into their bank accounts, you will see them rushing to the nearest ATM to withdraw almost all the cash,” an amused banker told Saturday Beats recently.

Certainly it is difficult to believe that no reasonably successful Yoruba actor or actress has ever been paid up to N500, 000 for a lead role in any movie. Half a million seems a fantastic sum by all indications. Instead, the maximum fee payable to the best actor or actress has remained between N150k and N250k. Even many of the ‘veterans’ receive as low as N10k to appear in a film feature.

While those that are constantly in demand or have won awards in the industry, such as the likes of Funke Akindele and Odunlade Adekola, earn a maximum of N250k per feature film, the rest are left with peanuts. Interestingly, an exception to this ‘golden rule’ is Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. s investigation shows that she earns between N250k and N400k.

Another ‘big earning’ actor is Adebayo Salami, aka Oga Bello. It is said that he hardly receives part payment from any producer. Usually on location, he would demand his fee of not more that N150,000 before going into action.

The same is said about Omotola who does not budge until she or her manager has confirmed that a certain amount of money has been deposited in her bank account.

However, the so-called big budget film productions have never exceeded the N3m mark despite the fact that a lot of money goes into paying the crew and cast. Money is also spent on production equipment, lights, costumes, makeups, transport, food, accommodation, generating plant sets, and other logistics/incidental expenses. That is also why most of the cast and crew are grateful when the filmmaker or marketer, who bankrolls the production, is able to hand them paltry sums of money.

“You can count on your fingers the number of individuals involved in the production who respectively got paid less than N50,000,” a production hand says.

Also included in the budget are the editing suite staff, copies of empty VCDs to be dubbed, posters and film jackets to be printed, marketing and distribution.

Now we know why most of the highly paid or underpaid actors/ actresses are writing their own movie scripts and directing or producing their own movie projects, as well as saturating the market with volumes of half-baked home videos every week.

Bukky Wright was the highest paid actress in the Yoruba language genre before Funke Akindele broke her N150,000 per featured film record with Jenifa.

Omilade Babatunde, aka Baba Suwe, used to be the highest paid aactor until the much younger Odunlade Adekola, aka Cause Trouble, began to earn up to N250k per feature film. The other notable figures? Well, they are trying hard to catch up with Omotola, Funke and Odunlade.

Omotola, Adebayo Salami, Funke Akindele, Bukky Wright and Odunlade Adekola were unavailable for comment.

But prolific film producer, Kunle Afolayan, said, “I really don’t know how much they earn now because I’ve since moved on to other major things.”

Top actress, Lizzy Anjorin, found it hard to answer the question.

“Ha! That’s a tough question that I don’t have a ready answer for. Fees vary from one filmmaker to another. As for me, I bill per script and I don’t appear in just about any film.”

Saturday Beats sought the view of scriptwriter/actor/filmmaker, Femi Davies.\
http://dft.ba/-shockingearningsofyorubastars

SEXIEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL YORUBA ACTRESSES

Funke Adesiyan - Even with marks on her face, the Oyo-state indigene is beautiful. The graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State. Funke jumpstarted her career in 2003 when she featured in Wale Adenuga Productions' Super story and Papa Ajasco series. She has so far featured in over 20 movies. Her movies; Obinrin Ale, Ayo Kulehin, Ore bi Ota, Oju Apa temi


Bisi Ibidapo-Obe is one actress who needs no introduction. The Osun State thespian became popular after her lead role in a film titled 'Omologbalogba' where she played the role of a flirtatious student. Bisi is also a power-dresser. She's featured in Onome Aganga, Oko Mi, Omo Jesu, Iyanje to mention a few


CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS


Sola Asedeko - Fair in complexion and pretty actress shot into limelight after her role in Tunde Kelani's 'Abeni. Sola who is enjoying a burgeoning career remains one of the most-sought after actresses in Nigeria. The graduate of creative Arts has featured in Narrow Path, Omo Ghetto, Oga, Campus Queen, Afesona

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS

Mosun Filani-Oduoye The Tai Solarin University of Education graduate actress has been acting since 2005 but she became a focus of attention after her role in Funke Akindele's 'Jenifa' produced in 2009.
She's starred in Iran Kefa, Ibugbe, Ise Onise, Igbese Kan and many more. The Ekiti-born actress tied the knots last month.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS

Fathia Balogun. - She is one of the most-popular actresses in Nollywood. This stunning and ageless mother of three has over the years made a big mark in the yoruba movie industry.
Even with new actors streaming in, the enstranged wife of an actor (Saidi Balogun) refuses to be intimidated. She's been involved in countless movie projects; Farayola, Aje meta, Asa, Onome Aganga, Alakada, Otelemuye


Yoruba Movie Star Toyin Aimakhu & Tinsel Actor Adeniyi Johnson Wed in Lagos.

Yoruba Movie Star Toyin Aimakhu & Tinsel Actor Adeniyi Johnson Wed in Lagos.

By BellaNaija Weddings
Toyin Aimakhu & Adeniyi Johnson
Meet the latest celebrity couple in town.
Today Monday 8th July 2013, Yoruba movie star Toyin Aimakhu and her Tinsel actor beau Adeniyi Johnson tied the knot at the Ikoyi registry in Lagos.
Toyin who is expecting her first child with Adeniyi, dressed her baby bump in a flowing white gown which features gold embellishment. With her dark locks cascading down her side, she completed with smokey eyes and silver drop earrings.
Adeniyi complemented her in a grey suit, white shirt and multi-coloured polka dot tie.
Desmond Elliot, Fathia Balogun and Mercy Aigbe were some of the celebrities present at the reception held at the Sabitex Hotel in Lekki.
We wish Toyin and Adeniyi a fulfilling marital bliss.
First Photos
Toyin Aimakhu & Adeniyi Johnson - BellaNaija02Desmond Elliot & Mercy AIgbeToyin Aimakhu & Adeniyi Johnson - BellaNaija01

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Yoruba movie star Dento needs financial assistance to treat stroke

Yoruba movie star Dento needs financial assistance to treat stroke

Culled from:myondostate.com

By Akin Akinyosoye He is one of the veteran actors that trilled Nigerians in their homes over the years.
Dento, known particularly for his special ‘swagger’ in Yoruba movies has been a regular part of the home video genre much ahead of the coming of Nollywood.
The Liberty Report wishes to call the attention of well-meaning people to the plight of this acting veteran who is presently bed-ridden as a result of stroke.
The stroke has affected his speech and critical body coordination.
Dento’s doctors require money to be able to treat his health condition.
According to David Ajiboye who is familiar with the case, some friends of Dento have succeeded in opening “an account for ailing veteran actor, Dento today with the assistance of Otunba Bobo B, ANTP Governor of Oyo State and Muyiwa Ademola at Zenith Bank”
Ajiboye appealed to concerned members of the public to “please send your widow’s mite to HAMMED DENTO ODUOLA A/C NO:2080486468, ZENITH BANK. God bless you”

With Desmond Elliot & Mike Ezuruonye, New Movie “Unforgivable” Seeks To Redefine Yoruba Movie Culture

With Desmond Elliot & Mike Ezuruonye, New Movie “Unforgivable” Seeks To Redefine Yoruba Movie Culture 

Culled from Pulse.ng

00


Yoruba Movies? Nah, pfft!
5 years ago, the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood took a shot at breaking with tradition, as fledgling local movie producers began to make films for tribal audiences. The Northerners had theirs, The Igbos, bastions of enterprise, had discovered the magic long ago, the minorities from the south, Ikwerres, Ibibios, Annangs, Ijaws, and others commenced building their regional movies. The Yorubas, even though, they’ve already begun earlier, still were in the ‘teething’ stage, with a focus on mainstream Nollywood, still hampering their local-language productions.
But then came ‘jenifa’!
Produced and starred in by delectable actress, Funke Akindele, the thrilling movie was an instant hit. Racking up monumental sales figures, and amazing reviews, the movie opened up a new world of possibilities, which never before were appreciated. Yoruba movies had come to stay, for with the success of Jenifa,  a panorama of endless opportunities, was made bare. The Yoruba Nollywood, exploded. Movies were turned out in daily droves, floating out the conveyor belt of marketers, pretty, and begging to be seen.
But with increase, comes competition, and in competition, the law of Natural Selection rules. You either shape up, adapt, improve….or face looming extinction.
So the quality has stepped up. It has to. Yoruba movie makers have upped the ante. Production now reeks of glowing class; the cast has hit a tremendous upward curve, delivering their script with adroitness, and conviction worthy of the glittering Hollywood. The scripts too have become stellar. Gone are the days of written verses with an abundance of verb-noun disagreement, and a comedy of errors. New tricks are being pulled out of the bag. A popular trend has seen non-Yoruba-speaking superstars add the ‘extra’ advantage to some movies by taking up roles.
A futuristic example is “Unforgivable”, another tribal movie produced by actress, Dayo Amusa. Let’s shelve the fact that it’s directed by uber-hottie, Desmond Elliot, the movie also has Mike Ezuruonye, a thespian of Igbo accent, set to do his thing. One only wonders how he’ll pull off a script laden with tongue-twisters of the Yoruba language. According to insiders, his mastery of the language is far from perfection, but he’s been shooed in, all the same. Other stars such as Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Faithia Balogun, Bimbo Thomas, Iyabo Ojo and  Niyi Johnson make up the cast.
What Mike Ezuruonye lacks in delivery, he makes up for in ‘star dust’. The former Glo ambassador sure holds his own in the annals of Nollywood and definitely will add some needed colour to the flick. The puzzling trend is set to continue, but when this novel move becomes stale, the search for the next selling point will commence and we all can’t wait to see what other tricks lie hidden in their bag.
Who knows? Maybe they’ll get to pull me out of their bags. (laughs) Just hoping. Below’s the trailer for the movie.

Igbo Actor Mike Ezuruonye Makes Yoruba Movie Debut

Igbo Actor Mike Ezuruonye Makes Yoruba Movie Debut



Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuruonye is making a debut appearance in a Yoruba movie.
The actor of Igbo descent will be starring in a Dayo Amusa produced movie titled ‘Unforgivable’
According to NET's source, although his mastery of the Yoruba language isn’t perfect, the former Glo ambassador was hired to add colour to the movie.
Shot entirely in Yoruba, the movie is directed by Desmond Elliot and features other stars such as Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Faithia Balogun, Bimbo Thomas, Iyabo Ojo and Niyi Johnson.

Yoruba movie industry would have collapsed but ... —Femi Odunuga

Yoruba movie industry would have collapsed but ... —Femi Odunuga

  • Written by  Segun Adebayo and Seyi Sokoya
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Chief Olufemi Stephen Odunuga is one of Nigeria’s leading movie marketers. He presides over Gemini Films and marketing. The Agba Akin of Ipajaland, in this interview with Segun Adebayo, speaks about why marketers and producers will continue to work together in the movie industry and other issues.

How did your sojourn into movie marketing start?
The business started in 1990 when I was still a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. I had a friend then in school, who is now a member of  the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adefemi Adelakun. He’s the owner of Zentury pictures. They used to call us small Femi and big Femi because he is older than me, but we were in the same Marketing class. It was not easy combining school and film marketing at the same time back then, especially paying our school fees was very difficult.

Why did you have to pay your school fees yourselves, where were your parents those days?
Our parents were taking care of us, but we just wanted to be responsible young men by doing something to support our parents. Then, we faced a lot of challenges of how to cope with the school, to pay our school fees, not that we didn’t have parents, but we wanted to supplement what we got from our parents, so we were involved in promoting Ogunde films. To God be the glory, I have been in the business since then.

How were you able to come over some of the challenges you encountered when you started, especially in school?
The truth is that we faced a lot of challenges then, but I don’t really want to dwell on the challenges. I would rather talk about how we were able to manage the little resources at our disposals back then. Starting a business with little or no resources could be very frustrating, when you consider some of the things you need to put in place to make your business thrive in the face of competition. When I was in school, my friend and I, like I mentioned earlier, used to live on ten per cent commission from the films we exhibited, but after three years, we stepped up our game and started exhibiting at the Gateway Hotel. There was a cinema hall there that time, so what started as exhibition turned out to be full time marketing. In 1999, to be precise, we joined Idumota marketers.

From 1999 till date, you have remained in the business and you have become one of the frontrunners of the business, what have you been getting right?
Right from my day one in the industry, I knew it was not going to be easy. Staying in the business for more than15 years is not a tea party, but I thank God for His grace and wisdom. You need God’s wisdom if you want to sustain this job. You may not understand what I am saying when I mentioned wisdom, but my colleagues will understand what I am saying.  

So, how did you arrive at the name GEMINI?
When I was in school, we had two popular Femi’s in my set. Femi Odunoga, (I) and Femi Adelakun. They used to call him Femi Adelakun Femi agba because he is about 3-4 years older than I, but we were classmates, so we called ourselves Femi and associates. When we wanted to start the business professionally, he picked CENTURY as his company’s name and I chose GEMINI, because of my zodiac sign. I was the president of the Gemini club Ilaro, the club is still there today. I was part of the pioneers of the club; I was the third president. I decided to stick with the name Gemini when I graduated from school. I actually formed it from my zodiac sign.

Actors and actresses have continued to blame marketers as one of the problems dwarfing the growth of Yoruba speaking movie industry, what’s your take on this?
When I’m talking, I’m not just talking as a marketer; I’m representing all the marketers in Idumota. I was once the chairman of all the marketers in Idumota. I know what it takes to control about 204 marketers. To me, marketers are the strong pillars behind the continued growth of the industry; the industry would have collapsed if not for our support. Our major problem is piracy.

Don’t you think that 204 marketers are too much?
We have a total population of about 160million people. Besides, our films are being watched in Ghana, South-Africa and London.

How does piracy affect you as a marketer?
People believe that marketers are better off, because we support the actors with our money, but the truth is that we are always at the receiving end. A marketer gets about one million naira to shoot a film, uses 1.5m to do the mass dubbing and uses half a million to advertise the same movie. If you calculate that, you have spent three million naira. You can’t expect someone to spend three million naira and get half a million as profit at the end of the day, besides, the producer gets half of it averagely, the marketer makes a little more than the producer and the producer may not produce more than three films in a year, but a marketer can market more than 15 films in a year. So, someone that produces three films and someone that sells 15 films, even if they are making the same amount, the marketer will have an edge. Our common enemies are the pirates, and unfortunately, they do it without caring who is affected, as long as they are making money.

You were once the chairman of marketers in Idumota, what did you do to tackle the problem?
When I was the chairman, I raided Alaba market thrice. I risked my life. I charged them to court. As we speak, the case is still at the Federal High Court, in Ikeja.  We raided them with the help of the Army, their machines were impounded, but at the end of the day, they were given the option of fine or six months in jail. They paid half a million but the case is still in court that they have to pay for damages. I was the first person that won the battle against them.

You are also a producer; don’t you think you should stick to one?
 I have been in the profession for years, so I know what it takes to produce quality movies, if you look at the movies I have produced over the years, you will know I am not just a producer, but a professional for that matter. Marketing a movie and producing it are two different things. I don’t just sell any movie; I have also improved on the quality of my movies.

People have alleged that you are one of the richest marketers in Nigeria, how true is this?
I don’t know about that. What I know is that I thank God for my life. I can feed my family comfortably thrice in a day.

Do you find time to relax?
Yes, I like to travel out of the country for about two months, just chill out with friends and family.

Does travelling affect your business?
No, I have capable hands who can handle the business very well even if I am away for years.



Does your influence on movies stop at just marketing or do you also give them ideas?
My input starts from the story line, I also write stories. Have you seen the movie, Tomiwa the Taxi Driver, I had the concept and idea. I also contributed to the story and influenced the cast.

Marketers are fond of owing producers; we have seen cases where producers were dragged to court because they could keep to their own bargain of the deal they had with producers. But you are always saying you have never owed any producer a penny, how have you been doing that?
I have always said it and I will repeat it again, I am not owing any producer  What causes loggerheads between the marketer and producer is if one is owing the other money, and Gemini doesn’t owe anybody money
 

What makes Gemini stand out among other marketers?
Honesty and the fear of God.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

“Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing” – Funke Akindele speaks on failed marriage



“Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing” – Funke Akindele speaks on failed marriage

By on July 20, 2013

funke akindele w2Star actress Funke Akindele, has finally spoken out about his failed marriage and warned those who are making fun of her to continue.
The producer of the massively successful movie, Jenifa, had earlier released a press statement, in which she confirmed that her union to Kehinde Oloyede was over.
However, to further clarify the situation, she granted an interview to National Encomium.
“First of all let me clarify that I have not replied any SMS or spoken to anyone on this development before now and neither have I threatened to sue anyone,” she said.
“I do not know who sent out that SMS denying that my marriage is over. That was what necessitated me sending out a press release so as not to confuse the public, especially my fans whom I’m so passionate about.
“Yes my marriage has crashed. Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing. My job afterall is to make people laugh. Let those who are without sins or mistake cast the first stone. Let them continue judging me. God is the overall judge. He is the one I look up to.”
Send your press release/articles/enquiries to: newsdesk@dailypost.com.ng

Funke Akindele Opens Up On her Failed Marriage.


 Funke Akindele Opens Up On her Failed Marriage.

By Rhodies World.com


funke_akindele
Funke Akindele finally opens up in an interview with E24-7 Magazine, she talks about her marriage and reasons it didn’t work out. She said It’s all about other women, lack of attention, just coming in and going out at at will, abuse, etc. Sources also revealed that Oloyode is now begging her to come back. Below are the revelations by Funke Akindele:
She disclosed that she only enjoyed the marriage in the first 2 months.
“I was abused emotionally and verbally. Really, I felt we could work things out when the trouble started two months after the marriage, but I made up my mind and shut the door of the marriage at him when the trouble was coming to me too much.
“I stooped to conquer him; buried my fame and name to make him my husband, but it did not work. At a point in time, I asked if it’s not the same man that was all over me before we married.
“He nearly got me off my career. He called me severally; I did not pick his calls but when he realized my silence was tormenting him, he took to Facebook. It’s alright. Ask him when did he come to my house last? He left me here in my rented apartment with nothing and he will just dash in and dash out. He gets abusive, caustic anytime we have a misunderstanding and often told me to my face, he’s going to his wife in Oshodi.”
At Oshodi, she said, she received a warm welcome from the wife, Fadekemi, but constant humiliation from Kehinde.
“She [Funke Akindele] was really loved by the kids at home; she enjoyed taking them out to eateries and stores. Sometimes, they spent the weekend with her and she followed them to school. The children will surely miss her,” our source, close to the family, said. Now that the cookie has crumbled, Kehinde, she said has been calling and sending text messages begging her to come back.
“He sent me sms that he has seen a buyer for his house at Adeniyi Jones for N40million. He asked me if he should sell it and that if he does, he will buy me a new car and a rent me a new apartment. Why now? I don’t need all that, I want my sanity.” After she ignored him, he sent her another text abusing her and calling her names. “So you can see that he does not mean well for me,” she re-iterated.
E24-7 checks revealed as at Saturday evening Kehinde was combing the nooks and crannies of Ikorodu to locate Funke’s dad’s house. He boasted: “I will do anything to win my wife back.”
Over the past few months, Funke and Kehinde had started to see things differently so the need to pull out became inexorably high. It was revealed exclusively to E24-7 MAGAZINE by sources close to Funke, that she was ready to go on with Kehinde’s warts and all but for the fact that loyalty has never been his strong point – his children from different women tell it all. Kehinde, our source hinted, has a roving eye when it comes to the opposite sex and this often causes friction between him and his celebrity wife.
There are tales about his dalliance with his Personal Assistant, Funke. Observers of the marriage from inception feel that when fame and money come to a meeting point in a relationship, it will result in problems if the couple are not committed and disciplined. Moreover, a byproduct of this alliance is usually ego and it kills celebrity marriages faster than one can open the pages of tabloids and magazines. But this is not the case with Funke. “I respect him to the end but he chose to treat me that way. He said he wanted to clip my wings.”
Funke and Kehinde rarely spent substantial time together even at the peak of their marriage. Both kept to hectic schedules by virtue of their chosen professions. While Funke is often involved in back-to-back shooting on movie sets, Kehinde jumps from one construction site to another; pressing buttons for his political ambitions; and keeping dates with his wife at home and other women by the side. This sort of arrangement invariably makes keeping faith with the vows of the union very difficult. In the long run, suspicion will rear its ugly head and the couple will eventually drift apart, especially when they don’t live under the same roof. This is best exemplified in Funke and Kehinde’s break up.
Besides, Kehinde’s disturbing and haunting pasts have repeatedly stared Funke right in the face, and according to E24-7 MAGAZINE’s impeccable source, Funke learnt shockingly that her once beloved hubby was expelled from the University of Jos almost as soon as he was matriculated as a student of the ivory tower. His admission, according to our source, was faulty right from the beginning and since that first attempt at tertiary education went awry, he shut his door at education. When he returned from Jos, he found strength in his entrepreneurial skill coupled with the influence and support of his mother, a market leader and successful businesswoman; he became an estate developer, building chains of shops in Oshodi market.
Gradually, he crept into politics and his popularity soared that he became a well-known grassroots politician and a great mobilizer. More than twice, Kehinde, who belonged to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and his supporters have clashed with the NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (NURTW) Treasurer, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) loyalist. Kehinde has also contested for elective posts twice; most recent, was the Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1 House of Representatives in 2007 which he also lost.
Many years after, he reawakened his political ambition and quickly re-aligned himself by joining the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). To shore up his image, he found in Funke who has become popular with her movie, Jenifa and the sequel, The Return of Jenifa, a ready tool. He convinced the favourite actress to lead him to the Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he had assaulted many years ago during the market women leadership tussle between his mother, Alhaja Almaroof and the late Iyaloja General Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.
After he atoned for his ‘sins,’ he joined the train of well- wishers that went to London to felicitate with the former governor when one of his sons graduated from a university in London. Reliable sources told E24-7 MAGAZINE that Kehinde’s lost bid to win the contract to rebuild Oshodi market really threw him off balance and that probably made him to turn the heat on his latest wife, Funke who wanted his attention.
Despite the ill-fated turn that the relationship has taken, many of Funke’s fans can’t help but wonder if she hadn’t known that the union was doomed to fail from the onset. The reason for this thinking is not far-fetched; firstly, Funke opted for the Muslim marriage even when many thought that she would go to the court registry to cement her marriage with Oloyede.
Secondly, sources close to the family said Kehinde was warned by spiritualists not to venture into the marriage but he declined and did not share it with Funke. In the same vein, Funke was told not to go into it by her parents but she asked them to respect her wish.
And as it plays out, she is free to remarry anytime she pleases without unnecessary legal impediments. This and many other factors contribute to the opinion shared by many of her fans that the delectable thespian knew that the future of her marriage with Oloyede will not be as long, colourful and bright as it appeared with all the glam. [But] it’s just too quick and too fast to break.
Now that the requiem mass has been sung for the once celebrated union, one cannot but remember the view of controversial actress, Tonto Dikeh, who declared that: ‘Nollywood brides often marry horribly.