Entertainment
Funke Akindele Tasks Nollywood Producers On Moral Lesson
Nollywood has come a
long way. Gone are the days where bad equipment and generally bad movies with good moral lessons were the norm, but in recent times, film makers make use of good equipment, better actors but zero moral lessons. This needs to change.
Funke Akindele’s movie Jenifa, helped in educating young ladies about the dangers involved in prostitution. Funke Akindele is one of Nigeria’s most loved actresses. In fact, her most loved role was in the movie ‘Jenifa’. Even though the film was released in 2009, Funke has still been able to use that character to keep her brand name alive hence the introduction of the Adventures of Jenifa TV series.
The original movie tells the story of Suliat, a young ‘Village Girl’ who moves to the city to enroll in university with great expectations. At university, she is ridiculed for her style (or lack-there-of), her accent and manner of speaking then, she meets a group of ‘runs girls’ things begin to change and Suliat is transformed to Jenifa.
When this movie was released initially in 2008, it didn’t catch on until girls all over Nigeria started speaking like the character and also using her slangs and her mannerisms. It was then parents and guardians took notice and made efforts to see the film. I remember speaking to one of such parents who saw the film at the time of its release, she commented that she was going to make sure her kids especially her daughters and their friends saw this film.
I asked why because at that time, there had been countless numbers of films with the same storyline, she replied again that what made Jenifa different was the fact that even though she did not understand Yoruba, the fact that the film was set in what could be called a modern university setting made it the best tool to use in teaching her daughters about the dangers in chasing ‘aristos’ all around campus. And it worked. The movie Jenifa probably helped in educating young girls and boys getting into university about the danger of prostitution and other vices than any sermon, message or beating could ever do.
Another example is the Wale Adenuga created super-story series ‘Itohan’. The series which ran in 2013 revolved around a young lady. Itohan, who wanted to travel to Europe through an illegal route with genuine aspirations to be a footballer in Europe but was deceived by a gang of men who intended to sell her and other young ladies to a notorious prostitution ring once they got there. This series also did a lot to warn young ladies about the threat of human trafficking and dangers involved in travelling via illegal routes.
These days, Nollywood producers are more concerned in shooting films that hold no moral value whatsoever. Admittedly, they are shooting with better equipment and the actors are really stepping up but as Africans, it is important that our filmmakers imbibe our culture, our dos and don’ts into our films and other entertainment portals because just like Jenifa has proven, societal vices can be combacted via movie.
There is little parents can do when it comes to censoring what their kids watch in this age of smartphones and cheap internet. I understand the fact that lewdness and sex is what sells but who says a movie about a lady or guy who keeps his/her virginity till her wedding night won’t sell? It all depends on how the film is made and marketed. Enough of this excuse that ‘this is what the market wants’. You feed the market, you can change the narrative. I really hope our filmmakers pay attention and do better.
Entertainment
BBNaija Season Nine: ‘Dynamic Duos’ Auditions Begin
The organisers of the Big Brother Naija( BBNaija) have announced that season nine of the reality TV show started accepting applications last Wednesday.
Biggie is back for BBNaija Season 9 auditions with a twist! The audition requires two people. “This year, it is a search for Dynamic Duos that love the show and can turn up the heat in Biggie’s house,” the announcement said.
This new twist to application videos, which used to be a single person in the video, candidates will have to apply in pairs. This means that the audition video will feature two candidates each.
Make and upload a three-minute video telling Big Brother why both of you should be in the Big Brother’s House together.
The video can be recorded together or separate, but must be a single video.
You have to audition together.
In the video describe yourselves and where you are from.
Also talk about your personalities, your favourite things, likes, dislikes, unique things about both of you and how it may help you do well on Big Brother Naija Season 9.
Stay natural, do not force it, keep it fun!
Audition is free and has opened on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 8:00pm.
Application is only open to people who are 21 or older with a valid means of identification.
Entertainment
Onyeka Onwenu’s Film To Chronicle Her Music Journey
Renowned Nigerian musician, Onyeka Onwenu, says she is working on producing a film that will delve into her experiences which span decades within the music industry.
Onwenu disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, on Tuesday with a career that stretches back to the 1970s, the “elegant stallion” expressed her eagerness to share her firsthand account of the evolution of Nigerian music.
”I am currently working on a film that will chronicle my experiences in the music industry from the 70s to the present day. Having been a part of this narrative for decades, I have a wealth of stories to share,” she said.
In addition to the film project, Onwenu discussed her efforts to release her classic songs through collaboration with emerging artistes, promising fans a compilation of rebranded tracks later in the year.
“I am rebranding my old songs and collaborating with new talents. My aim is to offer listeners a fresh perspective on timeless classics,” she explained.
Onwenu’s creative pursuits extend beyond the realm of music, as she recently released a single, titled Abu Otito (Songs of Praise) and dedicated proceeds from its streaming to support widows through the Rose of Sharon Foundation.
“I am passionate about using music to address social issues. From supporting widows to promoting education among rural children, I strive to make a positive impact through my art.”
Reflecting on her philanthropic endeavours, Onwenu shared her commitment to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Abia and disclosed the plan to expand her initiatives to Imo.
“We not only pay school fees directly to schools but also offer civic education to instill a sense of cultural identity. These efforts represent my dedication to empowering future generations,” the musician noted.
Offering advice to fellow artistes amidst economic challenges, Onwenu emphasised the importance of resilience and self-initiative.
“Hang in there and create opportunities for yourselves,” she urged, highlighting the need for proactive approaches in navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.
Onwenu’s multifaceted contributions to music and society underscore her enduring legacy as a trailblazing artiste and philanthropist, inspiring generations to come.
“I have been part of the story right from time, and I am still moving forward, so I have a lot of stories to tell,” she remarked.
The Tide Entertainment reports that aside from the cinematic venture, Onwenu unveiled plans to breathe new life into her classic hits by collaborating with contemporary artistes. According to her, she aims to compile a collection of rebranded songs, promising Nigerian audiences an eagerly anticipated release later in the year..
Onwenu has used her music and its timeless messages to promote Nigeria’s culture. Her music duet with King Sunny Ade, titled Wait for Me, has remained evergreen. It is remembered always as a song with deep lyrical message which was put together to help the government of that era fight seriously against the outburst of population explosion while also regulating it with the different family planning programmes put together by the government.
Her song, African Woman, helped greatly in projecting the innate exquisiteness of the African woman giving them a sense of pride and belonging amidst poverty, widowhood, rape, lack of care, hatred, humiliation, abandonment, among others.
Her evergreen classic, Sodom and Gomorrah, is a biblical narrative of the popular story of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, a city destroyed by God due to their heedlessness and high level of immorality.
Some of her other evergreen songs include Iyogogo, One Love, Dancing in the Sun, and Choices, among others.
Entertainment
Osita Iheme Reacts To Pawpaw Memes
Legendary Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, fondly known as Pawpaw, has revealed that he is happy with the way his memes are used on social media as a means of expression.
In a recent interview with newsmen, the actor expressed pleasure with the use of the clips from his films, stating that it shows his old films still have value.
“It’s good to see that your works are doing well out there and people are appreciating what you are doing,” he said.
“Even though it has been so many years, people are still valuing it years later. It’s good and it shows that you have an asset that you can always back up and bank with. Because when you look at 20 years ago, the works you’ve done and you see that people are using it to express themselves, you’d feel happy. I feel happy,” he continued.
The Tide Entertainment reports that over the past few years, hilarious stickers and memes of the star from his old films have been used widely across social media platforms to add a comic flair to conversations. His funny memes were not only used by Nigerians, but also in foreign media, especially during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown era.
It is worthy of note that Iheme is one half of the dynamic Aki and Paw Paw duo, the other half being his partner-in-crime, Chinedu Ikedieze.
The pair starred in numerous movies in their prime like ‘Aki Na Ukwa’, Village Rats, and Double Wahala, amongst many other iconic films.
More than 20 years later, they have remained Nollywood household names, hilarious memes, and pop culture icons.
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