Entertainment
AGN Condemns Kidnapping Of Members …. As Nkem Owoh Regains Freedom
The National President of Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze has condemned the kidnapping of Nollywood stars stressing that it is not only a criminal act but an embarrassment to the Guild.
He maintained that in the past few months two of their top actors, Peter Edochie and Nkem Owoh have been kidnapped and later released after series of appeals and described the situation as very unfortunate.
The president who stated this recently following the release of Nkem Owoh by his abductors on Sunday, said the actor was kidnapped early last week along the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway while the kidnappers demanded N50 million ransom. With the release of the Nollywood King of comedy, people are anxious to know whether some money was paid before he was released, or they released him unconditionally as the AGN has earlier demanded, but so far, there is no concrete evidence about the condition of his release.
One name which readily comes to mind when Nigerian movie especially comedy is mentioned is Nkem Owoh. Ukwa as he is also known who is an engineer by profession later veered into acting with memorial Hospital, a popular soap opra that was aired on NTA in the later part of 1980.
Apart from having written and produced hit comedy flicks like ‘pam pam,’ ‘yogo pam pam,’ sawani ,’ Osuofiason 1&2 etc, the King of comedy has also featured in numerous films such as ‘Akidi’ Ukwa,’ ‘Police Officer,’ “Omugwo,’ ‘Agaba’ ‘Osuofia in London,’ ‘Return from London’ and ‘ I go chop your dollar among others.
However, the movie that earned him African movie Academy Awards’ (AMAA) best actor of the year 2008 is stronger than pain. The same movie that gave Kate Henshaw the best actress of the year award at the AMAA.
Meanwhile his kidnap and release has elicited reactions from showbiz personalities and the general public. According to Mr Ceaser Kagho, Zonal co-ordinator National film and video censors board (NFVCB) Port Harcourt, the incident is very unfortunate stressing that kidnapping of Nollywood stars has assumened an alarming proportion in the country and something must be done about it to forestall future occurrence.
Veteran actor, Columbus Irosoanga said “I don’t know why Nigerian artistes should be kidnapped because they are not well paid, so how can they pay the huge ramson demanded by the kidnappers” It is rather unfortunate, they should be the ones to donate money to the artistes and not the other way round.”
In his reaction, the National president of video Club Owners Association of Nigeria (VCOAN) Hon Rex Akah noted that Nkem Owoh is a hardworking man, struggling to feed him self and his family, he is not a politician nor has he embezzled government money, why should they leave the corrupt politicians to harass an innocent man who is struggling to make ends meet. I pray that God should forgive them for they don’t know what they have done.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
