My butt is God given i cant hide it –Nollywood Acress NKECHI BLESSING

Fast-rising Igbo actress Nkechi Blessing, with a striking physical quality, is presently the reigning queen in the Yoruba movie industry, with her recent movie, ‘Omoge Lekki’, where she gave top actor, Yinka Quadri, a lap dance. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, Nkechi discloses why she settled for the Yoruba movie industry and other interesting issues.

AS an Igbo babe, don’t you think you will do better in the English sector?

I settle for this particular industry, because they were the one that accepted and welcomed me into the movie world, as an Igbo girl. I am not being biased here, but before you can make it in the English sector, it will be a very hard task.

Are you saying the Yoruba sector accepts just any person?

No, what I am saying is that in the English sector, you will move from one location to another, and might not given get selected for any role. But in the Yoruba sector; they are ready to help you grow and push you out for people to see you talent. It goes beyond the physical look, but what you can deliver.

Did you try to push yourself in the English sector?

Yes, my first movie was an English movie, directed by Emem Isong in 2007. The movie had load of stars. But at that point, I was still struggling to become a star, and it was hard for me.

Are you saying you have reached the top of your career now?

No, but you cannot compare then to now that things are easy for me, and I am taking everything cool. When I did the English movie, I didn’t get the much recognition that I wanted then, so I switched.

But you said the movie was directed by Emem Isong, she could have been an avenue for you to rise?

Yes, that is true. But something happened back then; I lost the contact of the Production Manager who called me for the job, Emeka Duru. But I am trying to come back in track; which (saw) me star in some English movies recently. It is not like I am restricted to Yoruba movies; I do both, but more of Yoruba movies.

Which movie brought you to the limelight?

That is Omoge Lekki; it is one of the baddest movies reigning presently. It is written by my greatest mentor Mercy Aigbe-Gentry. She single-handedly brought the idea of that story that has made me a name to reckon with today.

The wayward lady you played in Omoge Lekki, is it somehow related to your person?

That is what I am trying to tell people, and that is the reason behind my new movie titled Churchgirl. When the trailer of Omoge Lekki was released and everyone saw the movie, it was believed that I must be a wayward girl, to have been able to play that role well.

But the story of the movie was to pass a message to every young person to always remember their background and always look back when they have finally made it in life. That is because you need to take care of the home, before impressing the street.

The ladies we have now spend money on material things to impress the society, copying the life style of the likes of kardarshians. Having their parents wasted away at home. The movie not about promoting girls who do runs, but a reminder for them to always look back and remember where they came from.

Does that mean that is the roles you have been getting?

Somehow, because when they saw the twerk part with Yinka Quadri that we used as promo, people have been seeing me in that aspect, and believe that is the part I can act well.

Are you saying your butt is a selling point for you?

People have been saying I have a big bumbum, but I don’t care. It is God given and I cannot hide it. People believe it is one of the things I am promoting, but I have been in the industry professionally since 2007; that is about 10years now.

So when the movie Omoge Lekki became a big shot, they were like ‘the new girl that just started.’ I have been in this game for long, trying to make a name for myself and I am happy it is happening. I can walk on the road now and people recgonise me for that movie, which is a good thing.

Has the role given you any negative feedback so far?

I am a positive person and do not see negativity as a barrier. My second mentor, Toyin Abraham, has made me to understand that whatever I do, I must be positive about it. So negativity is not factor to my career. Also being a humble person, it has also helped my career.

You mentioned giving back to Agege people, is that where you grew up?

I am planning something big for the people of Agege, because that is where the whole dream started from.

My mother has a very popular bar called Gberi City, in Agege, which was then one of the open places that has helped some top names today; I don’t want to mention names. But my mum’s bar gave the platform to those actors to showcase their talents.

I have always been popular back then, because I have been in the papers because of my mummy’s bar. It is just like going back to my hood and giving back to them. I am from Agege and I am not ashamed to say it.

Being the daughter of a bar owner, one would assume you to be very exposed

My mom has a bar, but she is too strict; she does not drink, but she is much disciplined. We do not have access to the bar and there was no room to misbehave. People know my name, because they call my mom, Iya Nkechi, but they cannot place my face with the name.

So how did you become an actor?

I don’t know if people go to learn acting, like some always say. But for me, it is in the blood. My mom knew from the start that I have always been one who loves to showcase myself. So I can only say I went to acquire more skills on being an actor and become one of the best on my delivery.

Acting is not about the fame, money; it is the passion. I am a showgirl anytime.

Your new movie, Churchgirl, are you taking it to the cinema?

No, it is going online. That is because having your movie online makes it have a wider coverage. Having a movie online has made me very popular in different countries that I have not even visited. So it is like preparing a platform for me, and you also get to be paid by YouTube, as the views keep increasing.

Which would you say is the most challenging role you have taken as an actor?

That will be the role of a cripple. I played the part from the start of the movie to the end. That was very challenging for me, because I did not stand up all through. But I am planning a very big project that will wow my fans. I don’t want to give out the details yet, until it is released; then I leave it for people to judge.

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Nine things to know about crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a form of crowd-sourcing and alternative finance that basically involves funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people. It allows entrepreneurs raise capital without giving up too much equity. It has over the years become an effective alternative for raising funds for business ideas. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 9 things entrepreneurs should know about crowdfunding to take full advantage of it.

Plan

It is difficult to plan a crowdfunding campaign because you don’t know what to expect and can hardly predict the kind of reaction your campaign might get. Your campaign may or may not go viral but either way, you should be prepared to handle possible press attention and to respond to your growing community. You should be able to manage things immediately as they come up.

Choose the Right Platform

Spend time researching on the different internet-mediated registries or online platforms for crowdfunding, and choose the one that is right for you. Choose a site that fits your project and the industry you are in.

Pay Attention to the Deal

You should pay attention to the details of the terms of the platform, the percentage the platform takes and when you get the money. This is to avoid nasty surprises down the road. Pay attention to the deal of your crowdfunding platform and find the one you are comfortable with.

Think About Your Messaging

It is easier to raise money for an idea that touches a lot of people whether or not the venture is for-profit or not-for-profit. Consider the message of your campaign and think of how you can make it relevant to as many people in your target group as possible.

Learn from Others

Check out and analyze other successful crowdfunding campaigns to see and understand what worked for them and how you can apply it to your campaign. However, you should be realistic about how much of what you learn from these campaigns you can apply to yours, considering your resources. Adapt ideas in a way that fit your budget, target group and brand.

Be Prepared to Tell Your Story (Be Transparent)

You need to be authentic with your campaign and be as transparent as possible. Without these, people are less likely to respond positively to your campaign, they’ll remain skeptical and unbelieving. Be as communicative, engaging and as open with your community as possible, let them know as much as they want to know and have as much evidence as they need to believe your campaign.

Get Early Adopters

Get friends, family and people you know to invest right away. This is because people are more likely to invest when they see others investing and people tend to trust a campaign when it seems to be doing well. Investors are also likely to develop an interest to invest when they see your campaign is something the public/community are interested in and responding positively to.

Have a Strategy for Marketing

You need a consistent and persistent marketing plan that will help you reach far beyond your circles – asking two or three friends to help you repost or share your campaign isn’t enough. Research and figure out where to find the people in your target community and create eye-grabbing, heart-grabbing and convincing social media posts and ads to grab their attention, generate interest and incite a positive response to your campaign.

You can also create genuine relationships with influencers and reach out to as many of them as you can to support your cause and help you get the word out.

Crowdfunding Can Fail Very Easily

You should be prepared for this reality. You need to know when to crowdfund and when to approach other resources. Not all businesses are suited for crowdfunding. However, once you have considered these and work towards the proper execution of your crowdfunding campaign, its chances of failure are reduced

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Alleged N4bn contract scam: It’s all vendetta, says Senator

The Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi, yesterday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of waging a war of vendetta against him over the claim of the anti-graft agency that he failed to execute a N4 billion contract awarded to his firm.

Senator Nwaoboshi was reacting to reports that a senator is a subject of a massive investigation for not executing N4 billion contract awarded to him by the Government of Delta State.

The reports further said that the EFCC was also looking into the lawmaker’s 20 accounts in six banks with different signatures.

It was also reported the senator allegedly used a firm to purchase a 12-storey building in Apapa, Lagos belonging to the Delta State Government at the cost of N805 million.

It was reported that the records at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) showed that the senator failed to declare all the companies and bank accounts despite being operational prior to the time he made the declaration.

A source said that the investigation of the senator followed a petition from Delta State.

The petitioner, the report said, alleged that the senator owns a firm which was awarded a N1,580,000,000 contract by the Direct Labour Agency to supply construction equipment.

The petitioner also claimed that the senator through his firm allegedly secured  contracts from nine local governments areas in Delta State when the firm was yet to be registered under the Company and Allied Matters Act.

The petitioner was said to have alleged that the senator used proceeds from the contract to acquire several choice property in Lagos and Delta states, one of which is the 12-storey building  in Apapa, Lagos.

But Senator Nwaoboshi told reporters in Abuja that the claims of the EFCC were all lies aimed tarnishing his image.

The lawmaker said that there was no fraud in the execution of a N2.1billion contract awarded his company, Biderberg Enterprises Limited, by the Delta State Government in 2010.

Nwaoboshi, who is chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDCC), also refuted the claim that he fraudulently acquired a12-storey building belonging to Delta State in Apapa, Lagos in collaboration with his younger brother, Augustine Nwaoboshi.

He insisted that the whole allegations bordered on vendetta against him by the EFCC based on his recent position and the position of the Senate on the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC,, Ibrahim Magu.

Nwaoboshi said: “Why is the EFCC coming up against me now  over contracts diligently and transparently executed seven years ago by my company, if not for misplaced vendetta that cannot in any way silence me or compromise my principled stance over some salient national issues before the Senate .

”Delta State government that awarded the contract is not complaining or any notable stakeholders in the state.

”So what interest is the EFCC serving over the matter when nobody from the state had raised any issue bordering on corruption as far as the contract is concerned or the 12-storey building bought in Lagos by one of my companies which was not undervalued as being alleged .

”Even the other issue reportedly raised by the EFCC as regards multiple bank accounts by my brother is ridiculous because there is no law in the land that limits the number of bank accounts any individual in the society should have.”.

The visibly angry senator noted that the signatory to such multiple bank accounts allegedly owned by his junior brother was not his, as being alleged by the EFCC.

He wondered why “the EFCC rushed to the press to spread falsehood against him without any need to interface with me and my brother as practised worldwide as far as investigation is concerned.

He said: “No doubt, with what I’ve read in the papers against me from the EFCC, Magu is at it again, but unfortunately for him, this cannot silence me to back out of the Senate’s collective decision against his confirmation and let me add that as a lawyer of 27 years, Magu and his cohorts shall definitely meet me in court”.

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Osinbajo chairs NEMA board, Onabule NTA’s as FG reconstitutes mgt boards of parastatals

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the new chairman of the board of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) constituted yesterday by the federal government.

Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja is the agency’s  Director-General while other members of the board are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. David Babachir Lawal; Captain Talba Alkali, representing Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Amb. Rabiu Dagari, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr Ngozi Azadoh, Ministry of Health; Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, Ministry of Interior; Engr. Ajisegiri Benson Akinloye; Ministry of Water Resources, AVM Emmanuel Anebi; Nigerian Armed Forces; and AIG Salisu Fagge Abdullahi, Nigerian Police Force.

The Presidency also named former National Concord Editor and ex-presidential spokesman,Chief Duro Onabule as chairman of the new executive management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina named other  executive directors of NTA as Dr Steve Egbo (Administration and Training); Abdul Hamid Salihu Dembos  (Marketing); Mohammed Labbo (News); Fatima M. Barda (Finance); Stephen Okoanachi  (Engineering); and Wole Coker (Programmes).

The  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) management  is headed by  Aliyu Hayatu while Buhari Auwalu and Yinka Amosun, are Zonal Directors,FRCN, Kaduna and Lagos, respectively.

The following agencies in the  Ministry of Information and Culture also got new appointees.

They are Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Chika Maduekwe, General Manager; National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria, Comrade Tar Ukoh, Artistic Director; National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General; National Film and Video Censors Board, Folorunsho Coker, Director-General.

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