22052021

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 22, 2021
Lagos Film Fund C'ttee:
Jide Kosoko kicks
•Wants Sanwo-Olu to include Lagos-born
film maker on the committee
Barely two weeks after Governor Sanwo-
Olu of Lagos State inaugurated a 9-
member film production empowerment
committee to fund youth creativity and
entertainment activities in the state, veteran
actor, Jide Kosoko has expressed the need for
the government to include a Lagos-born film
maker in as well as a filmmaker from any tribe
of the country.
Kosoko, made this position known in a
statement titled , “ My stand on Lagos State
Film Fund Committee”, which he released
during the week.
According to him, “It is only by doing so that
the objectives of your administration for the
industry can be best served.”
The veteran actor said, while he commends
Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming up with such
an idea, the need to give indigenous film
practitioners who he said sustain what we
call Nollywood a sense of belonging is
imperative in this respect.
He writes: “I have been inundated by several
calls and have read several arguments for and
against the composition of a committee set up
by the Lagos State Government for funding of
the movie industry in the state.”
“For this, I cannot pretend to be unaware of
the controversies that has trailed it, especially
its composition.”
“Let me however start by commending our
able Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for
coming up with such an idea, an idea that
was surely born in time and most assuredly
needed. I dare say that whatever misgivings
anyone may have, one thing is sure, you
cannot fault the motive behind it.
We have had several administrations in
Lagos and other states of the federation, but
not many have given as much thought to our
industry to be able to come up with such an
idea and putting it to work. So, I commend
Governor Sanwo-Olu for that.”
“Secondly, I must say here that I am aware
of the observations of The Eko Foundation and
other organisations on this issue and I
appreciate their intervention not because my
name is mentioned, but because their
statement is not far from my view on the
issue.”
“Let me, however quickly say here that I
don't know who the members of these
associations are. Though I was once the
Cultural Secretary of Eko Foundation when
the late Justice Muri Okunola was our
President. But that was so many years ago.”
“I have followed the arguments on social
media, groups that I belong to and online
publications and I must say I appreciate
everyone that has made contributions, though
I may not completely agree with some of the
approaches employed.”
“That you are a Lagosian by virtue of your
birth or length of stay, does not take away the
right of the indigenes! Do you know the kind
of struggles it took our forefathers that brought
Lagos to be? Or do we have any other place
called home that we go for holidays like Easter,
Christmas and the likes? The truth is that no
matter how
accommodating
Lagos is or has
been, there are
people who are
indigenes,
whose rights
for inclusion must be respected
without tagging it tribalism. Lagos
and Lagosians, if fair must be fair,
cannot be tagged with the toga of
tribalism in good conscience.”
Recall that Lagos State
government weeks back, set up
a 9-member film production
empowerment committee to fund
youth creativity and
entertainment activities in the
state, following the disruption
caused by the spread of COVID-19
that impacted negatively on
entertainment and tourism in the
State,
The committee members consisting
of five industry practitioners and four
government officials including AMAA
founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Tunde
Kelani, Kunle Afolayan, Mo Abudu and
Richard Mofe-Damijo as the chairman of the
committee.
Other side of
Erica revealed in
a new reality TV
show
F
ormer BBNaija housemate,
Erica Nlewedim is warming to reveal
the other side of her life that's rarely
known to her fans as she features in
MTV Base’s new reality TV series,
Inside Life.
The show will start airing weekly
from Wednesday, June 9, 2021, on
MTV Base DStv and GOtv
Channel respectively.
The Queen of the Elites made
this revelation during 'her tell-all
IG Live interview' with VJ,
Nenny-B.
“I am super excited about the
show. Viewers will get to see
sides to me that the public has
never seen before. I think my
excitement comes from being
on live camera again and
thinking about how my fans
will react when they finally see
what my everyday life looks
like.”
“Inside Life with Erica captures
every aspect of me. Erica the actress,
the entrepreneur, the star girl, lover-girl, and
even my vulnerabilities. The name of the show
is Inside Life, so it’s inside my life, no stone
unturned,” she explained.
According to the producer, this scintillating
soon-to-launch series will feature Erica in her
element as she navigates the business and
entertainment worlds, as she continues to grow
to become one of the most respected
entertainment moguls in Nigeria. On the show,
viewers will also get to see the most important
people in her life, from her family members to
her friends.
Commenting on the launch of the new content
Popular publisher of Genevieve Magazine, Betty
Irabor has revealed how her seemingly perfect
life began to spiral out of control after she started
battling feelings of insecurity and grief
following the death of her father and brother.
Featuring in this week's episode of
#WithChude, Irabor shared her horrible
experience that led her into a season of
depression, insomnia and even
attempted suicide.
"I always felt I wasn't good enough
or that I hadn't accomplished
enough, because at that
moment, I was not thinking
•Betty Irabor
about my successes," she said.
Growing up as a student of
Methodist Girls' High School,
Irabor was familiar with the
Neuropsychiatric Hospital,
Yaba, known to be a place for "mad"
people. However, she never thought that
she would one day be a patient of the
famous clinic. After seeing nine
different psychiatrists, she was
•Jide Kosoko
•Erica
Music is my religion
— Daniel Oyiaro
F
ast rising singer, Daniel Oyiaro, popularly known as ‘Danie’
has dropped yet another single titled ‘Waka’, a song which
recaptures the grass root story of his rise to fame.
‘Waka’, according to Danie , was the last music project he executed
before the release of his debut EP titled ‘SIOS’, an acronym for ‘Sorry
I Overslept’.
Speaking on the inspiration behind 'Waka', Dannie said; the song
was inspired by everything that matters to me."This song represents
everything I went through in life," he added.
Also, on the inspiration behind the title of his forthcoming
EP titled 'SIOS' (Sorry I Over Slept), Danie said: “As the
name implies, I feel like I’ve been away on a
personal journey of self-rediscovery. Before my
debut song, ‘Halo’, which I dropped last
November, I have not really released any music
again. So this is my way of saying I’m here
now. I’ve been away for some time,but I’m back
again ”, he said.
Speaking further, Danie explained
why he chose to release an EP,
instead of an album. “To be very
honest I just wanted to create good
music so that the world can feel my
passion and creativity. This is
because I’ve been working tirelessly
for a while. I was able to contain an
exquisite feeling working on this
project and It was an amazing feeling. The
journey is just getting started, I’m not in a
hurry to push out songs. I’ll take my time to
give the world the best of everything I can offer
as a singer," he said.
Describing music as his own form of religion,
Danie said henceforth, his fans should
expects hit after hit from him.
“I want to do the unthinkable. I’ve
been quiet for a while. Music is my
religion, so my fans shouldn't be
disappointed; rather it’s going to be
better than ever from now
on..." Danie
assured.
on Nigeria's number one music entertainment channel,
MTV Base, Solafunmi Sosanya, Senior Channels Manager
at Viacom CBS Networks Africa (the parent company of MTV
Base), said: “Erica is one celebrity that certainly sparkles in
the spotlight. The light and cameras absolutely love her and
that’s a mark of a true reality TV star. Inside Life With Erica
is a brilliant, non-invasive avenue for her teeming fans to see
her for who she really is, outside of the glitz and the glamour.
The show will definitely give viewers a different perspective
to their favourite celebrity’s life. This reality series is keeping
with MTV Base’s drive to provide our viewers with
premium entertainment and storytelling with original
scripted and non-scripted shows."
How I almost committed suicide --Betty Irabor
desperate for help and decided to visit a professor at
that hospital as advised by her uncle.
Recalling this horrible experience, Irabor said, "All I
wanted was my sanity. They say, 'he who is down need
not to fear foes'. I was already at the grass level and I
was looking for where I could find help."
After taking series of medications, seeing a long list
of doctors and repeatedly attempting suicide, Betty
eventually found a way to overcome her depression with
the help of her husband and trusted friends. Today, she's
stronger than ever.
"In a strange way, I have managed to find a way of
dealing with things that would normally knock me
down. I am not that skinny, insecure woman, who
fretted about everything. I am a different person, I am
happier. I know that I am actually in control of what
I internalize, and I can filter out what I don't want in
my life."
Betty has continued to share her story with
the world in the hope that her story will
inspire others to get help and hopefully,
be in control of their stories, proving that
depression is real, not insurmountable.
•Daniel Oyiaro