First of all, you might find it really hard to believe that someone actually walked out of this car accident alive! He had no scratch, no bruise, not even an internal bleeding. That’s God for you people….That’s God..
Entrepreneur, Tiwa Works, posted these photos of his completely mangled/totaled Porsche Panerama, after he was involved in an accident that caused the car to explode in flames within minutes.
Below is how he narrates his near death experience.
“Life is so delicate and precious. Please don’t ever take it for granted no matter what. Even when we tend to forget how mortal we are as we go through life day to day.
“I’ve been off social media for over a week now just to have personal time to reflect on a lot of things. A week ago, I was involved in this terrible car accident that I am so grateful to God for as I walked out of this completely unharmed. No cuts, no scratches, no burns, nothing happened to me.
“I was on my way home when I tried to avoid hitting a possum (I know now.. Should have ran his ass over) but I ended up hitting the front of a median that tore up my car which then caught fire in less than 10 minutes. As you see, nothing was left except for a part of the hood that didn’t burn. The firefighters couldn’t even put the flames out until 30 minutes later as it burnt continuously due to the full tank of premium gas and as you can see, everything burnt to a crisp, even the doors. The police officers, EMs , people who stopped and tow truck driver were in such shock that I walked out of this myself and was not hurt at all.
“I’ve had many life moments but this one has truly been the scariest but at the same time the most amazing to have been able to walk out on my own free will. Thank you God for always protecting me and affirming that I’m here for a greater purpose that is yet to be fulfilled.
“To friends that may have issues with me for whatever reasons that I’m unaware of, I’m sorry. Please forgive me if I offended or hurt you. Call me, DM or message me.
“Thanks to those who found out , called me to constantly check on me. I love you and truly appreciate you more than you know!! To those I didn’t tell, please don’t be upset with me, I didn’t want you to be worried about me and have a fit. Happy Easter everyone. Love more and be at peace. Never ever take life for granted. #Tiwaworks#Livelife#ThankyouGod#Panamera4”
Hope you all had a lovely Easter Monday yesterday? Anyhu’s, lemme introduce you to Chance Ward, a man who cares about female menstruation and holds it dear to his heart like his life depends on it. Chance has been hailed a hero after he vowed to make sure all his female friends never lacked tampons.
Chance, who is studying in California, announced in a hilarious post via his Facebook that he will ALWAYS be carrying tampons with him in case any random female he meets is in dire need of one.
Not only that, the female-friendly student has called on all men to follow his example and make sure they are equipped with feminine products at all times – in their house, car, bag, everywhere.
Below is the Facebook post he made that has gone viral.
“So I’m in the gym today (getting my life to Truffle Butter on this elliptical ofc) when the girl next to me asks her friend if she has an extra tampon. Realizing that I overheard, she looked up and literally apologized to me, clearly embarrassed af.
Me being me, I hit ha with the “girl, u gucci” before reaching down into my fanny pack and giving her one of the tampons I keep in there. By the look on her face you would have thought I did a magic trick and pulled 36 titty-tasseled bunny rabbits out that damn bag.
This is so sad. Why don’t y’all love y’all friends that menstruate? Like men will make whole guest rooms in their house just in case someone needs to stay. But god forbid that person menstruate, because I bet you won’t be no extra pads or tampons under that guest bathroom sink.
Like why? Y’all know literally like half this world goes through this?
Ugh anyway to all my menstruating friends, if y’all need it, know I got it. I keep some in my fanny pack when I go to the gym, and some in my backpack all the time. Never feel embarrassed for asking for one. Never feel embarrassed for being human.
@everyone who doesn’t menstruate: keep your menstruating friends in mind and stop being so shitty.”
Mercy Johnson and husband Prince Odi Okojie, celebrated Easter by giving back to widows in Lagos state. They donated lot of items to the Widows and their family. See More Photos Below:
The 31-year-old actress and her man have three beautiful kids together.
New Crush Alert!!!! I could kiss Her Lips all day……Lol
Waje’s daughter is absolutely stunning! Can you imagine if Waje had aborted her pregnancy (Her beautiful now 17year old daughter) when she got pregnant at 18?
Gorgeous Emerald, turned 17 today. And her famous 35-year-old mummy stopped at nothing to give her the best birthday shout out ever. Via her Instagram, the singer praised her little angel saying “the sunshine in your smile and how loving and funny you are. The world is waiting to experience this gift given through me #mylittlewoman,”
I hope this sends out a strong message to single mums. Just because the world has given up on you doesn’t mean God doesn’t remember you. Tap into Waje’s awesome testimony.
Elder statesman Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is dead, aged 82. He was said to have died at the St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.
Before his death, Braithwaite had criticized former leaders, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida for making corruption attractive to state governors in the country.
“Obasanjo is not saying anything original because when he assumed office in 1999, I warned that the military constitution would make the governors emperors,” he said during an interview with Punch on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 after Obasanjo accused some governors of living like emperors at the expense of the masses.
“Governors determine security votes which they do not account for. Since 1999, the military constitution clothes them (governors and president) with immunity against being arrested for criminal misdeeds. Many of them brazenly looted the treasury and got away with it. Obasanjo became rich through this structure.
“Something appears to be driving Obasanjo to be making frivolous statements everywhere. He and Babangida made corruption attractive to governors and they elevated corruption in governance which subsequent presidents and governors are emulating,” he added.
Braithwaite was also the founder of the defunct Nigeria Advanced Party (NAP).
The General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Church, Bishop Dr. Tom Samson, on Sunday March 27th received a Rolls Royce Phantom as his birthday gift.
The 2014 customized car was a gift from his 50th birthday organizing committee.
The committee led by Deacon Iyke Kanu said that for the impact of Bishop Tom Samson in their lives and contribution to the body of Christ, there is aptly nothing more befitting to celebrate him at 50 than an automobile of royal ensemble to compliment his status as a joint heir in the Kingdom.
Other members of the Committee include Pastor Eromosele Agbonselobho, Deacon Nosa James, Deacon Charles Okoko, Deacon Jim Sakpere, Deacon Ndubuisi, Special Servant Rosemary Ulu, Miss Uche, Pastor Ngozi, Deaconess Nnenna David, Evangelist Joan Mukoro, Dave Agwazim, Pastor Ohis Bamidele, Pastor Julius Ochigbo Onoyima, Elder Femi Oboye, Mrs. Eugene Emelieze, Evangelist Chinasa, Pastor Wale Samson, Ambassador D’Bling, Mr Oyinlola Oluwatoyin, and Barr.Charles,completes the committee members.
While one is an event consultant, the other is a Nollywood beau who stole our hearts when she had her break in one of Wala Adenuga‘s TV series, Super Story.
Gorgeous twins Kehinde and Taiwo Bankole turned a year older on Sunday and to celebrate, the twain had these beautiful photos taken.
The duo donned denim shirts and coloured skirts making em look like super sweet teenagers.
Kehinde and Taiwo, who is an event consultant, posed gorgeously for a photoshoot that had them looking stunning in denim shirt over a short skirt.
Thank goodness for the gift of life though, just like she said…Super stunning rapper, Eva Alordiah, who revealed few days ago that she’ll be quitting her career as a musician shared on her Instagram few seconds ago of how she was involved in a motor accident with her mum’s car.
She wrote her story on IG:
The Accident on 28 March 2016 at 1PM
Part1
2:28PM
The accident happened at 1:00PM
The impact from the car that hit me behind sent my head propelling forward towards my windshield.
I was thankfully restrained by my seat belt.
The resounding clash of metal and tyres screeching kept on ringing in my head.
I could not believe anything could make such a loud bang let alone that I was in an accident.
All of a sudden I realized I was alive.
The woman driving in front of me came out of her car.
The man who hit me behind came out of his car too. Then he put his two hands on his head the way Nigerians are known to do when they realize they are in deep shit.
I thought of My mother and what she would think of her car and this wreck. Then I remembered my life was even more important than a mere car.
I blinked and the police arrived and I was too glad to see them. I wasn’t ready to deal with the man who hit my car, who was now rolling himself on the road beside the wreck, hands on head, hands akimbo, hands back on the head.
“Ahh! Aye mi!” He was saying.
‘All this one is just film’ I thought to myself.
I looked away from his dramatization and searched out an officer to speak with.
“This is my Mom’s car,” I said plainly to the officer who presented himself to me. “Please ensure that this man fixes this damage.”
The Police officer nodded vehemently and said “The Police is your friend, don’t worry.”
We went to the station.
They said we should both write statements.
I called my big brother whom I had spoken to when the accident occured.
“We are in the Police station in Alausa by the traffic light,” I said when he picked up the phone.
He was with me I’m 12minutes.
It wasn’t Until after I had written my statement, Spoken to my Mom and refreshed the events of the afternoon in my mind that I realized the one thing I missed all along.
I had been so preoccupied with the thought that someone had hit me and damaged the car that I failed to realize one simple truth….
The Accident on 28 March 2016 at 1PM
Part 2
Here I was worrying about my Mom’s car and a man could have lost his life from his wreckless driving. A child would have missed her father. A mother would have been left to wail and grit her teeth. Friends would have been sent in a state of complete shock. It would have been an irreparable loss and nothing to be compared with whatever damage he had caused my Mom’s car.
So as we sat in the police station side by side, I realized my folly and feeling ashamed of myself, I turned to him and said,
“Are you OK? ” he nodded. The look in his eyes was distant.
“Is that your car?” I asked. He nodded again.
“What do you do?”
“Cab driver.”
“Is that your cab?,” My tone had eased up and fallen in pitch. When he said “Yes” in response, I immediately felt sorry for him.
I call my Mom back to tell her the state of things. She is surprisingly cool for someone with a Car OCD. I tell her everything is under control. She says no problem.
I turn to the man who ran into me.
“We thank God for Life,” I said.
He nodded again. Then raised his eyes up to the ceiling. There was a God up there. And my mother would never give me her car again.
#ButIAmFine #MyGodPassThem #gratitudeAlways
An article on why the rapper shouldn’t end her music career would be published soon…
Celebrities worldwide have been known to lie about their date of birth.
International celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Eminem, Nicole Scherzinger have been caught messing with their ages.
Nigerian celebrities are not exempted from this. Many celebs have lied about their ages, reducing it so that they can appear younger to their fans and to the public. Rising pop singer Kiss Daniel is the latest Nigerian celebrity to be caught allegedly tampering with his age.
Below is a list of Nigerian celebrities who have been alleged of falsifying their ages. Courtesy Pulse.ng
1) May D
Circa 2012 just after Psquare and Jude Okoye cut ties with the gifted pop singer there were unconfirmed reports floating around that May D was eighteen years old.
This was probably concocted by a Twitter troll looking to cause some controversy. It should be noted that the singer has not revealed his real age yet.
2) Caroline Danjuma
Last year the industry celebrated the thirty-fourth birthday of the popular actress. Her Wikipedia page said she was thirty four years old and that is what everyone went with.
A few days later surprisingly Caroline Danjuma would claim to be twenty eight years of age and her Wikipedia page was gone from the Internet.
Just as Omotola and her captain are celebrating their 20th year together as man and wife, the Idibias are also celebrating their 3rd year anniversary as husband and wife.
Annie took to Instagram to announce and post this very warm message to her lovely husband
You are the TRUTH baby… For always going the extra mile to make me smile.. I might act like I don’t c it baby ,but my heart smiles at the very thought of it! My Rock! My Strength!! My protector!! My Defender !! My MINE!! You know sey I go use coconut break rock for your matter !! (That’s the kind of God I serve)And Yes!! I will never Leave you! It still amazes me how my heart skips when you walk in a room or when u smile at me and how I still get goose bumps when u hold me in your arms! Thanks for all the sleepless nights you work so hard to make sure I never lack,for all d laughs,for the jokes,for the happiness you bring in our home,for all the love you teach,for constantly making sure I do not worry about notting , for keeping our dreams alive …for loving this imperfect girl so PERFECTLY!!! #LUTIDHappy anniversary baby.
It did not end there. She went further to post another, saying:
This is the feeling am getting this moment… Wish I could share something .. Maybe pics??? Naaaaaaaa !!!!!! feeling like a lil kid right now… God bless this man! My SuperMan… #ANNIEversary #anniversarygetaway #march23
So Here are are Pictures of Annie and 2face Together That’ll make you wanna marry NOW!!!
1. This event they attended together all dressed in black
Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede shared these new photos of herself looking radiantly beautiful and we totally love them.
The delectable actress is pictured in a native African costume in the portrait photos she shared. Hopefully we would be able to see the full shot of these photos pretty soon.
But no doubt, she is a stunner.. More photos below;
From the Headies drama to the recent Okoye Brothers messy brouhaha, it seems the year came along with a lot of letting the cat out of the bag. In January, singer Blackface shocked his fans when he made serious allegations against his former Plantashun Boiz member 2Baba, accusing him of stealing his songs. He even stated that he will be taking legal actions against 2Baba. On his part, 2Baba expressed his surprise at the allegations, stating that he had nothing but love and respect for Blackface. ‘We will trash the whole matter but I got nothing but love and respect for him and it is just so unfortunate that he is coming at me like that” he said.
True to his word, the duo finally made peace yesterday.
In an instagram post shared by Faze Oji, who is also a former Plantashun Boiz member, 2Baba and Blackface could be seen dancing and singing together at a party hosted by former militant, High chief Ateka Tom in Rivers State. It is alleged that Ateka was the one who brokered peace between the two artistes.
Yesterday, Adaeze Yobo announced her graduation from Christ Embassy’s Foundation School. “2nd best foundation school graduating student in Christ Embassy Lekki,” the former beauty queen said, adding, “so excited #imspreading#nowimready”
In another photo, she said, “This means so much to me. [I’m] totally equipped for every good work.”
Adaeze Yobo credits her mother as the mind behind the close relationship she now has with God. In December, the wife of footballer Joseph Yobo, broke her silence on her mother’s messy breakup with John Fashanu, where she called out the former footballer’s attempt to ruin her mother’s image. At the end of the emotion-packed post, Adaeze Yobo said, “Thank you for introducing me to your god.’
Now, she has completed a first major feat, and we wonder if she would go on to become a pastor.
Yesterday, singer Dencia turned a year older and she took to social media to share clips from her intimate celebration with family and friends in Paris.
“Just cos I’m happy,” the ‘African Energy’ singer captioned the clip, and a follower hopped on the post to point out how ‘stiff’ her booty is. And Dencia -who never shies away from barring her mind- replied that follower.
“[It’s] stiff cuz I am not a stripper,” she said, adding, “toned body strapped in an expensive sequin one piece body suit [is] designed 4 body to stay in 1 place. So, yes ashy, this Queen is strong & stiff. Now go shake ur loose body somewhere.”
Lol.
See the video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDd_EjBElRC/
Read the exchange:
Watch her attempt at twerking here:
Well, for one, the 28-year-old business mogul who lives in a N632million California home is having the best time of her life. Two days ago, she revealed that she now has everything she ever asked for. Read her tweet:
I have everything I ever wished 4 when I was 14.I'll be greedy 2 ask God 4 more. Happy birthday to me. #Bootypic.twitter.com/ZDm5hJBtkK
Popular Nollywood actress, Susan Peters, who got married in October, in a recent chat spoke about the joy of being married. She also made it known that being married is not affecting the kind of movie roles she takes.
Read excerpts of the interview below:
How does it feel getting married?
It is sweet and it is also sour. You tend not to do all the things you used to do because you are not single any more. It is like a check button, it is a bit different from being single.
What are those things you can no longer do?
Just normal things single ladies do. You cannot do them anymore because people will talk. So, you have to be cautious.
Will your new status influence the kind of roles you play?
No, not really. I am an actor. My husband met me in the job. He should support the job. It doesn’t change me from doing what I used to do. The only thing is, there are some other things I would not do. I will not act as a single lady. That is it. Every other thing maintains the status quo.
Will you take romantic roles or act nude?
I have never acted nude. That has been a no, no for me even before getting married. I don’t support it. I have never acted nude and will not act nude. Of course, you could take off some clothes but not totally nude. In our culture, we don’t allow that. If I try it, my mother in the village will say the village people have followed me to town.
A 48 year old Utah woman, Danielle Marquez-Valle, died in a car crash in southern Utah as she was heading to her mother’s funeral.
A man driving a pickup truck lost control of his truck on Saturday morning and slammed into her pick up which rolled several times. Unfortunately, Danielle was ejected from the passenger seat and pronounced dead at the scene.
The 48 year old driver of the truck and the 28 year old riding with Danielle were both taken to the hospital in serious conditions. Police say neither woman was wearing a seat belt.
The road was wet and icy due to a winter storm according to Good 4 Utah.
The original plan was for Danielle to have her mum’s ashes with her, but those plans changed and she did not have her mother’s ashes with her at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Shirley Coates, Danielle’s mother, died earlier this month after a long illness at the age of 68.
Media personality and Founder of 360Nobs, Noble Igwe, will be tying the knot with his woman, a brand manager Chioma Itisi in a Traditional Wedding billed to take place today March 28th in Abriba, Abia State.
Their White wedding is billed for June 11th, 2016.
Recall Last week, Pictures from the ‘Braless’ Birthday Party of popular Treasurer of Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, a.k.a. MC Oluomo went viral.
In the photos, many of the ladies posted online were braless, so it was assumed that the party was tagged a ‘braless one’. (You can see more photos here)
Well, MC Oluomo has now reacted to the claims.
Read his reaction in this interview with Encomium magazine
“We all know how big Da Place is, and a lot of people come there, including prostitutes.
They only took the pictures of some prostitutes and club girls who were not part of the event, who didn’t even get close to the venue where they organized the party for me, and they posted the pictures to depict my guests.
If you check the pictures very well, you will agree with me that they’re club girls, not my guests.
To cry it loud, I am a devout muslim which I believe everybody knows. I pray five times daily, and I have been to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for both lesser Hajj and full Hajj many times.
Not only that, I have also sent a lot of people to Mecca on pilgrimage, and of course which I do every year. How, for God’s sake, can I be involved in such immorality? How can I organize that kind of a party? What do I stand to gain from such a thing?
“For instance, you as a man, if I invite your wife to such a party, will you allow her to come?
“At this juncture, I believe you also should understand that the whole thing was fabricated by enemies of progress whose aim was to bring me down. But my belief is that the house God has built, no one can demolish it.
“I know I have enemies and there are opposition here and there who may want to do everything to malign me. That can’t happen because Allah is solidly behind me
Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, in a recent interview with Punch, has disclosed that she does not intend to stay away from acting in Yoruba movies. She stated that her roles in Yoruba movies made her who she is.
The Edo State born actress gave a clear and precise response to a question pertaining to her Yoruba movie career.
She said, “I can never stop acting Yoruba movies because that industry made me who I am today.”
“When I began featuring in Yoruba films, I wasn’t speaking the language flawlessly, so I had to learn on the job.”
“My industry is very accommodating and that is why I would always be grateful to them for accepting me and giving me a platform to excel.”
She mentioned that it was never her plan to be a regular feature in Yoruba movies. Being from Edo State, she had little exposure in Yoruba language.
Aigbe discouraged the wrong perception associated with Yoruba movie actors. She added that it is a poor misconception to consider them as illiterates.
She was quoted from the interview as saying,
“I didn’t choose to be in the Yoruba movie sector. I started out in Nollywood and I featured in several soap operas and movies.”
“My career took a different direction when a Yoruba film producer cast me in his movie titled Ara.”
“The movie became a hit and I soon began getting scripts from other Yoruba filmmakers and I couldn’t turn them down because I had just launched my career.”
“In no time, I became a household name in the Yoruba film genre.”
Mr. Shah, 40, was attacked with a knife and his head was stamped on as he was brutally murdered outside his shop in Glasgow around 9pm on Good Friday’s eve.
The popular shopkeeper, originally from the Pakistani city of Rabwah, was apparently enthusiastic to be hosting a meeting with Christian friends about the importance of Easter. He took to Facebook around 5:10pm and posted
‘Good Friday and a very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation. Let’s follow the real footstep of beloved holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds.’
In previous posts, he had spoken out against hatred and violence, calling for ‘unconditional real love for all mankind’.
Four hours after his last post, Mr Shah was in a pool of his own blood at the side of the road.
An ambulance crew arrived and performed CPR on him at the scene, and took him to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he later died.
A shocked and distraught neighbour on the morning of Good Friday said:
“This is disgusting. Mr Shah was the most peace-loving man you could meet.”
He was proud of his Pakistanti heritage but he loved Britain. He loved Scotland too and really wanted to reach out to Christians. This is such a terrible thing to happen.”
“Officers are currently pursuing a positive line of inquiry in connection with the death. Closures are in place at Pollokshaws Road and Titwood Road while inquiries are conducted at the scene,” said a Scotland Police spokeswoman.
Ola Orekunrin, now 30 years from Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti State of Nigeria, was born, raised and trained in the UK, where she graduated as one of the youngest medical doctors in England . She is also a trainee helicopter pilot.
While she was studying to become a doctor in the UK, her younger sister fell seriously ill while traveling in Nigeria. The 12-year-old girl, who’d gone to the West African country on holiday with relatives, needed urgent care, but the nearest hospital couldn’t deal with her condition.
Orekunrin and her family immediately began looking for an air ambulance service to rapidly transport the girl, a sickle cell anemia sufferer, to a more suitable healthcare facility. They searched all across West Africa but were stunned to find out there were none in the whole region.
“The nearest one at the time was in South Africa,” remembers Orekunrin. “They had a 12-hour activation time so by the time they were ready to activate, my sister was dead”.
“It was really a devastating time for me and I started thinking about whether I should be in England talking about healthcare in Africa, or I should be in Africa dealing with healthcare and trying to do something about it.”
Orekunrin did the latter. Motivated by the tragic death of her sister, the young doctor decided to leave behind a high-flying job in the UK to take to the Nigerian skies and address the vital issue of urgent healthcare in Africa’s most populous country.
Determined to make a difference in medical practice and health care delivery system in Nigeria, Orekunrin decided to set up Lagos-based Flying Doctors Nigeria, the first air ambulance service in West Africa, transporting victims of medical emergencies, including industrial workers from the country’s booming oil and gas sector.
It basically provides critical care transportation solutions to both the private and public sector by selling yearly air ambulance cover plans to states, companies and individuals.
Since then, she has successfully steered the company upwards in achieving its corporate goals and ensuring sustained growth.
“Against all odds, I passed my A-Levels with flying colors, started my degree at the University of York at 15. I supported myself all through, working. I wrote my final medical examinations at 21, thus emerging the youngest medical doctor in England,” said Ola Orekunrin.
Funke Akindele has shared a new loved up selfie of herself and fiancé, JJC Skillz, cuddled up in bed via her snapchat account.
The pair who had gotten engaged only recently have struggled to keep their love life away from prying eyes but now seem to be slipping, as this new photo proves.
Akindele, 39, shared the cute snap, with the caption, “Back to bed with my boo.”
Funke Akindele shared this on Her Snap (Photo By Misspetite)
The Award winning actress and Skillz, had earlier been spotted, piling on the PDA at the recently held Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards which held on March 5, 2016.
The couple who are so obviously smitten with each other are reported to be planning a surprise wedding, while they base in London in a bid to keep their relationship under wraps.
Akindele had separated from her former husband, Kehinde Almaroof in 2013, and seems to be soaking up all this love this new relationship is offering.
Meanwhile, Skillz 38, who has never been married, has fathered 3 children aged 18, 15 and 10 from three different women.
One of Nigeria’s Finest Comedian, Aletile Seyitan popularly known as Seyilaw and his lovely wife, Ebere are celebrating their 5th Wedding Aniversary today, March 27, 2016.
Recall Seyi Law and his wife lost their First baby in February. “Well if you have God there is nothing you can’t overcome. You know when these things happen you know it’s just the devil trying to actually derail you from your joy and your happiness” – He said.
Nollywood actress, Ronke Odusanya, is not happy with the way some people perceive actors who act in Yoruba movies as people who do not understand the English language.
The actress stated that someone had pissed her off after she shared a video of herself speaking English in a sitecom she is currently working on and the person came to intimidate her that Yoruba actors are not good at spoken English.
She noted that acting is not about language but about the ability to give life to a scripted character.
According to her, “A few days ago, I had to respond to a fan who insinuated an intimidation between English and Yoruba Actors because I posted a video clip from an English sitcom I’m currently shooting.
Now, she believed that because I chose to do Yoruba movies, then i can’t speak English. I know the reaction I have gotten when I go for an interview and the interviewer feels i can’t be exposed enough…. just because I do Yoruba movies. E ma gba mi ke. Laughs.”
“My response to the lady was simple; Acting has nothing to do with your language… its about your ability to give life to a scripted character. This transcends language. We have seen a British Actor (Idris Elba) play Mandela with the right accent. We have seen American Actors play a Russian character and deliver well with the right accent. The language you speak doesn’t determine your acting capacity. Acting is a beautiful profession. Can we just enjoy the act and stop criticizing so much,” she added.
Actress and fashion entrepreneur, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, opens up on her career and misconceptions in this new interview with Punch.
See excerpts below:
What projects are you currently working on?
I have a yet-to-be released movie titled Victims for the first time. I am also producing an English-speaking movie. I will feature in the film even though I am famous for my roles in the Yoruba movie genre.
Why did you decide to embark on the aforementioned project at this point in your career?
I am a professional actress and I can choose to produce a French movie if all that is required of me is to learn how to speak the language. I am not one to jump at any project especially when I am not too sure about the intricacies. It took me four years to begin producing Yoruba movies because I wanted to be grounded in the industry. As a producer, I am also an investor and I would want to recoup my investment as well as make profit. I will feature a number of Yoruba actors and Nollywood stars in the film, which will be released later in the year.
Why did you kick off your career in the Yoruba movie sector?
I didn’t choose to be in the Yoruba movie sector. I started out in Nollywood and I featured in several soap operas and movies. My career took a different direction when a Yoruba film producer cast me in his movie titled Ara. The movie became a hit and I soon began getting scripts from other Yoruba filmmakers and I couldn’t turn them down because I had just launched my career. In no time, I became a household name in the Yoruba film genre.
In between this time, I worked with Lancelot Oduwa-Imasuen in his movie titled The Other Side of the Coin.
You recently spoke about Yoruba movie practitioners being discriminated against. Why do you think this is so?
I really don’t know why and it has been on for a very long time. However, we have started to get better recognition unlike what obtained in the industry four years ago. The gap is already being bridged and I think it is only a matter of time. I think we Yoruba actors also need to let people know that we are also a part of Nollywood and demand to be respected like our English counterparts. Our works will speak for us at the end of the day. I think it is about time we are respected, so the gap that currently exists can be closed.
Do you think the Yoruba movie genre has better actors?
Our counterparts in the English genre have always had fantastic stories and actors. I think Nollywood should be one and devoid of any form of disparity or segregation. The term Nollywood in my opinion means movies made in Nigeria irrespective of the medium. I am also featuring in a Hausa movie which will be released soon.
Why are actors in the Yoruba sector tagged illiterates?
This is one area where I have a problem with people’s perception of Yoruba actors. Many people think we are uneducated and can’t speak good English. I think people are not informed, so whenever someone tells me they are not aware I speak proper English, I simply laugh it off.
In the last few years, you have attained new heights in your career. Some of your fans are of the opinion that you no longer fit into the Yoruba genre.
Some people write to me and request that I should feature in more English movies because they believe that only then will I gain more acceptance and recognition. My fans believe I’m not being appreciated in my sector.
Will you eventually stop acting Yoruba movies?
I can never stop acting Yoruba movies because that industry made me who I am today. As a matter of fact, a lot of people don’t know I am from Edo State. When I began featuring in Yoruba films, I wasn’t speaking the language flawlessly, so I had to learn on the job. My industry is very accommodating and that is why I would always be grateful to them for accepting me and giving me a platform to excel. I also produced a movie titled Osas in order to connect with my Benin roots.
What roles can’t you take up even if the price is right?
I can never act nude because it is against our culture and my beliefs.
How supportive is your husband of your career?
Whenever I am overwhelmed with my business, career and family, he is always there to encourage me. He always recommends that I keep pushing.
Is he comfortable with the romantic scenes you take part in?
Yes, he is and I actually kiss in my movies. I was already an actress before I met my husband and he goes through my scripts. Sometimes, he chastises for not kissing well in a movie. I could be on set for a week or more and he does not make an issue out of it. I know I married my friend and he is very understanding.
How have you being able to keep your home?
It hasn’t been easy and this is actually my second marriage. Before I got married to my present husband, I asked God to make this my second and last marriage because I want to stay married. Our marriage is under scrutiny all the time and a lot of people just want to find faults even when there are no faults. My previous marriage taught me to be more patient, tolerant and prayerful.
What is the highpoint of your career?
That would be winning the African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Indigenous Movie. The film Komfo, won me the award in 2014.
You dressed like a winner at the last AMVCA. Were you disappointed that you didn’t get an award?
No, I wasn’t disappointed. I already felt like a winner because my movie, Victims, got a nomination and that is why I was dressed in a glamorous wear. The icing on the cake was the fact that one of my mentees was the overall winner in that particular category. I have always dreamt of a day when someone would clinch an award and mention my name as his or her mentor.I have always dreamt of impacting someone in the industry. When you get to a certain stage in your career, it takes the special grace of God to mentor a junior colleague. I feel that singular action is what makes you an icon.
Tell us more about your AMVCA outfit that sent social media into frenzy?
People haven’t stopped talking about my dress. So many people aren’t even aware that a young, creative Nigerian fashion designer made the outfit. We shopped for the fabric together, agreed on the style and God made it a hit. I arrived at the award venue with a team and a back-up dress even though we had settled on a dress. The outfit earned me more followers and some people have even requested that my designer make the exact dress for them as their second wedding outfit.
Celebrity siblings ti take over our entertainment industry.
The Nigerian entertainment industry is a tough place to make it in. Imagine two or more siblings braving the brutality of the entertainment industry and actually succeeding.
Yes, we all know of the success of PSquare (Peter & Paul Okoye) and their manager, Jude Okoye on the Naija music scene. Though that beautiful combo seems to be on the rocks, here are other celebrity siblings rocking our entertainment industry:
1. DJ Cuppy and Temi Otedola
Ifeoluwa and Temi Otedola are the daughters of Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola. Ifeoluwa is a popular Nigerian DJ with the moniker, DJ Cuppy. Her baby sister is a renown fashion blogger.
2. Don Jazzy and D’Prince
Michael Collins aka Don Jazzy is an award winning producer, songwriter and CEO of record label, Mavins. Do you know his kid brother, D’prince is equally killing it on the music scene?
So, yesterday, a Twitter user tweeted an epic tweet/comment where he commended D’Banj and Banky W for having the Best ‘Pull Out’ game in the industry…(Meaning, they’ve managed not to get any lady pregnant) – perhaps they’ve got babies we don’t know of? Lol
everyone has to agree that @iamdbanj and @BankyW have the greatest pull out game in the industry
Even Banky W didn’t argue…Abi you sef wanna aruge? You feel em’ Dbanj and Banky W don’t go down with ladies? They’ve really got the best pull out game mahn!
