Entertainment
The Big Names In 2009 Show Biz
Stephanie Okereke One of the good things that happened in 2009 was the N10 million movie titled premiere mark hit by top actress, Stephanie Okereke with her movie titled Through The Glass. Even though the film was not produced during 2009, it made an extra-ordinary mark and shot the status of Imo State-born actress high and made her one of the richest and most hardworking actresses in the country.
Funke Akindele
Funke got to the Zenith of her career through her celebrated movie Jenifa. The movie turned out be the only Yoruba speaking movie that has sold over one million copies in one year. Early in 2009, Funke won the award of best Actress in Africa at AMAA awards. She also scaled through and picked the prestigious Future Awards as the best Nollywood Actress for 2009. She equally bagged another as the best Actress for 2009 at the Afro Hollywood Awards. Her achievements and hardwork in the movie industry earned her endorsement deals with the telecom giant, Globacom worth N14 million per season for two seasons, as well as another one with the Lagos State Government. 2009 proved to be Funke Akindele’s year and it will not be out of place to say she was the wealthiest actress in that year.
Wedding Bells
The year 2009 ushered in a lot of weddings for showbiz people as many of them got their heart desires. There were lot of wedding in the year. Early in the year, and an unprecedented number of entertainers got married or renewed their wedding vows. Top actress Ini Edo opened the door for others to follow as she and her husband had their wedding in Houston, Texas, US after a superlative traditional marriage in her home town late in 2008. Ini’s wedding was followed shortly by another actress, kate Effiong whose traditional marriage was held in Lagos. After this, another huge surprise struck the Nigeria’s biggest veteran actress as, Liz Benson walked down the aisle after many years of widowshood and single parenthood. She got married to a Delta State based Bishop.
Ireti osayemi was the next to follow before Bisi Ibidapo-Obe got married to a German based businessman in secret. To end the year in style was Tricia Eseigbe, another top actress and a television presenter. She got married to kingsley Jite kerry in an elaborate wedding which pulled all the stops on the 19th of December.
Big Brother Africa 4
A Nigerian, Kelvin Chuwang Pam made Nigeria proud in far away South Africa when he became the first ever Nigerian to win the prestigious BBA 4 after years of trying. The Jos, Plateau State born 27 years old took home the handsome cash reward of S200,000 for his troubles.
Brand Endorsements
The year 2009 was a good year for Nigerian actors as corporate endorsements came in from every angle for some of them. Despite the fact that the movie industry remained in a state of inertia, the few fortunate artistes hit big with brand endorsements. The most prominent among them was the famous Globacom endorsements that telecoms giant splashed on the acts. Those who were lucky to be made Globacom Ambassadors worth a whooping N500 million were Rita Dominic, Uche Jumbo, Monalisa Chinda, Funke Akindele, Chioma Chukwuka, Ramsey Noah, Desmond Elliot, Jim Iyke, Nonso Diobi, Mike Ezeuruonye. Aside the Glo endorsements artists like Funke Akindele, Bimbo Akintola, Segun Arinze and Kate Henshaw Nultal also got endorsement from the Lagos State government while the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Jide Kosoko became Chi Plc Ambassadors.
Movie Premieres
Apart from the premiere of Stephamie Okereke’s Through The Glass the year witnessed more premieres than any other year which gave the movie industry a serious lift.
Movie maker, Emem Isong and actor Desmond Elliot premiered Guilty pleasures which was considered to be one of the blockbusters of 2009. top actress, Uche Jumbo premiered Nollywood Hustlers, which received lots of accolades from people in and outside the industry. Vivian Ejike, another top movie maker also premiered her movie silent scandals while top Yoruba actress, Bisi Ibidapo equally premiered Igboran San. Not left out in the season of premiere was Kunle Afolayan who premiered his movie figurine which turned out to be one of the best movies shot in the year.
Sound Sultan
Lanrenwaju Fasasi is the man behind the brand Sound Sultan and for him, the biggest breakthrough he had in year was the successful release of his fourth album, SS4 and the marriage to his wife Farida as well as birth of his child, a beautiful female baby named Zara. If such were the yardsticks used to judge the success of man in his life, sound sultan will be singled out as a man who increased the population of Nigeria by one and recorded so much in terms of registering his presence as a force to be reckoned within the industry year 2009.
Femi Kuti Got Nominated For The Grammy
Scion of the late Afro Beat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Femi got a well deserved nomination for grammy Awards even though he had not been too visible in the Nigerian music scene in 2009. the living Afrobeat King had cause to rejoice and boast that his works are seriously receiving global attention in the sense that he was nominated for the second time for the world’s most popular music award coming up in February 2010 in America.
Nelson Brown Blessed With A Son
Close to a decade after, he got married to his wife Mary, God blessed the family with a bouncing male baby. The birth that came in 2009, brought smiles to the face of the longsuffering music producer.
Paul Dairo/Kl Escape Death
It was good news when top of the range musical act survived cancer scare after he had minor surgery in South Africa. The talent musician, song writer and producer had cause to thank God in 2009, and has bounced back to doing what he loves doing. It was also the same cheering news for KI De ultimate, who was surprisingly diagnosed of living infection and was operated in Canada. The king of Fuji music has also retired to the country and is doing even better.
John Enyie
Entertainment
Stephanie Linus, First Black Recipient Of Lennox K. Black Prize
The Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine is a prestigious accolade awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, recognising outstanding individuals.
The actress was honoured with the Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine by Thomas Jefferson University in America in recognition of her outstanding contributions to social activism and impact through her work.
This remarkable achievement, they said, highlights her dedication to societal well-being and marks her as the first Black recipient of this distinguished award.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine is a prestigious accolade awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the medical field, promoting scientific discovery and advancements.
Named after Lennox K. Black, a Canadian manufacturing executive known for his philanthropic efforts and service on various boards, including Thomas Jefferson University, the prize celebrates excellence in medical innovation and global contribution to health and medicine.
The actress is renowned for her activism and impactful work in areas concerning women’s health and rights, including her efforts to combat issues like fistula and gender-based violence.
According to the award organisers she has been instrumental in bringing about social change through her films and campaigns. They added that her work extends beyond borders, affecting lives and policies internationally, embodying the spirit of the Lennox K. Black International Prize.
On receiving the award, Stephanie expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform for social good.
“This recognition goes beyond me; it is for all the women and girls fighting for a healthier, safer world. It amplifies our message and our work. It strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for gender equality, social justice, and improved maternal and reproductive health in Africa,” she said
Susan Aldunge, Interim President of Thomas Jefferson University, admired the actress, saying, ‘‘Your ability to educate while humbly addressing the cultural obstacles impeding progress for young women is commendable. Your intelligent, personal take on the necessary human rights changes has deeply impacted all lucky to encounter you. Congratulations once more on this well-deserved award and the acknowledgement of your efforts.’”
Ms Aldunge further said that Thomas Jefferson University, a leader in medical education and research, hosts the award to underscore its mission of improving lives through innovation in health care.
‘‘The university is proud to honour Stephanie Linus, whose work aligns with Jefferson’s values of creativity, collaboration, and compassion in pursuing excellence in medicine and beyond.
“Awarding the Lennox K. Black International Prize to Stephanie Linus celebrates her achievements and signals a broader recognition of the importance of social activism in medicine and health,” she added.
“Her pioneering efforts continue to inspire and effect change, paving the way for a healthier, more equitable world’’.
Stephanie, who was named Chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Best International Feature Film (IFF) category of the Oscars in August 2023, is best known for her 2015 advocacy movie ‘Dry’, which tells the story of a 13-year-old girl whose parents marry her off to a 60-year-old man, with devastating consequences.
Entertainment
‘I’ll Continue To Ask For My Balance’ – Phyna reacts.
Ilebaye’s revelation came just after Phyna had publicly called out the organizers for withholding some of her prizes.
Phyna, who revealed this to Newsmen insinuated that Ilebaye broke the gender code by announcing that she got her full prize money.
She also stressed that she would continue to demand for her balance, stating that she worked hard for the money during the show’s 72-day duration.
“I believe I should at least get what I worked so hard for 72 days. You all suddenly remembered your alert screenshots and IG Live………… Common……one among others is 1BTC which is over 80m in today’s market.
“To those who got their money in full
I’m happy for you. As a poor man’s child, let me ask for my money and other items remaining.,” She added.
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