World Music Day celebration in Abuja a huge success – Musicians

Abuja – Lovers of music converged in Abuja on Saturday/Sunday to join in the celebration of the annual World Music Day.

The annual World Music Day is celebrated in over 460 cities in 110 countries in the world and was marked in Abuja with funfair at the French Institute.

The idea of the World Music Day was born in France, where the first all-night music celebration marked the beginning of the summer solstice, which took place in 1982 in Paris.

Miss Alice O’Reilly, a Cultural Programme Officer at the Institute français du Nigeria, said that this festival has become an international phenomenon celebrated on the same day World-wide.

DJ Cuppy

“This year’s theme is: “Live Music Together’ which aims at a large audience, working to popularise musical practice for young and old people from all social backgrounds.

“It gives an opportunity to communicate and share a very special moment through music “Electronic Sounds capes Workshop’.

“In 2015, the Alliance française Lagos, the Institut français du Nigeria and the Goethe-Institut Nigeria organised a workshop in electronic music aimed at expanding the artistic range of Nigeria’s already booming music scene.

“The traditional music forms and percussion-based style found in its diverse cultural regions.

“The Nigerian music scene has, over time, been shaped by Western influences from the 50s and 60s (Highlife and Afrobeats) through the 80s and 90s (Hip hop and R & B).

“At the turn of the millennium, electronic elements increasingly came into the various music styles, which nonetheless retained the traditional rhythmic structures in the society.

“La Fete de la Musique” is above all a free popular music celebration that allows the expression of the styles of music in a cheerful atmosphere,’’ she said.

Mr Adedolapo Aina-Marshall alias Dj sketch, who performed at the event, said that the event allows Africans to enjoy dance with a fusion of our African music and the European electronic music.

“Dance as you know it, came out of Africa, our ancestors started dancing and this brought about the dance culture which has evolved to what we have today.

“Honestly I love the turnout of guests in Abuja, we didn’t expect this much turn up and they made this World Music Day more fun and beautiful,’’ he said.

Disc Jockeys (Dj) Sketch also said that the popularity of DJs in Nigeria was getting better by each day.

“We are getting more recognition in Nigeria now than in the past years, right now everybody wants to be a DJ.

“We hope that this programme would help boost the value of DJ in Nigeria,’’ he added.

Oluwakemi Famugbode (Irawo Drumline) also said that the programme was a success, which started at printing press Lagos, and the grand finale in Abuja was a huge success.

Famugbode said the programme was not a walk in the park, as we encountered numerous problems such as financial restrictions and lack of electricity amongst others.

She said they started the preparation for the programme during the period of the fuel scarcity, saying that so much money had gone into the purchase of fuel at the black market rate.

AIso speaking, Bobai Balat alias DJ bally said the programme turned out better than they expected, saying, “am really surprised that the audience turnout was more in Abuja than it was in Lagos.

“I appreciate France who has always been a major supporter of the African social life and has given many of us the opportunity to show case our talents in music,’’ he said.

The electronic music workshop, labelled “Electronic Soundscapes” was facilitated by three internationally-renowned producers.

These producers are: Adegboyega Oyedele, (DJ Afrologic; Nigeria), Marko Fürstenberg (Germany) and DJ R-Ash (France).

The “Electronic soundscapes” was inspired by the 10 cities Project, which presented an intersection of club and electronic music between different European and African cities.

The workshop was set up within this context and aimed at fostering artistic interaction among German, French and Nigerian musicians in the area of non-mainstream, independent electronic music. (NAN)

Wizkid sends birthday greetings to his ‘big daddy’, guess who?

Starboy boss, Wizkid has joined million of well-wishers to hail the Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti on his 53rd birthday celebration.

The Jaiye Jaiye crooner took to twitter to hail Femi Kuti, who he referred to as his big daddy. He featured the Afrobeat king on the Jaiye Jaiye track.

“Happy birthday to big daddy @Femiakuti !! God will continue to bless u with good health and long life! Eleniyan!!
Been on the road since January!! Man just been stacking up!! Show me the money!! Daddy getting too much cake!! 💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲💲,” he posted on his twitter handle.

Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962), popularly known as Femi Kuti, is the eldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.
Femi was born in London to Fela and Remi Kuti and grew up in Lagos. His mother soon left his father, taking Femi to live with her.

Wizkid and Femi Kuti

In 1977, however, Femi chose to move in with his father. Femi started playing the Saxophone at age 15 and he eventually became a member of his father’s band.

Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career.

He created his own band Positive Force in the late 1980s with Dele Sosimi (Gbedu Resurrection), former key-board player of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

His international career began in 1988 when he was invited by the French Cultural Centre in Lagos and Christian Mousset to perform at the Festival d’Angoulême (France), the New Morning Club in Paris and the Moers Festival in Germany.

In 2001, Femi collaborated on his album Fight to Win with a number of U.S. musicians, including Common, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright
Femi has been nominated for a Grammy award four times in the world music category in 2003, 2010, 2012 and 2013 but has never won.

Don Jazzy dazzles Dj Mannie Fresh

Don Jazzy and Dj Mannie

Mavin boss, Don jazzy, who currently is out on holidays in U.S has had the pleasure of meeting with veteran music producer Dj Mannie fresh on his visit to Atlanta.

Don jazzy posted on Instagram, a picture of him and Mannie Fresh together in his hotel room where it looked like he was playing some of his beats for him and Mannie sure looked impressed.

Donjazzy and D’banj made Africa proud in 2011 as they were the first African-based musicians to get signed by Kanye West into the popular GOOD music record label.

This picture with such a high profile producer would mean music lovers are bound to hear of projects these two great disc jockeys would both handle which would probably shake the world as both are known for being the brains behind hit bangers that have kept living on charts worldwide.

Bob Ejike: The tale of a successful Entertainer

Bob Ejike may not be so popular to the very young Nigerians who were not around when Nollywood started as just ‘Drama’. To him, the ride into limelight wasn’t smooth as the structures were nothing to boast of. Instead of sitting at home and waiting for his break, Bob moved to Europe and disseminated ideas of Nigerian arts that helped in building one of the biggest movie Industries in Africa called Nollywood.

Bob-ejike

He became the first Nigerian to be invited to Uganda in East Africa to set up their movie Industry which is a huge success. In this edition, I present to you an actor, writer/journalist, lecturer of International repute, Artiste and father to some wonderful children.

Read on…

The Genesis
I hail from Oba in Idemili, Anambra state but I was born in Umuahia, Abia state on the 20th of April. I was too rascal as a youth to study any particular kind of course because I was always attracted to music and drama. I started playing with the masquerade groups and writing short stories before I even found myself.

I attended Federal Government College, Umuahia and proceeded to UNIPORT where I studied English Language and Literature. During my National Youth Service, I was a teacher and I continued for many years. Along the line, I shared a page in the then ‘’Drum Magazine” with a renowned Writer, Ben Okri. I wrote a book on the story of the Biafra war as I had experienced it at age of six.

At the moment, there is a negotiation going on for my book to be turned into fiction. We started a drama series on the State Radio, headed by Pete Edochie. I got involved with actors like Nkem Owoh, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Ejike Asiegbu and a few other distinguished individuals. There was only one major television station, N.T.A. They had little or no respect for us so we decided to take our drama to the next level by putting it into tapes.

The first commercial movie I ever wrote and recorded was titled ‘’Echoes of Wrath” in 1982. The movie won an award in National Festival of Arts award (NAFEST). After National Youth Service, I released a music album titled ‘’No Vacancy”. I was working with Reverend Chris Okotie, formerly called ‘’Wonder Boy”, he gave me some voice coaching. My breakthrough came in 1987 when I was to go over to Italy to perform at a club opening in Santa Angelo.

After the show, I got involved with a band and became their background singer and I settled there. I went back to school and in- between schooling, I became a lecturer and started working.
CHALLENGES
It is not easy being oneself all the time like I did. I became a slave to the Arts at a great cost and my greatest challenge is that despite all that I have put into Nigerian Art, I have not gained back my money. I engaged in art in a  country where people are hungry and their priority is their basic existence. The greatest challenge l have is that the industry hardly acknowledges the influence that people make within.

Achievements
I was called by the Sun Newspaper to contribute to their newspaper like a columnist. I anchored Tropical rhythms in NTA channel 5. Meanwhile, as I was in Europe during my prime years, I got married to a European woman and we have children. I was in Rwanda some years ago and saw posters of our very own Nollywood stars.

That shows how far we have gone. I was invited to Uganda, East Africa, to help create their movie industry; I spent six years working with actors, musicians and filmmakers.  At that time, Nollywood was the most popular front of entertainment in Africa, so we facilitated the coming of some actors to Uganda for shows.

Bob-ejike

The most interesting happened when Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme popularly known as ‘’Aki and Pawpaw, visited me in Uganda. There was traffic standstill from the airport to the Nigerian Embassy to the extent that we had to call on the military to handle the crowd.

The likes of Psquare, Danfo Drivers and Flavour were also invited for stage performance and they pulled a crowd of over 300,000 people beating that of Akon.

Genevieve Nnaji and Tony Umez were also invited at specific occasions. I came back to Nigeria because our dream had developed into an Empire. And over a period of 7 years after I returned, I did 53 movies to gain prominence. And I have also worked with reputable names in the industry.

GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY
I opened a Professor Bob Ejike foundation for performing Arts in Kampala, Uganda solely for the purpose of encouraging African youths. I was also one of the few that started what has grown to be Nollywood today.

Emeka Ike takes on Wale Adenuga

Veteran movie maker and entertainment entrepreneur of the popular Super Story TV series, Wale Adenuga was our guest last Saturday as the Showtime Celebrity. The highly talented producer, who has made many stars, took his time out to answer a number of questions, on the problems of the movie industry especially piracy.

Wale-Adenuga

Then he took a cursory look at Nollywood and asserted that the Igbos have taken over Nollywood and explained in vivid terms why he feels that the Yorubas and the Hausas are not part of Nollywood. He further added that the claim that Nollywood began in 1992 was a spurious one.

Nollywood became popular with Living In Bondage, a 1992 movie that sold millions of copies and enjoys tremendous reference in the industry. Adenuga finds this misleading.

“They defined Nollywood as a product of 1992. It suggests that those who have been making films before 1992 are not part of Nollywood. That to me, is a dangerous claim…..When somebody claims he founded Nollywood, Oga Bello, of course I, cannot be part of that. When I produced my first film in 1983, Emeka Ike and his Nollywood people were still in school.

They started their own film-making in 1992 and they are claiming that 1992 was the beginning of film-making in Nigeria” so stated Wale Adenuga in the interview published on this page last week. It was an honest statement, probably made with noble intent but it was a can of worms he had opened. Emeka Ike did not hide his feelings.

He was particularly irked by the statement that Igbos have taken over Nollywood and took his time to chronicle how the movie industry we know today as Nollywood actually emerged.

Emeka Ike’s reaction to Igbos taking over Nollywood

The Nollywood you know today is not the one that cropped up from Hilbert Ogungbe. Nollywood came about with the sales, marketing and multiplication of CDs. The Igbos got more involved by their investments. The Igbos did what they had to do, whether good or not, it has given us the platform.

They provided the medium for conveying our movies to every home. After a while, the Igbo people decided to go into movie-making themselves. We should try to see how we can empower the different regional ethnic areas to make their movies, interpret their culture and at the same time have Nollywood at the centre.

It is wrong to start saying who started Nollywood, who did this and who did that. It’s not a good way to go for a man of his pedigree. When he made his movie, nobody knew him, just like we made our movies when nobody knew us. The platform has been created by both the Yoruba and Igbo marketers in Idumota and he started making it more than even most of us that created the image that he took advantage of.

Good for him, we are happy, he’s a visionary. But as a huge stakeholder in this industry, talking about the Igbos or Yorubas is unnecessary at this stage of our country’s democracy and development where we ought to come together and chart a course. We should come together and frustrate the enemies of the industry, the enemies are those who have stood between the Nigerian youths and their pension money.

They prevent our youths from being paid when they are shown on TV. Actors should be paid each time they are shown on air, that’s how it is on international contract and movie making standard. Artistes should be properly remunerated anytime their movies are shown on air. These are things we should be working towards. I’m personally working towards galvanising Kannywood, Nollywood and the Yoruba movies together.

We cannot be divided, we should have a central working system under which we would have different links: Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ijaw etc. They should all be streamlined under Nollywood, creating a stronger product. For you to now start dividing, it is backward for a man of that pedigree.

He should keep making good movies which we are proud of and then let’s see how we can chart a policy to make sure that the people acting in his movies get something back as remuneration – as their pension money, so that when they fall sick in future, they can see something to fall back on.

That’s why most of our colleagues are dying because when they encounter difficulties, there’s no rescue except going to beg people. There’s no pension money to help them, some people have coerced it. I can tell you that some people are taking the royalties of all the Nigerian artistes on DSTV.

People are stealing royalties belonging to actors

These are well known people in the industry, every time they show Nigerian movies on TV, they collect the royalties that belong to the Nigerian youths. When you mention Emeka Ike to them, they want to tear their skin, but that will not stop me from trailing them down.

Go and ask African Magic, they pay people money. I don’t want to mention names here. I stopped fighting African Magic when I noticed that there were middle men. They were paying the middle game, they now pushed the fight to me and African magic.

I am saying actors should be paid the way they do on the international scene. There are people who take money from AMAA Awards on behalf of artistes. There are people who take the money coming in from all around the world – Hollywood, Bollywood, France etc. A few of my colleagues sat on these money and all they do is scandalising those of us who talk.

They paint a bad impression about us and make us look like troublemakers. Why won’t we make trouble? Why would there be peace when there’s injustice? People like Wale Adenuga should join hands with us to make sure that his artistes do not suffer in the future. You make a huge star and you eventually don’t have programmes for the star.

In all these pageants, millions are made, but they expose these models to prostitution. What is in all this for these people? These government of change should address all these anomalies going on and that’s what we are working on, to ensure that we remove those people in the middle. Go and ask the Ghanaian actors, when they show them with us on TV, they pay them in Ghana.

Right now, there’s change. Everybody must be treated with equity. Granted, artistes are desperate to become stars, they can do anything to become stars. These are the things I want to correct and I will expect someone like Wale Adenuga to come on board. Let’s sanitise the industry to meet up with Hollywood standard. If our Ghanaian counterparts get something in return for starring in our movie, then Nigerian actors are entitled to something too.

If it’s 1 dollar, make it an alert on their phones. Let’s have biometric ID cards; these biometric ID cards can stand like a master card ATM card where you can go and take anything that has accrued to you from your efforts in the past.

How come Nollywood is predominantly Igbo?

You could be right about that but that’s not to say that’s how Nollywood should be. When he (Wale Adenuga) made his movie, it was just a one-off. Several movies were made even before he made his own, that we didn’t know about. In that same 1993, Amaechi Obi and I made a movie that never saw the light of day just like his own didn’t.

But what we are talking about is history, pedigree. How did they start packaging this whole thing for export? How did investors get involved? How did all these become a budding industry? It is not impossible that Wale Adenuga would have made an unattractive movie. Let’s stop these tribal issues.

What should be the role of Actors Guild of Nigeria, in unifying all the sectoral bodies in the movie industry?

Actors’ Guild of Nigeria means every actor in Nigeria irrespective of tribe and ethnic background. What we are presenting to the government is a central working system. The last president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria is from Ijaw (South-South), before then, the last president was Yoruba and Emeka Ike is the next right now.

If Actors’ Guild is a Nigerian product, I’m of the opinion that Kannywood, Yorubawood, Kadunawood, Igbowood should all come under a central working system.

We’ve been operating on individual basis and that’s why the middle man has the opportunity to play the game he’s playing right now.

If we are going to see any stakeholder, we should go with an agenda that covers all. When we get a film village, Kannywood should have their own department; Yoruba movie makers should have their own; the Igbo movie makers should have theirs too and producers should have theirs. Then everyone can work together as a central working system, not one that someone can manipulate.

Our problem

*Emeka

How come they keep calling billions, billions and yet Actors Guild is situated on a 2-bedroom apartment; who is fooling who? I am a straightforward man and some don’t like it that way; who is fooling who? What were they doing in a 2-bedroom apartment upon all the billions we kept hearing Government gave out in the name of the industry?

These are the things we need to look at. Let’s face the Nigerian youths, the Nigerian problem seriously. Let’s bring the youths to the forefront; how do we market these youths? How do we make one million youths in every state have a place in Nollywood in the next two years? That is my target.

My target is to give one million artistes jobs in every state in the next two years. We would situate a strong central system and then have electives around the whole 36 states. These electives can now mentor every young child that has interest in the trade. The absence of this is what we see; confusion. So many kids want to be actors tomorrow; they keep calling me, I don’t have answers for them. I will fight all of them till we all lose it or gain it for everybody.

Open challenge to Wale Adenuga

So let him not think it is Uhuru here. Before Wale Adenuga opened his studio, I had opened my studio at Adeniran Ogunsanya. Before he started making cinematographers, I had made several cinematographers in my office at Adeniran Ogunsanya. I trained over a 100 ex militants in Ghana which was about the best training in amnesty; I did not embezzle a dime and those boys, they love me as if I’m their father.

They call me daddy because my interest is their life. They know I mean well for them. That is how we should go about as responsible Nigerians not just make a way for our own juniors. If Wale Adenuga Junior will not suffer in life, what happens to other people’s Juniors? So when they talk, they should know that the man they talk to, is a very intelligent man and not a riffraff or an idiot. I am properly educated, an Engineer is not a man you take for granted; I am painstaking in my decision and I am very concise in what I say.

Jackie Appiah donates huge cash, gifts to flood and fire victims

Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah, yesterday donated huge undisclosed amount of money and several gift items to victims of the June 3 tragic flood and fire disasters in Accra, the capital of Ghana. She visited the 37 Military Hospital and later Nima, a suburb of Accra where she interacted with the flood victims.

She donated several items including bags of rice, cartons of water, drinks, toiletries, other food items and an undisclosed amount of money to support the victims

After presenting the items to the authorities of the 37 Military Hospital, Jackie also visited the children’s ward where she interacted with the children on admission and presented several items to them and their parents. Jackie said she was at the hospital to commiserate with those who had lost loved ones, help offer some relief items and wish those on admission speedy recovery. “Events of last Wednesday still leaves me in shock. Seeing the destruction, loss of lives and properties saddens my heart.” She offered a word of prayer to all those who were affected directly or indirectly by the twin national disasters of flood and petrol  explosion. The actress also made a passionate appeal to well meaning institutions both in Ghana and across the world to offer any kind of assistance; both in cash and kind to the affected people to enable them rebuild their lives.

Afrocandy slams Nicki Minaj for copying her style

US-based Nollywood actress Judith Mazagwu, popularly known as Afrocandy, has an attitude, so is American singer, Nicki Minaj. One common thing to both of them is that neither gives a hoot about how she is seen in public. Both have the knack of leaving their admirers speechless in their choice of style which, more often, is subject of sensual commotion.

Nicki-Minaj

Afrocandy

Though their paths never crossed, it would seem Afrocandy has gone out of her way to ram into the singer when she accused her of copying her dress style.  According to her, she had an outfit for a while but because of weight, she had to wait a bit to shed some pounds only for her to see Minaj  in that same dress.

“I’ve had this outfit for a while but was waiting to lose weight before I could wear it, then I saw Nicki Minaj wearing a similar outfit.

I said to myself, mmmmh; this person is copying my style. So yesterday, a fan called me. I was complaining about my weight and tummy, he told me not to worry that my fans love me the way I am with the big stomach.

That gave me a lot of confidence even though I hear it all the time. I guess I am gonna stop worrying and flaunt myself the way I am. This is how I am rolling out today, I am bringing sexy look back!”, she wrote on her social handle.

Nicki, who isn’t probably aware of Afrocandy’s outburst, hasn’t responded but many have slammed Afrocandy for craving cheap publicity. See if there is anything close in the dress styles

Juliet Ibrahim recounts Ghana flood experience

Most parts of Ghana  including the capital city, Accra, and major city, Kumasi, recently experienced what has been described as worst flooding in the history of the country. Floods, which in some places, reached beyond the chest, were reported, and many lives were allegedly lost. The flood, according to reports was no respecter of persons as it visited both the low and the mighty. Even actors had stories to tell.

One of such actors that had a story to tell is beautiful Juliet Ibrahim who was shooting a movie at the time. According to her, the flood was so great they had to cut shooting.

“Exactly one week today, Whilst filming my new TV series my cast and crew were all inside this house located in Trasacco area and the wall broke down, the house and compound was flooded and water level was as high as our waist. Cars were damaged, equipments damaged but we thank God for our lives and we made it out of the compound through the flood leaving everything else behind. The following day we went back there and discovered that an  alligator was inside the house. My body crept at the knowledge that  we walked through the flood with such animals loitering around. May the souls of the departed of the tragic flood rest in peace. Amen! By the way, the tenants of the estate are leaving the place so only the landlord is left to occupy the place all by himself. We thank God for the revelation because it could have been worse” she recounted her experience in an Instagram post days ago.

For a fan who commented that she should have gone ahead with her shooting in spite of the flooding, the actress replied in anger, “So, I should be walking inside water that’s up to my waist level and be video recording to satisfy your curiosity or doubt ? Clap for your wise self. If you can’t say anything relevant, don’t! You are obviously not a Ghanaian and didn’t see what most Ghanaians went through last week” she lashed out.

7 tips to stay fresh during the summer

Summer usually goes with sun, beach, sea, and holidays. It is the right moment to chill or party, but warm temperatures could be your worst enemy. Thus, TRACE has decided to give you 7 advices to stay fresh during this time of the year.

1. Lemon Juice

It is a very useful way to remove yellow sweat stains from white shirts, spray the affected areas with lemon juice before you put them in the washing machine.

2. Deodorant in your shoes

People often wear shoes without socks, and it also often create chafing odors. Thus, rub a stick of deodorant on the sides of your feet, and any friction that’s causing harm should dissipate away.

3. Talking about deodorant

Keep extra shirts and deodorant at the office or at school. It could be useful.

4. Take of your shoes

Take off your shoes as often as possible. Thus you could refresh your feet and your shoes, and it will prevent chafing odors.

5. Keep a handkerchief on you

If Obama does it, there is a reason. Keep a handkerchief to cool down your pulse is very important, in order to stay fresh.

6. Wear a short instead of a sweatpants

Some people wear sweatpants during summer, despite the warm temperatures. Wear sweat shorts. You can’t wear sweatpants every time.

7. North is cool at this time

Godafoss is a very beautiful Icelandic waterfall. It is located on the North of the island not far from the lake Myvatn and the Ring Road.

To avoid warm temperatures, you can move North. Do you know Iceland? Everybody says it is wonderful.

It’s not by force to feature Wizkid, Banky W on my album- Skales

Fresh off the release of  his debut album, ‘Man Of The Year,’ former EME signee, Skales, now signed to Baseline Entertainment, is still basking in the euphoria that accompanied his album release party which attracted a lot of top guns in the entertainment industry.

 Banky W

The ‘Shake Body’ singer was hosted by weekly entertainment networking event, Industry Nite on Wednesday and he addressed some of the issues regarding why he didn’t feature any of his former label mates from EME such as Wizkid and Banky W, on his new album.

Apparently fed up with all the questions and insinuations that have been directed at him on the issue, Skales retorted that he was under no compulsion to feature any of the artistes.

In a chat with Potpourri, and while responding to the question on why he didn’t collaborate with Banky W or Wizkid, he said, “It’s not by force to feature them. Besides, everybody have their different schedules, so the time didn’t fit in for us all. This album had been ready a long time ago, so that’s another reason.”

On the nature of his disagreement with Wizkid and whether they had mended fences, he said, “Whatever happened has happened. Me, I’ve moved on.”

Breast sucking good for you?

The female breasts, also known as “the twins” or “the girls”, have remained the most conspicuous and attractive feature of the female sexual organ. Perhaps, its strategic positioning and function adds to its importance in the life of a woman.

Besides the age long biological function of the breasts as a source of food and nourishment for babies, the breast is also a major source of sexual attraction for the male specie, just as it is also a key sexual organ for the woman, highly sensitive to stimulation. The fact that they come in various shapes and sizes, further add to their uniqueness and endearing place in our hearts as humans.

As a sexual organ, the breasts have been known to give immense pleasure to both men and women during sexual encounters. In fact, some women have reportedly disclosed that they are capable of achieving orgasm even when thoroughly stimulated through sucking and caressing of the breasts alone. Though, because of this highly sensitive nature, some women find it very uncomfortable or even painful to submit their twin girls to constant sexual manipulation of any kind.

Interestingly, men are constantly drawn to the breasts. A lot of this attraction has been attributed to psychological composition, perception and beliefs. For, pray, why would a full grown man be obsessed with sucking some mounds of milkless breasts? I don’t often get logical answers to this question when I ask. The function of the breasts in sexual behaviour has been attributed to human Face -to -Face copulation that is unusual among other mammals. Since the breast already serves the function of mother-infant bonding, then it is also excellent for male -female bonding, says an argument. After all, it is just within reach.

For those familiar with some of the social media platforms, you would have come across a particular message that has been making the rounds for a couple of years now. Purportedly attributed to the BBC as source, this message usually springs out during the cancer awareness months and in support of cancer prevention campaign. As expected, it elicits a wide range of controversies from both men and women, from humour to disdain and sexual innuendoes, while some others believe the content hook, line and sinker. The purported message is claimed to have been issued by the Ministry of Health in the fight against breast cancer. One of the versions I have received read thus:

Very soon, women will be paying men to have their breasts sucked! According to a report on BBC website,  Doctors recommend that women reduce the risk of getting breast cancer by having their breasts sucked thoroughly and vigorously. It is said that regular sucking of the breast lowers the risk level that tends to build up lumps leading to breast cancer. The breast must be sucked as often as possible. Help women fight breast cancer today. Men, please do your part  and suck a breast now! And women, please endeavour to make it available regularly…… This message is from the Ministry of Health in the fight against breast cancer.

I have tried several times without success to get a confirmation for this story on the mentioned websites including cancer.org and some others in related fields. But perhaps, someone out there knows the original and authentic source of this message? Please share it with us!

As interesting as this message may be, as well as the different responses it receives anytime it is being passed around, depending on which side of the divide you find yourself, I am more worried about the health implications attached. Cancer is not something to make jokes out of as it claims millions of lives across the world every year. Again, some frightened lady who hitherto was not in favour of breast sucking may easily submit herself to torture with the belief that she is suffering for a good reason. Please, let us not confuse issues. Breast feeding is not the same as breast sucking. Breast feeding is the process of feeding  new born and infants with breast milk. It is this that has been medically proven to be of  immense benefit to both mother and child and can prevent breast cancer. There are no scientifically proven studies indicating that breast sucking is of any medical benefit to the the woman whose breast is being sucked or the person doing the sucking.

However, what has been scientifically proven is the fact that breast sucking when properly performed is of immense pleasure to the woman and may sometime on its own lead to orgasm or when combined with some other forms of sexual stimulation will help a woman to achieve orgasm quicker. Again, neither has any research shown that breast sucking can give a woman cancer.

So ladies, please relax and allow your guys do the job for you.  if you are not enjoying the way he is doing it, tell him. I can assure you, it’s a win-win situation.

Jurassic World’ eats box office alive’

The fearsome “Jurassic Park” dinosaurs have done it again, scoring the second-largest North American opening weekend ever with its latest franchise.

Action-packed “Jurassic World,” featuring a new, and particularly lethal hybrid dino, scored a whopping $204.6 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The record for an opening weekend take is held by “Marvel’s The Avengers” at $207 million in 2012.

In addition to Chris Pratt as chief dinosaur-keeper and Bryce Dallas Howard as the park’s overzealous marketing chief, the cast includes a multi-ethnic array of actors.

Co-produced by Steven Spielberg — who directed the first two of the four films — “Jurassic World” takes us back to the island theme park where scientists first revived T-Rex and Co for paying customers more than two decades ago.

It bumped comedy espionage spoof “Spy” to second place, with $16 million.

The movie stars Melissa McCarthy as a CIA analyst with a hohum desk job but a knack for being a discrete hero in risky missions carried out by others.

But this time, she goes deep undercover in the world of arms trafficking when two agents — played by Jason Statham and Jude Law — get in trouble, and works to head off a global disaster.

Mega-disaster epic “San Andreas,” which topped box office sales in its debut two weekends ago at $54.6 million, was in third place as the blockbuster summer season gathers pace at $11 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The big-budget spectacular stars Dwayne Johnson as a rescue pilot teaming up with his estranged wife to rescue their daughter after temblors unleash chaos on Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The film’s title refers to a much-feared, major geological fault in California.

Fourth place went to the new flick “Insidious: Chapter 3,” at $7.3 million

It is a prequel to the story of a family connected to the spirit world, and here a psychic contacts the dead to help a teen targeted by a supernatural entity.

“Pitch Perfect 2″ came in fifth at $6.0 million.

Starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, the musical comedy sequel follows the fortunes of the Barden Bellas singing team as they chase international success after being banned from the competitive circuit.

“Entourage” — adapted from an HBO TV sitcom about an actor and his childhood buddies living the high life in Hollywood — was sixth with $4.3 million in revenue.

It stars Adrian Grenier playing A-list movie star Vince Chase.

“Mad Max: Fury Road,” the fourth film of the iconic “Mad Max” franchise and the first in 30 years, dropped to seventh place, taking in $4.1 million.

Superhero blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron” scored $3.6 million.

In ninth place was Disney’s “Tomorrowland,” the sci-fi adventure drama starring George Clooney. It cashed in $3.4 million.

Rounding out the top 10 was “Love & Mercy,” a portrait of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and his journey to success.

Acting makes me expose my body too often — Ginika Maureen

Ginika Maureen started her career proper in 2013 and she is known mostly for her controversial role in ‘SS3 Students’ where she acted as a lesbian. Ginika has played a lot of bad girl roles in movies and because she is so convincing in her on-screen performances that some people have come  to believe she is how she appears on screen. In this exclusive interview, she talks about her career in Nollywood, life and more.

What is your latest movie?

My latest movie out is ‘Losing Heaven’ with, Mercy Macjoe, Martha Ankomah, Slyvia Ukattu and others.

What is it about?

It’s about a family that has three kids, three girls to be precise. One is a born-again Christian, another a tomboy and a thief while the third one is a prostitute. The father is a drunk, the mother a slut and she is sharing same man with one of her daughters.

Have you ever faced personal problems because of your career as an actress?

Yes I have, family problems. Being an actress has cost me a lot. Most people now see me as a lesbian. Most people see me as a bad girl, many others say I don’t know how to speak English because of one movie I did where I spoke pidgin English. Acting has made me to expose my body often and normally I don’t expose my body all that.

Have you limited your acting skills because of people   criticising you?

Yes, now I select roles because of what people say. I don’t want them to start seeing me like the character I play in movies. I don’t want to have a bad name in the industry. Yes, it’s acting but most people don’t see it as acting, they see it as the real you and there’s nothing you tell them that would make them believe that it’s just acting.

What has been your most shocking role in a movie?

It’s the one I made love on a beach in a movie called  ‘Ashawo Bar Beach’. Whenever people watch that movie, they call me and tell me ‘What is this’? It was serious sex but it wasn’t real.

Were you naked?

Ginika Maureen

I was wearing a bikini

Who starred in that movie with you?

Mercy Macjoe, Moyo Lawal, Sam Sunny and others.

Do you regret being an actress?

It’s a privilege, I’m so happy to be an actress and I’ll be so sad if I stopped acting. I’ve never regretted it for one day, it’s my passion.

Have you ever paid for a role before?

They asked me once. A colleague of mine came to me then that I have to pay some amount of money to get to the top or I bleach my skin. She told me many actresses have been doing it but I told them that I wouldn’t do it.

What does bleaching of skin have to do with anything?

Most people believe that dark people don’t sell and we have to lighten our skin before we can sell.

Have you ever acted as a lesbian?

Yes, I have in two movies: SS3 students and Christabel. In ‘SS3 students’, I acted as a senior student sleeping with all the junior girls, taking them to sleep with men but I don’t sleep with the men. After I sleep with the girls, I take them to sleep with men for money. In ‘Christabel’ I played as a lesbian from a very wealthy home and in the movie, Christabel tried to seduce my brother’s wife.

How do you view Nollywood?

Nollywood is a very good avenue for us to showcase our talents. It is not only a place for showcasing talents, they help people too . If you are an AGN member and you want to be a producer, they can help you produce and you gain a lot as an AGN member

How do you become an AGN member?

You go to their secretariat, register and get a form. After your registration, you’ll be getting audition notices through SMS and you’ll be going for AGN meetings.

Have you faced any scandal so far?

There was once a rumour that a man bought me a brand new car, that his wife came, embarrassed me and took the car from me. It was everywhere and I was confused because I didn’t understand when it happened. I’m wondering who the man was that bought me a car, that his wife took away. Such a thing never happened.

If you are not an actress, what would you have been doing?

I’ll be working in a company as a customer service person because I like receiving people. I used to be a customer service person at Doshlaps.

Why did you leave?

I didn’t leave, they sacked me. What happened was, I went to Church on Workers Day, 1st of May. We weren’t supposed to go to work on Workers Day; they called me to come to work, I told them I was in Church already, that I couldn’t leave church. I came to work the next morning and I was given a letter that I was flashy and I overdress and that was their reason for sacking me.