Why I won’t do romantic roles for now – Ify Adibeli
* Why they call her hottest virgin

By KEHINDE AJOSE & ADERONKE ADEYERI
They call her the hottest virgin in Nollywood but Adibeli Ify, a budding actress and a student of Open University, isn’t carried away with such appellation as she believes there may not be virgins in Nollywood anymore. She started her acting career at age 16 when she did a few scenes to earn N5000. Now, at 20, Ify looks to have her world cut out for her as she has featured in close to 20 films, with five of those as a leading character. Meet the Nollywood’s hottest virgin, the ever-smiling girl many have described as a dead ringer to Tonto Dikeh. She cut her teeth in movies like Blood Enemies, Online Babes, Sound of War and others.
The Beginning
Ify Adebeli has a cheery air about her that would get you thinking this is a girl that would find it hard to settle down at anything. But beneath that giggly, carefree, happy-go-lucky girl mien is a character as strong as a granite. She’s finding her feet in the industry but that hasn’t come about without her having to pay the price most of her colleagues paid.

Ify Adibeli

Aftermath of 2015 AMAA: Organizers to stop sponsoring non-nominees —Peace Anyim-Osigwe

It may not be business as usual, as organizers of the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award, AMAA, have declared that henceforth, anyone wishing to attend their future events apart from the nominees should be prepared to foot his or her travelling expenses.

This new development was revealed last week by AMAA President, Peace Anyim-Osigwe during a post-awards meeting in Lagos, with some selected journalists.

I may work with D’banj – Don Jazzy

Leader of Nigeria’s high flying music crew, MAVIN’s Don Jazzy is one individual who has contributed in no small measure to the growth of the music industry in Nigeria. Over a year ago, the likes of Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and Dija were greenhorns in the industry until Don Dorobucci gave them the track to run their own races. Today, they have grown to become stars in their own right, thanks to Don Jazzy’s masterstroke.

I’m proud to be a beauty queen —Mimi Orjiekwe

Nollywood actress and Face of Nigeria Angelz, Mimi Orjiekwe is a beauty to behold any day. The actress was in high spirit when she relinquished her crown to her successor at this year’s edition of Face of Nigeria Angelz Beauty pageant which held recently in Lagos.

Mimi Orjiekwe

Speaking at the glamorous event, Mimi expressed excitement, noting that “being a beauty queen is something she is always proud of.”

What acting wicked characters did to my life — Chiwetalu Agu

Popular Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, often acts the role of a wicked man in movies. And his depictions are so real that many fans believe that is his real character. In this chat with Showtime Celebrity, he explains that the negative reaction of fans towards his wicked roles is what actually led him into acting comic roles. Excerpts…
You seem to have an affinity for comedies; why is that?

Chiwetalu Agu

I wouldn’t call it affinity. Years ago, I found out that most of the scripts that were brought to me didn’t have comic relief; I was always given roles of a wicked man and I got to understand that most of my fans were not pleased with it. Some of them felt it was something real, and the consequence was that whenever I stepped out in public, I was caught in embarrassing situations. I then decided to be infusing comic relief even when I’m playing wicked characters because I’m a veteran  screen writer. In the early 80s, we were operating in NTA Enugu, which was formerly Anambra Television Channel 50, so the talent is there, and I combined it with the wicked roles they were giving me. The result is that when you are watching me play a wicked role, you will still have cause to laugh, and ease your tension. In fact, I have achieved a lot by doing that.

Rifts in Ohanaeze, Govs’ Forum stall discussions on Biafra agitations

No successful dialogue with Kanu in detention –MASSOB
Rivers govt bans pro Biafra protest
Njiko Igbo urges Buhari to release detained Biafran agitators
Ohanaeze disowns Radio Biafra Director, condemns medium’s hate speeches
By Emeka Mamah,   Jimitota Onoyume,  Vincent Ujumadu & Chimaobi Nwaiwu
There were indications yesterday that lingering rift within the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and that of the South-East Governors’ Forum may be hampering opportunities for Igbo leaders to take a collective position on the recent wave of pro-Biafra protests taking place in parts of the area.
Moreover, according to competent sources, Igbo leaders are also said to be in a fix on what to do about millions of the youths from the South-East agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra following what they described as marginalization and discrimination by “the owners of Nigeria.”

I’M IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH MYSELF– FILMMAKER ONYENWE

 

•Chioma Onyenwe

To many Nigerian film lovers, the name Chioma Onyenwe might not ring a bell but this filmmaker says that she’s out to tell a ‘coming of age’ story. Though an economist by training, she says that her desire to make films dates back to her childhood days. Chioma, who is also a Programme Coordinator for the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) speaks to OVWE MEDEME on the preparations so far, her debut feature film, 8 Bars & A Clef among other issues.
HOW are preparations coming for this year’s AFRIFF?
We are in the non-sleeping stage. Every hour counts. We are very busy. Nobody is sleeping anymore. We are waiting for the festival to start and then push it through till it finishes.
What is different from last year’s edition of the festival?
A lot of things are different this year, mainly because it is held within Lagos. Last year, the festival was held in Cross River State. In Calabar, we had that community feel. Everybody came together in one place but in Lagos, it is quite different. We are opening it up to everyone. There are a number of venues and a lot of activities. The film screenings have doubled as against last year. Also, the industry sessions are much. There is just so much happening in town throughout the week.