My wife is no flirt —Ekeinde, Omotola’s husband

Let me start first by saying that I am humbled by the popularity of this column, only six weeks after it made its debut. I am told, and this has been verified by random Google search, that this column has been culled and appropriated by practically every social media platform including leading bloggers all over the world.
One of such bloggers called me, to say she has been eagerly awaiting my column every Sunday, and updates on my blog, EkereteUdoh.com, so she would be the first to post my stories. I must say that I am flattered.
Last week, I published on this page, excerpts of an interview that Omotola Jalade Ekeinde granted my New York-based newspaper, The Diasporan Star, in December 2009, and also on my blog. The interview, though done some years ago, was still relevant. (the kind of interviews that have no time-limit or currency). The story has become a hit on social media and some other newspapers here. The popular blogger, BellaNaija, culled the story, and a day after, Omotola, through the same BellaNaija, denied ever granting the interview to Sunday Vanguard. She, however, did not deny that the said interview did take place and that some other excerpts of the same interview were published in The Diaspora Star, which she had read when it was first published.

My political lessons — Kenny Saint Best

Gospel artiste, Kenny Saint Best, who recently lost out in the All Progressive Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary elections to Folajimi Lai Mohammed has declared that she has learnt a lot in her new found romance with politics.

“The experience is that of inner strength. I got stronger because this was a new terrain, unlike entertainment that you have gotten so used to and you take everything for granted. I also got humbled. In entertainment, you have ego but in politics you dare not bring up that ego or you will be messed up” she told Potpourri

What growing up in the slum taught me — Ruth Kadiri

Ruth Kadiri is one of the fast rising actresses cum scriptwriters you would love to meet some day. Soft-spoken, easy-going and highly articulate Ruth has built for herself a name that may get the likes of Geneiveve and Omotola going green with envy in no distant future. The Edo State born actress who debuted as an actress in “Sincerity”, a movie that she also wrote, in recent times, has upped the ante. She opened up on her relationship, lessons she has learnt as an actress, childhood experiences and other interesting revelations.
What lessons have you learned as an actress?
Ruth-Kadiri-1I have learned to be patient. I have also learned to understand that our destinies are different. More so, I have realized that not everybody would appreciate your style, or understand where you are coming from .All you need as an actor is to be focused. It’s easy to get distracted, or follow the trend. But if you have a style and you are able to stick to it, as long as  you know that you are doing the right thing, you will surely get to your promised land.
Who is that director you can’t wait to work with?

Many awards for Bob Manuel-Udokwu

Veteran Nollywood actor and Governor Obaino of Anambra’s Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment industry, Bob Manuel Udokwu may have lost his intent to represent his people of Idemili North Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly in the 2015 elections but he still has good fortunes coming his way. Just days ago the gangling actor bagged the Karifest award for Best of Nollywood Actors, to add to his collection of awards this year.

Speaking to Potpourri, the anchor for Gulder Ultimate Search reality TV show said that would be his third award this December alone. The two others received this December are Excellence/Man of Honour Award by National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu Old Boys Association and Award of Recognition as Outstanding Figure & Role Model for the Youths by Anambra State Students Association, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

There may be sequel to 30 Days in Atlanta —AY

Ace Comedian,  Ayo Makun also known as AY has revealed that his wave-making movie 30 Days In Atlanta cost him a lot financially. The movie which clinched the comedy movie of the year at the Best of Nollywood awards has been getting a lot of rave reviews.
In an exclusive chat with Potpourri, the entertainment entrepreneur said: “I am satisfied with how well 30 Days In Atlanta is doing. The people who have seen it are already asking for a sequel. Trust me, if the demands continue, we will go for it. I will be very honest  I only pictured and anticipated  it doing well. I only wished, but seeing it happen is a different ball game. I will say categorically that I didn’t know it will be this successful. It cost a lot of money and relationships to put the movie together. As a matter of fact, I am not good with mentioning figures. It cost a lot of money to put 30 days in Atlanta together”.

Seyi Hunter returns with Indecent Assault

Seyi Hunter is one budding actress who continues to reinvent her brand and walk the path less travelled. The sexy Industrial and labour relations graduate recently unveiled her new movie titled Indecent Assault.
Seyi-Hunter-Pix-2On the motive behind becoming a movie producer, she disclosed that she likes the fact that a story can be taken from nothing into something people can learn from. “This is my first movie as a producer. I think I am going to go into movie production fully. I like the fact that you have to take something from nothing and create something people can learn from” she said
“Indecent Assault is a story about sex, betrayal, greed and hate. It’s a story that paints beautifully the picture of how far human beings can go to meet their self-centered desires” she added

Jaywon, Sound Sultan, others for Music Africa Beach Splash

Eleko beach in Lagos will play host to Music Africa Beach Splash on the 21st of December 2014 at the Chaka Beach Resorts. In the spirit of the yuletide, Oritsefemi, Jaywon, Sound Sultan, Patoraking, Ketchup, Young Greyc and a host of others will add colour to the event.
Speaking on the purpose of the event, Phillip Trimnell, Managing Director of Music Africa said: ”The Music Africa  Beach Splash is a colourful concert that will feature some of the best music stars in Nigeria who have performed and created impact in the Nigerian music industry till date.”
Lolo1 and Ogbolor are the comperes for the day, while  DJ humility and DJ Bobbi will be on the wheels of steel. Senator and  Funny Bone are also billed to add humour to the event.

‘More blood is being shed in Nigeria’, says Pope Francis

Pope Francis issued a strident call in his Christmas day message to safeguard children who are victims “under our very eyes” of violence and trafficking, while also demanding an end to “brutal persecution” worldwide.
Killings and hostage-takings from the Middle East to Nigeria and elsewhere must stop, he said in his annual Christmas “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) message.
Denouncing conflicts in Ukraine and Libya, and noting last week’s deadly attack against a school in Pakistan, the pontiff also lamented the thousands of victims of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
“Truly there are so many tears this Christmas,” he said.
Delivering his second Christmas blessing, the popular Argentine pontiff, visibly moved and departing from his text, noted “the children massacred by bombardments, including where the son of God was born” and their “powerless silence that cries under the sword.”
Denouncing “indifference”, he explicitly condemned abortion, deploring the children “killed before seeing the light”.

Police stop #BringBackOurGirls protest in Abuja

Policemen yesterday, disrupted,  the  protest organized by  #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG,  movement as they distributed  fliers to motorists to remind them of the plight of the 219 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.
The policemen numbering about 20 barricaded the Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja with their vehicles at the junction to the  Presidential Villa, a move that enraged some of the activists.

Internet banking to break Christmas day records

Christmas Day online shoppers were predicted to set a new spending record splashing out an estimated £636m on Thursday.

Shoppers were expected to make 142 million visits to retail sites – a 25 per cent increase over last year.

Sky News reported that research by Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG found Britons would spend around £441,000 a minute.

“The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself,” said Experian general manager of consumer insight Giles Longhurst.

Dominic Trigg, managing director for Europe of digital advertising technology company Rocket Fuel, said, “Shopping online on Christmas Day is now a normal part of UK consumers’ holiday experiences every year.

“It is clear that UK consumers now see shopping from the comfort of their own home, following Christmas Day dinner, as much of a tradition as a turkey and ham dinner.”