Movies have the tendency or capacity to help people feel better.- Rekiyat Ibrahim Attah, Veteran Nollywood Actress

 'Rape cases have  gone up, it took a pandemic like this  to see how relatable these issues could be'

Rekiyat Ibrahim Attah is a Nollywood actress with numerous fans. She has really endured in the Nigerian movie world and has no doubt  paid her dues. This is  the second section of the interview. The first part was published on the same blog adanneamos.blogspot.com 
You can log into it and read the beginning of the story.
Story by ADAEZE AMOS

Excerpts:
Since movies are one of the tools that help to address social vices, do you encourage us to watch more movies at these times?
Oh yes, I agree with you that movies  are very powerful tool to fight social vices. But remember as an entertainer, sometimes, we say there is no entertainment just for entertainment sake. You want to be sure that someone learns something out of the efforts or out of the story that you are trying  to tell in the movie and all of that. And I think a lot of directors or film producers would say to you,  that something happened and they want to either correct a notion in the society or there is a personal story of someone that they feel  other people would learn one thing or the other  from. So, ehm, I think there is no doubt about the fact that movies have the tendency or capacity to help  people feel better.

It may appear as if we 've lost empathy, but we have not! - Rekiya Ibrahim Attah, veteran Nollywood actress

Her face is in fact her signature. Take a closer look at her picture. Remember her? Rekiya Ibrahim Attah, a veteran  Nollywood actress and producer  who has starred in so many movies and soap operas. Did you ask what about her? Well, she recently posted on her  facebook wall that everyone should endeavour to be happy regardless of what is happening around us. Hear her:  “decide to be happy always. Never allow anyone’s negativity get on your inside. Be you!”

Those were her words. Adaeze Amos in this press chat took her up on  whether it is possible for one to be happy at these times when many are dying and no one is sure of who would die next?

 I would say yes it is possible to be happy! I always would advise that people try as much as possible to stay happy but that’s not forgetting the fact that human beings have their own natural senses. It is natural to get angry, it’s natural to cry, it’s natural to feel sad. And so, when I say that don’t let anybody’s negativity hit at your person, I would be referring strictly to the fact that you shouldn’t let anybody  hit your own self esteem. Because you need your self esteem at a high level to now be able to react to what is happening around you. For me, I think it’s natural that people get angry or sad about some things. But you see, you need a complete human being who is confident of himself or herself to react to some of those natural phenomenon.

It worries me why nobody seems to care or talk about people living with arthritis-Felicity Akachukwu, founder of Save The Arthritis Patients (SAP)

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

Felicity Akachukwu,  the founder of Save The Arthritis  Patients (SAP)  is worried about  the way and manner many people talk about such ailments as cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, HIV, cardiac arrest, Covid-19 to mention but a few without mentioning arthritis. It's not only the above mentioned ailments that have the tendency to torture  one's life and perhaps kill. "Arthritis too can cause so much pains," she commenced.

According to her, people living with arthritis go through so much pains that they cry like babies when the crisis starts. And that was what gave birth to her pet project. Hear her:  "Save The Arthritis Patients(SAP) has always been what I wanted to work on. Thank God I have started. The reason I chose SAP as a pet project is because  I have someone close to me who suffers arthritis  and that's my dad. Its been quite a challenging and painful experience  for him.  Initially, I knew nothing about arthritis, I used to think it's one small  ailment with an easy cure. But I was wrong. I never knew it's very painful."

Social media is now flooded with sad stories that dampen my mood-Queen Mercy Ndubusi, Political Scientist

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

Queen Mercy Ndubuisi , is not only beautiful. She is both  brawn  and brains. Aside from being a Political Scientist she also had a masters degree in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University keffi.  While she was in the university, participating in so many beauty pageants and clutching numerous diamond-studded  crowns but she was not deterred from studying hard and coming out in flying colours. “During my university days, I participated in so many beauty pageants and winning almost all yet I was serious with my studies. I took part in the Miss Go University and I happen to be the first runner up in 2010. I wasn’t satisfied with that position, then I contested for the Face Of Pemvim in 2016 and won. I also took part in the Face of New Haven Nigeria 2017 pageant, and I got the crown. Then of course, there were  Face Of Sanda Southeast in 2017 and Face of Aminity Global in 2018 and I emerged as the winner in both pageants. But guess what excites me about the whole thing? I was still very much focused on my studies because my mother had drummed it into my ears that an empty-headed beauty queen should always hide her face in shame. So, I had to study hard.”

Attention brides! Ponder over these bridal make-up tips by Susan Adejoh, an ex-beauty queen cum bridal make-up artist

Are you getting prepared for your wedding and you want a flawless make-up? Then read this short piece.

It is true that Susan Adejoh, an ex-beauty queen is an Accountant by profession but she is focused  on what she has a big passion for; which of course is make-up artistry. Wonder why an Accountant should ignore some juicy banking jobs for bridal make-up, skin therapy and cosmetology? "I have always loved colours and beauty and it has been my passion to make friends look beautiful right from my childhood. So, make-up artistry I would say is my safe haven, it makes me happy. Remember when you are passionate about something from childhood you just will always find your way around it even after studying a different course in the university. That is exactly what happened to me. I studied Accounting from Kogi State University and I'm happy with what I do for a living. It pays my bills, no doubt," she shrugs.

As an ex- beauty queen, I have started impacting lives and I'm ready to do more- Debby Akogun, Miss Kogi Ambassador 2018

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• Queen Debby steps out in stylish nose mask

Have you asked some beauty queens what they did through out  their one year tenure? Well,  it may shock you that they would just be starring at you not knowing what to say. Simply because they didn't just do anything. Hence, majority of them shy away from granting press interviews where they would be asked to talk about their pet projects.
But the good news is that we still have some, (though very few) who love to give back or impact to their world thereby leaving  their feet prints  on the sand of remembrance. One of such beauties is  Queen Debby Akogun from Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.  She was the Queen of The North Nigeria 2017 and Miss Kogi Ambassador 2018.
During her tenures as a beauty queen she floated  Debby's_ Empire, her own company which is known  for  taking care of children and widows.  "I have a great passion for children and widows. Debby's_Empire is out to put smiles on their faces."

As if Debby's_Empire was not doing enough, she still pushed harder (further). "I'm also the Chief Executive Officer of Mr and Miss Bassange Nigeria which is the founder of  Bassange Beauty Pageant Nigeria (BBPN). This very beauty pageant is unique because it is strictly a  traditional pageant where  a queen and a king are  crowned every year to boost the tradition and culture of Kogi State which is my own state. My focus honestly  has been on my people, you know  we the Kogi people are parts of minorities in this country. So, I'm doing everything humanly possible to bring my people out to the positive light."
Did you ask if that was all that the English and Literary Studies graduate of  Kogi State University could boast of? Well at least she is doing something  unlike majority of others who just love to sit before their mirror applying  lipstick and fixing false lashes.  "Well, I have started impacting lives. Giving out to children and widows.  And my company Debby's_Empire is still open to receive ideas from people. I know there is always a starting  point for every body, this is my own starting point."

"I hate seeing make-up blunders on faces of ladies you would expect to wear flawless make-up- Queen Eniola Christabel, Ex-Beauty Queen, Model cum Make-Up Artist

'I'm charismatic, bold and courageous!'

 Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• ...regale and stylish 

There are  some make-up blunders that  put Queen Eniola Christabel off. And you wouldn't  blame her for reacting that way because she is a professional Make-Up Artist,  a model, a young politician who loves mixing up with well dressed/ elegant socialites and she is of course The Face Of Western Nigeria Convener.

Eniola  can't stand shabbily applied make-up. "I hate to see make-up blunders on the faces of ladies you would ordinarily  expect to wear flawless make-up. When I see  eyebrows that are not well drawn or  eyelashes that are not properly fixed. I get pissed off. Its better you don't wear make-up at all, than making a mess of it. I often see ladies wearing wrong colours of foundation or even when they get the right colour, it is heavily applied. Remember that make-up is an enhancer. Meaning that it shouldn't be heavily worn. Then wearing wrong colour of  bronzer is another blunder that I can't stand," she says, as a matter of fact.

Aspiring models should be ready to face an industry that’s pretty tough with no space for slackers- Saadat Bibire, Model and Ex-Beauty Queen

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• Queen Saadat has got both poise and confidence

• She has got panache that can set fashion runway ablaze  

Do you admire both billboard and runway models  and wish to be like them one day? Oh that's a good dream. But have you for once inquired or asked models what they go through to get to the peak of their career? Or do you think modeling is an easy  profession? No! Not at all.
Queen Saadat Bibire, an Ex-Beauty Queen  who has been a model for close to a decade  gives an insight of what modeling is all about in our society. "If you want to be a model in Nigeria, try and be professional about it. What this means is that you have to be trained for it. You don't have to walk into the modeling world just because you have the right attributes. Although it is important to have the right physic but you have to be properly trained. Then after being  trained, you need to be registered into a good modeling agency that would be getting jobs for you. Reason is that  freelancers do have issues getting jobs and they  are always underpaid. Secondly, no one would give you your due respect if you are a freelance model. The disrespect so many freelancers  encounter in this country is  disheartening believe me."

It pains me when people die of skin cancer due to bleaching creams- Winnie Amangele, Ex-beauty queen, plus-sized model cum artist (painter)

My dark complexion do boost my confidence- Queen Winnie Amangele, Miss Curvy Ebony Nigeria, 2016

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• My dark skin do boost my confidence

• Black is indeed beautiful

Queen Winnie Amangele,  an ex beauty queen from Bayelsa State says it pains her when people die  of skin cancer that ought to have been prevented. "Health experts have said that the major cause of skin cancer is bleaching which of course is the corrosive removal of skin melanin that ought to protect the skin from UV rays. So, based on this explanation, it honestly annoys me when patients die of skin cancer due to bleaching creams. I'm one dark complexioned person that  has never tried bleaching my skin before and I will never do it. What for? I love my black complexion with a passion," she commences, proudly.

Echoes of Covid-19 lockdown

Covid-19 pandemic has personally forced me to look inwards for creativity-Temitope Olanre-Alade,  Director Of Studies, Ibile Vogue Academy

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

It is true that Covid-19 or Corona Virus came with some health issues or challenges, but if you truly look inwards, it also has some other sides too. Temitope Olanre-Alade,  a TV Presenter/Official Costumier at Orisun TV, a   Director Of Studies at Ibile Vogue Academy says that "Covid-19 pandemic has changed the whole world. Personally it has forced me to look inwards and find creative ways to  have meetings, teach my students, grade their assignments,  communicate with my faculty, run my business, take orders, sell and run the home front too. Before now my use of e-commerce was very passive, but now it has to be the main platform for any entrepreneur who does not wish to loose her clients."
The English Studies graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife recounts the echos of Covid-19  lock down. " In fact, the first three days was a total shutdown for me, all I did was to eat, watch movies and sleep. I slept so well that I could hear my body say thank you. I actually needed it,  but after then came a phase of boredom. So I commenced early morning walks with my family, but then we discovered that the roads were a bit busy with residents of my estate also walking. This made keeping social distancing a bit of a challenge. The truth is most of us weren't walking to keep fit, but rather to kill boredom and get some fresh air. So we decided to do our walks in the evenings which was a lot better."

It's awkward to see rape victims coming out to speak after several years of being raped-Queen Nimat Siaka, Miss Curvy Nigeria Tourism 2015

'If you are raped, cry out  immediately to a confidant  who would help you report to appropriate authority'

Story By ADAEZE  AMOS

• Queen Nimat

Queen Nimat Siaka no doubt is an interesting personality. She is  one patriotic Nigerian who has been impacting lives. She is a graduate of Sociology from University of Ilorin and an Ex-Beauty Queen (Miss Curvy Nigeria Tourism 2015). This amiable lady is currently a Social Entrepreneur and the  Founder of The Evergreen Global Initiatives, a none governmental organization..
Guess what? She has received numerous awards because she loves  giving back to humanity. "Yes, I have received several awards such as The Most Supportive Queen of The Year,  Most Active Queen of the Year, Humanitarian Of The Year among other International recognition.".
Nimat is a beauty queen who used her platform to touch lives during her tenure in 2015. She would slip into jeans and tee shirts and busied herself with helping village women in their endeavours and supporting them financially with the little she had. She did a whole lot and that's the fact. She started her None Governmental Organization (N.G.O) while she was a reigning beauty queen. Wonder what her N.G.O was all about? "Basically, it’s centered on advocating against drugs /substance abuse among youths and teenagers via several campaigns and sensitization programme in secondary schools, colleges and universities.Our activities also cover the society as a whole," she enthused.

'I'm in support of castration as a punishment for hardened rapists -Edesiri Rita Osusu- Ex Beauty Queen cum Model

`If you get to know the trauma those who were raped or gang-raped go through in life  you won't spare any rapist'

Story By ADAEZE AMOS
Bayelsa State born  ex-beauty queen and  billboard / runway model  Edesiri Rita Osusu asserts that rapists deserve to be castrated . "Yes those hardened ones should  be castrated. Those ones who intentionally rape to humiliate someone and cause emotional trauma to their victims and family members should not be spared. Those of  them  who rape and want to kill afterwards should be seriously dealt with. Reason is that if you get to know the trauma those who were raped  or gang-raped go through,  even after surviving the attack you wont  wish to spare any rapist. You won't allow any rapist to  go  free. But here in our society they go free and that is why this crime won't decrease  until government starts dealing with the culprits. "
" Do you know that some people rape and kill their victims after wards so as  to cover their crime? This is unthinkable!  These are the ones that should be seriously punished. Those who find  pleasure in raping and are never remorseful over what they did, so much  that when they have another  opportunity to rape, they would do so without thinking twice. These categories of rapists should be castrated."

Rape victims are still ashamed to disclose their painful stories... but once they are assured of justice and our society becomes less judgmental, they will speak out- Amanda Nwoke, 2015 Plus-Size Beauty Queen

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• Amanda

Call her a fashionista, you are right. Or a style pundit, you are still in order. Or better still call her a fashion aficionado, you are hundred per cent correct.  Welcome to the world of Amanda Nwoke, a model, a beauty queen, an entrepreneur and the Miss Curvy Nigeria 2015. Although Amanda  hails from Imo state,  but she graduated from Abia State University where she studied Mass Communication.
 "I wont forget to add that  I am a plus size model and a beauty queen.  In 2015, I was one of the five(5) Queens for the Miss Curvy Nigeria Beauty Pageant. I was also a contestant in Miss Nigeria Plus Size in 2016 and late last year I was part of the team that organised the Miss Curvy Africa 2019 Beauty Pageant.  I started modeling in 2015, never intended to be a model anyway, a plus size model at that but a friend of mine that was an agent encouraged me and it's been an amazing journey for me."
Now back to the very reason for this interview. How do you feel about rape especially now that it has become very rampant in our society?
 "Honestly the numerous cases of rape in our society  is really sad and disturbing. This  means that no woman  should sleep with her two eyes properly closed because age is no barrier. It's either that you are taking watch over your female children or watching over your aged mother. It is that bad! Age is no barrier any more.  The fear  that someone may  want to force himself on you and before you say Jesus is Lord, you are raped and  sexually battered is on the increase now. This is  really horrible and terrifying to think of.  It's high time the  government really looked into this issue,create more awareness on the implications and punishments for any one who breaks this law. I also  feel parents should  educate their male and female children about sex and get them to understand the importance of consent in a sexual relationship."

Attention beauty queens and models! Speak up now! Say no to rape!

She is nice, she gets raped

She is funny, she gets raped

She is humble, she gets raped

She is scantly dressed (maybe due to trend/ vogue), she gets raped

She is fully wrapped up like Moi-moi (bean cake) and she is still gets raped

Haba!

• Ada crowning a beauty queen

If you are refusing to talk at this critical stage, feeling it’s not your business as a beauty queen/model to say no to rape, you are getting it wrong.  Who told you that your voice as a beauty queen does not count? Who told you that as a model, you are only meant to wear designers outfits and catwalk down fashion runways without rendering your voice against such an ugly thing as rape?  But when it comes to fashion, trends and beauty topics, you are game! You are ready to grant interviews and talk from now till eternity.Well, in as much as vogue is important, you don’t need to throw your face the other side as if you are not moved or touched by the cries of rape victims.

Don’t get offended by this piece, it is meant to motivate you.

Business owners should be allowed to level their expenses with their output-Omolara Festus, Entreprenuer and CEO Libra Shopping Place

                                                                                By ADAEZE AMOS

• Omolara Festus

Corona virus according to experts would stay with us for a while. This is the very  statement so many of us hate to hear especially the front liners. 

They (health experts) also predicted  that life would never be the same after  Covid-19 as so many would loose their jobs and salaries would be halved for some people. Cost of living  would be  on the high side.  This very prediction is what is happening now and one wonders  how to wriggle out of all these.

 Guess what? Omolara Festus,  a delectable beauty expert, an entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Libra Shopping Place somewhere in Lagos concurred with what experts have said. "The Corona virus disease  is without doubt the biggest challenge facing the World today, and I am sure that by now, everyone knows the Economy of the world is going to take a serious downturn and all sectors of the Economy will be greatly affected .

Xenophobia and its gory killings have never sat well with me even up till date- Dineo Mofammere, a South African movie star

' I never supported my people's deadly motives against Nigerians, I swear!'

                                            Story By ADAEZE AMOS

Let me cast your minds back to the time of xenophobia in South Africa when they were busy killing fellow African brothers for no just cause. And Nigerians were inclusive. Remember that time? This is not intended to open  old wounds please but there is a reason for casting your minds back. A South  African actress Dineo .Mofammere,   a mother of two, a businesswoman and a philanthropist is the reason for evoking the ugly memories of Xenophobia. Reason is she vowed that she would one day let the world how she felt and still feels about such killings. "When Nigerians were being killed in South Africa my country, I felt bad about such killings. Reason being that during the period of apartheid in my country, who didn't know that Nigerians helped South Africans to fight apartheid. And when they regained their freedom, the best way to pay them back was to slaughter them like animals? That was bad, very bad."

I have never felt inferior in the midst of slender ladies just because I’m plus- sized-Shelly Ogbise, model cum beauty queen

'I know what I carry and my worth as a woman'

• Who says plus-sized ladies are not trendy?

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

It’s a pity that some ladies have bled to death while trying to cut off some excess flesh or while trying to add to a particular body size. An Abuja-based-Lawyer bled to death last year while undergoing surgery to boost her bums. Can you just imagine.

So many plus-sized ladies who you may think would ordinarily  line up to have some flesh chopped off  their body took to social media and criticized the lady lawyer for taking such an unnecessary risk. One of such ladies is Shelly Ogbise, a Bayelsa born beauty queen, model and English graduate asks “of what need or benefit was that? Why should any right thinking lady go through surgical blade in order to either reduce or add to herself. What matters so much in life is  knowing your self worth first and loving yourself no matter how fat you are.

“If you love yourself, then you should be proud of the figure you have!  Don’t be bothered when people start  telling you that you are too fat. Don’t allow people’s negative comments make you begin to feel ashamed of yourself. I’m saying this because so many plus-sized ladies are intimidated when they are in the midst of slender ladies. I for once have never felt intimidated or inferior in the midst of slender ladies or slender models just because of my size

I’m ready to lower my charges/fees come post Covid-19- Chita Agwu Johnson, Nollywood actress

• Mrs. Johnson

Chita Agwu Johnson is an actress that most lovers of Nollywood movies can remember with a snap of their fingers. This super screen diva is of the view that Coronavirus would definitely  affect Nollywood somehow.  So, she renders her advice to Nigeria movie producers on what to do to cope with the situation of things. “To be able to cope with this situation, my advice to movie producers is that they should stick to the budget they can afford at the moment.”

Experience of 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia is helping us to tackle Covid-19 - Korto Davis, Liberian actress cum CEO KD International Film Festival

'If this  pandemic  should attack  Lollywood, starting all over  again will be  challenging'

 Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• Korto Davis

Although  so many people in Liberia have tested positive to  Corona Virus  and some were even  killed by it but one other thing  that bothers  Korto Davis, a Liberian actress is the fear of the pandemic attacking Lollywood ( the Liberia Movie Industry).  "My worse fear is Covid-19 attacking  our slow growing movie industry (known as Lollywood). If this happens, we would  start from a scratch and this would be very difficult for us. Reason is that  the industry was just trying to pick up, thanks to the KD International Film Festival which was founded by me with the help of my partners Ansu K Sirleaf and other friends in Nollywood such as  seasoned actor  Keppy  Ekpenyong and Shaibu. Now if this  pandemic which has ruined almost  everything should affect Lollywood, starting all over again will be more challenging. Yes,it will be a herculean task," she nodded.

I never envisaged that this year 2020 would be like this-Leelee Byoma, actress

• Leelee  Byoma

Leelee Byoma does a whole lot. In fact, her hands are full to the brim. It won't be wrong to say that she is solidly into showbiz and that's  her comfort zone. She was born and raised  in Kaduna but she is based in  Lagos where she considers as her safe haven though she is not good in Yoruba language. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, she talks about her lifestyle and her acting career
You are an actress and a movie producer. How do you juggle these together? Do you also feature in movies you produce?
Let me also add that I am  a writer and a one-time Director. I was born and bred in Kaduna,  but I have managed to make Lagos my home. Although I still can’t speak Yoruba language and it’s embarrassing when you consider that I’ve been here for nine years, but language barrier  hasn’t limited me in any way.
Can you define your style?
My style is versatile. I don't have a steady look or predictable  appearance. That is why my hair has a different colour every time you see me and even if I get bald, I’d probably just colour my scalp. I’m  creative, I’m multifaceted, and I’m constantly evolving. There’s no knowing what aspect of me you’re going to get at any point in time.

• Gorgeous!  

We have over one hundred confirmed cases of Corona Virus in Sierra Leone -Henrietta Mbawah, Sierra Leonian actress and Gender activist

 Story By ADAEZE AMOS

• Henrietta Mbawah

 Henrietta Mbawah is a Solewood  actress,  a filmmaker/movie producer,  a director and a Gender Activist in Sierra Leone, her country.  This is one celebrity who is proud of her country  and you begin to  wonder why. "I'm a proud Sierra Leonean who has never wished to be a Nigerian, irrespective of the fact that I love Nigerians and their movie industry," she laughs, loudly. 
"Oh yes,  I've always wished to be part of  Nollywood,  I mean, who wouldn't want to be part of an industry that has helped to change the negative  impression of the western world on Africans? Who wouldn't want to be part of  Nollywood,  an industry blessed with a huge population? Nollywood has an enviable market for crying out loud. Just look at Lagos state alone with its huge population, why wouldn't Nollywood make it big?  Checkout other big cities and commercial towns like Onitsha, Benin, Port Harcourt, Kano to mention but a few.  Nollywood is indeed blessed.  In my own case, the population of  Lagos state alone is bigger than my country. But that not withstanding, I still love my country and I know that one day, we would get there."

For us, there is no dull moment; we always look on the good side of life -Treasure and Tracy Daniels, Nollywood Golden Girls

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

I advise that whenever we resume on movie sets or locations , we should be taking breaks every two hours to wash or sanitize our hands thoroughly- Tessy Dicson, Nollywood legendary actress

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

Delectable Tessy Dickson, remember her? Take a closer look at her face. She is one very actress who has endured in Nollywood and  has indeed stirred in so many movies such as Living In Bondage, Six Months Of Madness, Turbulence,  Love Is A Prank, Ode Iku, Jacob's Mansion,  The Chameleon, Brotherhood, Bankole's House to mention but a few.
This movie star is of the opinion that when actors resume work on movie sets or movie locations, "we  should be taking breaks every two hours to wash our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers as the case may be. Please this is important," she said as a matter of fact.

No actor would delve into romance roles now, knowing the danger of not keeping physical distancing - Eniola Ayo, Nollywood super screen diva cum musician

Story By ADAEZE AMOS

 Eniola Ayo, the super screen Nollywood diva who has featured in so many movies such as "Desperate Housewives Africa (a Mo Abudu production), Classroom love (Yoruba movie), Something Strange (English movie), Estimator (Yoruba movie), The Nun (Yoruba movie), Tangled Mercy (Yoruba movie) to mention but a few," said that movie production would be damn slow because of the after effect of the pandemic.
"Production won't be the same due to Covid-19. Firstly, it would affect number of crew and cast on movie production, which would make production damn slow.  Then, social distancing would also be considered and this would surely  reduce the number of crew and cast on production set, no doubt", she enthused.

Covid 19 has indeed affected life in so many more ways than you can imagine--Keppy Ekpenyong, Nollywood seasoned actor and movie producer

 Keppy Ekpenyong, a legendary actor does not need much introduction. Reason is that his name rings a bell in Nollywood and his face is a signature of a sort. In this brief interview with adanneamos.blogspot.com he talks about Nollywood and  how the industry would thrive again no matter how hard Covid-19 bites.
Excerpts: 

How do you think this plague known as Covid -19 would affect the movie industry?
 The truth of the matter is the Nigerian film Industry transcends particulars. The industry has a recruitment of life and a participation of life. The industry in itself is life. So what ever affects the industry affects life.

Rani Karibi Ikiriko and Gina Cephas: Two up-and-coming Nigerian musicians react to Covid-19 setback in the Nigeria music industry

 Covid-19 will definitely change a whole lot of things in life. It will increase unemployment as many people may loose their jobs. It would  affect businesses, careers and even showbiz industry. Little wonder two up-and-coming Nigerian musicians share with adanneamos.blogspot.com  the aftermath of Covid 19 in the Nigeria music world.

Rani Karibi Ikiriko, fondly known as Rani K. opines that the Nigeria music industry has already started suffering some setbacks during the first two weeks of  lock-down. “The pandemic has really started affecting the entertainment industry as a whole. The music industry started suffering some setbacks right from the time of the first two weeks of lock-down. Reason is that artistes make money from show performances, club appearances and ceremonies. Yes, we make money from social gatherings but now that they are saying that we must adhere to social distancing, it is going to affect events and ceremonies. And that in return would affect us musicians/performers.  How do we make money when people we are supposed to entertain are cautious or afraid  of contracting Covid-19? This is surely going to weigh the industry down,” she enthused.

Rani K is also an entrepreneur and a model.  Her focus is on motivating and inspiring people positively with her music. This Rivers State born has been  a voice to the physically challenged in Nigeria

Let all staff in every organization support the fight against Covid-19 by bearing safety in mind - Tope Mark-Odigie, TV Presenter

 TV Presenter, Tope Mark-Odigie advises those who are supposed to resume work tomorrow to adhere to the safety tips being given in order not to spread Covid-19. Same measures are also applicable to individuals that will go out for one reason or the other:

 “The lifting of lockdown is a huge risk and I’m of the opinion that our leaders were pressured to take this action that will likely cost us more lives. I understand that if our leaders had decided to continue with the lock-down, it will be unacceptable by many people. The economic side of this pandemic has led to a slight lifting of the lock-down but I preach caution!

Covid-19 will definitely affect Nollywood- Ese Lami George, Nollywood actress

‘The outbreak will disrupt showbiz in Nigeria and  all over the world’

In a matter of some hours from  now Lagos state, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory  lock-down would be eased. Yet some people are still raising their voices against it. Nollywood actress Ese Lami George for instance has not stopped kicking  against the idea. Hear her:

 “The ease on the lock-down does come with some worries. I think it’s somewhat untimely and risky. I understand the fact that people need to go out there and work and fend for their families seeing that  government hasn’t  done enough  to help her  citizens in these desperate times. But I worry that the precautionary measures the government has been highlighting may be falling on some people’s deaf ears. How are we sure that people would strictly adhere to all that we have been doing during the lockdown and make it our “new normal?”

It isn’t safe to go out there now…the pandemic hasn’t been eradicated- Winifred Ebirim, Historian

‘Most of our youths still don’t understand how deadly this pandemic is; all they want is food’

In less than 24 hours from now, the lock-down in Lagos state, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be a thing of the past. Clock is ticking and time is approaching. People are getting excited that life would be restored to normalcy while some are more nervous because they are wondering how tomorrow would look like. Reason is that many still feel it is not safe for people to resume their normal activities. One such persons who feel it is not yet time to ease the lock-down is Winifred Ebirim, a Historian.

“I feel, it is not yet safe to go out there.  This is a very delicate time. It is not as if the pandemic has been eradicated for crying out loud. The people who have the virus would go out tomorrow and start mixing up with the general populace. So, to me more people would come down with this plague. It is going to spread to other states that are relatively safe for now because people may start sneaking to those places to look for safety .

Cross section of Lagosians frown at the easing of Covid-19 lock-down

Josephine Effah-Chukwuma

It is no longer news that on Monday 4^th of May, 2020, Lagos State, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would ease the one month of lock-down.  But the question on the minds of so many is; does this actually mean that the coast is now clear or that the government is just putting the lives of her citizens at risk? Does this mean that there are no more Covid-19 cases?  Or better still, is this a matter of giving some Nigerians what they actually want, since many have been  complaining of boredom and hunger?  Have you for once  pondered over  the fact  that this may  worsen the case bearing in mind that  some Nigerians who think that Covid-19 is a scam may throw caution to the wind?  It is for this reason or reasons  that adanneamos.blogspot.com decided to get the views of cross section of Lagosians

Covid-19 lock-down is for our own good- Ene Ochu, actress, model and CEO Ene Ochu Foundation

 

Ene Ochu, an actress does not need much introduction. Reason is that her face is her signature. Initially, this Nollywood thespian frowned at the second phase of lock-down but later after seeing how wicked the pandemic is, she changed her mind. Now she is of the opinion that this one month of lock-down is for our own good.

 “The initial two weeks of lock-down was okay by me. I was at home with it because I saw it as two weeks of rest.  It was fun at first because I had to be with my family the more knowing that I am the type who travels a lot due to the nature of my job.

Also, I have been able to learn new skills at home which is a plus but when  another two weeks of lock-down was announced,  I said no way! I had plans for so many things that I planned to do.

I’m scared by the rising figures of Covid-19 deaths -Mazi Dutch, a musical artiste cum comedian

Obibi Dozieaku Chiekezi, fondly known as Mazi Dutch. An orator, a renowned fashion designer, a  comedian and a musician whose focus is primarily on the promotion and revival of the Igbo language and African cultural awareness shares his Covid-19 lock-down experience with adanneamos.blogspot.com
“At first, I was making fun of the whole thing, thinking perhaps it’s one of the very many stunts of our government. Not Until reality struck me that even with social media and online fans I’m still lonely because no one visited,  I reside in the part of Lagos where residents hardly associate/communicate as per  on a normal circumstance. So, imagine what it is like now that we are asked not to. It is scary in the news where you constantly read or hear of the ever rising and unimaginable figures of people who have lost their lives to this deadly virus. The world economy at large is crumbling, poverty and hunger are on the rise. Individuals are loosing their  jobs and means of livelihood.  Firms are winding up for lack of human resources and finance. This virus is negatively affecting our existence in general and there’s doubt of everything returning to normal any sooner. Our only comfort is hope. In all we must learn the lesson nature is teaching us that we are humans first before considering religious, political and economical factors or differences.  And that nothing should be placed above LOVE AND UNITY. Nature has proven to us  that it will survive without humans.

Celebrities share lockdown stories: As life has changed like never!

It’s no longer a surprise that the coronavirus or Covid-19 lockdown has made parks close their gates. Churches, gyms, banks, cinemas, schools, offices, cafes, club houses to mention but a few are also under lock and key.  In fact, life has changed like never!

 This looks like a dream, a nightmare of a sort, right? But it is indeed real! Some people have lost their loved ones in the hands of coronavirus while some lucky ones have their loved ones escaped death by whisker. Nollywood actress Thelma O’kazi for instance shared her testimony on her instagram page. “I almost lost someone very dear to my heart to this deadly disease. Lord Jesus I am grateful for the gift of life. I can’t even thank you enough and for all those still battling with Covid-19, I pray for God’s healing upon you all. To the health workers all over the world, may God keep you safe and God’s abundant blessings locate you all in Jesus name, amen!”

It is because of the deadly nature of this plague that people have been mandated to stay at home, where possible to shop for necessities (food stuffs); as a number of key workers continue to work with extra care.

Yours sincerely being a resident of Lagos state has been living in intense fear, yes fear of Covid-19 even as the number of confirmed cases soar by the day. Every night before sleeping, I’m confronted with unreal feeling and many questions especially after watching TV and getting to know the number of deaths caused by this plague.  Hence, I decided to sample the opinion of some celebrities on how they had been coping with Covid-19 lockdown. Below are their lockdown stories