Sexual harassment occurs everywhere, even among animals —Belinda Effah

Belinda Effah is a versatile actress, with many awards to show for it. Starting off as a housemate in the Next Movie Star show in 2006, her career has been on a smooth sail since. She speaks with Doyin Adeoye on her career, Belinda’s Advocacy Against Rape and her style, among other issues. Exerpts:
Foray into acting
I came into the industry in 2005. My first appearance on the screen was when I featured in a soap opera entitled “Shallow Waters”. Subsequently, I featured in a reality TV show, Next Movie Star in 2006 and I was one of the last standing housemates. After the show, it was quite difficult penetrating the industry, so I had to take a lot of time, treading the waters, while also harnessing my talent in the process, because it didn’t come easy. So the breakthrough eventually came for me in 2011.

The Nigerian music industry has no standard —Jesse Jagz

Jesse Jagz is a rapper to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry. The artiste who was a former member of the Chocolate City label speaks with Doyin Adeoye in this interview about his exit from the label, Jagz Nation and his career, among other things. Excerpts:
What defines Jesse Jagz as a brand?
I guess it is the freedom and confidence to express myself without the fear of compromise, criticism or opinion. I would say that is basically what Jesse Jagz brand is about.

Celebrity siblings in the spotlight

It is really hard to break into the Nigerian entertainment scene, but some families have the record of not one, but at least two siblings in spotlight, with them all relatively making impact. DOYIN ADEOYE profiles prominent Nigerian celebrity siblings.

Gabriel, Kunle, Aremu Afolayan
Sons of the foremost filmmaker of the 70s and 80s, Adeyemi Afolayan, better known as Ade Love; Kunle, Aremu and Gabriel Afolayan are no obscure names in the Nigerian entertainment industry, especially Kunle, who, just like his father, is one of the most prominent filmmakers in the movie industry today.

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Raising the bar from where his father left it, Kunle Afolayan is seen by many as a filmmaker with style and class, with many of his works being showcased even beyond the shores of Africa. Gabriel on the other hand, apart from being a renowned actor, has produced hit singles that got many fans thrilled, one of which is the love song, ‘Kokoro Ife.’
Aremu is another actor with skills and with so much resemblance with Kunle, whose interpretation of roles is superb.

Best of Nigeria’s literary adaptations into movies

A great source of storylines for the big screen, literary adaptations for movies is a goldmine many movie makers in Nigeria are yet to tap into. Unlike in Hollywood, where movies such as Harry Porter, The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather and so many other blockbusters were adapted from novels, only few producers in Nigeria know about this unique connection. DOYIN ADEOYE writes on some of the achievements of the literary works adapted into movies in the Nigerian film industry.
Half of a Yellow Sun
The second novel to be written by author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a Yellow Sun was published in 2006 and since then, it has gained an international recognition. The 488-page book tells the story of the Biafran War in such an astonishing way that it earned the writer the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction, an award given annually for the best original full-length novel written by a woman in English.

How an underwater stunt shot me to limelight —Deyemi Okanlawon

Actor and New York Film Academy-trained filmmaker, Deyemi Okanlawon, speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on his career and other things. Excerpts:

What was growing up like for you?
I am the second of five children and the first boy. Despite many siblings, growing up, for me, was relatively quiet. I, more or less, grew up alone. I spent most of my time by myself in my room, because as a child, I was always reading books. I loved to read stories and basically, that is the part of me that grew to make me a shy person.