And there shall be no more smoking in film!

It is a not a new thing in movies for someone, in a very posh home, surrounding by all the paraphernalia of luxury, to place a stick of cigarette around between his fingers and puff away, especially when he/she is under tension or just to show off. It happens so many times that subliminally, smoking begins to look like the habit of the wealthy and the sophisticated culture. Very soon, these portrayal might be no more.

On Mar 15 this year, the Senate approved the National Tobacco Control Bill. The Bill, among other things, will regulate the activities of the tobacco companies as well as protects the citizens especially minors. The constituent of the Bill includes banning smoking in public places and similarly designated places. It also includes non-glamorisation of smoking in movies and music videos while every park will carry the surgeon general’s warning. In places where people are not supposed to smoke, the warning will come in English and indigenous languages.

No longer will minors be able to buy cigarettes or smoke it in movies as the Bill prescribes ages will be a requirement for purchase. The Bill also says that cigarettes can only be bought in packs and no longer singly. Also, no more shall cigarettes ever be advertised or will it sponsor any show or event.

The National Coordinator of Coalition Against Tobacco, Ms. Toyosi Onaolapo, says after 25 months of actively engaging the legislature to force the tobacco industry to demonstrate a similar level of responsibility as exhibited in their home countries, they are glad that they have results to show for it. She says there is still more to be done as there should be compliance with the provision of the Bill. The essence, she said, is to protect public health and safety.

The legal Counsel for CAT, Mr. Babtunde Irukera, said the battle against Tobacco was not an easy one because the industry has an incredible amount of resources to fight them to a standstill. He said they didn’t backtrack as the evidence they used against the Tobacco industry came from within the industry itself.

“In movies, they are portrayed as rich and affluent and when you are under pressure, tobacco is a good way to cool off. In reality, it is not true. Tobacco is about the only product in the world designed to kill and one out of two smokers die as a direct consequence. The other half is killed by indirect consequences.”

Irukera said 62 per cent cases of erectile dysfunction, impotence and loss of vitality is a consequence of smoking. He said for women, it was equally bad as their reproductive health was at risk as a result of smoking. He said even though tobacco companies argue about their relevance to the society, they do not provide more than 945 jobs throughout the industry and over all, are on a softer moral ground and they could puncture their strength.

Omotola Jalade First Nollywood actress to walk the Grammy awards red carpet!!

History was made yesterday as Nollywood diva"Omotola jalade Ekehinde becomes the first Nollywood actress to walk the Grammy awards red carpet courtesy of her New international management "Bishop Entertainment consult & Bungalo/Universal records.  Omotola who is currently in the US for a series of promotional appearances was looking pretty in a black and white dress.
Obehi Okoawo's Blog is glad to bring you the exclusive pictures .

Omotola with Motown records artiste

 See More pictures below

Omotola with Bishop A on grammy red carpet

Omotola answering questions @the red carpet

Omotola and Leo Roders

Omotola and Mohammed

Omotola and Efe

NOLLYWOOD TOP ACTRESS RAPED BY A PHANTOM AGENT

 

A prominent Nollywood actress who bought a carefully woven lies peddled by a sick and emotionally troubled wannabe agent, was allegedly raped mercilessly by the ‘agent’ and his sick minion sometime last month in Accra, Ghana, sending in the process a big chill down the spine of most female top stars in Nollywood.

According to our very dependable source, the actress – a beloved Nollywood princess was contacted by the man who claimed to have deep industry contacts in Hollywood, and had pictures he allegedly had taken with some big actors, and actresses in Hollywood, to validate his claims. He told the actress that he believed she was destined for bigger and better things and that he would help set up meetings and deals for her in Hollywood. “The actress was over the moon with excitement” our source continued “I mean who in Nollywood, wouldn’t mind being represented by a big agent with industry-wide contacts in Hollywood? She quickly agreed to meet the ‘agent’ in his hotel suite in Accra.” “At their first meeting,” our source continued, “everything went spectacularly well. She was shown pictures the guy had taken with some top stars in Nollywood, and he proceeded to show her some paper work he wanted her to take home and study, with the view to representing her in Hollywood. They had some drinks and she came back all excited and telling all that cared to listen that she would soon be Hollywood bound. The ‘agent’ asked her to meet him the following day so they could sign the agreement and set the ball rolling.” “She was on time at their second meeting and in high expectations” our source went on to add “and after some rounds of drinks, things went terribly awry.

Unknown to the starry-eyed actress, the man who claimed to be a ‘big Hollywood agent’ was nothing other than a con-man out to prey on the vulnerabilities and hopes of bigger stardom by some Nollywood actresses. He was said to have laced the drinks with date rape drugs, and soon, the actress became delirious and eventually passed out. The heartless goon was said to have violated her mercilessly and satisfied with his sick designs, left her in the room and took off. When she woke up, and finding herself naked and violated, she was said to have cried uncontrollably and feeling ashamed to inform the hotel and the police about the rape, and what that would do to her name and image in Nollywood, she chalked up the sad experience as a teachable moment. She however, confided the ugly experience to some of close friends, who, in turn mentioned it to others, and now, it has become the least kept secret in Nollywood.”

The experience of the actress has sent deep chills in the industry, and actresses no longer deals with strangers directly. Most now insist on such ‘agents’ dealing directly with their managers first and if need arises for them to meet with them, it would be done in other people’s presence. Also, meetings at hotels, even though it may be unavoidable, are being frowned upon, by some actresses. Most will rather prefer a meeting in an office setting. The sicko, who perpetrated the heinous crime, is said to have bailed out of town, but some Nollywood top guns are said to be on the look-out for him, and hope to apprehend him soon, and allow the law to take its course. Meanwhile, the actress has resumed her life, and according to close friends was lucky not to have been infected with an STD after the horrible rape based on the result of the medical test she ran.

Source......

Actor Ifeanyi Dike in need of kidney transplant

Actor Ifeanyi Dike (Before)

TV presenter, actor and chairman, board of trustees, Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN), Ifeanyi Dike is fighting for his life. He has kidney failure, which he has been battling for about a year now.

He said the sickness has eaten deep into his pockets, his psyche and his physique (as you can see in the this recent pic of him )

He's been keeping quiet about his illness for a while now, but friends convinced him to open up about it and seek help.

The actor needs a kidney donor and about N7million for a kidney transplant.

Actor Ifeanyi Dike (Now)

 May God continue to keep him alive and send help his way. In Jesus Name, Amen.