Cool TV, Wazobia TV debut

Cool FM and its sister pidgin English station, Wazobia FM, have launched two new television stations, Cool TV and Wazobia TV including 11 new radio stations. Managing Director, Aims Consultants Group, Amin Mousalli, commenting on the development said: “The new television channels have commenced test broadcast-ing and they will set the pace in television broadcasting in the country. Our audiovisual transmission is also described as Visual Radio. It means adding visuals to a normal audio radio broadcast from the radio studio.

We will be airing on Star Times Channels 195 (Wazobia TV) and 196 (Cool TV).”  According to him, Cool FM and Wazobia FM have always set the pace in radio broadcasting in Nigeria in terms of innovative contents. He stated that the platform will continue the trend with the formal launch of Cool TV and Wazobia TV, when they go on air on Monday, November 3, with On Air Personalities (OAP) like Yaw, Lolo, Nedu, OPJ, Tuebi, Freeze, Mannie and Tolu along-side new anchors on the platform.

He noted that the refurbished and pre-equipped radio studios of Cool, Wazobia and Nigeria Info FM are now fitted with TV set-up in terms of lighting, acoustics, cameras and connectivity to the Radio Studio Control Room and the overall TV & Radio Master Control Room.  “We will be launching our TV apps to enable Nigerians nationwide to access our 24 hours programmes at any time. We would also be reaching out to Nigerians in Diaspora to give them a sense of belonging to the homeland,” Mousalli added.

2015: 9ice storms Ogbomosho

Musician turned politician, 9ice, stormed the ancient city of Og­bomosho with a galaxy of stars last weekend. In his entourage were the likes of Lord of Ajasa, Osaniyi and Olalekan Tunde ‘LKT’ Olayade.

The event, which took place at Lautech Main Campus, Ogbomosho, also had Alapomeji Records newly signed ar­tistes, Outrageous Damilare Abdulganiu and Tunde Fasasi on the bill.

Commenting, the President of the Stu­dents’ Union Government, Areo Ajibola Oyegoke said that it is time a youthful person contested for an elective position in Ogbomosho..

Ogbomosho Youth Leader, Fagbemi Abiola added that the students are behind 9ice because he has proved that he has the charisma to lead the youths of Ogbo­mosho to the Promised land. The singer is gunning for the House of Representa­tives, Ogbomosho South/North and Orire Federal Constituency.

Kunle Afolayan lauds Censors Board

The efforts of Nigeria’s apex movie industry regulator, the National Film and Video Cen­sors’ Board, (NFCVB), to redefine the movie sector of the nation’s economy, are not going un-noticed by key industry players.

One of the latest endorsements is coming from multiple award winning film-maker, Kunle Afolayan, who gave kudos to the regulatory agency for the strides being made.

In a letter to the parastatal’s DG, Patricia Bala, Afolayan said: “Your strict enforcement of the Code of Ethics govern­ing film and video production in Nigeria is highly commend­able and this has culminated in improvement in the quality of moral values.”

The leading film-maker, who just premiered his latest work, a psychological thriller titled, Oc­tober 1, underscored the impact the regulatory agency is making on the movie industry and by extension, the promotion of arts, culture and traditions of the Nigerian people and the entire black race.

Sexual harassment: Why I’m not yet famous in Nollywood –BANKE ADEWUNMI

Banke Adewunmi, a Nol­lywood actress and a graduate of Microbiology from Ogun State Univer­sity started acting four years ago. The pretty ac­tress recently spoke to The Entertainer, opening up on her four-year sojourn in the movie industry and the issue of sexual harassment.


Why did you decide to take acting as a career?

I have been in love with acting since my secondary school days. I usually did funny stuff back then among my peers. Though, I did other businesses aside acting, after my university education, I decided to take the plunge into acting since I have passion for it; I just had to go back to my first love.

Why did you study Microbiology and not Theatre Arts?

I decided to study Microbiology because my parents did not want me to act at all. All they were interested in was for me to study a science oriented course and so I had to comply but my heart remained with acting.

Which Nigerian actors or actresses inspire you most?

Omotola Jalade and Genevieve Nnaji; they are both fabulous and I draw a lot of inspiration from them.

How did you hook up with the Odunfa Caucus?

I joined through the assistance of Alhaji Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) who is also from my homestown.

When was the first time you acted and how was the experience like?

Wow! That was in 2010. Acting for me then was a different ball game en­tirely because I fidgeted a bit. However, because I have always had the passion to act, I quickly adjusted. I was like, ‘Banke, you’re here for business so there is no going back!’

You have acted in English films, why did you dump English for Yo­ruba despite the fact that English movie producers pay more money?

I decided to move to Yoruba mov­ies because of my business. Most of the English films are done outside of Lagos which is the reverse for Yoruba movies. Consequently, I decided to stick with the Yoruba sector. However, I will be doing more of English soon. The real reason why I am sticking with the Yoruba sec­tor now is that I am Yoruba. However, I prefer English movies.

Why are you not close to some of your colleagues in the Yoruba film industry?

That is because I prefer keeping to myself and operating as a one-man-mopol instead of just gossiping about others.

But some of your friends believe that you are proud. Are you?

No, I’m not a proud person or what do you think? You see, I love doing things my own way. Despite keeping to myself, I still maintain a good relationship with them.

Despite spending over four years in the Yoruba film industry, you are not so prominent. Why is this so? 

I know that I’m good but I cannot force myself on producers. That’s the problem I’m facing but despite the odds, I’m not desperate to be popular. However, I’m planning to do my own thing personally.

Is it because you don’t have a god-father or boy-friend among the producers? 

Yes, I don’t have and I don’t intend having one either.

There is this allegation of sexual harrassment in the movie industry, have you been a victim? 

Yes, it is very rampant and that is why I have not been prominent because I always turn their offers down.

So, you have never dated anybody in the movie industry? 

Yes, and I don’t intend to date any.

So, you can’t date an actor? 

Yes.

You are not growing any younger, when do you intend to get married? 

Very soon.

Do you have somebody you are dating? 

Yes.

Who is he? 

That’s personal. When the time comes you will know him.

Despite the fact that you are not prominent and people are of the opinion that there is no money in the movie business, yet you are so comfortable, how do you make your money? 

I am a business woman; I buy and sell. I travel out of the country to buy stuff a lot. I am also into cosmetics and I do clothing as well.

You are very flashy and comfortable; don’t you think that such could scare men away? 

Like I told you earlier, I have a man in my life already and he is not scared.

Is he the man behind your success? 

I have always been comfortable because my business is doing well but it was not easy when I started because people owed me money and some never paid up.

What are you doing now? 

I’m working on my own movie entitled Atole. 

Acting is make belief; could you pose or act nude for $1billion? 

No I can’t act nude no matter the prize at stake.

Why I embarked on Vote Not Fight Campaign –Tuface Idibia

Afro reggae singer, Tuface Idibia, has opened up on the reasons why he chose to embark on his Vote Not Fight campaign.

In a chat with The Entertainer, Tuface, who also has a foundation, the T
uface Idibia Foundation, said that the bottom line for him is that the project is all about Nigeria: “This is all about Nigeria, it’s about our future as a country. In less than six months, Nigeria will embark on the 2015 General Elections so we need to reach out to the youths who are the cannon fodder for politi­cians during elections; we need to enlighten them that election is not war.

“I decided to embark on this as part of initiatives to ensure a hitch-free electoral process in 2015. Tuface Foundation, in partnership with Young Stars Foundation, National Democratic Institute (NDI) and other partner organisations, have flagged off the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign.

“The youths are brimming with so much energy and passion and if they are not guided, they could be used as political tools to detabilise our nation. I am calling on all youths to heed this call,” Idibia added.

Commenting, Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Now Muzik said the vision is to raise one million signatures in support of the cam­paign: “We are taking this message across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Come 2015, we must have peaceful elections in Nigeria.”

The climax of the launch was the signing of the pledge by Tuface Idibia, K Slim, Ms. Ransome-Kuti and Yemi Adamolekun among others. Other partners are Enough Is Enough (EIE) Coalition, Isa Wali Empow­erment Initiative, Development Initiative For African Women and The Bridge Youth Development Foundation.