THE NEW ISSUE OF EXQUISITE MAGAZINE IS COMING OUT SOON, AND GUESS WHO'S ON IT......

It's one our own...Kate henshaw Nuttal and it's comin out on the 8th of July..so go get yours.

INI EDO GETTING MARRIED HER LOVER, PHILIP.

News has it dat Iniobong Edo is finally gettin married to Philip, her lover who is based in America.The wedding is said to be in september and the engagement in August.

Well, I am wishing her the best and yeah...enjoy yourself gial.

SORRY IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

Hello, how are you all doing.I have been soo busy with stuff dat I had to leave blogging for a while and am really really sorry...but am back now nd I intend to give you all the fool gist about Nollywood and any other gist I av.So enjoy....

AM SOOO SORRY PIPL.

LAST INTERVIEW WITH LATE COMEDIAN ABAGANA

He died unfortunately on 24th January, 2008 a few hours to his birthday. He was said to have complained of coughing and he drove himself to the hospital only to give up the ghost. Abagana needs no introduction as a humorist. Born Kenneth Chibuzor Ajaoku, the fast rising stand-up comedian has carved a niche for himself over the years with his unique style. In this interview the Enugu born comedian spoke on his background, how he started, his source jokes, his adopted stage name, his secret wedding and other issues.

Excerpts: 

BACKGROUND
I was born on January 25th in the 70s to the family of Ajaoku. I attended Okonna Primary School, Enugu. I later proceeded to Urban Boys’ Secondary School Enugu.
Presently I am studying Business Administration at Lagos State University. I am the last born from a family of six children. I have four sisters and an elder brother. I could remember we had a serious training from our parents especially our mum, Nwakaego Ajaoku who taught us to be humble and respect all. My father is late, he died in 1982. My mum now resides in Enugu.

STARTUP
I was determined from my childhood to be a comedian. Ironically, my mother did not like the idea of any of her kids to either be an actor, musician or comedian.
The society had a pariah view of these set of people. Within myself I realized I have some comic traits but I did not imagine it would be my source of livelihood.
As a young man I came down to Lagos for greener pasture. I met Julius Agwu who used to be a good friend. After some time he introduced into the act of
comedy. We both attended shows and events together. He encouraged me to discover the God-given talent in me as a comedian. Julius is my mentor.

ABAGANA
The name Abagana is the name of my village in Anambra State. It was during a talent hunt show which I participated in. Instead of calling my name the judges referred to me as “the man from Abagana”. Since then I have adopted the name as my stage name. I love the name and my folks are proud of the name.

JOKES
I crack my jokes based on what is happening in the society. I do what I call environmental jokes. To me Nigerians and non-Nigerians who are resident in the
country should be aware of a lot of issues such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity and other issues which the average Nigerian family has to contend with.
My presentations of these issues will are euphemistic but I will always drive home my points. In my view, a stand-up comedian should be creative enough to pass an
apparent message across to his or her audience. The way I do my jokes are such that I express myself and people laugh about them. For instance, I may pick any body and say, Oh boy your shirt nice shirt but if you see the original you go like am o! and the show would go on. I do jokes based on reality and things around me. There is no basis for a good comedian to recycle jokes of other comedians.

FIRST DAY ON STAGE
My brother e don tey small but e no easy that day. The show was at Abuja, I was to perform alongside Alli Baba, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu and Basket Mouth. I
rehearsed every minute. When I got on stage I noticed I was sweating profusely. To my own amazement my performance that day was the peak of the show. I got
a standing ovation for my performance.

GETTING SERIOUS
I don’t know how to get serious again because if I get serious I will stop making money. I think I would rather resign as a comedian if I want to be serious. But in everything I do I see myself as a serious person. Before I got married I told my wife I would marry her. Her response was “You have started again. How many babes you wan marry?” But I was serious.

I’D HAVE BEEN ROADSIDE MECHANIC OR VULCANIZER
If I had not become a professional comedian, I would have become a roadside mechanic or vulcanized. Those are other professions I would have taken up that would have given the same popularity because I would have taken up a unique life style.

I PREFER TO BE A COMEDIAN
I enjoy what I do and God has been merciful to me since I started as comedian. Aside that, I have loving a mother who prays constantly for her children. I have
this thought that keeps bothering me; I imagine when my baby grows up and she would ask me what I do for a living. She may say, “Daddy where are you going?” If I reply her that I am going to the office. She may say, “But daddy one of my classmates called me and told me my daddy’s office is on the stage.” I would tell her to shut up. Where ever my office is, I feed you, take care of you and pay your school fees.

MY SECRET WEDDING 
I deliberately had secret wedding last December with Angela, the woman I love so much. The reason for my secret wedding has to do with the fact that personally
I don’t believe the society wedding will determine the success of my marital life. Moreover the more the wedding is publicised the more likely it may have challenges. I thank God the wedlock was blessed with a beautiful baby girl on 4th April, 2007. Her name is I’M blessed.

SHOWS
I annually organize a show known as Laughter Chapters. We are planning the 4th Chapter or edition next August. I also have a show known as ‘Bia a chia’, an Ibo comedy show which simply means come and laugh. The essence of this is to have a different look at comedy. I also do shows like Gospel According to Comedy, Lafta Fiesta and other shows with my colleagues. 

PIRACY
This is a menace to everyone. To me what remains is for us to buying NTA Network news reports on CD at one hundred and fifty naira. The government should see it as a national problem. 

IN LAGOS, I DRESS HOT, IN KANO I DRESS RESPONSIBLY –HALIMA ABUBAKAR

When I started acting, I didn’t think of any other thing; it was just acting that was on my mind. So, I had to act just because of the love I have for it and not because of any other thing. I started watching movies when I was very young. I grew up wanting to be like those people that I watched. In Kano, what we watched were mostly Indian movies. Thereafter, I started watching Third Eye on the Nigeria Television Authority. That was how I fell in love with acting. 

Who introduced you to the movie industry? I met Francis Duru in Kano. He came for the Night of a Thousand Laughs. That was many years ago. I went up to him and I told him I wanted to be an actress. He gave me some addresses and told me to go there whenever I was in Lagos. 

When I eventually came to Lagos, I went for an audition. I didn’t get any job, so I had to go back to Kano. Much later, I came back and I was able to get a job. Later, I started playing lead roles. My first lead role was actually Sisi in Gangstar Paradise. 

You must have featured in well over a hundred movies. 

I would say I have tried. But I don’t think I can count the number of movies I have done. I don’t think they are up to 100 though 

What challenges have you faced since you joined Nollywood… 

I have faced a lot actually. Apart form the gender discrimination and working with some very difficult directors, there are some other little hiccups that one faces in the industry 

Is there really anything like gender discrimination in Nollywood? 

There are times you are given a role and producers decide to change the character to a guy, although when the script was written the role was meant for a girl. I have worked with someone that changed a role. He probably felt I could not do it but at least he should have given another girl a chance instead of giving the role to a guy. To me, that was not good at all. 

To some extent, what a guy can do in the movie world, a lady can do. I am not one of those people that say ‘what a man can do, a woman can do too’, but at least, there are some things a man can do that we ladies can do too. So, I think we should be treated equally.

Now that you are a star, are there things you no longer do? 

I don’t see myself as a star. In any case, there is nothing I used to do before that I can no longer do. I have not allowed the so-called stardom to get to me in any way. If I want to stop on the road and buy N10 groundnut, I will still do it. 

You are one of the few northerners in the movie industry. 

Oh yes. Even when they wanted me to leave, I refused. I guess I have this die-hard spirit. I don’t believe in quitting. I try very hard to stay stable and be myself. That has kept me going in this industry since then. 

What encouraged you to become an actress, knowing that most people from your religious background would not? 

I started acting when I was in my teens. The awareness then was not that much. People didn’t really know much about movies up north then. It was after the millennium that people started taking note of the movie industry. 

In short, when I started, I didn’t have a problem until people started making a big issue out of nothing. Even things that should not elicit any reaction, but because of the way those things were blown out of proportion, people were forced to take note and that brought controversies and bad comments from people. Basically, I don’t think it is a problem. When you are given a job to do, I guess you are supposed to do it very well. 

You have really had your fair share of controversies; people would have expected you to go under, going by all the scandals. 

Some people would have built ten houses out of those controversies. Well, I don’t know if I am controversial. I am a very good girl. I don’t set out to bring controversy to myself. I just go about my life in a normal way. If you think that is controversial, I don’t have any thing to say to that. 

In case you have forgotten, there was a time they said you featured in a pornographic movie… 

I didn’t do any porn movie. 

Where did the gist come from ? 

I don’t know. Last year, people were calling me up about that. I later learnt it was an actress from Kano that was in the movie. For God’s sake, I am a Nollywood actress; I am not a Kano actress. People should be sure of their findings before they draw their conclusion. 

When people hear something bad, they just mention Halima. It is very wrong. Just be sure of your facts before you say or publish anything. 

But even before the porn movie, we heard you modelled nude. 

How will I do that? I am a Nigerian and I am very decent. I think this thing happened during my modelling days. I think the picture must have been so hot that people cannot forget it. If I were them, I would have forgotten about it. 

So you posed nude during your modelling days? 

I did not do that. 

You would have pocketed big money from that. 

Ha! Money that will finish? I can’t do that. There should be decency in everything you do in life. 

I reiterate that I didn’t pose nude. I was modelling and to some people, the pictures were a little bit revealing and so they made a huge celebration out of it. I am glad everything has died down and people have moved on. 

Did those scandals affect your career? 

Oh, yes it did. A lot of producers didn’t want to work with me. They used to see me as a very decent quiet girl. For them to see those pictures, it was very shocking to them. It took me some years to convince them that I can act very well. I am not all about snapping pictures and modelling. I am still trying to convince some of them. I refused to quit the industry like I told you before. That consistency sort of helped me out. I have built relationships again. 

How did your parents feel when they read such bad stuff about you. 

It was simply shocking to them. My dad still does not like reading me in the papers. My mum knows I love what I do so she advises me most times. Anyway, they are okay now unlike when they read those things years ago. 

How come you don’t want to change your surname? 

To what? To your own? 

No, to your husband’s own. 

Oh! Do you have any husband for me? How old do you think I am? Is it because I have been in the industry for a long time? 

Anyway, if I see somebody I have a strong connection with, I will get married. I am not saying I am young; probably I am being childish about the whole thing and I am not taking this issue serious. But I tell you, when I meet somebody I know is good for me, nobody will tell me to get married. I would want to spend the rest of my life with that guy. 

Right now, guys in Nigeria are players. I don’t have strength for their wahala. 

If Nigerian guys are players, are you going to date a foreigner? 

No! I don’t mean it that way. But come to think of it, I don’t discriminate. 

So you can marry a whiteman? 

I can marry anybody that I choose to marry. 

But we hear you dated some guys in the industry… 

Who is that? I have not heard o. 

So you have not dated any actor? 

No! I have not dated any one in Nollywood. 

Is it because they didn’t ask you out or because you chose not to? 

I like being friends with people. I am a tomboy by nature, I don’t know if you have noticed. Probably that is why they don’t want to ask me out. They bounce and I bounce. Their hands are in their pockets, mine are in my pocket as well. so they don’t know where to place me. 

I have beautiful friends, I have had wonderful relationships and I have learnt from them. But sexually, I don’t have anything to do with any Nollywood guy. 

Then, who are you currently dating? 

Nobody. For over two years now. 

Is it by choice or by design? 

Haba! Even few minutes ago, somebody was ‘toasting’ me. But it is not every one that asks you out that you say yes to. I am taking my time. 

Don’t you think that time could pass you by? 

Don’t worry. It won’t take too long before I will agree. I know what I want. The attraction has to be there. 

Without a boyfriend or husband, how are you making ends meet? 

Guys are very stingy. Do they give ladies money these days? I work and I get paid. I am comfortable. I like making my money so when I am buying my shoes no man will come and tell me they are expensive. I will continue working even when I get married. 

So, you are not dependent on any guy? 

I am not. If I were, I would have been driving a beautiful jeep. 

When the person eventually comes, do you think he will be an actor? 

No. I don’t think I will marry an actor. I like career guys. I am not saying acting is not a career. I want to marry a guy that will wake up in the morning and go to his office and come back later in the evening. 

I don’t think I have that heart for actors or musicians. My head would just be spinning and I would be asking myself what he was doing at every point in time. 

Ha! I can’t marry an actor joo. The girls involved are too many. I don’t have such strength. Moreover, I have not seen that actor that would make me change my mind about marrying one. 

Is it true a director once asked you to sleep with him before giving you a role? 

Yes. That was many years ago. In fact, some people had to pay money to be auditioned. Thereafter, he was asking people to sleep with him. 

Were you the only one he singled out? 

No! He wanted to sleep with virtually all the girls that came for the audition. Anybody that compromises with her body in this industry will definitely crash. 

But right now, I have not worked with anybody that is asking for sex for roles. If they do it, I will talk. I am working with very beautiful people now and I am proud of them. 

You don’t have to beg for roles these days. 

No, no, no. At least producers are trying. I don’t have to beg for roles. I have graduated in that aspect. 

You have stepped up... 

We thank God. 

You have even changed your car. 

Do you expect me to be driving the same car all these years? Everybody has stepped up. I am sure you have stepped up as well. 

What was the most regrettable thing that happened to you? 

All the controversies. I wished they never happened. I wished people didn’t get to hear all those negative things, which were lies anyway. Then again, some of the friends I had in the past, I wished I never had them. I shouldn’t have been seen with them in the first place. 

Are these ‘friends’ in your industry? 

Oh, yes. Some of them are. They say one thing in my presence and they go out and say another thing. I don’t want to talk about all those stuff in the papers. I want to let bygones be bygones. 

Some of the scandals came from people that know me. A lot of those people are no longer my friends. I later got to know the part they played in the whole saga. I really don’t need such friends any longer. I don’t want anything to drag me down, I would rather drop that thing. 

In every rumour, there is always a tiny bit of truth. 

In this case, there was no truth at all. 

But did it matter to you? 

I felt bad. What do you expect? I didn’t work for two years. That should be enough for me to feel bad. I was really depressed. If I was abroad, I would have been behaving like Brtiney Spears or Paris Hilton. 

Thank God Jeta Amata rescued me by giving me a role. And thank God there is sanity in Nigeria, we are very strong people. It is not easy for you to stay two years without a job, without doing what you have always loved doing. 

Don’t you think it was those scandals that brought you into the limelight? 

It was still those scandals that almost killed my career. That is not fun at all. 

Did the scandal affect your love life then? 

Oh, no! The guy I was dating at the time was extremely wonderful. Unfortunately, he died. I don’t want to dwell on how he died. Life moves on. I am still grateful that he was there for me in the first place. I know many guys wouldn’t have done what he did for me. 

Do you dress this ‘hot’ back home in Kano? 

No. I dress responsibly. In fact, am I not looking responsible now? Anyway, in Kano, you cannot dress like I am dressed now. I wear native dresses. When I go to Kano, I behave like the responsible child that I am. I have a suitcase filled with native dresses. When I go to Kano, I wear them. 

Is it not hypocrisy? 

It is not. I wear native dresses here as well. I don’t wear them daily. But I make sure I dress like that every Friday. 

You are a Muslim? 

Yes. I am a hip-hop Muslim. I actually finished reading the Koran, nobody should try me o. My religion is in my heart. I don’t have to carry it on my face; that is hypocrisy. My beliefs are there. I am indifferent. I make my hair and I wear good clothes. I want to look good inasmuch as I am serving God. 

You are crazy about tattoos… 

Yes. 

Aside from your chest region, where else do you have the tattoo? 

A couple of places. I am sure you don’t want to find out. 

You no longer model? 

I have resigned. 

Because of the crisis? 

No! I am old or don’t you think so? I just can’t continue going without food just because I want to be skinny. I love my food. I guess the younger ones should take over from where I stopped. But if you think I am good enough for your product, then you sign me on. I am not ready to go on any diet again. 

MY GUY ...A SEX SYMBOL----RUKKY SANDA

Rukky Sanda is everything a man wants - sexy, hot and career-driven. She graduated few years ago from the Lagos State University (LASU) and has since pitched her tent in the English genre of Nollywood. 

SAMUEL OLATUNJI recently met the star of ‘Weeping Tiger’ on movie set, and left wishing for more. Industry watchers have touted the Lagos indigene as the next big bang in Nollywood. 

Here are excerpts from the encounter: 

How did you start acting? 

It all began in secondary school, when I participated in stage plays. From there, I think, the desire to go into big time acting started and today the rest is history.

You started out big time in ‘Angel and the Beast’ in 2004. Who introduced you into the industry? 

I actually started in 2004, in Angel and the Beast. The movie was produced and directed by Sonny McDon. Well, I won’t say I was introduced into acting as it were. It started when I met a girl who used to work at Chico Ejiro’s office. I told her I’d love to act and they were about to shoot a movie then. So I was auditioned, and I got a role.

Who has been the most romantic actor you’ve paired with? 

I think it will be Mike Enzuronye and Desmond Elliot.

You’ve been kissed and caressed in movies, what’s the feeling like? 

I see it as part of the job. If the scripts and director demand it why won’t I do it? It is just a job. There is no special feeling. After that, I move on to the next job.

How daring can you be on a movie set? 

I can be very daring but I have to draw the line between acting and my personality. I would go to such length as professionalism demands but I won’t be careless. Also, it depends on the script. If it’s what I can work with, I will go ahead with it.

You once said you could be a musician. Why aren’t you pursuing that career path? 

I don’t have a good voice.

So far you’ve been scandal-free. What’s the secret? 

It is about branding. You have to be at the right place at the right time and most importantly, with the right people. I don’t patronize places and people that can draw negative press. 

You are seen as one of the fastest rising actresses around. How have you been able to achieve this? 

Maybe it’s due to hard work on my part. When you work hard, things will fall into place for you, as there is nothing in this life that comes easy. You only work for it to come to you. 

Are you sure you are not getting these movie roles after a closed door sessions with producers? 

Nothing is happening behind closed doors; it’s just that I have been very lucky in the industry. Again, it’s just that people I have done jobs with in the past recommend me for future jobs, so it’s not that there is any hanky-panky going on somewhere. They know I am good, which has resulted in my being where I am today.

Have you ever been sexually harassed? Or, have you ever been asked to trade sex for a movie role? 

Do I look like a desperate person? I am comfortable and I’m not desperate. It is when you appear desperate that they give you such ridiculous conditions. I have never experienced that anyway.

Tell us something about your boyfriend? 

The much I can say is that he is just a normal person, a Nigerian and he is into business and has been there for me all the time.

How old are you, Rukky? 

You want the whole world to know my age? Well, I am 26.

How much would you charge to go nude? 

I can never go nude in any movie. We are people of culture in Nigeria and our culture does not welcome some things. Where are the actresses that have done it in the past? So, when I said earlier on that I could be daring, exposure wasn’t what I was talking about. I am not wayward, and I won’t want to create that impression. 

What stands you out among Nigerian artistes? 

Apart from the fact that I am confident, I also take my time in what I do; read my scripts well to understand the cast and everything that has to do with any movie role I am playing.

Are you still sexually active as you once told me? 

Yes, I am sexually active like normal human beings but I am not a promiscuous person or a sex machine. 

How far can you go with your man? 

It is none of your business!

Is there a big deal answering the question? 

I am entitled to my privacy, like you are too.

Do you fancy Ramsey Noah as an actor or sex symbol, because you once told me about your admiration for him? 

He is a good actor, period! My boyfriend is a better sex symbol; I don’t need another. 

What are you up to this year? 

As you can see, I’m on a movie set. I am doing a Christian movie with Emem, and Lancelot is directing it. This is my first movie this year.

What role are you playing? 

I am a church member who wants to seduce her pastor. But the pastor refused to be seduced. I am acting alongside Desmond Elliot.

Is he kissing you? 

I told you it is a Christian movie.

Don’t Christians kiss? 

Na you sabi!

So when are you getting married? 

Not now, I need to work on my career.

Should we expect any new thing from you this year? 

I am now writing scripts. I just finished one and I’m working on the second. 

Are you producing your own movies? 

Not now, I don’t have that kind of money.

Would you act in Yoruba movies? 

Why not? I’m a Yoruba lady, though I can’t read in Yoruba. I learnt the scripts are written in English. Saheed Balogun spoke with me concerning a script last week. I’m still considering it. But I know I will act in Yoruba movies at the right time. 

EXQUISITE MAGAZINE

What is Exquisite?

Although taste may vary due to background, geographical location, earning power, peer and family influences etc. most women all over the world have a love for beautiful things. It is this variation in taste, coupled with the love for all things beautiful plus a healthy dose of attention to detail that has birthed Exquisite!

Exquisite is the latest in beauty and fashion monthly periodicals in the UK, Africa & Europe with a simple plan to explore the fairer sex's affinity for the exquisite. Our aim is to become one of Europe's leading magazines, dedicated to bringing fashion and beauty to the fingertips of those who want it, when they want and just as they want it.

The Exquisite Reader

If we had only three words to describe our target reader it would be Sharp, Stylish and Fashionable. However, digging deeper and we find that she is aged between 21 and 36. She could be a student, a professional or a celebrity. She possesses great taste for beautiful things, is particular about what she wears and how she wears it, makes an effort to look good and will consider options from designer wear to high street fashion, depending on her earning power. Although we intend to feature beauty and fashion consideration for all women, our research and planned content reveals that Exquisite will appeal more to women of colour. Hence we expect that 60 percent of our readers will be women of colour.

Content

Exquisite will showcase a plethora of fashion and beauty icons, products, outlets and tips. Seeing as we have identified our target reader as being somewhat choosy, we intend to give her a lot to choose from. Hence, when our reader picks up a copy of Exquisite, she will be feasting on page after page of creatively laid out assortment of clothes, shoes, make-up (products, tips and techniques), healthy living, interior décor tips, places to go and relevant light hearted articles.This is just a simple but very effective and enjoyable way of building brand loyalty and making the readers feel a part of Exquisite.

We also have a few "unique to Exquisite" content extras:

Exquisite Spirit is our in-house column dedicated to exploring and exploiting spirit/soul/inner beauty.

Manly Yours is a light hearted, witty and humorous column on women matters from a man's points of view.

Distribution:UK, USA, Europe and Africa.Exquisite aims to go where our target readers are.
Frequency: Bi-monthly.

WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://www.exquisitemag.com/

I would definately recommend this magazine.It's different and very handy.