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Ifeoma Nnubia is one lady who knows and does the right application at the right time. That obviously gave her the gracious look.

Ifeoma Nnubia hails from Ozoubulu in Anambra State and studied Public Adminstration, Management Sciences at the Lagos State University (LASU). She spoke with KATE HALIM of The Sun about her private life, admiration forthe late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, style and marriage.

Are you married?

I am not, yes, I intend to get married someday. Every woman wants a man who will share her high and low moments with her. I personally will love and respect a man who fears God and sees himself as a human being who is bound to make mistakes, correct them and move on without dwelling on it.

Pressure

Not at all. Even in the Bible there is time for everythng. God has the master plan. I might think I am ready now, but in God’s diary, He knows if I am ready or not. He makes all things beautiful at His time.

Love for Gani Fawehinmi

I had always wanted to be a lawyer. I used to admire them a lot as a child. Again, I love to stand for justice at all times and fight for people who are oppressed. Gani Fawehinmi was and will remain my mentor. If I was a lawyer, I would have been a human rights activist. I could not go in for Law because I had problem with my literature in my WAEC. Though I have have plans of getting a Master’s degree in Law somday.

I also love to be a consultant. My job as apersonal assistant requires my candid opinion on issues which I give with so much satisfaction. I do not intend to stop at this level. I will further my education because I want to be a special adviser to someone in governmet. I think that will be a way of contributing my own quota.

Advice to youths

Life itself is a challenge and sometimes tough. Gone are the days when women are proud to call themselves housewives. Over time I have to work and earn an honest living.
I do not like women who wallow in self pity and living at the mercy of others because their partner died or can no longer play active financial roles in their lives. Life should not be like that. God created us all with hands and legs, wonderful brains to make somathing out of nothing. There is absolutely no reason why women should not be proactive. Whatever support we get from our men we should thank God for that.

The path of success is never tough, we keep digging untill we find gold. Let us put hope and faith in all we do. Be focused and the result will definitely come.

Growing up

I grew up in the East, Enugu precisely. I attended Queen’s School, Enugu, where I spent the better part of my childhood days. Growing up was fun, I was in boarding school, but a lot of time, I went over to spend time with my cousins. It was always a full house.

How do you maintain your body?

I go to the gym once in a while because my working hours are tough. Sometimes I go on light diets, but mostly I watch what I eat as most members of my family are on the plump side.

Favourable fashion piece

Every woman loves fashionable items. You might not have all or have every possible piece. Some prefer clothes, some shoes and handbags. I personally love to look good, and smell good at all times. So my fashion piece will be nicely fitted clothes and nice smelling perfumes.

Present work

I work as personal assistant and secretary to the managing director of BJAY’s hotel. Got the job when a friend told me there was vacancy at the hotel. I applied and got the job.

Assisting rural women

Rural women have diverse problems. Some need financial empowerment, some need guidance, some need someone who can talk to someone who can release something for them. Every empowerment does not entail money. Even some just need a little push while mere teaching can go a long way to see some through.

So it all depends on what that rural woman needs at that point in time. If I come across anyone I can assist in anyway, I will be glad and willing to do it immediately. Putting smile on the face of someone who is in dare need of help is one thing I live for. I hate it when someone I am honest with turns back and stabs me in the back or decides to be dishonest with me. I also hate to put my best in pursuit of something good and get bad and unfavourable result.

SOURCE: The Sun

The Horn of Valour.

Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) VI – 2009 Edition has been announced.

This year’s competition is titled The Horn of Valour.

Your are all invited to register for the competition.

Follow the link : Gulder Ultimate Search VI to register.

The closing date for online Registration is 11th of JUNE, 2009.

RUSH NOW & REGISTER

All the Best in this years competition.

In this interview with Reporter Gbenga Bada, she talks about her achievements, memories of her late husband, the many controversies and her new areas of concern.

With your constant visits to the Lagoon Restaurant and judging from the fact that it used to be a place you and your late husband are fond of, what memories come to your mind, and do you still miss him?

Of course I miss him dearly. I still miss even my younger brother who died in 1991, let alone my hubby. Don’t let anybody deceive you that time will heal it; it’s all lies. I still miss him and I dearly do but what I do is turn the memories into the good one and bask in the euphoria rather than tearing myself apart by taking it negatively. I have come to love the Lagoon restaurant. The fact that he died there does not change anything. 0I have turned those painful memories into the best of its kind and I bask in the euphoria of the good memories. You see, my husband used to be friends with many of the Lebanese in Lagoon and I have come to love the place that even when I feel like relaxing, I just come over to the place with my friends and we chat and after relaxing, I leave the hangout for home. So, it’s just the ability of one to turn those good memories into a positive force that spurs you on rather than one that makes you cry. But that time heals the loss, is all lies. I still miss my late hubby dearly. One has to move on and that is what I have done and Jaiye lives in my memory.

What was the greatest lesson you learnt from your late husband which you still use today?

That the most important thing in life is life itself! We seem to run after the wrong things but my happiness is that I was with a man who showed me love, taught me the meaning of love and how to appreciate people at all times. And for me, the association of people around me is very important to me though a lot of people take this for granted because of the situation of the country and they don’t get to see and bond with the people they love most. The greatest thing he taught me is appreciating the people you love and cherish most. These lessons are still my watchword till today even after his death. He taught me never to make people make me who they want me to be but to be who I really want to be. Most importantly, he taught me to hold God as the most important factor in life.

You still look ravishing at 31 and after two kids; do men still hit on you?

Well, thank you for the compliment. That has been happening long before now. The fact that I am Stella Damasus has been one thing that has seen many men hitting on me. It’s being there since my childhood days and because I am fair skinned, they have always been around me. They still hit on me even after I became a mother of two. But what can I do? It’s just normal for men to hit on you as a lady and a fair one at that, let alone being on their television screens all the time. It’s normal.

Are there chances of you getting remarried anytime soon?

Well, chances you just said, and that is golden. Human beings cannot determine chances; God has predicted it and only God would determine that. I’m leaving everything in the hands of God as He has determined my fate and knows why I am where I am and why these things happened with me in the centre.

How has life been as a single mother?

It’s being very challenging and you learn everyday. Sometime ago, it would have been a lot easier and better as a single mother, who wasn’t married than a widow cum single mother. It’s not easy to change your lifestyle and make all the decisions yourself, but I always thank God that I married the kind of man that I married. You find out that 80 per cent of the things I do and get are as a result of my late husband’s goodwill. Not because of his wealth or fame but because of the goodwill and reputation and relationship he built with many people over the years before his death. He was a good man and I do not say that because I’m his wife but because it’s just what it is. In a nutshell, it’s another ball game entirely but God has been my pillar of support.

You are no doubt one of the most controversial Nigerian actresses. Would you say you court controversy or people just create one over anything that has to do with you?

Sincerely, I don’t know. For me, I’m not a loud person and I’m not one of those that enjoy attracting publicity to every little thing that they do. You will find out that if I attend any function where I am not working or doing master of ceremony duties, I am always at the back enjoying myself without drawing any attention to myself. If you ask me why people are always talking, writing or wanting to read about me, I would honestly tell you I don’t know because I feel after all these years, I should have become a none issue. But I find out that every little thing I do attracts so much attention and people still want to read. I don’t know the reason for this. As such, I have decided to turn it into something good and to my advantage and I am hoping on this to help me take my programmes to greater heights and be loved just as they love reading about me. But sincerely speaking, I don’t like it. I would rather be happier being listed among 10 best Nigerian female entrepreneurs.

Do these controversies still get to you?

Well, some still do, but most times I get used to it. The most embarrassing one that really got to me recently is the Obat story. I wasn’t down because I felt it was untrue but felt bad because I was hoping I could get a PR job from the firm for an offshoot of my company. Immediately it came out, the people have refused to get back to me. One funny part is that I met with the management of Obat Petroleum and not the owner himself. I can’t tell you what the man really looks like as it is. One other thing that makes these things get to me are my kids, especially my first child, whose eyes are so sharp that she reads everything and anything that has her mother’s pictures on it. The reactions they get from their mates and all that are some of the things that make these things get to me. Aside that, I am used to it.

Why did you start up the Stella Damasus Archives Production outfit?

I have always wanted to do my own thing. Though I started out as an actress learning from other people and the best hands, my ultimate goal has always been to produce my own thing the way I wanted to do it. My vision is to make a statement and change a lot of things and try to add some quality to what we have at hand with the things that I have learnt. So, throughout the period I was learning from the masters, I was also going to school, to get more knowledge and now I know I have gotten to a point that even though I am going to work with other people, I want to start doing my thing because I have realised that it’s not wise to just sit down and criticise other people.

How prepared are you for the task ahead?

I believe I am more than ready and the Nigerian entertainment industry, maybe this is because I am a graduate. I’m not just an actress but an entertainer as well because it’s not all about graduating but also being able to effectively handle the equipments and more. So, I think I’m more than ready to start off but at the same time, you cannot do everything all by yourself because there is a division of specialisation in the duties of each and everyone in the team. So, basically what I do is manage these people and their talents with my knowledge to get a good result.

Are you sure your good grade at the University of Lagos was not a result of favouritism by lecturers?

No, it’s not. In fact, it wasn’t an easy thing for us. The only thing was that the lecturers understood our schedules but aside that, they won’t condone your missing classes or not submitting your assignments or not comporting yourself in the lecture halls. They purposely watch out for you to see if you are going to let stardom get into your head and they are ever ready to deal with you. Femi Brainard and Emeka Oguns were my classmates and they can testify to that. Things that other students would do and go scot-free, we were not able to and as such we got everything we got as a result of our effectiveness and strict academic performance and not favouritism or any other thing. I won’t say I’m extremely brilliant but I know I was good enough to merit my result.

So, what is the Stella Damasus Archives (SDA) Productions all about?

You see SDA is a project that has been in existence for over seven years. It’s a dream that I have long nurtured but is coming into fruition now. I have always nurtured the idea of owning the biggest one-stop entertainment outfit and when I registered the company I included everything in entertainment, television, radio and even print. I wanted a company that could really project the face of Nigeria and tell other people who we really are. It would be involved in the production of reality shows with our own vision, things and styles but of international standard and would be accepted worldwide because the world is now a global village where you do things and consider the effects on others. Something that would affect the lives of other people especially Nigerians all over the world. I have had the opportunity of meeting people all around as a result of several trips outside the country, on the Internet, in school and even during my Nollywood productions. Though I still intend to go back to school to get more of the other things I need.

Who are the major or targeted audience of these programmes and television contents you intend providing?

Our programmes are targeted at the people of the world with more focus on the people of Nigeria. They are not only women-oriented but treat issues that cut across everybody. The truth is that there are a lot of issues surrounding us which many Nigerian women are unable to speak out. One of the programmes, Sisters, is targeted at the female folks alone. A lot of people keep saying the women need to be given a chance in the government. But I say you don’t need to be in government to make that needed change. As a woman, worker, housewife, entrepreneur or whatever, I strongly believe your voice can be heard. Aside that, there are programmes for children, men, style and many more. My idea is to provide something that catches your fancy whoever you are. Many don’t believe in these things I am explaining and they say, ‘Stella, you are a big dreamer.’ But I look at them and say, ‘yes I can, I would do it and I am going to do it because I have already started doing it.’

We are set to go but all we need and are working on right now are marketers and sponsors to invest in these programmes and get it all started. I have continually gathered content and I was thinking I would kick off in the first quarter of this year but I am no longer going to do that. It took me several years to start this good thing and I don’t want to come out and make people say, ‘oh is this all she was bragging about? It’s just one of the regulars.’

I believe if I gather more content from now till March and do my groundwork, by the second quarter, the programme would be set to go.

What is to be expected of your show?

Mine is not like a talk show or anything that has to do with studio audience like many have expected. Though a lot of people I have been working with have been saying it might get to that point but I am saying that mine is not a talk show because most of the things I am doing are experiential show and not a reality TV show or what is obtainable in the normal talk show. Most of the time I will be talking to people and the audience would be experiencing people through me. They would feel, see and experience all that I am experiencing. So, it’s not a talk show for me, it’s something that has been in me and would be experienced by the Nigerian viewing audience and others all over the world.

What are the immediate challenges?

The challenges are enormous but we thank God. The first is that of harnessing all the people and resources together to get the company to kick off. I used to think it was easy getting a programme done, but I have since realised that it isn’t easy getting many things done even the smallest of all things needs lot of reasoning and consideration to get it done. However, the greatest challenge is financing this project. I mean, as huge as it is, you have to do a lot of marketing works and convincing to make sponsors take to it.

It is believed that if your late husband were to be alive, your musical career would have blossomed better than it is now. How true is this?

When he was around, we both concentrated on his album and the band, which he floated, we didn’t focus on my music career because I just have the voice and at that time, he was the one that knew more about show business. I only concentrated on my acting career and this was because I strongly believed if you didn’t know about something, you don’t need to go into it because everybody is going into it, but he did and all I did was sing with him. I didn’t understand the business like he did because it is more than just singing, it involves more. It is easy doing a track or two or shooting a video in South Africa, which I can, but after that what next? I’m taking my time so as to go into it when the time is right because I don’t want to juggle too many things together. My husband and I registered one record label that he wanted to come out on and that one is still there but I want this to pick up so that when I come out with my own music people would know that I know and understand what I am venturing into. The only thing I can do is probably a single or a four track album, which will be intended solely to inspire people and not commercial since I am not ready to handle that at the moment. I’m not just ready yet.

You have been spotted at several places and hangouts singing after your husband’s death. Why this when you know you are not ready?

The thing is there is a big difference between a performing artiste and a recording artiste. Dede Mabiaku is a performing artiste and has remained so, performing at several occasions but has still not released an album. Maybe, when it’s time he would. For me, I have always loved playing with the band, I love the band and we felt we needed a regular hangout but after becoming a mother I felt it was time I slowed down and I perform at hangouts but I had to take my children into consideration, my lifestyle changed. For a performer, all you do is attend the function, play for few hours and off you go but for a recording artiste, it’s much more than that. It comes with a lot of responsibilities, which I am not ready for.

How do you cope with your kids, who are fast growing up?

First of all I thank and give praise to my God. God knows why I have those children, God knows why I am a single parent and God knows why He has put all these business and ideas into my head. One thing many people don’t know is that I have a priority list, which takes me through everyday. My scale of preference and important things are held in high esteem. Once I am able to spend quality time with my children and most importantly get involved in their lives and this includes their school works and other things because I know that I have to take care of them and always give them the best. I don’t see what I do as work because it is something I am passionate about. I don’t feel it when I work; rather I take the care and nurturing of my children very important. Because I know I can’t do it alone, I designate people to do one or two things for me in my line of duty, but for my children, I get directly involved.

SOURCE: Independent Online

Why do you want to bring Buster Ryhmes to Nigeria?

It is a fact that when Buster Rymes performed in Lagos the other time, his performance was outstanding. I can confirm to you that there was no dull moment. He is somebody with so many hits. Everybody was asking for more. Actually we had it in mind to work with Akon, but we realised that Akon will suit a place like Bayelsa, but that is not now. There is a difference between Buster Rymes and Akon. Buster Rymes will be able to communicate better at this show. We went on a tour in East Africa and people were asking us to tell them about the situation in the Niger Delta. They always ask us what we are doing about the problems in the Niger Delta. It is really disturbing. It is not like what you people see on TV. Out there, they believe that once any white person arrives at the airport, kidnappers will pick him up.

Are there no chances that this foreign artiste could walk away without performing, like Anita Baker did in Nigeria recently?

I don’t think so. I am not ready to tell you what we have in the contract, but I tell you, Buster Rhymes is coming to Asaba, Delta State by the end of this month. There is a TV footage where he publicly said he was coming to Nigeria. If he doesn’t come, his own credibility will be at stake. Each time we perform outside the country, we always make sure we do a TV footage where we announce publicly that we would be coming to that country.

Apart from Buster Ryhmes, which other artistes will be performing?

We have Timaya, AY, Alaye from the UK, Black Solo and 2shotz.

You guys are popular. But don’t you think the N5,000 fee will be too much for people who would want to come for the show?

If it is taking place in Lagos, we will be talking of N20,000. The last time we had a P Square concert in Asaba, we made it N3,000 and the crowd was too much. I am talking about the concert that we had before the release of our current album. Now, we believe that if we make it the same thing, the crowd will be uncontrollable. With Buster Ryme, we are trying to control the crowd by charging N5000. We know the show is for everybody, but the fees will help us to check the turnout.

Are you guys not thinking of doing a ‘collabo’ with other foreign artistes?

Why not? That is the dream of every artiste. There are so many questions surrounding the idea of a collabo between P Square and other artistes. We don’t do our own things the way people go about theirs. We don’t begin to make noise without first doing our homework.

Do you think your current album is as successful as the last one?

Why not? I remember that we toured eight countries in Africa with the Get Squared album. But with the Game Over album, we have been to these countries back-to-back, and an extra nine. The only place left for us to conquer are the four northern African countries: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. By the time we play in these countries, we are done with Africa.

How was the acceptance at the places you have been to?

Apart from acceptance, and I am not blabbing, I can confidently tell you that we are the biggest in Africa. You see, everybody says Nigeria is big, but nobody knows what is happening outside.

So, the show is an opportunity to give back to the society?

Exactly. It is not that we are doing a charity show or something like that, but to at least make people come together and let them know that what is happening is affecting the image of the country outside.

How many copies of your current album have been sold?

In Nigeria, people don?t believe in paying royalty. What we do is a kind of projection: ‘Okay, since the last one sold seven million plus, this one is projected to sell 10 million…’ What we do is that we strike a deal in Nigeria, go to Ghana and strike another deal, then to Gabon, Liberia, Tanzania, Uganda. Here in Nigeria, we have Tjoe, in Ghana, we have another person. In every country, there are different people we work with. What we did for the album in Nigeria was that we calculated how much 10 million copies was worth and the marketer paid us straight away. That is how we do our business. That is why you can never hear any story anywhere that P-Square is ‘dragging’ anything with any marketer. The album sold a million copies in four days; that is the audio. But the surprising part of it is that the day we released the video, the guy printed just 1.5 million copies and sold all the same day. That is Nigeria.

How come people read suggestive meanings to the lyrics of Do Me?

We are asked the same question not only here in Nigeria but in other places. But we know that when we say, ‘do me and I do you’ in Nigeria, it means tit for tat. The explanation we give is that in Nigeria, there is what we call do me and I do you, God no go vex. It is not suggestive at all.

In the Do Me video, you have a crowd of girls. Yet I learnt the video was not shot in Nigeria. How did you come about such a crowd outside Nigeria?

You see, when we wanted to do the video in South Africa, we met different agencies who came with different albums of the girls they had. We then decided to take ten girls from each agency. But what happened was that, immediately the girls heard that P-Square was in town for the video project, they all wanted to feature in it. We said we would pay those that we selected and told the agencies that the rest was their business. That was why the video looks very crowded. But it was nice.

I never thought you could speak so well, considering the fact that you didn’t finish your education before you became famous?

Yeah, I was in school then, at the University of Abuja. But at the same time, we were battling with parents who wanted us to finish school before doing music. God made things possible for us, because if at the end we hadn’t made it, we would have had ourselves to blame. We give God all the glory, because as soon as we finished school, within two weeks, we started achieving our dreams.

Does your fame seem overwhelming at times?

It happens often; not here in Nigeria, but outside. We have just returned from a concert in East Africa, and it is amazing that even Jay-Z and other artistes that had been to the place did not get a quarter of the crowd that we got. I would play the video for you guys before you leave. The reason we decided to take Soundcity along with us was, so that when we talk, there would be proof. For the first time, you are going to see a DVD of P Square’s tour covering 19 countries in Africa, excluding Nigeria. And it is going to be like five minutes of each country. You will see how we live outside Nigeria and how we are accepted. You see, some people are big in Nigeria but they are not known outside. I can tell you that apart from Tuface, no other person is as popular in these countries as P Square, I am not trying to be immodest.

Are you satisfied with the height you have attained or are you still aiming higher?

No, we are not satisfied. It is not all about making money at shows. We are supposed to be making more money from sales. We don?t do proper packaging here. In Tanzania and Kenya, a CD is sold for $7, whereas in Nigeria, it is less than a dollar. But you see, in Nigeria, we sell more because of population. That is the difference. If we can sell over there what we sell in Nigeria, forget it. We are trying to do things according to international standards for Nigerians to know that there is no difference between us and Jay-Z or any other person outside. People tend to do whatever P Square is doing, like the good video. What we keep kicking against is bringing in foreign artistes and paying them a lot of money. What stops you from bringing in about five artistes and pairing each of them with five local artistes? Put it in the contracts of those guys; they will accept it. That is what we want to prove; you can bring in an artiste and still be in charge of the artiste.

Apart from natural talent, what else do you owe your success to?

It is our brother, Jude, who is our manager. He has studied the industry. He knows everything that goes on in the industry. Jude is a very strict disciplinarian. You cannot say you want to go to the club. You can’t try it. You don’t go anywhere here without two or three people asking you what you are going there to do and why another person cannot go for you. That is how we live. There is serious discipline in this house. You don’t see people trooping in here anyhow; it is not possible.

Why is he doing that?

He is more mature and he knows more about the industry. He knows that people are watching. You hear that somebody went to the club and fought and all that, Jude doesn’t allow that. He says whatever you want to do, do it at home. You want to drink? Drink here. You want to go crazy, do it here. You want to play music and make noise, do it here; not anywhere else.

Do you have other siblings?

We do, but we are the last boys in the family. We have an elder sister and the last girl.

How would you describe the family?

It is strong and loving. There is nothing they do in the family without contacting Peter and Paul. Like the house we are planning to build, they made like three sketches and everybody agreed that whatever Peter and Paul said would be the final.

Do you disagree or argue with your twin brother?

It is a normal thing. But, you see, we only do that when we are at home. We don’t go outside and misbehave. Sometimes in the house, we argue and disagree, especially when we are working on a project. That is why inside the house, we are Peter and Paul, but outside the gates, we are P Square.

But outside, you don?t normally dress the same way or wear the same hairstyle?

There was a time Peter was dating a twin and her twin sister expected me to date her, but I didn’t like that. Later, I began to create a different appearance. He cut his hair and I grew dreadlocks. He goes to the gym, but I don?t. I just want that difference between Peter and Paul. That was why Peter was more in the papers; that he was seen with this girl or with that girl. At least, people will not have difficulty in identifying who they see. Whenever something goes wrong, I want people to be able to identify who was involved: is it the one that has (well built) body or the one with the dreadlocks? I just want people to know the difference between Peter and Paul when it comes to looks.

Your mum appears more visible than your dad. What happened?

Our mum is more visible because of the nature of the job she does. She is more of a public person too because she is a preacher; she has a ministry. But my dad is not. My dad does not like anything that has to do with publicity. But my mum controls people. She speaks in public and people listen to her.

If you have a mother who is a gospel person, why have you not considered doing gospel music?

Yeah, there is something you do and God has His own way. There is something my mum always says, ‘Look, God is giving you guys this opportunity because He is preparing you for something.’ I might not know. Maybe she knows. What I know is that I am doing music to make people happy. I don’t preach sex. I want people to leave their bad ways and think about something positive. We are supporting her in her work and she is there praying for us.

Despite the beautiful picture you painted, there are still some scandals trailing P Square?

That is why we have Peter and we have Paul. No scandal can follow me. I am not saying I am perfect. There are people who cannot control stardom; especially my twin brother, he has that stardom ‘thing’ in him. At times, he loses it, but our manager tries as much as possible to let him realise the implications.

What of this story that you were robbed recently in Cameroun?

Nothing like that happened. We are going to Cameroun for the first time, next week. We just came back from Sierra Leone. If you say we were mobbed, I would agree. We were treated as big stars in the country where a big crowd came out to welcome us, old and young. There was a serious traffic to the extent that the police had to release some shots into the air. We were not robbed but mobbed.

How do you handle girls who would want to get attached to you by all means?

One way or the other, we make them realise that we have our own girlfriends. But I don’t think that is working any more. When you tell them you have a girlfriend, that is when they come even harder, believing they can compete and win. The one that is happening now, which is worse, is that when we are performing, about six or seven girls will be showing us their underwears. It is no longer funny. There are different ways girls try to attract us, but I wish they understand that we too are human. We have our own differences and our life. But we appreciate them, because we cannot do without them.

Are you currently dating someone?

Yeah, I am dating. I have been dating the same person since I was in school.

You are still seeing the same person?

Why not? It gives me the opportunity to remain focused and in control. If you have a girlfriend, no matter the pressure from others, you are somehow stabilised.

Can you tell us her name?

I am not afraid to say it; her name is Anita.

Is she a known person?

No, she is not in the public.

You don’t appear arrogant like people think P Square is?

That is what we are saying. In life, it is not everybody that likes you, no matter what you do. There are some people who would want to pull you down or spoil your name. I keep telling people that it is when you come close to us that you know the type of people we are. We even advise fellow artistes. You know there are some who you can predict where they are at a particular time, especially clubs or joints; we don’t do that. We don’t shout outside because of where we grew up, in Jos, which is a very quiet place where everyone minds their business.

You are here talking to us as a perfect gentleman and yet you go wild on stage. Do you take stuff to do that?

This is Paul sitting. It is P Square that is on stage. That is what happens. I don’t take stuff. What happens is that we love performing and dancing. The reason why people misbehave outside is that they don’t separate their private lives from their public lives. We get on stage and go crazy, but after that, we are normal. We get on stage and see no one in particular.

The other time I spoke with your mum, she expressed confidence that you would still come back to work for God?

Mum always believes that I am going to become a pastor, but that is too late now. She knows, however, that what we are doing is a positive thing for humanity.

What more should we expect from P Square?

We are working on our packaging. There is something in Nigeria, which we don’t see whenever we go outside. We only say we are giants but we are not organised. Outside Nigeria, no radio or television station will play my song without paying me royalty. You could crosscheck that on the computer. Do you think NTA will pay me for playing my song? Imagine some companies using my songs to launch their products without striking a deal with me.

Where do you see yourself and Anita in a few years?

I don’t know. Only God can decide that.

P SQUARE : Do ME

SOURCE: The Punch

Related Links:

P SQUARE at NMA 2008

Ever since Mercy Johnson came into limelight about four years ago after staring in the movie ‘The Maid’, life, as they say it, has never been the same for her. The ordinary girl with a dream, as she likes to call herself, is now big; in fact beyond the shores of Nigeria. Just before she added yet another year to her age Thursday, Mercy spoke with SAMUEL OLATUNJI on her life and about the appellation – sexiest actress in Nollywood.

People refer to you as the sexiest actress in Nollywood. Do you actually think you are?

No! Every woman is sexy in her own way. I’ll just say I’m okay.

What defines a sexy woman?

I think being sexy is not all about beauty. It’s not about exposing yourself unnecessarily. Being sexy is a personal thing. It’s what a particular person portrays in everything she does. Someone might have a sexy way of talking, or a sexy way of appealing to people. A woman appeals to people in different ways. Being sexy in itself is large. You can’t quantify it.

How is it with you and negative report?

For sometime now, it’s really been frustrating. I guess some people are really trying to frustrate me. But I think it’s just a small price to pay for what I get. It’s a little price to pay for everything I get as Mercy Johnson. The negative side is alarming and heart-breaking, but the positive side still carries much weight.

Is it also true that you cut your hair to further portray the much-talked-about sexy looks?

The movie I did for Desmond Elliot was the major reason I cut my hair. It was strictly for the movie.

People call you rave of the moment in the movie industry. How does it feel to carry that tag?

The industry is just too wide for competition. It is a place people come in and keep coming in and your footprint is still there. It’s extremely large. You just can’t have all the fans. You can be the hottest thing happening but you can’t be everything to everybody. Everybody has his or her fans. I’ll say I’m doing well, but not the rave of the moment.

How often do you go on location?

Every week. I’m on set every week. But I’m taking a break for now, so I can look fresh before I travel.

Where are you traveling to?

I’m going on tour of the whole of Europe to meet my fans.

That is a lot of money for you, isn’t it?

God is good (laughs)!

Would you have still been fulfilled if you weren’t an actress?

I think it takes more than luck to make the right choice. I believe in faith and redemption and I believe in myself. It’s not about being an actress. I said earlier that if I wasn’t an actress. I would have loved presenting. I think I still would have been fulfilled because fulfillment is just about doing the right thing well and getting to the apex of your assignment.

Are you in any relationship now?

Mmm… yes!

Between your relationship and your career, which comes first?

It will be my relationship.

So your relationship can cause you to stop being an actress?

There are certain stages you get to and you take some things more seriously. We’re not in the western world. This is Africa, and this is an environment where you need to regard people more than accomplishment. And when I say relationship, I don’t mean boyfriend and girlfriend relationship alone. It means that if I get married today, my marriage comes first. My relationship comes before my career. But right now it is your seriousness that gets you to that point. It’s just like you’re asking me which is going to be more important between my kids and my work; it’s going to be my kids.

Is your boyfriend not complaining about media reports on you?

He complains once in a while because you people can actually split a home atimes. He complains and we quarrel once in a while about some write-up he reads. But, above all, he understands.

With your busy schedule, does that mean it’s a good-bye to Lagos State University (LASU)?

No, I am not saying good-bye to LASU.

So, what’s going to happen to LASU?

I’m still schooling, though it’s not been easy at all.

But I learnt you deferred your study, how true?

Yes, but I’m going to resume fully next session.

Are you sure you will have time to be serious in school?

Yes, I’m going to be serious.

I read recently that you had a carry-over or some problems with lecturers in school. What actually went wrong?

It’s normal for a student to have problem in school, I don’t know why people keep writing unnecessary things. I don’t know why my own should be so obvious. Why can’t they report good things that I do? It’s only the bad things that happen that they get to say.

What does love mean to you?

Love is respect. Love is commitment. Love is being there when it matters most. Love is putting your loved ones first. It’s sacred.

What does your boyfriend do?

He’s not really a press person. He is abroad.

Why is everybody dating someone abroad, are we guys here not up to the task?

It’s not about you selecting people, it’s about the person that comes to you and flows with you. You can’t go for what doesn’t want you; you go for what wants you.

For how long have you been dating?

Almost three years now.

How does he feel when he hears about your stuffs that are supposed to be under wraps being discussed in public?

Sometimes he calls me and says guess where I am and I would say work. He’ll then say people are talking about your hips. But most times we just laugh over it.

How often do you guys see?

We see very often. Whenever I travel, we see. Whenever he’s around, we see. He’s usually around; he’s even around at the moment because of my birthday which is on the 28th of August.

How old will you be then?

Why would you want me to tell you that? So that in ten years, you people can say she’s going to be sixty.

For how long have you been in Nollywood?

Let me say four to five years.

Who introduced you to Nollywood?

A very good friend of mine, his name is Oscar Ray.

Which was your first movie?

The title of my first movie is The Maid.

Is acting all you want to do?

No, acting is not all I want to do. I have lots of things I want to do. I really love to do something that’ll enable me give back to society that has given me the chance and has made me somebody. I was just a little girl with nothing but a dream. So, every time I see girls that are in my former condition, it really make me wants to reach out.

Have you ever had a nasty encounter with a fan?

One happened at a parking lot when I was traveling to Benin. I had gone to the car to pick up my things. While I was doing that, someone just bumped on me and was like, ‘Oh! I like your films, and can I get a hug’. And then I consented. But to my utmost amazement the guy kissed me.

I wish I was in the guy’s shoes (general laughter). So what happened after the kiss?

Well, I was extremely surprised and just had to let go.

What can you say about the rumour of you and Rukky Sanda fighting over D’banj?

I don’t really know what to say about that. I’ve never met D’banj before and don’t even know what he looks like. And I don’t know Rukky.

Your boyfriend is in Spain and you’re in Nigeria. What do you do those times you need that irresistible romantic touch?

We speak a lot on phone and we’re extremely close despite the distance.

Can telephone conversations substitute for the real thing?

Yeah! Closeness in any form, as long as you talk all the time. Communication makes you feel closer.

What happens to sexual temptation?

(Laughs). What’s the meaning of that? Common, Fimi sile jo (please leave me alone).

What do you do when you’re tempted?

I’m never tempted at all.

Even a saint like me gets tempted sometimes.
You never told me you’re a saint, Samuel.

What was it like the first time you were in bed with a man?

No comment (laughs)!

Source: The Sun News Online

Emeka Mba

As part of efforts to make the newly inaugurated distribution policy popular, Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), recently paid a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of The Sun Publishing Limited, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.

Mba, during his visit, spoke on a wide range of issues, especially the controversial framework distribution policy, his challenges at the board, how he intends moving the motion picture industry forward and many more.

Why NFVCB is visiting The Sun
The SUN has deepened the newspaper business in Nigeria. Of all the papers that I have seen, yours is the only one that has helped and engaged the people and I really want to congratulate the management and staff for doing an excellent job and I pray that the paper will continue to do a lot more. The NFVCB is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications.

Essentially, the board was set up by an act in 1993, as a regulatory agency for the film and video industry in Nigeria. As our name implies, we do the censorship of films, classification of films as well as licensing of cinemas, retailers, exhibitors among many others. We are about 15 years old. Part of our visit is to begin a new phase with the management and staff of The SUN and also to thank you for your media support since inception. You have helped in the promotion of our issues and courses and have also challenged us especially when you feel we are not getting it right sometimes.

We have been in Lagos for a few days now and visiting media houses. We are here to explain some of the programmes and initiatives of the board, especially in the last three years, since I joined the board. Chief of this initiative is the Nigeria, In The Movies Project, which actually seeks to promote a lot more responsibility in film making by our filmmakers. We believe that the idea of censorship in a digital age is an uphill task. And without the active participation of filmmakers and the citizenry, it would be impossible for us to make progress. It’s also aimed at creating a channel of empowerment for people within the industry and also help give it structure. Also to help lend our efforts to the fight against piracy and generally promote the cause of good society through what we do at the Censors Board. We have also launched the media literacy programme. We have also launched the Nollywood Interactive with NACA, to fight the dreaded HIV/AIDS.

We want to promote ideals that are beneficial to the industry, using our film industry. We believe that the media, which the film industry is a central part of, can help reshape and redefine and also help change our attitudes as a people. We need the media to become an active player in the growth of our nation. And The SUN being one of the most influential papers in the market of mass media, it would be a big plus for us to join it in this initiative. We will cherish the relationship that we will begin to build from this day.

State’s Censors Boards
Under the current constitution that we operate, censorship is on the concurrent list, meaning that both state and federal government can operate simultaneously. It’s an issue that is quite worrisome to the industry. At the moment, there are issues going on in Kano State. The same constitution also says that states should remain in abeyance, when there is a clash with the federal. We are seeking to get a judicial interpretation from the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

The National Assembly has also waded in. We believe we are not a federal film agency, but a national one. We also have zonal offices within the six-geo political zones. We have also set up zonal consultative groups, for stakeholders within that group to participate in our activities. Our offices are in Kano, Onitsha, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Bauchi and Jos and of course, Abuja. Hopefully, with the review of the constitution that we are looking forward to, we will be able to clarify the mode of operation. Its a fight for all of us in the media and creative industry.

Censorship in a Democracy
We are preaching the idea of responsibility now. If one is trained as a film maker and has the higher sense of responsibility, it’s much more likely that he would produce good films. Very soon, our role would be centered on classification and providing the information for people to make decisions. Today, there is no US film that would not reflect the country’s national flag. That’s not censorship, but responsibility and professionalism. Meanwhile, children now have more access to the Internet and there is porno and others. I agree that the word censorship is almost obnoxious, but there has to be regulation. The better word should be regulation not censorship.

Censors Board and Pornography
I must confess that part of our responsibilities is to deal with the issue of pornography. It is also an issue for the wider society to tackle. Over the last three years, we have actually had what we call the National Anti- Pornography Task Force. We have also taken a more strategic stand in dealing with major producers and suppliers of pornographic materials. Our surveillance teams are currently working. We will soon begin an anti pornography campaign. We are also soliciting the help of the media in this direction.

This is why we insisted that everyone, who is retailing films in Nigeria, must be covered, we must know who you are, where you operate and where you get your supply from. The law or act on this issue is clear. We are currently creating the database of the operators. This year alone, we have arrested more than 30 persons and some of them are still standing trials. Its a big challenge and all of us at the board are determined to continue unbent. Though, we can’t work effectively without structure, we are happy that the number of those who are complying with the framework is now greater than those who have not. The doors are still open and the forms are available in all our offices.

Why some Marketers Refused to Register
It is not popular among marketers who have been milking the system. And they also will lose out now that we are democratizing the system. Several marketers have registered, OJ and Ulzee, are among them. For championing this noble cause, I have received several threat text messages.

Big Brother Controversy
Every agency of government has its turf. The Big Brother show is under the National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC). If the content were to come in the form of a tape, VCD or package, it would then fall within our jurisdiction. It’s an interesting issue and NBC is on top of it, they have set conditions for the organizers.

Net worth of Nollywood
It is difficult to speak on any form of accuracy on the net worth of the industry. I can give what we considered to be the estimates; based on what Leke Alder did, using the economic stimulus index. Probably, a statistical analysis of between 250 and 300 million dollars on an annual basis. We are currently doing the baseline survey of the Nigerian entertainment and creative industry in collaboration with HITV. This will help us make an informed investment decision. We have told all marketers to engage lawyers and accountants for the benefit of their businesses, but they are kicking against it. We have also told them to get insurance cover for their creative works, so that it can be valued. This can even help them access loans from the banks. We are also not fighting anybody. We believe in lifting people. We are not out to chase anybody out. This form is online and accessible any where, because the train is moving very fast.

Going back to the Cinemas
All these things point to the perception of a very disorganized film industry. People are afraid to make investment decisions.
They are scared of making elevated investments. There has to be confidence in the environment. It costs a lot making celluloid films and it also requires a lot. We are recording and not yet filming in the industry. What our producers do now is what I call point and shoot.

Censoring a Movie
We look at essentially five thematic materials whenever a film is submitted for censorship, mainly in the areas of context and impact. We censor sex, nudity, violence, drugs and imitable techniques. But the key is context and how the movies impact on the audience. The officers are trained to follow these criteria. And a filmmaker that is not satisfied with our decisions can appeal. some of our responsibilities are training and empowerment, thus bridging the ignorance gap. We need to have more informed and properly trained filmmakers; if we must maintain our position in the global film hierarchy, otherwise we will be a laughing stock. For example, rituals in movies have dropped. We are also organizing script workshops with professionals being invited.

The Way forward
I will speak in terms of my expectations, in the sense that we look forward to a better-structured industry within the next year. We would also begin to see better movies, a lot more investments in the industry. Even the people currently agitating, I expect that they would soon realize the benefits of what they are fighting. Remember when Soludo started the banking reforms, those who kicked against it are now reaping bountifully today and also celebrating and giving him awards everywhere.

Source: The Sun News Online

Biography:

Pieter Hugo was born in 1976 and grew up in Cape Town. He underwent a two-year residency in 2002-3 at Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. He has held solo exhibitions at Michael Stevenson in Cape Town; Yossi Milo, New York; Extraspazio, Rome; the Museum of Modern Art, Rome; Fabrica Features, Lisbon; Bertrand & Gruner, Geneva; Stephen Cohen, Los Angeles; and Warren Siebrits, Johannesburg. Recent group exhibitions include An Atlas of Events at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon (2007); Faccia A Faccia: Il nouvo ritratto fotografico at FORMA, Centro Internazionale di Fotografia, Milan (2007); the 27th São Paulo Bienal (2006); and Street: Behind the cliché at Witte de With, Rotterdam (2006). Hugo was included on ReGeneration: 50 Photographers of Tomorrow, 2005-2025 (Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne, and Aperture, New York), an exhibition identifying 50 young photographers who will be considered great by 2025, accompanied by a book published by Thames & Hudson. He won first prize in the Portraits section of the 2006 World Press Photo competition, and was the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art 2007.

Nollywood Project:

In his new body of work, Pieter Hugo explores the multi layered reality of the Nigerian film industry. Nollywood is, surprisingly, the third largest film industry in the world, releasing onto the market between 500 and 1 000 movies each year.

Nollywood produces movies on its own terms, telling stories that appeal to and reflect the lives of its public: it is a rare instance of self-representation in Africa. The continent has a rich tradition of story-telling that has been expressed abundantly through oral and written fiction, but has never been conveyed through the mass media before. Stars are local actors; plots confront the public with familiar situations of romance, comedy, witchcraft, bribery, prostitution. The narrative is over dramatic, deprived of happy endings, tragic. The aesthetic is loud, violent, excessive; nothing is said, everything is shouted.

Pieter Hugo’s Nollywood Series:

Dike Ngube and Gold Gabriel. Enugu, Nigeria, 2008

Gabazzini Zuo. Enugu, Nigeria, 2008

Chris Nkulo and Patience Umeh. Enugu, Nigeria, 2008

Chommy Choko Eli, Florence Owanta, Kelechi Anwuacha. Enugu, Nigeria, 2008

Tarry King Ibizu, Uche Echa, Edeh Emmanuel Ozoemena, Ifanyi Ololo, Ifechukwude Ben,
Ehiedu Kelly Nduka. Enugu, Nigeria, 2008

MORE on Pieter Hugo @ Michael Stevenson