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Friday, 3 July 2015
Omarosa hosts African NAFCA Hollywood 2015
Pete Edochie denies having a child out of wedlock
Veteran actor, Pete Edochie, in the 2nd part of our interview with him denied having a child out of wedlock. When asked whether he has a love child, Edochie said, "It doesn’t make sense. I don’t need it. Why?
But a young man from Kenya alleged some time ago that his mother told him you are his father and he was planning then to come to Nigeria to meet you?
Why didn’t he come to Nigeria? I have never been to Kenya before. Where did I meet his mother? I am not a wayward person. Peter (pointing at his PA) has been my Personal Assistant for over 17 years. If I were a sexually adventurous person, he wouldn’t have stayed with me for this long. But each time somebody calls me he picks up the phone. Somebody brought the story from the internet and showed it to me.
One slim character like that. He looked like a cattle Rear-er. He said, “somehow I think Pete Edochie is my father.” Well! Let him come to Nigeria and meet his father. But he hasn’t embarked on the journey yet. Like I said, such things don’t bother me. I got married at 22 years. I have never involved myself in tense extra-marital affairs.
It’s not necessary. We are all weak as men, but you see, if you decide to pursue a torrid extra-marital relationship, what will you be proving to people? However, I don’t involve myself in situations that will make me to compromise my integrity and that of my family.
Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie speaks on how he was chosen for Things Fall Apart
Three things are bound to endear you to Pete Edochie whenever you are privileged to meet him. One, his sense of humour, two, his values as a father and an actor, and then, his command of the English language. All these qualities played out last weekend, when we went after him, and finally tracked him at one hotel in Owerri.
Quite inseparable from the roles he plays in movies, Pete who played the lead role of Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s best selling novel, Things Fall Apart, speaks passionately about his life as an actor, broadcaster and his marriage. Interestingly too, he speaks about the role he played during the civil war.
Intermittently sipping from his palm wine , regularly refilled during the interview, the movie legend opens up on how he got the role to play Okonkwo in ‘Things Fall Apart’, describing it as ‘most challenging, and one that immortalized him. This is Pete Edochie like he never before. It’s only the first part of our Showtime exclusive thriller.
Your first son, Uche, who studied Fine Art at UNN is my friend. How’s he doing now?
Pete-Edochie
Uche is not my first son, rather he is my fourth son. My first son is 45 years old now, and I am 68 this year.
Wow, you married very early.
Yes, I did. I married at 22.
Why did you marry that early?
Well, the civil war was going on, and I was a very good looking young man. I was being admired by many women and I thought if I decided to dissipate my manhood in their company, it wouldn’t be a plus for me. So, I got married and I think, it is the best decision I have ever taken in my life. I haven’t regretted it.
How old was your wife when you married her?
I wasn’t the person that gave birth to her. So, I wouldn’t know about her age. But she was old enough to get married and she got married to me.
During your time, was there anything like courtship or dating?
My wife and I were contemporaries in broadcasting. I liked her and she liked me too. With time, it developed into a very strong affection that we thought if we didn’t give a definition to our relationship before the end of the war, there would be strong possibility that tongues would wag and I would be accused of exploiting this young girl and disappearing at the end of the day.
I hail from a very strict paternal religious background. I am not that kind of person who would be ‘in and out’ of a woman. So, we got married and that’s it.
You were talking about the civil war. Were you part of the war?
I was. I was in the Voice of Biafra. We were moving from place to place and whenever the war drew nearer, we moved away from the place. At a point, I had to go to the war front to perform some professional duties which I won’t disclose now. I survived the war, I made my own contribution and I am happy about it.
I am always proud of my involvement in the war years. I was born and raised in the northern part of the country. But I was chased out of the region in 1966, and by 1967, the war began. I was a broadcaster then, and because I understood and spoke Hausa fluently I had to go to the war front.
Whenever you relive your Civil War experience, do you feel sad or happy?
No, I can’t be happy. I mean I couldn’t be happy. There was so much carnage and there was no justification for it. There was little provocation for the war. So, it was a programme intended to wipe us all out from the surface of the earth. Some of us were lucky to have survived. It is not what I would wish any enemy of mine. It’s an internecine experience, it’s not a good one. Everybody who experienced a war wouldn’t like a re-occurrence of such horrible experience. It’s a traumatic experience.
You present a picture of tough-talking and aggressive Biafran soldier. Do you somehow reflect your Biafran experience in the interpretation of your roles in movies?
Curiously, I was not a Biafran solider. I went to the war for a specific assignment but not as a solider. I happened to be very strict by nature. I have five sons and eleven grand children. It is because I am strict and that’s why I was able to control those young men. If God gives you male children and you are soft, they will be wasted. I think it reflects in my movies because I am a very strict person.
If I am playing the Igwe role, I am an Igwe through and through. My wife has a little to play when I am an Igwe. Ordinarily, in an Igbo culture your wife has little role to play in the Igwe’s affairs. The Igwe has his cabinet, he addresses them and they discuss issues affecting his Kingdom. The wife has little role to play, and when I am playing the role of an Igwe, my wife does not function one day. She can come in and bring kola nuts and greet my guests. That’s it. In that regard, I am not weak at all.
WHY I DON’T STAR IN MOVIES REGULARLY
You happen to be one actor that cannot be beaten in terms of role interpretation, and most times, you are not easily influenced by money to star in some movies. But in recent times, one observed that your face has been missing on screen?
Thanks for the compliments. I elect not to feature in any kind of movie. There are people who would star in any movie because of money. That’s the essence of their involvement. But for me, it’s not. One, I am a professional through and through and secondly, in all modesty, I am a role model to a lot of people who see me and believe in whatever I represent. I think it’s some virtue for me.
And it’s not my intention to let them down. Societal expectations compel moral rectitude and I don’t want to disappoint those expectations. When I am given a script for a specific role, I read through the script and if I don’t like the role I drop the script. Sometimes, a producer pays money into my account without my knowing it.
If I am given a script, I read it and if I don’t like it, I will return the money to the producer. I do that most of the time. If a script has a message for the people, I would accept it and if it’s purely intended to amaze people, I don’t star in such movie.
Most veteran actors at one point or the other have veered into producing films, but in your own case, you have remained an actor?
What’s the point. I am an actor through and through. I was trained professionally as a broadcaster in the BBC. When it comes to delivery and interpretation, I don’t think other actors operate at the same level as I do. They don’t and so, why must I leave it and go on to produce films.
It doesn’t make sense. I want to remain an actor. Occasionally,I contribute to writing scripts, and I try to bring up my calling too while we are on set and they appreciate it. The producers like me for that. I don’t think it is my intention to become a producer.
You trained as a broadcaster. At what age did you join broadcasting?
I joined broadcasting at 20 years, and got married after two years. I got married during the war.
What inspired your decision to go into broadcasting?
I have always wanted to be a broadcaster. There are three professions that have always fascinated me. They are journalism, broadcasting and acting. And I have been able to involve myself in these three professions. I did a course in journalism and television after I left the secondary school. And that was before I joined my father in the Nigerian Railways.
I wrote for some newspapers after that. I joined broadcasting after which I am now at the third phase which is acting. So, I have always wanted to be involved in the three professions. I think I have realized it. I was influenced by a few people who sang in those days, and I thought I could also join them and do some singing. I’d sing, but not professionally.
You sing too?
Pete-Edochie
Of course I do! But I do not intend to go into singing. I am satisfied with what I am doing. You mean I should start singing like some of these little kids that are in our industry?
At what point did you bid farewell to broadcasting?
To be honest, actors don’t really quit. Your involvement may not have the kind of regularity it used to have while you were much younger. But there must be need for your services at any given time.
There was an actor who was playing Dracula in those days called Christopher Lee. He died five days ago at 99. There were some people who inspired us when we were coming up, most of them you may not know certainly;
people like Charleston Huston who was the president of Actors Guild in America – he died a couple of years ago at 82 years; Anthony Queen also was 82 years, D’ Martins, Robert Nichem and many others who are in their 80s but still remain relevant till date. Progressively, your appearances keep diminishing as you age, but again, if you are not playing a father, then you are playing a grandfather.
There is no limit to the age when a man is referred to as a grandfather. Therefore, you must always fit in there. So, you remain relevant as an actor, except you are not a very competent one which means you get rejected by the industry. I mean there is no need for your services again because you never really possess professional competence while you functioned as an actor.
So, I cannot tell you that next year I will quit. When the producers think there is no need for your services any more, you become irrelevant.
HOW I GOT THE ROLE OF OKONKWO IN ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART
In your movies, there is always a reflection of the Okonkwo character, the role you played in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic, Things Fall Apart.
That’s what a lot of people say. When I did Things Fall Apart, I was 38 years of age. That was thirty years ago. I am 68 years now. People still call me “Ebube Dike” and before Chinua Achebe died he was calling me Ebube Dike. He never called me Pete, and we were very close.
Each time people visited him in America, he would ask them about me. He created the character and because he thought I interpreted it perfectly, he named me after Okonkwo- Ebube Dike. So, a lot of people still see me and refer to me as a Ebube Dike and I answer them.
When you got the script to play the lead character, what was uppermost in your mind?
When the script was handed over to me, I said to myself. This is the opportunity for me to read the script since we didn’t read the book while I was in school. I was delighted to read it. Before then, I’ve not read the novel, Things Fall Apart. I knew nothing about it.
Now, it was to be adapted into a screenplay. People were invited to come and audition for roles. Somebody who worked with me in the broadcasting House, Engr G.C Ugwu (now late) recommended me. He was the Zonal Director of NTA in Benin in those days. He had always watched me in the broadcasting house where I worked and the moment they decided to produce the play, the first name that came to his mind as Okonkwo was me.
But there were other people that came for the general audition. I was invited to the audition and the venue was the main auditorium of he University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. The moment I walked into the auditorium, the white woman who was invited to handle costuming and other things saw me.
She just looked at me as I was coming in, and screamed, saying: “if this man could act, that’s the man we want for the role.” She never met me before that day. I walked in, and was given the script. Other people were also given the script to read, and when I read mine, they shook hands with me and said, we are good to go. They said there was no point continuing with the audition; that the role is for me.
As at that time, I didn’t know the implications of being in that production. We went ahead and produced the play and I won an international award. I am proud to say that BBC flew into the country to interview me and Chinua Achebe too. Nigerians were phoning and congratulating me. It was a moment of crowning glory for me. I think it was a defining moment in my professional career.
The story as relayed in Things Fall Apart, have you ever come across such stories in our movies again?
This is a tricky question. But certainly no, because most of the stories are not thoroughly researched before the scripts are written.
I am a very serious culture custodian. When they give me a script, I try to thinker with it in order to understand the story. If I am not satisfied, I drop it and ask the producer to go and look for somebody else. There is nothing to compare with Things Fall Apart considering what we are doing these days.
Was featuring in Things Fall Apart the first production that brought you to limelight?
Yes, it was the production that projected me. I have played other little roles on television such as Segment of Shakespeare, Every Man, Realm of Violence, Resurrection and others. But Things Fall Apart was a full blown production. Because of its popularity as a set book, it was welcomed by a lot of people. They were not disappointed with the interpretation of the role. I feel very happy about it.
Why I attacked Flavour in my song – LadyOne
Rising female singer, Chinyere Ugwu, a.k.a, LadyOne has explained why she attacked highlife maestro, Flavour in her latest single titled, "Flavour Why." According to the Enugu State-born singer, she doesn't like the way Flavor talks about women in his songs. She said,
“I do not like the way Flavour talks about women in his songs. I would say that I’m defending Nigerian women through my music because it seems all the male singers like to embarrass the womenfolk in their various songs. I want to use my music to counter the way Flavour dehumanize women in his songs. So in my music, I asked him what he wants us to do for him or he should stop saying all those things he talks about women in his songs.”
Surprisingly, since LadyOne released her album, Flavour has not reacted to it. In her words, “Unfortunately Flavour has not said anything about the song since I released it. I have no problem with him. I still remain a big fan of him, I love his music. My single which speaks against the way he talks about women is just a way of expressing my feelings. I love all his songs.”
*Flavour
LadyOne said, she has a desire to stand out in the industry with her own kind of music. This, she said, is because “I believe that my dancing skills will differentiate me from others. I will also try as much as possible to sing reasonable songs. I have found out that some people come into the industry to make a noise with little or no message in their songs.”
Describing herself as “a very jovial person”LadyOne said, she looks up to female singers like Tiwa Savage, Waje, among others. “I see most of the female artistes in the industry as my mentors. I also see myself as a woman activist in the industry,” she said. An Economic graduate of Imo State University, LadyOne started singing from childhood.
When superstars set stage on fire at Industry Nite
It was an electrifying night at the
All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA special edition of Industry nite on Wednesday July 1, 2015 at Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos as stakeholders were thrilled withWhen superstars set stage on fire at Industry Nite freestyle, back to back tracks, both old and new from stars paraded to celebrate the continental award and the music from Africa.
At the well-attended special edition of Industry nite with AFRIMA which was in partnership with Beat 99.9FM was organized to create an avenue for interaction and bond among the Nigeria music industry stakeholders as well as elicit awareness for the ongoing AFRIMA entry submission which closes July 20, 2015 across the world on the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org.
Spotted at the event were some of the stars, artiste managers, industry veterans, media executives and Nollywood acts in Nigeria who came out to identify and celebrate AFRIMA and African music were 2face Idibia; Timaya; Iyanya; Skales; Olu Maintain; Keke Ogungbe, MD, Raypower/Kennis Music; Chris Obosi, MD Beat FM/Classic FM/Naija FM; HowieT, MD Baseline media; Afro beat maestro, Dede Mabiaku; Femi Olajinbiti, country Manager, Bacardi; Efe Omoregie, MD Now muzik; Seun Soyinka, MD Quotent edge; Azadus; Sheyman; Eedris Abdulkareem; Presh; Baci; Saeon; JJC; Sheyman; Kunle Afolayan among others. Some of the performances on the night that set the stage on fire were Phyno, Lil Kesh, Joel, Cynthia Morgan, Sean Tizzle, Adekunle Gold, Ninola, Simi, Aramide, Mr. 2Kay, Jeffrey, project fame winner, Charass, Sunkanmi, Harmony, Tjan, Rayce among others. The stage was superhot when the headliners for the nite, rapper, Phyno took on stage with his buzzing hit tracks after hit tracks. Fans were asking for more and the Regge/Ragga dance hall diva, Cynthia Morgan ensured the nite ended on a climax.
At the well-attended special edition of Industry nite with AFRIMA which was in partnership with Beat 99.9FM was organized to create an avenue for interaction and bond among the Nigeria music industry stakeholders as well as elicit awareness for the ongoing AFRIMA entry submission which closes July 20, 2015 across the world on the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org.
Spotted at the event were some of the stars, artiste managers, industry veterans, media executives and Nollywood acts in Nigeria who came out to identify and celebrate AFRIMA and African music were 2face Idibia; Timaya; Iyanya; Skales; Olu Maintain; Keke Ogungbe, MD, Raypower/Kennis Music; Chris Obosi, MD Beat FM/Classic FM/Naija FM; HowieT, MD Baseline media; Afro beat maestro, Dede Mabiaku; Femi Olajinbiti, country Manager, Bacardi; Efe Omoregie, MD Now muzik; Seun Soyinka, MD Quotent edge; Azadus; Sheyman; Eedris Abdulkareem; Presh; Baci; Saeon; JJC; Sheyman; Kunle Afolayan among others. Some of the performances on the night that set the stage on fire were Phyno, Lil Kesh, Joel, Cynthia Morgan, Sean Tizzle, Adekunle Gold, Ninola, Simi, Aramide, Mr. 2Kay, Jeffrey, project fame winner, Charass, Sunkanmi, Harmony, Tjan, Rayce among others. The stage was superhot when the headliners for the nite, rapper, Phyno took on stage with his buzzing hit tracks after hit tracks. Fans were asking for more and the Regge/Ragga dance hall diva, Cynthia Morgan ensured the nite ended on a climax.
I’m not in a hurry to release ‘Invasion 1897’ on DVD, says Lancelot
Producer of the world acclaimed epic movie, “Invasion 1897”, Lancelot Imasuen, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the film at the international stage, declaring that he’s not in a hurry to release it on DVD. Recall that “Invasion 1897”, premiered on December 5, in the country, and subsequently across the globe.
*Lancelot
Lancelot, who has been busy touring the world with the film, said he’s satisfied with the recognition that “Invasion 1897”has enjoyed so far at the international scene. “I feel very satisfied with the positive reaction I have has gotten so far for producing the film. “Invasion 1897 has blessed me immensely as an individual.
It has also given me global recognition beyond the shores of this country and opening doors for greater businesses,” Lancelot said, upon returning to the country last week after touring some major cities in America for the third time with the film.
According to him, the historical movie is not only breaking new grounds at the international market but also it is leading the way for the re-branding of the Nigerian movie industry.
Sharing his excitement with HVP in his office at Surulere, the celebrated director cum producer said, “I just concluded the third round of “Invasion 1897” global tour that has taken us to about 15 different cities around the world. We are also excited that the fire is catching up and the re-branding of Nollywood has come. The appraisal for the movie has been overwhelming. It’s not just a one-off showing in these cities, but they are calling for more showing of the film.”
Lancelot said due to popular demand, Invasion 1897 will be showing again in cities like Dallas, Austin and Houston. “Once the audience left the hall satisfied they are telling others and the demand is really very high. Like a businessman, I am not in a hurry to release the film on DVD.
It’s quite thrilling and bigger opportunities are opening up for collaborations especially in a city like Austin where the first Austin-Nollywood Incorporated as a company has been registered resulting from this movement with great Nigerians in diaspora supporting this project where we will see the berthing of Nollywood in major cities like the state of Texas.
We are looking forward to the Nollywood film festival that is going to be taking place there soon as a result of this fallout. It has been quite satisfying for me as a film maker because when I started the production of Invasion 1897, I told people that I was a making a film for global audience. I have seen the dream come through.” 
According to him, the Benin Club of Houston is the brain behind this movement. He said, there is no better way to give relevance to the culture of your people than what the motion picture will do. So, you see the movie is getting so much excitement first among the Benins, Nigerians and Africans at large.
The global black race are identifying with the story and relating with the story. In the month of August, we are going to be showing the movie in Chicago, in a big museum. From Chicago, we will move to Boston, which is another very important city to the Benin story. From there, we will move to Atlanta, New York, Dallas, Houston and rounding it off in California as part of the Edo National Assembly ,where the members will be holding a convention.
He said, the movie is not doing badly in terms of recouping his investment on the project. On what his plans after the global tour of the movie, Lancelot said, he would not only release the movie globally on DVD, but also, he would release Video on Demand as well as Internet Rights.
Sandra Bassey is Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria Int’l
21-year-old Sandra Okon Bassey forth night ago wrote her name in gold as she emerged Most Beautiful Model Nigeria International. Sandra who was former Miss Niger Delta and the face of Independence Nigeria 2014, won the crown at this year’s edition of the Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria and African Designers concert which was a choreographed show that showcased latest fashion concepts.
Sandra Bassey
It recorded impressive turn out with about 25 models representing different states on the runway. At the end of the show, which held at Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, the Akwa-Ibom State-born beauty beat other contestants to clinch the prestigious crown, while 20-year-old Jennifer from Anambra State emerged Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria.
Other winners were Osasa Ogunbor – Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria Fashion, Osato Ogunbor – Most Beautiful Model In Nigeria Ambassador, Ezinne Miracle Azuaru – MBMN Top Model and Victoria Face of Amity GLOBAL Network.
Sandra Bassey
Speaking at the event, Alex Nwankwo (AlexReports) the Project Director thanked God for the success of the show, as he had no major sponsors. The popular blogger also commended the National Orientation Agency for supporting the organizers to record a successful outing.
He, however, promised not to disappoint his teeming fans and audience on his quest to move the project from this stage to a progression in the direction of increasing perfection.
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