Probe Jonathan’s $200 million Nollywood fund, Veteran urges Buhari

A veteran thespian, Lari Williams, on Tuesday urged the government to inquire into the current state of the grant the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration gave to the entertainment sector. Williams told pressmen on Tuesday that he and others needed to know what had been disbursed and what had yet to be disbursed.

Jonathan provided a grant of $200m to the entertainment industry as Nollywood Fund
Williams added that a proper management of the sectors’ resources would help to keep it dynamic with the provision of requisite infrastructure and training schools for stage and movie performance. “There was a cash grant for the development of arts in Nigeria disbursed to the sector by the immediate past president but the practitioners do not know how the grant is being disbursed.

“We need to know how the funds given to the sector is being disbursed because the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry will be enhanced by such money if well utilised. “Let’s restructure the industry to give a better foundation for the entertainment sector to grow the way it should,’’ he said.

President Jonathan on Nov. 7, 2010 during the 30th anniversary of Silverbird Organisation, gave a grant of 200 million dollars to the nation’s entertainment industry. The then president said that his administration was determined to pursue a policy that would assist and grow the nation’s entertainment sector from continental to global brand. He charged entertainment practitioners to use the loan to produce quality music and movies that would create more jobs for people and make the country proud.

The funds were eventually domiciled with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for eventual disbursement to those artists who were able to come up with viable business plans. In this vein, Emeka Ossai, a renowned Nollywood actor, told newsmen in 2014 that he was able to get some funds from the BoI after he was able to present a workable business plan.
Williams also emphasised the need for the nation’s artists to be well groomed in the fundamentals of the craft they practice. “The decline in the creativity of sculptors, painters, poets, writers and musicians could be attributed to the lack of facilities on ground to harness these talents.

“I always say no bird can fly high on bald wings which implies that we are focused on just one aspect of the entertainment industry. “We should not develop only screens and leave behind theatres and stage plays.

“The development should be broad based just like America’s broad way. “If the funds given by the former president was made available, grooming talents in arts and culture would be enhanced,’’ he said.

Credit: Vanguard

91-year-old man arrested for smuggling cocaine into Australia

A 91-year-old Sydney man was used by drug smugglers to fly 4.5 kilograms of cocaine disguised as soap from India to Australia, police said Tuesday.

The man was stopped at Sydney airport on his arrival from New Delhi on July 8th when customs officers became suspicious of the contents of his luggage, officials said.

They found 27 packages of soap which tested positive for cocaine. The man was charged with importing illegal drugs.

“Claiming ignorance of drugs hidden inside your luggage does not automatically mean you will not face criminal charges,” acting Assistant Police Commissioner, Wayne Buchhorn, said.

WHY I WAITED LONG TO GET PREGNANT—STEPHANIE OKEREKE

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, has disclosed that she never wanted to let people know she was pregnant until her photographs started flying on the internet.

She explained that it was only few family members and friends that were aware of her pregnancy and even went as far as staying away from the cameras to conceal the good news.

Stephanie told Genevieve magazine that, “You just don’t say anything. Your family and friends know, but you stay at home and don’t go anywhere. People have been trying to get me to come out but I keep telling them I’m on bed rest. I didn’t want people talking about it until I was ready to announce it.”

On why it took her long to get pregnant, the actress stated that it was a personal choice.

“Waiting this long to have a baby is a personal choice and God ultimately decides. You have to be ready mentally and physically. I had a lot of films I was shooting and I was travelling a lot too. My movie is out now and I cannot even promote it across Africa like I wanted to do because I am stuck in one place.

“It’s also God’s timing. Neither my husband nor I were pressured. I feel this is the right time for it to happen. Right after we got married, I was on set shooting. But this year was different. It’s the perfect year for me to year to get pregnant,” she said.

Stephanie got married to her husband, Linus Idahosa in April 2012 in Paris, France.

FFK IS SHAMELESS - TONI PAYNE

Recently, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who now wants to be called Olukayode, disowned his children from his former wife and his action was greeted with mixed reaction from some Nigerians.

One of those who have kicked against his announcement is former wife of 9ice, Toni Payne, whose marriage to the singer crashed some months after it was consummated.

Toni, who could not hold back her anger, reacted to the issue, saying, “If I were FFK's kids, I would bid him good riddance.

“There is more to life than bothering yourself a man who would say such vile things, I don't know why anyone would want to build a relationship with someone who knows you exist but did not care to raise you; boggles my mind.”

She further said, “Ladies, before you take a man seriously, look at how he talks about or treats his exes. That FFK story is beyond ridiculous. Not all fathers will be fathers. Some men are simply donors. If you find yourself with one, the sooner you accept your situation the better.”

"FFK's kids shouldn't even respond.Just move on and distance yourself completely. It's not worth it fighting someone with no shame," Toni Payne added.

MY EX WAS A CHEAT - TONTO DIKEH

Over the weekend, Tonto Dikeh reportedly held her marriage introduction at her hometown in Rivers State.

This put to rest the stunt the actress started shortly after she commenced an affair with her new husband, Churchill Oladunni, who she first described as Mr X.

Speaking on her former boyfriend, Tonto said he was a cheat and an internet whore.

In her words, "Your partner cheated on you does not mean all humans are cheats. My ex was a cheat. A prolific internet whore and a fake but that did not stop me from loving even harder the next time."

It would be recalled that before now, Tonto dated Michael Awujoola popularly known as Malivelihood.