News Star newspaper

Rita Dominic’s new way of life

by Chibueze Okereke
Since she won the coveted price for the best- dressed actress in Nigeria, delectable and talented actress, Rita Dominic, has been as busy as a bee. The star actress, who recently lost a cousin, is at the moment in Ghana where she is expected to do a photo shoot for the cover of a magazine.
On Sunday, November 9, the beautiful actress hinted her fans of her impending visit to Ghana with a coded message: "Rita Dominic is hitting +233 in a couple of days...can’t wait, it’s on." Surprisingly, many, who do not know that the number represents Ghana’s ISPs for country code just like Nigeria’s +234, thought she was talking Greek!
According to her manager, Milfred Okwo, Dominic will leave for Asaba for another engagement as soon as he returns in a couple of days.

Ini Edo and her wedding wahala

by Chibueze Okereke
So many rumours
have been peddled
about the upcoming wedding of one of Nigeria’s popular actresses, Ini Edo. While some gists have it that the wedding is only a sham and could not hold for so many reasons new facts are emerging by the day of the true nature of the wedding.
According to some insiders, Ini who has been accused of so many wrong doings even while in a relationship has at one time or the other denied such allegations and even went to the extent of suing to court, one of the publications that wrote a malicious story about her supposed affair with a Lebanese. The actress is once again said to be dating another wealthy man, called Alex. The said businessman is believed to be based in Holland but stays in Owerri whenever he is in Nigeria. He is said to be usually dressed with a bandana on his head.
Recently the wedding plans of the actress was said to be a farce going by the relationship with the said Alex but a source close to the couple said the two lovebirds are intact and the wedding would hold as planned. "I don’t know why people like peddling all sorts of rumours. There is nothing wrong with Ini and Philip. Do you know that there is a rumour that Ini will be getting married to AY, the comedian on 29th of November. What kind of nonsensical story is that"
Among the stories also peddled is the quarrel between Ini and her good friend Uche Jombo. The quarrel was said to have started when Uche allegedly disclosed Ini’s wedding date which was supposed to be a secret. This was said to have infuriated the actress who did not find the issue funny
The development has kept most of the star’s fans in confusion as many wait to see if the celebrity’s wedding will actually hold.

Bhaira Mcwizu’s desperate moves

by Chibueze Okereke
Since she emerged the winner in the third edition of the popular TV reality show, Amstel Malta Box Office, AMBO 3, Bhaira Mcwizu has consistently been struggling to remain in the public consciousness. This may not be unconnected with the fact that she’s been literally abandoned by the sponsor of the show, Nigerian Breweries PLC.
Unlike the past winners of the show, Azeezat Sadiq and Ukeje, this talented actress has enjoyed very little publicity.
Several months after she clinched the covetous award, she is yet to realize her dream of featuring in a big budget Nollywood movie as promised by the sponsor of the show.
Consequently, Bhaira is said to be attending virtually every public event without invitations, all in a bid to remain relevant in the industry. She is even said to be begging movie directors for roles now!
While Nigerians await the much- talked about movie that will star the hugely talented actress, it is hoped that the sponsor of the show will hearken to her call.

AMAA gives more insight into next year’s edition

by Chibueze Okereke
In a bid to ensure that the problems that affected the last editions of the annual African Movie Academy Award, AMAA do not occur again, the organisers of the event have called for a meeting to inform stakeholders of the event holding next year.
Speaking at the event, CEO, AMAA, Peace Fiberesima, said that the meeting was to proffer solution to the problems often encountered by invited guests at the event. She said the aim was to tackle the problems way ahead of the event scheduled to hold in April next year.
According to the CEO, many other initiatives are being put in place apart from the award to help practitioners in their field, but none of them take advantage of the scheme which she says comes almost free. "We launched the African Film Fund where we asked producers for proposals. Some of the proposals we got cannot even pass the first level of proposal appraisal by either the funders or the banks. Lots of people think proposal is just about synopsis and cost of your cast and that is it. But no, you need to give them a breakdown of what you will be doing. That is a producer’s job. A lot of producers don’t know that you have to include everything from the script to the directors, actors and the organisaing of the festivals"
She however, lamented the non-chalant attitude of some of the would-be-guests at the event, saying despite being invited to the meeting they failed to show up. Speaking at the event, Segun Arinze said there was no reason for AMAA to be sorry because according to him, such things happened everywhere round the world.
For Victor Okhai, movies entered for awards should go through the rigorous screening sessions in order to achieve the best results. Ralph Nwadike proposed the idea of AMAA sponsoring a movie of quality standard with the help of the Hollywood picking from the pool of directors and producers those to be in charge. The next meeting holds in Jos in a few weeks time.

Okey Bakassi explains new status

by Chibueze Okereke
Recently, at the grand reception held in honour of the Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, at the Niteshift Coliseum, popular actor and stand-up comedian, Okechukwu Anyegbulem McAnthony otherwise known as Okey Bakassi, was appointed as a special assistant to the governor on entertainment matters.
Since his appointment, however, many are still at a loss why the entertainer is still often seen in Lagos and not Imo state. But Bakassi has his reason: "You know that Imo State has the highest number of practitioners in Nollywood, from Kanayo O. Kanayo, Genevieve Nnaji to Rita Dominic and so many others spread across the music industry. Our aim is to develop a kind of attractive programmes that will bring these people back to their home state to do what they know how to do best, entertain. Besides, we also hope to bring some of the big names in the industry down to Imo State for different programmes that will help add more glamour and panache to the entertainment lifestyle of the generality of the state. So, my job is not to go and sit down in Imo and do nothing, but to generate ideas that will bring about a new revolution in entertainment for all our people."

D’banj, Tuface, 9ice, PSquare set Lagos on fire

 by Chibueze Okereke
A groove of a lifetime awaits residents of Lagos as MTV award- winning stars, Tuface Idibia and Dbanj, lead a galaxy of local and international stars to thrill at the Road to MAMA concert slated for Planet One Entertainment Centre, Maryland.
The show packaged to herald the maiden MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA), will feature other high-profile artistes such such as 9ice, Sasha, Naeto C and Ikechukwu. 9ice, D’Banj and Naeto C are nominees for the awards, with 9ice as Best Hip Hop and Best New Act nominee, D’Banj & Mo Hits All Stars as Best Male Artist of the Year and Best Live nominee and Naeto C as Best New Act nominee.
The awards proper will come up at The Velodrome, Abuja, on Saturday, November 22, and will be broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322, GTV), partner networks and terrestrial channels RTGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo), TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Kenya), AIT (Nigeria), STV (Nigeria), TBC (Tanzania) and WBS (Uganda) from November 29.
Expected in Nigeria for the Lagos concert is popular South African R&B singer, Loyiso, who was recipient of the MTN Metro FM Music Award for Best R&B Artist and the winner of the South African Music Award for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Album.

Stella Damasus-Aboderin to wed new hubby soon?

by Chibueze Okereke
If the gist making the rounds in the industry is anything to go by, popular actress, Stella Damasus- Aboderin, may soon walk down the aisle with her heartthrob of many years, Lanre.
Until recently, both Stella and Lanre had always denied reports about their love affair, but it appears they are now ready to confirm their secret desire to be husband and wife.
The two lovebirds reportedly had a formal introduction at Lanre’s house recently.
All efforts to speak with Stella on the latest development proved abortive as she refused to pick her calls.

30 Days released in America

by Chibueze Okereke
The much- talked about
Nollywood’s
blockbuster, 30 Days, has been released on DVD in America.
According to one of the producers of the movie, Mildred Okwo, 30 days, which was shot about two years ago, would be released in Nigerian markets soon. Already, not a few movie buffs, especially those who saw the preview in Lagos, have been calling for the release of the movie in Nigeria because of its thematic preoccupation.
The movie, which acts such big Nollywood’s stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Joke Jacobs, Segun Arinze, America-based actor and Chet Anekwe, is a satire. It condemns the present corrupt status of the Nigerian government and gives an insight into a revolution that may occur if the problem is not duly checked.