Art Imitating Life: When Love Hurts

‘He would do it again’, she said quietly.

They remained silent for a few seconds, staring into space. ‘I don’t think so’ she finally answered, ‘he has promised it would never happen again, he is very sorry, he has been apologizing ever since. We love each other, I know it wouldn’t happen again’.

Ngozi sighed, ‘they always say they would change, but they never do’, she goes on her knees, ‘please sister you can leave now, the bride price can be returned, its not too late sister’.

JUST MY 2 KOBO: WaZoBia

BY IPHIE OBIECHINA

Have you ever been amongst a group of people, when suddenly, the people who understand a common language switch to that language? They decide it is ok to ignore the language understood by everyone in the group, that common language usually being English. There is nothing as rude and annoying as switching to a language understood by a select few in the group.

Better Nigeria: Is Buhari The Change We Need?

By Iphie Obiechina 

CHANGE!!!

A word we have heard a lot of in this New Year, it has to be the Nigerian word for 2015, and we haven't even gone through the first month of the new year.

This word has become a slogan for the APC, it has been a word rolling on the lips of almost every Nigerian, whether old or young, but most especially the young Nigerians. Before I go into what my opinion on what change should really mean and what it has come to mean to the average voting Nigerian, I would first like to see what the dictionary defines the word change to mean.

The word change has a lot of meanings, but I would go with the ones closest to the meaning of the change we have been chanting about in Nigeria. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines change to mean ‘to make (something) radically different”,  ‘to replace one with another’, ‘to make a shift from one to another”. Going by these different meanings stated, change is simply the process of making something different from the norm, something different from what we are used to. In Nigeria, the word change has come to be associated with the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, in this light change can be taken to mean something or rather someone different from our present leader, His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Better Nigeria: Little Me, Powerful Me

By Iphie Obiechina

Everyday I see things that make me wonder if we are really interested in the change we are all clamouring for, more often than not it is the little thing we do, which we take for granted that makes me wonder. On Sunday morning while trying to get to church, I saw something that again caused me to wonder if we really want this change, I would need to give some background information to help you understand where I am coming from. If you are catholic, you know that this is the peak period for harvest and bazaar activities, and my church like any catholic church in Nigeria, is the middle of harvest activities. What this invariably means is that, masses that were ordinarily wrapped up in under 2 hours now have an additional 30 minutes added to it, automatically this means that people who are coming for the 8am and 10am masses get stuck in traffic while waiting for the earlier masses to be done, so the parking lot can be vacated by those who attended that mass.

JUST MY 2Kobo: HEY I AM NIGERIAN, DO YOU LIKE MY FAKE ACCENT?

BY IPHIE OBIECHINA

What is it with our actors and actresses, our TV presenters and our On Air Personalities (OAPs) and having a fake accent? Most of them just make sounds without communicating; my imaginary dog can do that

I listen to the radio a lot, especially when I am driving alone, I like to have the 'presence' of another person in the car with me, LOL, weird right? But I have had to buy a lot CDs because instead of listening to the fake accent all day, I prefer to listen to music. And it annoys me because there is this presenter I love so much, we share the same ideas on so many things but I just can't stand the fake accent. I also like to listen to the news as I drive, but I can’t do that anymore? I watch Nigerian movies sometimes just for the fun of laughing at their stupidity and it is the same thing everywhere; the fake accent just pains my ears.

Flight

By Adesuwa Iluobe

I woke up at exactly 3.45am. I confirmed the time on my phone and laid down again. I was to catch a 6.45am flight to Port Harcourt today, the cab man I had arranged the previous day to take me to the airport would soon come, I had asked him to come at 4.30am. He was always on time.

As I stepped into the bathtub, something hurt in my heart... it's true Yetunde is gone. I saw her face in my mind's eye. She died on Tuesday, I and my classmates were in shock. why would death choose such a calm, beautiful woman?

My eyes ached, because I did not sleep until 12.30am. Why? I was scared. In the past two weeks, Ella has lost her Dad, Bella lost her brother, Smart too just departed  and now Yetunde...these were all happening  to my friends/classmates...groomed in the same class at the University of Abuja for 6 years. Then we met again at law school. I was about flying to Port Harcourt?

Young and In Charge: Odachi Abah

Over the course of the last four weeks, we have met young people with an interest for acting; this has shown that Nollywood is an industry that has come to stay one that is providing jobs for the younger generation, one that keeps them away from crime and one that should be encouraged. Our young person of the week today followed her love for the theatre, but eventually her love for making people look beautiful took centre stage. What our young persons of these last four weeks have taught us is that, parents are becoming more and more supportive of dreams that were hitherto seen as unconventional, today we see our person of the week’s dad come up with the name for her company and even helps with the registration. The time to start working on your dream is now, it is never too late, today I proud to present our young person of the week, she is young, she is beautiful, she is brilliant, she is creative, she is the whole package, she is young and she is definitely in charge, she is Odachi Abah.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Ok… I’m Odachi Abah (#widegrin# at full name), a freelance makeup artist, I was born on the 25th of March in Zaria, a Christian from Benue state, Idoma by tribe. I’m the fifth of six kids to Steve and Alache Abah. My family is my everything and I am thankful for them every moment that I live. I love what I do and I’ll definitely want to get to the peak of my career. I love food (but have to work hard to keep my weight stable L), music, makeup, fashion. I smile a lot, laugh hard and say very little.

Young and In Charge: Zainab Idris

Parents are gradually becoming more accepting of careers that were hitherto seen as unserious and unprofessional, as we have seen with our recent YICs, parents of the YICs have given them the support and the platform needed to pursue their dreams, and where the support wasn't there at the beginning, they eventually gave in and supported the dreams of their children. Our YIC of the week, had the support of her parent from the get and has perfected her craft to the the point that she now teaches others the business, meet out inspiring young person of the week, Zainab Idris, makeup artist extraordinaire.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Zainab Idris, from Kogi State, I am Ebira to be precise. I am the third out of four children.

What was growing up like?

I come from a very large family, so I grew up having so many people around: cousins, aunts, uncles e.tc. That has taught me how to live amongst people. My parents have always taught us, my siblings and I, how to be independent and that has helped me in becoming who I am today.

Young and In Charge: Mary Chukwu

Its Nollywood season on Abj Loving, LOL, last week it was an actor and today we have an actress. Last week, our young person of the week had the support of his parents from the get go, but our young person for this week didn’t have such luck, but after obeying her parent’s wish for her, she still went ahead to pursue her dream and has eventually won them over. I have followed her work for sometime now, and I must admit she only goes for movies with a message, that in itself is admirable, coming from someone in a generation so obsessed with fame and fortune, its refreshing to see actresses who work strictly based on the quality and message contained in a script. She recently added the feather of directorship to her cap by directing my Church’s passion play, which I must say was beautiful. Meet our young person of the week; she is young, she is hardworking, she is brimming with inspiration, she is Mary Chukwu.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Mary Chukwu, I am also known as Preety MC, I am a very passionate actor and an NMA (Nigerian Movie Award) Nominee for best supporting Actress for my role in the movie Broken.

Young And In Charge: Olufemi Afolabi

It is not everyday you read about parents who are a hundred percent behind their children's dream to act from day one, especially not in Nigeria, the parents we had growing up would have spanked medical doctor or lawyer into you before you could even speak. Our YIC for the week, is a jack of many trades and master of all, he is an actor and an entrepreneur and actively combines these with a full time government job, meet Olufemi Afolabi, young, inspiring and in charge.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Afolabi Olufemi, I was born on the 14th of June in the late 70s. I'm the 1st of seven children.

What was growing up like for you?

I grew up with my parents, an averagely ok family, though we had our tough times but God has been faithful, my parents taught me the cold values of life and many more and they gave me freedom at an early age which has helped me so very much in my walk through life.

Tell us a little about your educational background. 

I have a diploma in International Relations and Trade Unionism from the University of Ibadan, I also have an OND and HND in Public Administration respectively from The Polytechnic of Ibadan and currently doing my masters in Public Administration(MPA) in the National Open University Nigeria in addition I also have a Diploma in Acting and filmmaking from the High Definition film Academy.

What inspired your sojourn into Nollywood?

My inspiration number 1 is God and the fact that I like to be seen,heard and I love to impact into people's lives and I've also got the gift.

How did you parents react to the news that you wanted to take up a profession that is not seen as a professional one in our part of the world?

Well I never had problems with my parents because they've always seen it in me, I've always been the one slowing down, they always say to me “Femi this is what you are cut out for, you are just wasting your time doing other things”.

Along side the acting, you are also an entrepreneur; tell us a little about that. Have you been able to mix all these with public administration?

Aside acting I am also an entrepreneur; I own a boutique and a clothing line called, A Styling Firm.

The grace of God I must say, its not been easy because acting is like a full time job on its own, sometimes you can be on location about three weeks or more, I really can't explain how I do it but God has been my help. I also have a government job added to the mix.

What has the experience been like, civil servant, acting and entrepreneurship?

Wonderful I must say, in life we learn everyday so in acting and entrepreneurship I get to meet people on daily base it gives me the opportunity to learn and I must tell you I'm a good learner.

Are there other hidden talents, which we should know about?

Yes, I sing, I write love poems.

What movies have you been in?

Scent of my desire, The Secret, Triangle, The Scam, Injured, Alpha Base, Complications, Pleasures of a Diva, Binding Duties, The Genius and so much more.

How do you handle the popularity that comes with being an actor? Do people treat you according to the role you play?

It's not been easy but God's grace is sufficient. Yes they do sometimes.

What challenges do you face as an actor and entrepreneur?

Mixing the two has been a bit difficult but thanks to God for the strength he has given me. I have people working under me so it has helped with the business aspect.

What do you love most about what you do?

The fact that I can make an impact in people’s life, the fact that people look at me and want to be like me, shows that I'm passing a positive message.

Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams?

NO

Who or what motivates you?

I have a truckload. They comprise of people I watch and people I listen to, you also can be my motivator/mentor you know. But I love Denzel Washington.

How does your typical day go?

I work in a Government Agency apart from any other thing I do, so I go to work first thing in the morning and later in the evening I go attend to any other thing, while most weekends I'm on location.

What do you like to do for fun?

Well I love enjoying myself, so I hang out with friends, loved ones. I love listening to music, and I love dancing, and eventually play my game when I'm at home in my free time, I play games like playstation, Xbox, name it, don't try me, I love games a lot.

You have a very powerful position, as part of the media, you help inform how people think, what decisions they make etc., how do you intend to bring about change with what you do?

There are a lot of people who are not comfortable with the position they are now, but what was preached to us while we were growing up was to be satisfied with where you are, but I will say this, "it is riskier not to take a risk", there is nothing wrong with been dissatisfied with the way you are, it's not about being greedy it's just about aspiring to be something better, so in other words I intend to change the scope of my fellow youths that if you "look inwards your gift will open doors for you"

With the level of success you have achieved, we are all itching to know how old you are.

I'm in my 30s

A word of advice to young Nigerians with dreams that they are yet to or are afraid to pursue.

I have a saying that goes thus that goes thus, just do it and leave the rest to God, there are sometimes acting just comes to me, just as if I'm acting in my approach to so many things, so to my fans and young Nigerians with dreams, don't be afraid, look inwards everyone has one talent or the other, look at that thing you do without stress and go for it, your gift will always make a way for you.

The media/entertainment industry seems to be to be a money spinner now, what is your take on the industry and what advice do you have for young people that wish to go into this sector and even for those already in it?

Rome wasn't built in a day, its a process, you can't get the cash immediately. No doubt there's a lot of money in entertainment, just be consistent and when the time comes you will be overwhelmed.

Where do you see yourself on a personal level, as an actor and as an entrepreneur in the next five years?

I see myself in the next five years as part of the A list actors and A list Entrepreneur

Femi can be reached through the following means:

Phone number-08035765461

Twitter- @afolfafolabi

Facebook- Olufemi Afolabi

Instagram- Ph6343