Family halts Henrietta Kosoko's burial in Lagos?

Reports said, family of the late actress and wife of popular actor, Jide Kosoko, Henrietta Emumeakpor-Kosoko has insisted that the remains of their daughter would not be laid to rest in a foreign land.

As a result, the family may have prevailed on her husband to cancel the plans to laid her to  rest today,  at Atan Cemetery, Yaba. The funeral service earlier slated for Regina Mundi,Mushin,Lagos by the burial committee was said to have been cancelled.

Sources close to the burial committee disclosed that the cancellation of the Lagos funeral arrangement was not unconnected with the fact that the Henrietta’s family from Delta State insisted that their daughter must not be buried outside the state.

“It’s true that Henrietta’s remains will no longer be buried in Lagos. Her siblings and other members of her family have insisted they’re not burying her in Lagos as earlier planned by Jide Kosoko.

Why AMAA don't write names of winners on the trophy--Husseini, president of AMAA jury

Ahead of this year's African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, which holds tomorrow, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the president of the jury for 2016 edition, Mr. Shaibu Husseini has revealed why the names of the winners are not written on the trophies, saying it's a deliberate act on the part of the organizers to avoid manipulation and disparity that may trail such practice.

Husseini, who has served as a member of the panel for close to eight years now, also listed maintaining transparency and credibility which the awards stand for as part of the reason the organizers refused to write the winners' names on the trophies.

In a chat with HVP, Husseini further revealed that the organizers have been under pressure to have the names of the winners written on the trophies, insisting that doing so will create a serious room for manipulation. “Since the jury members do not know the winners until the awards night, doing so will create room for manipulation,”he said.

However, recounting some of the challenges he has been facing since his appointment as the president of jury, the celebrated film critic cum journalist said, apart from working round the clock to select the best entries, the jury members hardly have time to attend to the needs and their families.

Husseini, at the unveiling of the nominees last month noted that AMAA is a jury based award, unlike Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards,AMVCA, where nominees embark on voting campaigns to win any of the categories.

A performing artist who has made a name for himself as film critic and a journalist, Husseini has been the Chairman of AMAA selection committee for seven years running. He authored the book, 'Moviedom", which narrates the developmental stages of Nollywood. Husseini

has worked as cultural administrator, and a two-time president of the Dance Guild of Nigeria. He also served as special assistant to the DG of the National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria aside serving as the secretary of the governing board of the National Theatre/ National Troupe.

"Nigerian Children at Kids Say The Darndest Things' Season 2 debuts

Oludare Onasanya, Executive Producer, HB Consolidated; Orah Egwu, Manager, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria;Tony Okungbowa, Host, Kids Say The Darndest Things; Elvis Ogiemwanye, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria and Chichi Nwoko, Executive Producer, Hey! What’s on Production at the Press Conference to announce the commencement of Kids Say The Darndest Things (KSDT) Season 2 in Lagos on Friday

Nigeria’s leading innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat has kicked off the second edition of Kids Say the Darndest things (KSDT), following a highly successful debut edition.

KSDT is a platform where children have an opportunity to showcase their talent and be themselves. They are interviewed on various topical issues ranging from family to career, politics, sport, nature, spirituality and any other topic of interest.

The auditions which took place over the weekend saw children from different parts of the country jostle for spots to feature on the show in an atmosphere of fun, excitement and drama. The 2016 edition of Kids Say the Darndest Things (KSDT) has as its theme “Let your little star shine bright” and is powered by Etisalat Cliqlite which is the first ever child-friendly educational package in Nigeria designed to make learning fun for children between the age of 8 and 15.

According to the Manager, Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu, the company has identified this show as a platform that recognizes and celebrates children with talent. “The program is aimed at giving every child a voice and letting them shine bright with confidence. At Etisalat, we are very passionate about young people and we are obliged to continuously find avenues to engage and empower them”, She concluded.

The show’s host, Tony Okungbowa was in his elements at the auditions as he interviewed the children, while giving them an opportunity to showcase their personalities. Adding verve and excitement to the auditions were radio presenters; Mannie and Temi of CoolFm who were the official MCs for the day while Lolo of Wazobia FM and Aunty Kay of Inspiration FM’s Cliqlite Fun Tease made special appearances.

The children had a lot to eat, drink and play with such as bouncy castles, train rides and other side attractions and they also went home with goody bags.

Following the auditions, the show will air on select terrestrial and cable television stations following after a premiere in Lagos and Abuja.

Wizkid’s alleged impersonators nabbed!

Three fraudsters impersonating pop star, Wizkid have been nabbed in Lagos.

The trio, reportedly led by one Ifeoma Nelly, a 200-level Industrial Chemistry student of Delta State university (DELSU) were arrested at a Hotel in Lagos. We gathered that they have since been remanded at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters Ikeja, GRA.

According to reports, the culprits have been perpetrating this crime for over three years now. They have not only been using the Starboy's name to open Facebook accounts, but also, they used his name to register the sim card which they use in making calls.

How I helped Fred Amata emerge DGN president---Dickson Ireogbu

Controversial Nollywood director and producer, Dickson Iroegbu has revealed the role he played in ensuring that Fred Amata emerge the next president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria,DGN. 

The guild held its presidential election last Friday, in Asaba, where Fred defeated the likes of Lancelot Imasuen, Kingsley Omoefe and Dickson Iroegbu to become the new president of the guild.

However, before the voting started, Iroegbu attempted to withdraw from the race, but the members resisted his action.

Speaking on what prompted his decision to withdraw from the race said, "I stepped down ahead because I saw that there was a need to put the interest of the guild above my own personal interest. I held an indoor with him, where m intention to step down known to him. I am happy that he won the election." Despite his action, Iroegbu said, he was going to engage the new administration personally. 

"The election has come and gone, the expectation is high. The newly elected executive should hit the ground running and ensure that they deliver on the promises to the members. We are going  to engage them, personally, I am going to engage the be president to ensure hat he does not in any way relax because he has won the election. The victory is for DGN and he must ensure that the guild gets better during his tenure."

Charles Inojie on his birthday, sues for peace in Nigeria

Nollywood star Charles Inojie who celebrated his birthday last Friday, has called on all Nigerians to embrace peace and work together for the progress of Nigeria.

In a short birthday message he personally signed, Inojie said Nigeria belongs to us all “and we should all strive to make her a great country. Elections have come and gone, this is now the time for us all to join hands with the president, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari to build a strong and virile nation. As I celebrate my birthday, I pray for peace for my fatherland and call on people planning to do this nation evil in the form of terrorism and other ills, to have a change of heart,” he said adding:

“I thank God Almighty, the giver of life for adding another year to my life. Not only was last year pleasantly eventful for me, but God showed Himself mightily in several aspects of my life, business and career. I also thank my fans all over the world, without you, I will be doing something else by now. I appreciate you all.”

Nabbed! Man pirating Lancelot's 'Invasion 1897' movie

Men of the Nigeria Police, Ojo, Lagos, has arrested a notorious pirate in Alaba International market, known as a haven for movie pirates.

The culprit was arrested while pirating the epic movie, “Invasion 1897” produced by popular Nollywood director, Lancelot Imasuen.

BN learnt that the man has since been handed over to the officials of Nigerian Copyright Commission,NCC, for proper investigation and possible prosecution.

The movie, based on the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897 and looting the priceless ancient artifacts of the Benin kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of ivory mask representing Queen Idia (from court of Benin, 16th century), was supposed to have been released on DVD in October, last year, but had to be postponed because of the menace of piracy.

The distributor of the film, Igwe Gab Okoye, had alerted the Ojo police station following the activities of the culprit who was said to have printed millions of copies of the movie jackets before he was arrested.