Entertainment
G-5 Nollywood Actresses Plan Big For Less Privileged
A group of Nollywood A-
List Actresses known as the G-5 have resolved to continue to give help to the less privileged and the motherless babies’ homes through their various Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other charitable platforms this year. They include; Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita Dominio, Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus and Stephanie Okereke.
It is no doubt that these Nollywood screen divas have made inroads in fame and fortune. Almost on daily basis movie buffs around the country and beyond pay glowing tributes to them. Millions of Nigerians who have been following their exploits since mother luck shone on them agree that they remain the darling of the Nigerians movie industry and most relevant with a host of others struggling to catch up with them. According to a recent media report, these veteran role interpreters have resolved to put their best. This year as well as touch on the lives of the less privileged in the society and the motherless babies homes through their Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
It is quite obvious to many that these Nollywood Super Stars have all paid their dues before attaining their present height and status. In an avenue bedeviled by ‘Man know man’ and “use what you have to get what you want, it was not bed of roses for them from the beginning but because of their perseverance they achieved success. This G-5 members include:
Omotola Jalade Ekeindo: She is probably the most luckiest amongst all of them as she hit the Jackpot from the first day she sauntered into the industry in company of a friend to a contest and turned out to be The winner. Today with over 100 movie appearances to her credit, the mother of four was the first to win the movie award (Thelma) with her debut movie mortal inheritance”, she was also voted by The Times Magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in the world. She also emerged Africa’s shobiz personality in the year 2013.
Rita Dominic: She started her acting career in a Nollywood movie titled, “A Time To Kill, she won the city People’s award in 2004 as the most outstanding actress amongst numerous other, local and international awards, she has appeared in more than 100 movies including the best actress award by the Reel awards.
Genevieve Nnaji: Gene’s story has remained the most recurring affair in Nollywood. Hers is a chequered history, the early pregnancy that forced her to abandon secondary school, her life on the streets, frustrated and almost rejected, initial frustrations by producers, sexual harassment etc, Today every body bows for her, she was one time fare of lux soap in Africa in addition to other international awards and recognition.
She started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap Opera ‘Ripples’, at the age of 8, she was also featured in several commercials some of which in chide pronto beverage and Omo detergent.
Her debut movie in Nollywood was “most wanted” subsequent movies include ‘last party’, mark of The Best’ and ‘Ijele which is still considered to be one of the best epic performances to date).
Genevieve made her history by becoming the first Nigerians actress to be profiled on the Oprah Wintrey show with strings of endorsements are top rated movies. She is believed to be the highest paid Nollywood actress and most desired in the industry.
Stella Damasus: Although Stella has been missing in Nollywood action for quite some time now, she remains the darling of many movie overs. She has dazzled in many house videos and soap operas. She is infact about the oldest face on the screen amongst the pack. Endowed with a natural voice and physique that is ever tantalizing, Stella earns more than N500,000.00 per script and remains one of the most sought after actress in Nollywood as she in a class of her own.
Stephanie Okereke: this graduate of English and literary studies from the University of Calabar as also one of the leading actresses and producers in Nollywood as well as a model in 1997, she featured in two films titled “compromise 2” and “waterloo” in 2002, she won the second position in the most beautiful girl in Nigeria beauty pageant, putting her on the map.
Stephanie was also the Real Awards best actress (English) and has featured in several movies including; private sin, Eye of the Gods, Reloaded, Adaora etc. Stephanie made her mark with the movie ‘Emotional Crack’ that premiered at the African Film Festival (New York) in April 2004 with over go films to her credit.
Stephanie is continually building her brand in the movie industry. A credit a graduate of the New York film academy, she has expanded her title to include Director, producer and writer with the introduction of her latest movie, “through the glass” which premiered in October 2008 at the pacific design centre in Hollywood, California Stephanie received a recognition award from the California state legislature and the city of Carson for the movie “through the glass”.
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.