No unauthorised chieftaincy titles, says Ochidoma

THE paramount traditional ruler of Idoma, His Royal Highness Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa believes the culture and traditions of his people have come under considerable assault and has taken steps to check the trend.

Henceforth, the Ochi Idoma said, no socio-cultural organisation in his kingdom will be permitted to confer any chieftaincy titles on anyone either at home or anywhere else.

In a statement signed by the secretary of Idoma Area Traditional Council, Mr Joseph Ada and obtained by Newsextra, the king said no Idoma group or individual has powers to confer chieftaincy titles because it is the prerogative of the president and members of the Idoma Area Traditional Council in Otukpo, Benue State.

The Idoma Traditional Council also totally condemned the recent inauguration of the Ad’Idoma of Kaduna, in Kaduna State as well as all chieftaincy titles conferred during the ceremony.

The council warned that any Idoma man or woman who violated the declaration will be sanctioned.

The traditional council declared that the Ad’Idoma title should not be used by anyone without authorisation because it is sacred. Its holders are said to undergo certain rituals in accordance with the customs and traditions of Idoma people before they can adopt it.

Ernest gets busy

Ace cinematographer and head-honcho of Arts Temple Production, Ernest Ochayi Igah is now working round the clock. The reason Off the Stage gathered is unconnected to his preparation in order to hit the market shelves with his new chart-bursting flick Oyinbonobi (Black American) during this yuletide.
Recently in Otukpo, Off the Stage spotted the moviemaker running helter-skelter from one street to the other. When asked, the producer of first ever Idoma epic movie (Ochanya) affirmed that his production outfit is set to shock movie buffs with his new effort. Anyway, Oga Ernest, carry go, the Lord is your strength.

The Rise and Rise of Pamela Peters

Pamela in action

F-R: Abel Success, (whitee) Nkem Owoh and Pamela Peters

•Pamela on set with Nkem Owoh

This is indeed a cheering news for fans and true friends of Otukpo-born Nollywood thespian, Pamela Ochanya Peters. The dark-complexion budding actress who recently stormed the motion picture industry globally known as Nollywod is fast carving a niche for her self. As you are reading this piece, Pamela together with a Brazilian-based ace producer and director are working round the clock to hit the market shelves with a fascinating flick entitled Osofia in Brazil. From the stable of African Oasis Entertainment where is currently serving as the vice-president of the organization. For the Thomases, look up for our own Pamela on set with veteran and comic Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh (also known as Ukwa or Osofia). The movie according to her was shot in Enugu, Nigeria and Brazil respectively.
It would be recalled that Pemela, who is a Law Student was introduced into the industry sometime ago when she played the role of Omada in Moses Okpe's directed Ochaya. Also to her credit, Oyigebe directed by Dan Akpa, Ondu Aje and Ihotu directed by fast rising producer-cum actor, Godwin Ochola among many others. I agree with ace Journalist and president of Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria (MORGON) Mr Azuh Amatus who once said that "Idoma is the talents-based of the nation." In the absence of anything, we say ride on sister. We're behind you.

The Rise and Rise of Pa

our world

The man behind Mannex Film Academy

Johnson Agada is the CEO of Mannex Film Production, an outfit specialized in movie making and teaching located in Egbeda area on Lagos. Agada believes that to strengthen the discovery that says Average people of Idoma Community of Benue State of Nigeria North Central are talented and full of creativity, it is believed that the naturally endowed social attribute of an Idoman individual person could spell quality out, Chief Agada Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of MANEX Film Production, Chairman Manex Film Academy who came from this minority Ethnic group of Benue State of Nigeria, categorically point at the abounding talent and creativity in Idoma land as unbeatable if develop, Chief Johnson, Who is the National President Idoma Film Maker Association of Nigeria, hinted that discovery team in his Lagos' office recently, that the enormous creativity ability and talent naturally hoarding in Idomas and Nigerians is capable of shooting Nigeria Socio-economic into world standard, given emphasis on the importance of the urgency at taking this attractive opportunity of fixing theses talents in our locality in to a use and generate employments. He says all preparedness is in full cause at making moves stars out idoma land, likes other ethnic group of Nigeria who are already in to Stardom “We at Manex Film Academy and Manex Production are ready to make talented individuals from idoma land and any locality of Nigeria into Nollywood, our antecedent in making stars is there and we have discover genius and more are coming especially from Idoma Land and other locality of Nigeria, we are more equip ,develop and connected than before so Viewer should be expecting quality performance from our production , actors/actress “ Agada who's vast experience of eleven year have produce twenty six wave making Film to the delight of his fans across Nigeria and Africa, the six of the production are Idoma speaking sub-title in English while align the challenging of the industry he gave the Film regulatory of this country as a major problem that needs holistic intervention of government saying government present in the industry will check the issue of irregularity on the part of the marketers and producer and actors /actress will abide by the rules This Movies expert, Chief Agada Johson who have training stars at different levels, condemn out rightly the attitude of boycotting training and re-training in the industry in the name of talent “if professionalism can take its full cause in the industry the expectation of consumer will be diffidently be meet and all the prevalence trash products market will be no more “ He cited his past students as an example of perfection to emulate this includes the excellent performance of stars like Florence Patrick, Winni Lazarus, Sean Amada, Florence Igbinoba Grace Ogar and Amaka Osemene etc	Chief Agada Johnson (Mannex)
	Cross Section of Students
	Manex's Graduates now Stars

Africa Magic Idoma debuts soon

Africa Magic Idoma debuts soon

Moses Okpe unveils Ole

Veteran Nollywood actor and producer, Moses Okpe has released yet another blockbuster entitled Ole (My Village) into the market. According to the Ogbadibo-born Benue state filmmaker, the recently released movie was shot in Lagos, Jos and Otukpo in Benue states respectively.

Speaking on the multi-million naira effort, which features the boost of Nollywood stars like Ralph Onuh, Akumeh Akumeh, Tina Ofikwu, Ernest Igah, His Royal Highness Chief D E Enenche (Ad'Ogbadibo) and a host of other artistes from the Idoma entertainment terrain, Okpe said it tells a story of one Okpe Itodo (Ernest Igah) who lost his father at a very tender age, was admonished by his mother not to relate with any of his people because they are all evils, according to his mother (Tina Ofikwu) the demise of his father and two sisters were the hand work of his uncle (Peter Otulu). While the mother could no longer withstand the afflictions; she escaped with Okpe from the village. Some years latter Okpe became rich in Lagos and decided for run for the gubernatorial seat in the state. His hatred and anger toward his people cannot be over emphasized just and he sent one of brothers who pay him a visit packing, to an extent he tore a check of one million naira after discoering that a man was his village.

All said and done, the movie according to the producer will shock the movie market.

When asked how he managed to feature His Royal Highness Chief D Enenche, Okpe who also produced the first Idoma film disclosed that it wasn’t easy. His words “I could call it a privileged because its not easy to get such a man of high reputation, his presence in the movie was a boost to my ego. While expressing gratitude to Dickson Igoche, Fear God and the Okam Forum, Andy Eyaba and Godwin Okpe who equally made the dream a reality, he also believe that the Idoma industry will soon dominate the motion picture industry, globally known as Nollywood just as they are making waves in the music terrain.

...Storms location for Omenyi
Talents Voice Production in conjunction with His Stripe Production, under the directorship of Moses James Okpe (DGN/PGN) is ready to storm location for chartbuster entitled Omenyi the flick, according to the production team will be shot in Owukpa and Orkam in Benue State

What is wrong with Idoma Movie industry?

•Participants during the last Conference of Idoma Artistes (CIDA 2010) held in Otukpo

It is said that when a foolish bed perches on an anthills, it will detest all other creeping animals on earth. This is exactly what is wrong with the infant Idoma movie industry also known as National Association of Idoma Film Makers (NAIFM). It has been gathered that the just-yesterday ’s industry is suffering from inordinacy just as all members are claiming to be the president. The crisis, we gathered has climbed to a point that the house has been split into two.
Expressing his anger recently in Lagos, national president of the association Johnson Agada chided Moses Okpe of His Stripe Production for making the industry a playing ground, according to director of the Mannex Film Production "I'll really blame Okpe because he opened the secret behind movie production to everybody, now an okoda (motorcyclist) can wake up with just twenty (20,00) and start producing films, its unfair; its not professional at all." Speaking further, the multi -film-producer cum actor affirmed that anybody who wants to produce film should follow the right procedure hence nemesis awaits such person.
Trowing more light on it, ACG PRO to the industry regretted that his involvement into the industry was inspired by the love he has for his fatherland, noting that after giving them the necessary publications they industry could not even in turn appreciate him. Ameh who has written many articles on the of Idoma community disclosed that if they can not come together he'll rather resign and face hi journalism profession. "Yes, I've tried a lot but yet no appreciation, am highly disappointed, am afraid because if the house can not come together I'll will resign from whatever position am handling in the industry." He said
Okpe who admitted his mistake also promised to put everything under control.

If I may ask, is this the union they’ve been preaching?

TVP ready to debut with Omenyi

Talents Voice Production in conjuction with His Stripe Production, under the directorship ofMoses James Okpe (DGN/PGN) are ready to storm location for chartbuster entitled Omenyi the movie will be shot in Owukpa and Orkam in Benue State

Moses Okpe unveils Ole

Veteran Nollywood actor and producer, Moses Okpe has released yet another blockbuster entitled Ole (My Village) into the market. According to the Ogbadibo-born Benue state filmmaker, the recently released movie was shot in Lagos, Jos and Otukpo in Benue states respectively.

Speaking on the multi-million naira effort, which features the boost of Nollywood stars like Ralph Onuh, Akumeh Akumeh, Tina Ofikwu, Ernest Igah, His Royal Highness Chief D E Enenche (Ad'Ogbadibo) and a host of other artistes from the Idoma entertainment terrain, Okpe said it tells a story of one Okpe Itodo (Ernest Igah) who lost his father at a very tender age, was admonished by his mother not to relate with any of his people because they are all evils, according to his mother (Tina Ofikwu) the demise of his father and two sisters were the hand work of his uncle (Peter Otulu). While the mother could no longer withstand the afflictions; she escaped with Okpe from the village. Some years latter Okpe became rich in Lagos and decided for run for the gubernatorial seat in the state. His hatred and anger toward his people cannot be over emphasized just and he sent one of brothers who pay him a visit packing, to an extent he tore a check of one million naira after discoering that a man was his village.

All said and done, the movie according to the producer will shock the movie market.

When asked how he managed to feature His Royal Highness Chief D Enenche, Okpe who also produced the first Idoma film disclosed that it wasn’t easy. His words “I could call it a privileged because its not easy to get such a man of high reputation, his presence in the movie was a boost to my ego. While expressing gratitude to Dickson Igoche, Fear God and the Okam Forum, Andy Eyaba and Godwin Okpe who equally made the dream a reality, he also believe that the Idoma industry will soon dominate the motion picture industry, globally known as Nollywood just as they are making waves in the music terrain.

Behind 2face Idibia’s Implication

Even the mind that speaks at times finds it very difficult appreciating those things that it tends to present. Even the moment tends to forget at times its special quality and contents. Many music icons in this ever changing world have spoken to us via the music medium and their songs linger and echo in our memory, yet we have failed to look at the salient issues raised in the song. Many sing, making meanings out of life, preaching the gospel of change and hope, yet with little appreciation shown toward such act of patriotism born out of music which might be innate in them or made perfect through regular practice and rehearsals.

It is against this background that I respond in what I could simply call reasonable terms to the hit song ‘Implication’ by Innocent Idibia (2face). I respond to this song based on the declaration and the question he posed before all of us that he doesn’t know what he is singing right and whether we are still “feeling his lyrics as usual. “ I don’t know what I’m singing right now, tell me if you feel me right now, come to the dance floor… let’s get implicated together… ole..le” We would like to respond to his question by affirming that he knows what he is singing right now and we are all ready to join him in the dance floor to get implicated together in appreciation of his work….

The chorus goes thus;

ole le… ole le… ole jelo bunu le le,

ole gwa ole gwa ole jelobunu legwa- implication.

We would like to translate the above for universal acceptance and for the sake of clarity. Simply put, the chorus affirms that he ate, he ate and gave to his husband to eat, she drank, she drank and gave to her husband to drink- Implication. It then implies that through the eating and the drinking perpetuated by the wife, the entire family got implicated. Many have misconstrued the theme of this hit by 2face and just limiting it to religion, but this analysis will do justice to why one should look beyond the religious angle bearing in mind that 2face Idibia, one of the most celebrated artistes of our time has been able to kill two birds with one stone. He has just used the incident of Genesis to preach for sanity in our family and even the political environment.

If we analyze critically the biblical injunction of the Adam and Eve saga that has put us in this perpetual struggle and the penetration of evil into the lives of men, we will be quick to realize the need for sanity and harmony in our thinking, our dream and our general way of life. One would like to add that if Adam and Eve had sat to discuss, looked at the prone and cone of what the snake requested of them, the case would have been different today, but for the communication gap, we all live to regret their action today. The snake came to Eve, persuaded her against the will of God and she ate of the fruit even before consulting her husband. After she ate of the fruit which was termed forbidden by God, she became like the snake himself, she then possessed the power of trick and conviction wrapped in her charming and blemish appearance. Adam couldn’t have resisted her request, he could no longer reason with reason, he lost his sense of morality and all of them including you and I got implicated. 2FACE is not just looking at how Adam and Even got implicated to implicate us, he did not release this song to remind the Idoma nation of the importance of reviving an old abandoned Idoma chorus; rather, the song is simply a call to duty and harmony in the family and the political environment. It implies that whatever a man does in a house is capable of making or marring the whole family and vis- versa. A woman or a man who goes to steal and comes to the house at such an odd time with wonderful items in his or company deserves to be queried by the husband or the wife who must respond negatively to those things brought to the house. 2FACE has been able to establish that no matter the seal or the oath that binds a man and a woman, they should be watchful in order to identify those things that could impede the growth of the family. He has asserted, using the medium of this song that an agreement reached in a family must be seriously considered by the two parties involved so that none could just be lured into an act that could dampen the image of the whole family. The song was presented through the eye of a child who grew up in Idoma land. He is emphasizing on the need to adhere strictly to the harmonious existence of every Benue family and the oneness he has grown to know. He has been able to tell the world and the Benue people that whatever a man eats and gives to his family or his neighbor is capable of doing damage to all if it is not from a good source. Relatively, he has established that any man who has a stain of corruption on his cloth will transfer such to his family and this stain will continue.

The song has no doubt established that whatever that affects one individual in the home affects all, hence we should be careful with the way we join in a particular chorus initiated by a member in the family. (If you dey follow…follow make sure say your eye no go redaa…) The same is applicable to the entire nation. If as citizens of this great country, we continue to say yes to the leaders in whatever they do, in whatever request they make and whatever policy they initiate, we are bound to be implicated unknowingly. We might as well be cajoled into eating the forbidden fruit without putting up any kind of resistance like Adam in the Garden of Eden. 2FACE has emphasized on the importance of resistance to obnoxious laws and inequality that characterize our polity. Hence if one disobeys the Mother Nature, the natural laws found within the society, he is bound to face some kind of wahala.

”as I disobey my mother

I come dey get plenty wahala”….

He also emphasized on the need to be cautious with the way we are blinded into taking action without really looking at both sides; the follow- follow attitude is what he sings about here.

“As I follow the brother,

As he commit the disaster

Just because I dey there

I follow enter the yawa”

He emphasized again on the effect of the notion that if you can’t beat them, join them. 2face has clearly established that you must not always join them even if you can’t beat them.

“If you dey follow follow,

Open ur eyes and your mind

Make sure say ur eye no go redaaa…”

The song might though be a dance track as you can’t stop moving your head and your legs to the beat that moves even the motionless or still object, there is just more to the song than dancing… it is just more than hearing and dancing. It demands your total and absolute absorption or assimilation of the message so that these didactic themes of the song do not become passive or transient as days run into days and the hit of the song disappears for other new tracks from the same artist to find their ways into our CDs and Tapes. We disagree with 2face on his statement that he doesn’t know what he is singing right now. It is Ironical to say you don’t know what you sing yet your music is full of messages. I’m not surprised at the statement since I know that 2face is a man full verbal Irony while rolling out his lyrics.

Ordinary you and I will always think with so much prejudice that 2face doesn’t really make sense in his music and videos. The conception of such notion about Innocent Idibia is due principally to the appreciation of his songs with an everyday brain. You need to be sharp and literarily inclined while listening to Inno’s song. If you still doubt, dare to listen to this track objectively and relate it to life. It is only then that you will stand tall to affirm that this son of Idibia is exceptional in this large music industry. Na who wan try the heavy weight Champion?

WRITER: ADOYI ABAH ALI

08065759433

Idoma Artistes Award Night (IDAAN 2010)

You are all invited

Movie Review: Ochanya: Clash of the kingdoms

Ochanya: Battle for the princess

Movie Name: Ochanya

Producer: Arts Temple Production

Director: Moses Okpe

Rating: 78%

Is it not an abomination for a king to rape a woman, nay a slave?

Uncertainty, despair and confusion suddenly descend on the people of Iru and Ogbonoko kingdoms. The land could no longer experience their usual peace as confusion and mysteries became the order of the day. The quest for the solution to this abnormality became imperative when the two communities could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed. The gods later revealed that the panacea to the problem is to bring back the princess (Janet Odoh) who both kings (Isaac Ochedikwu and Peter Omale) had an affair with her mother, years back but was abandoned after noticing that she’s a slave. However, Inyamu (Ernest Igah) the great hunter who brought up the princess is not willing the release her.

The ensuring rivalry and betrayal between the two kingdoms over who will eventually take the princess became deadly when the battle line was drawn between them and the hunter.

Mistaken identity

But it is indeed an abomination for a king to rape a woman let alone a slave.

Poor plotting

Cross-scripting abound in the movie, as many viewers would find it difficult to grab the message portrayed in the movie, typographical and grammatical errors in the sub-titling would equally pose problems to none indigenes.

The good

The गुड थिंग about थिस फर्स्ट-ever epic movie is the costumes and make ups which bring out the real tradition of Idoma.

While people of Ogbonoko are warring to bring back their princess, the prince, St Godwin Ochola is madly falling in love with Eneh (Pamela Peters). The tendency for him to marry Eneh lies in his hands as the queen after his heart orders him to join his kinsmen at the war front

Kudos must be given to Moses Okpe and his production team for the job well-done. All the same the movie great

Great idea, bad plotting

Funny enough, the suspense-filled movie become boring at a spot where there is an unnecessary conversation between the actors.

Cross-scripting are abound in the movie, as many viewers would find it difficult to grab the message portray in the movie, typographical and grammatical errors would equally pose problems to none indigences in the area of subtitling

is would be observed that some of the casts act out of line on set, some actors like Kings, Frank are not endowed with characters' assimilation.

AHOPE announces nominees for IDAAN 2010

Talents Voice Production a division of Attah Home of Play and Entertainment (AHOPE) and organizers of the Idoma Artistes Award Night has announced nominees for what is tagged as IDAAN 2010. In a statement signed recently by Ejeh Endrance, Director Talents voice production, he said that IDAAN is created to promote and celebrate excellence indigenous film as well as set up supportive structures and networking opportunities for its filmmakers. Collectively, the nominated movies are a real representation of the African stories, rising from epic, romance, religion and moralities. Noting that IDAAN is set to recognizes filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, make-up artists and other film industry role players from Idomaland
“IDAAN is designed to support and appreciate the works of all performing artistes from Idoma Land.” See below for the full-list of the awardees.

Watch out!

Idoma youths dazzle in a new movie

Idoma land in Benue State is fast carving a niche as the birth place of several stars in the nation’s entertainment terrain. And having produced many popular artistes in the music industry like: Bongos Ikwue, Tuface Idibia, Blackface, TerryG and a host of others, they are now set to re-enact the same feat in the movie industry, globally known as Nollywood.

A group of highly focused and dedicated youths led by Daniel Akpa has painstakingly adapted, Ododo K’Ihotu, written by late Professor Armstrong Classe, for the screen. Ododo K’Ihotu, according to Akpa, who’s also its producer, tells the moving story of two brothers who fell in love with a princess.

The ensuing rivalry and betrayal between the blood brothers over who will eventually marry the princess became deadly when the gods decreed that the two brothers should go in search of the elusive and deadly rose of love in the evil forest.

Work had been completed on the suspense-filled movie that featured up and coming acts like: Jayzee Nwamadi, Susan Okpe, Ernest Igah, Rose Ogah, Isaac Ochedikwu, Victoria Onwu and others from the Idoma creative industry. From the stable of YAF Media, the forthcoming film, according to them would definitely promote the rich cultural heritage of Idoma land as well as train the youths and help them find good career paths in Nollywood.

On how the recently released movie is doing in the market, Akpa said: “The movie is doing well in Otukpo and its environs; it has even been to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and other West African countries.”
Akpa also thanked Young Alhaji and Adah Ameh for contributing immensely to the growth of entertainment in Idoma land. He also urged other popular Idoma artistes to come home and help groom the industry. “We are grooming artistes in Otukpo, and they are very good, in fact, they are wonderful people to work with…”

IDOMA MOVIES EXHIBITED @ CIDA 2010 IN OTUKPO

IHOTU BY ST. GODWIN

EHI BY EFTOWN ENT.

OKPIKWU BY GOLDEN SPOON (CHOKOLI)

OCHYANYA BY ERNEST IGAH.

OCHI-OGBU BY ST. GODWIN

Faces @ CIDA 2010

Daniel Akpa watches

Comrade delivering a keynote address

St. Godwin Ochola watches

Ogboji Abraham Ogboji making a speech

President AIMM making a speech during the event

President AIMM making a speech during the event

Dinner after the meeting

The Conference of Idoma Artistes (CIDA 2010) have come and gone but the memory still lingers in the heart of those that attended. The epoch-making event took place at the YAF precinct off Bongos Avenue, Otukpo and was presided by Ameh Comrade Godwin of the Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria (MORGON). In his speech, the national president of Association of Idoma Movie Makers (AIMM) Chief Ernest Igah of the Arts Temple Production call on all Idoma artistes to be hardworking and submissive to their calling, noting that "I don’t see possibility for the word “perfection” here on mother-earth, hence “improvement”. You cannot become perfect but you can improve even rapidly. It’s high time we started aiming at improvement and not perfection, because journey to perfection without proper organization leads to destruction. Criticism is the strength of any man; if you’ve not been criticized, beware that the tendency for you to relegate is broad. Speaking further, the veteran producer-cum-artistes affirmed that they still have a lot of holes to cover. "If we must conquer the world; we have to start for the root; we must remove this beam in our eye before looking into something else. Brothers in progresstainment lets make unity our watchword. In a keynote address entitled Idoma: The Way Forward delivered by Ameh Comrade Godwin of MORGON Lagos, he enjoied all entertainers from Idomaland to embrace the spirit of love and unity. "

I just want to use this short piece to preach the way forward as an ordained prophet by angry forefathers in the grave. It is written, “Pain is real when you get other people to believe in it. If no one believes in it but only you, then your pain would equally snowball into bewilderment, madness, lunacy or hysteria. I don’t know if anyone is feeling this pain in my heart.

The tour to the Promised Land has long begun and we could only achieve it if we are all ready to go on this journey together. Let’s march on, no one should be left behind, children, the youth and adults should join the train, let us go forward in order to achieve our dream, the dream of our long awaiting Apa state, the talents-based of the nation.

We should fear no wall of Jericho, thorns, obstructions and sharp stones that had been precluding us from crossing to the other side. Here comes the future, the past is tomb, while our future is in God’s womb. If we have made mistakes before, there is always another chance for us to bid farewell to the Egyptian wasps and scorpions. Lets rejuvenate this forgotten land in order for this malnutrition baby to suck the breast of her dear mum.

The good book stated it clearly: For everything there is a season, And a time for every matter under heaven … A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted… A time to break down, and a time to build up … A time for war, and a time for peace. We’ve been warring; its high time we settled for peace; we’ve been planting, lets wake to reap the fruit of our labour, we’ve long refrained from embrace, lets clings to each other for the betterment of our land and lay a good foundation for the unborn generation. Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible – kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family says veteran writer, George Eliot.

We should note that a traveler is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep. So knowledge of one culture should sharpen our ability to go on progressively.

O my dear fatherland! Why do we fail to see the doors opened before us? Is it because we often look so long and regretfully upon the closed-door sequel to our past misstep?
In this race to achieving our goal, we should learn how to accomplish great things, dream about greatness and not only plan, but also believe in ourselves.

Like Mother Teresa would say, “we have to keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints. Therefore let us be extremely patient with each other’s faults and failures.

Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.”
It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.
It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.
Today is the seedtime, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.
It is more important to know where we are going than to get there quickly without achieving anything. Do not mistake activity for achievement.

Idoma’oladam! It is high we achieved our dream, the achievement can only be actualized through collective efforts. James Baldwin once wrote, “ Nothing is forever fixed, the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, and the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, so, we are responsible for everything for them because we are the only witnesses they have.

The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the sea of shame, failure would engulf us and the light will go out.”
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, and a gift too. A man’s dreams are an index to his greatness.
In the course of this journey, we should beware of those ahead of us, because Ogbobu Okenwa, Ogbisi Wudrogu (If a frog in front falls into a pit, the one at the back should take caution)".

Ameh disclosed that awards should be enrolled to further consolidate the producers, awards such as:

i. Best Movie of the year

ii. Best epic movie

iii. Best didactic movie

iv. Best romance

v. Best religious movie

vi. Best comedy movie.

Also

i. Best actor

ii. Best actress

iii. Best producer

iv. Best director

v. Best writer

vi. Best screen player

vii. Youngest actor

viii. Best indigenous movie to mention.

"I therefore call on us to be hard working and dedicated to our calling. I pray that may our quest for the realization".

Present at the meeting were

Ernest O Igah

Patrick Oche

Bosco Production

St. Godwin Ochola

Obela Shedrack

Ogboji Abraham Ogboji

Austine Icheka

Daniel Akpa

James Ijachi

Gideon Ameh

Friday Ugwu

Aisha Virginia Idankpo

Justina Eyum Ezechukwu

Dororthy A Okoko

Ohepo Amedu

Ada Johnson Van

Evelyn Ekoja etc.

My Dancehall Bizness, how I discovered Tuface, by Blackface

Comrade And Blackky

Augustine Amedu popularly known as Blackface of the Plantashun Boiz fame is back on the block. The Benue State-born musician has made it known to all and sundry that the launch of his new album, billed for next Saturday in Lagos, is going to be the bomb. 

For sometime now, Ahmedu, who would now love to be referred to as Blackface Naija, has been a scarce commodity in the music scene, making tongues to wag that he has nothing more to offer and has thus gone underground. 


He also revealed for the first time the reason he went underground, why his new album is the bomb, his life with marijuana and on many more issues. It’s da bomb. Enjoy:

Growing up
Since I’ve been a kid, I have always listened to music as one of the things I found when I was growing up. I just followed it from there. I listened to a lot of people, so many singers from Bonny M to Sledge Sisters and Whispers. 

Then I decided to write my own music. Overtime, I started listening to hip hop, and people like Tupac, Nas, Methodman and Redman inspired me. Then I started listening to dancehall of Sizzler, Elephant man and also R&B. That is why when I bring out my music, it’s a whole lot of musical idioms.

Environment inspires me
I derive my inspiration from the environment generally. I have a new song on radio, Gen for my Head, as you are sitting down, you can hear the sound of generator. It is constant. We don’t need that noise to create. So, I keep asking myself, what is the reason for that generator on my head? Why? There must be something wrong and whatever is wrong, we have to put it right. But it is killing me. You never thought about it until I point it out to you. 

So, a musician has to be creative in his environment. The generator gives me a new sound, reasoning and melody. So, the environment basically is what I use to sing my song. If I am writing a love song, I must be feeling love and am married to the best woman in the world, and my woman gives me so much love in so many ways. I can write about it in several ways. And some friends are backbiters, that would give me another inspiration and some ladies would want to come and get your pulse and get out, I write about that also and some haters don’t want to see you, I write that also. What I see, I write about.

Dancehall Business
Before now I had an album, Me, My Music and I that has tracks like Erima, Ghetto girls, The Way You Move, and If You Leave Me. After that, I went on tour of Europe. I went to Switzerland and Italy. In Italy, I played in Modina and Torino. I also went to Palma de Mayoka and Malaga in Spain. This was one of the times that I was able to reach out to my fans in some other parts of the world. 

Right now, I’m back home and since December that I came back, I have gone back to the studio. I have finished the recording of my next album, Dancehall Business. I already have some singles out on the radio and people are feeling some of the sounds and I’m feeling some of them too. I know when the album comes up that’s when they are going to feel it more. I’m just like getting ready till I put the album out and the release date is March 27. From then, I’ll start showing the videos.

What to expect
Nigerians know what to expect because it’s got to be the next stage of Blackface Naija since they have been following me for sometime. When I came out with Ghetto Child, they were there for me, I dropped Evergreen and Jungle Fever, they were there for me. I went to Me, Music and I, my fans were still there for me. After that, I gave a two-year grace before I came out with the new album. So, you can imagine how long they can wait to get a hold of some lyrics from me. It was not deliberate but I was getting ready for them like they want to hear from me and I got caught up with the tour. The new album features some artistes like Spiderman, Rocksteady, Oti and Ruffman, among others.

I discovered Tuface
I am the CEO of Loudhouz Entertainment. I have discovered a lot of talents because it is not for me to tell you that I discovered this or that. And if I tell you that I discovered Tuface Idibia, you will say it’s a joke. Most of the songs that he rendered were songs that I created and most of the songs that he delivered are songs that I have decided that this was the way it got to go for this artiste. 

So, it’s just about me being the CEO and to know who’s good and who’s not but in between I still got myself as Blackface Naija. However, Tuface is my friend and brother. Sometimes you are closer to your friend more than your brother. Sometimes you are closer to your neighbour than your brother because your brother is not there but your neighbour is there, and he’s always asking you how you are doing. 

You can be close to your neighbour because he is talking to you more and you are both relating more. So being my friend, being my brother has got nothing to do with it. For me Tuface is a friend, he is my buddy and we’re just moving forward.

Re-uniting Platashun Boiz
The Platashun Boiz is a group that was formed by me. Tuface and I were the ones that said it’s cool to have somebody else in the group so as to bring out a different kind of opinion, a different kind of vibes. It’s possible to get together once more. I’ve been in the Plantashun business for a very long time. We’ve had times that we were supposed to be taking decisions together and we are not doing so because of distractions from different places. I remember all the works that I did for all the time we were together as Plantashun Boyz like building the group, writing the songs that the group sang, writing the songs that made the group famous. 

We never had videos but we have the sounds and that is the issue but then the video is very important. Now it’s time to get the videos done and nobody is sitting on the table, so what’s going on? I’ve been worried about that for too long and I don’t want to put my mind to it any more. So, I feel its time to do my thing. It is not that I do not have love for my brothers like Tuface and Faze but they are doing their own thing. They are the ones that have the big videos but it’s time for me to do my own thing. It’s time for me to kick start my career once again.

Celebrating 10 years in music
I have been in music for about 10 years. I don’t have to celebrate it because a lot of people have been celebrating it already. People that have my albums in their homes have been celebrating the fact that I’m still there to give them more. When we get corporate bodies that are trying to work with us, then we can showcase one or two things about ourselves. But for now, we are just getting the fan base ready. A lot of people have been doing music, enough respect for them, but we know that when the masquerade comes out, the vibe is going to be different.

Music then and now
When we started, we didn’t use to do like copycats, trying to copy somebody’s lyrics and all that. We used to create something new that if someone that is creative hears it he would know that it’s something done out lots of thinking. Right now, everybody just creates from what has been created. I got to spend sometime to create music that is mine and with a landmark that this is my song but everybody is just jumping into other people’s song, they jump into me, they jump into foreign artistes. You have to take your time as a musician to create. Nobody says you cannot dribble like Ronaldo but dribble like Ronaldo with your own style. Everybody wants to be Kaka and Gerald. But it’s better to be yourself.

Me and marijuana
Weed, marijuana, ganja, can you ask yourself a question? The most prominent people in the society do they smoke weed? If somebody as great as Malcolm X could make a change in the world so why do you think he shouldn’t. Asking me about marijuana is like asking why a footballer uses boot, because it is to prevent him from getting a bad foot. Both of us are under a building which can collapse now. Let’s just live and give praise to the Most High and stop asking ourselves questions like why are we watching TV. You drive in a car, there is hazard, you send your children to school, there is hazard, you go to your office, there’s hazard. We all live with the hazards of life.

On my dreadlocks
My dreadlocks are gone. I came back from Europe and couldn’t stand the heat. I had to cover my head all the time. My kids never really saw me without my dreadlocks. So, I guess it’s time to see what daddy looks like. It still doesn’t mean I am not a Rasta man, I am still one, I still believe in Jah. I believe that the only way to achieving good life is through revolution. I still believe in the teachings and projections of Emperor Haile Selasie.

I’m a sports freak
Aside music, I love sports. I love playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, handball and volleyball. I’m also a ballet dancer. Sport is just another part of me but I can only let people feel the music part of me.

Regrets
I don’t have any regret. The only regret you can have is when you have not achieved anything. I have achieved a lot that I can beat my chest and say thank God for this. Before, nobody knows me. I couldn’t have a reporter ask for my opinion but now they do. I couldn’t have people say hello to me in the streets but now they do. I didn’t have people ask me what’s up, what is the problem? Now they do, which means God has taken me to another level because of the talent He has given me.

My forthcoming album, by Blackface Naija

"The album I am going to release would be the best ever. The picture and presentation are fantastic, it is entitled Dancehall Business. I did it with some professionals in the music industry, it has some tracks such as, Wetin I go do, See them Hot, My Sherikoko among many others."

2face in a world of 'Implication'

2face berths

Tuface Idibia is a star! No matter what has happened, when you see 2Face and the fan reaction he gets wherever he goes, its obvious that the young man from Benue star is indeed a star.
Though his last album ‘ The Unstoppable‘ was not the megahit that many anticipated, the album still made an impact by delivering several hit singles including ‘Enter the Place’. The album also racked up some awards including at the recent MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs). Now 2Face is getting ready for the next step, a new album set to be released in 2010.
Here is a recently leaked song from his forthcoming album, the album is called ‘Implication’.
Catchy song, great to see 2Face infusing his native Idoma language into his music. Yes, the music industry belongs to us

Ododo K’Ihotu rules Idoma

•Daniel, The Producer

Having produced many wave-making artistes in the music industry, Idoma, the birthplace of stars like Tuface Idibia, Blackface, TerryG and others is indeed not ready to leave any stone unturned in producing more credible stars in the showbiz.
A story written by the late Professor Armstrong entitled Ododo K'Ihotu has been adapted for screen. Ododo K'Ihotu, according to the producer Daniel Akpa relays on two brothers (Oko & Onugbo) who fell in love with a princess. The quest for who would marry the princess became imperative when the gods decrees that the two brothers should go and search for the rose of love in the forest and whoever finds it, is the true suitor. The suspense-filled movie features the likes of Joseph , Jayzee Nwamadi, Susan Okpe, Ernest Igah Rose Ogah Isaac Ochedikwu, Victoria Onwu and among others. YAF Media, producer of the superlative film is highly determined to promote the rich cultural heritage, train the minds of the youth that find acting as a career in the nation.
Ask if the movie is doing well in the market, Akpa said, “The movie is wonderfully doing well in Otukpo and its environs it has even been to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and other West African countries.”
While thanking Young Alhaji and Adah Ameh who have been contributing immensely to the industry, He also urged other popular Idoma artistes to please come home and spice the sauce they are preparing in idoma land. His words, “\Well we are grooming artiste in Otukpo, and they are very good infact People like Jayzee Nwamadi kings, Susan Okpe, Ernest Igah, Isaac, Okoko Dorothy Aina, Justina Eyum Ezechukwu Godwin Ochola, Moses Okpe, Abrabram they wonderful people to work with, the amazing thing is about some Ibos that are fluent in speaking the language.