The African Magic Igbo Channel Launch Party

At a point in my life, I loved to fly and literally lived on air because l needed materials on dignitaries all over Nigeria for Thisday Style cover. I loved flying or even traveling by road to every nook and cranny of the country. I enjoyed the sights and scenes, the different cultures, the people, their multifarious faiths and, especially the weather. The air turbulence was just a normal thing; I probably would be asleep, say a prayer and be very relaxed reading a magazine if not in a mood to chat with the passenger beside me.

There was a time the airlines in Nigeria just went gaga, and plane crashes became a sinister order of the day. Honestly, I didn’t even know when fear unconsciously built a penthouse in my head and mind. The Dana air crash in 2012 finally gave fear a kingship stool in my life because of our loved ones who lost their lives. The one that traumatises me till date was that family that flew in from America for the first time and perished in that ill-fated flight, The Ayene’s.  After that, I was done with flying. So, if I have to be outside Lagos, I will rather go by road. After all, people do it every day, but then I also know that anything can happen anywhere- in the air, on land or in the sea.
So, when I got a call and an official mail from Efosa that I have been invited to attend the official launch of the African Magic Igbo Channel 159 which slogan is ‘Ebe o na kpotu’, I was excited and wanted to go, being an Ada Owerri, in fact, a full-fledged Okoro lady, but I nursed a secret fear, I had not flown within the country for two and a half years. Somehow, I wanted to destroy that fear, that jinx had to give way for a renewed confidence. I reluctantly accepted and I even expressed my fears to Efosa, who laughed but convinced me to come for the trip. I called my editor to inform him and he gave the idea a nod. I prayed and brace myself up to be on that trip.
Now, let’s ride on and talk about this one-day fun trip to Enugu.

.......Fetes Stars in Enugu, Celebrates Launch of Channel
Africa Magic, the continent’s leading provider of world-class African entertainment, recently hosted a star studded event in Enugu to celebrate the Africa Magic Igbo Channel. Launched on the second of April, 2015, Africa Magic Igbo is a 24 hour general entertainment channel featuring the best of Igbo language content. The channel features magazine shows, movies, drama series and sitcoms, all showcasing the best of the Igbo culture. The dress code theme was glam with something accentuating Igbo. I really wanted to see how the Igbo artistes will pull it off at the red carpet; l already had my red carpet goggles on.

A celebration of Igbo culture
The event was a celebration of the Igbo culture and the role Igbo language movies played in founding the Nigerian film and television industry which has grown to become the second biggest movie industry in the world. Mba-Uzoukwu submitted; “People in Nigeria and across Africa remember ‘Living in Bondage’, ‘Nneka the Pretty Serpent’, ‘Rattlesnake’ and many other popular Igbo language movies which continue to be relevant today as they were many years ago. These movies not only set the trend for the modern film and TV industry, but their enduring legacy speaks, and we can see this in the amazing Igbo language entertainment content being produced today.”

The host
  Hosted by ace comedian and Nollywood actor, Okey Bakassi, the glamorous event which held at The Dome had in attendance leading players from the Nigerian film and television industry including many who were instrumental to the industry’s early founding with Igbo language content. Veteran entertainers like Chief Pete Edochie, Onyeka Owenu, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Eucharia Anunobi, Kenneth Okonkwo, Clem Ohameze and Francis Duru were present at the event which featured colourful displays of the Igbo culture.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu
She was the best dressed at the event, and you could tell she was prepared for the event in her red and gold color ensemble, although she reminds me of an Igbo bride on her ‘Igba-Nkwu’ ceremony. Oh, her world looked so gorgeous, so pretty and smiled all through welcoming her guests. She gave a welcome speech which got a resounding applause from the crowd who loved her address. At the event, the Regional Director, M-Net (West), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “Africa Magic is renowned for providing entertainment made for Africa by Africans. We are renowned for telling the African story, and giving African entertainers a platform to show the world what they can do. We have demonstrated this with our channels, including the indigenous language channels which continue to promote the richness of Nigeria’s different cultures beyond the nation’s borders and we are continuing this trend with the Africa Magic Igbo channel.”

Pete Edochie
We all remember him in Prof. Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ and most of us read the book as one of our compulsory literature textbooks. After watching his brilliant performance in ‘Things Fall Apart’, I, like many others, fell in love with him for his acting prowess. I watched all his Nollywood movies, I hope but never met him until l travelled to Enugu and naturally, I demanded for a photo op. Chief Pete Edochie, who opened the event with the traditional, symbolic breaking of kolanut, hailed Africa Magic for their thoughtfulness and tenacity in making sure the Africa Magic Igbo dream came to reality. Edochie, who spoke entirely in Igbo, was assisted by Kenneth Okonkwo in the opening prayers and urged Igbo filmmakers to take advantage of the new channel to produce rich and enduring Igbo content.
  John Ugbe
He wore the traditional Igbo outfit known as the ‘Isi Agu’ and the cap to complete the traditional Igbo look. John Ugbe, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “At MultiChoice, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the development of the Nigerian film and television industry. For over 20 years, we have consistently invested in Nigeria’s creative industry. Furthermore, the Africa Magic channels which sit on our DStv and GOtv platforms provide Nigerian talent with the opportunity to showcase their works to the rest of the continent and indeed the world.”

Onyeka Onwenu and Patient Ozokwo
These two Igbo mamas have carved a niche for themselves in not only Nigeria but on the beautiful continent of Africa as musician and actress. These two women or ‘Agadi-nwayis’ as the Igbos describe older women are Amazons in their right. These two women can be seen as entertainment icons in Igboland. They are that cherished and their fan-base spread across the world. They’re both a delight to watch. I know Onwenu with her trade mark Ankara skirt and blouse which sits well on her body frame and her cute low cut hair which has become her signature over the years. I thought for change, she would have allowed her Ankara attire a break, maybe make a skirt and blouse in a George fabric like me and Ndidi Obioha of Enthyst events did or ‘funkified’ the ‘Isi Agu’ fabric by doing something different or better still, tie two wrappers like Chi gurl did because the invite loudly reads ‘dress glam’ with a touch of Igbo. I am not a two wrapper tying Igbo woman, not that l don’t like it, but it will never go well with my restless nature. I thought it might be the same thing with Onwenu. Patience Ozokwor’s Ankara skirt and blouse shocked me most, because the fabric looked old and faded but that must be the design, some are like that, l guess. She does remind me of Aunty rushing to a Sunday Church service. She just was out of place for the show, her fame, name and graceful personality saved her lest she would have been bounced at the gate. What happened to all her Igbo traditional attires bikonu? I have seen some of her movie roles and enjoyed watching her a great deal and have imagined her severally taking a role in a stage play. Sincerely, I have a lot of respect for her craftsmanship, she is a natural, I never get bored watching her playing various cantankerous roles, but truth must be told.
And these amazons gave an incredibly good account of themselves to the excitement  of the audience; they made us dance and laugh. Chidinma Ekile came on stage singing Onwenu’s hit number ‘Ekwe’ and Onwenu acting like her musical mother-hen set the atmosphere on fire with her sonorous voice singing along with Chindima, while Ozokwor danced and challenged Mr. Ibu on stage to a local Igbo dance. Tony One Week also delivered a pulsating Igbo number. These two women sat on different tables at the event, but Ozokwor was more flexible and friendly, smiling from the bottom of her heart, as we say.
These two Agadi-nwayis are allegedly at loggerheads, and stories are flying all over town about  rumoured disagreement, which is said stemmed from alleged disbursement of largesse  given to the artistes to woo big entertainment artistes to join in the campaign in favour of President Goodlook Jonathan.
Their cold war continues even as the election is over; I still can’t place it. Was it bad blood, supremacy fight or is it a matter of ego to see who says hello first? But from what I saw at Enugu, I think these two agadi-nwayins have resolved their differences because when Ozokwor and Mr. Ibu danced the traditional Igbo dance, Onwenu, who obviously enjoyed the dance stood up to ‘spray’ them, placing the money on the floor by them. I am publishing a picture of this scene on my column so people will know the feud is over, kudos to these entertainment Igbo big wigs.
Well, it is no longer news that a lot of artistes became sworn enemies  for one reason or the other. Whatever was the issue between  Onwenu and Ozokwo, true or false about the rumour, these two amazons were just special Onwenu despite her age remains an elegant stallion.

Nkiru Sylvanus and Oge Okoye
At the event, Oge Okoye arrived with Eucharia Anumobi at the red carpet, dressed in their style of Igbo fashion. After the photo sessions, they both went to the cocktail reception room, I sat by the entrance so I could see whoever I wanted to see stroll in. I also knew when Nkiru Sylvanus, the former aide to my state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha made her way to the red carpet, now I have never met or seen these young Igbo, Enugu-born actresses at an event since the news or is it rumor broke out that Sylvanus is dating Okoye’s husband. I don’t even know whether to call him her  fiancé now, since it’s been severally published that they were dating and were even planning to get married.
The story is that once upon a time, Nkiri Sylvanus and Oge Okoye were good friends and budding artistes. Sylvanus dated Stanley Duru, somewhere along the line, Okoye outsmarted her friend Sylvanus, married Duru, and had a baby for him. Years later, Duru walked back to his old flame, Sylvanus. This is the kind of gist l call ‘story for the gods’ according to the street general, Olamide, anyway it is their canoe to paddle.
Inside the cocktail hall, she sat with Eucharia Anunobi. Oge Okoye looked so unhappy, with her face practically presented to feign happiness. She chatted with Anunobi, and I watched Sylvanus enter the hall looking very cheerful and vibrant like someone who had won a trophy. She chit-chatted with everybody, friendly and was so in the mood to have a blast that evening. Looking closely at her outfit again, I wondered if she didn’t see the invite which reads ‘glam with a touch of Igbo’. Sylvanus decided to settle for a black sequence evening dress, with a silver strap on the waist, the finishing of the dress was so poor and tacky, you can tell or feel it was hurriedly made for the event maybe through the night. Her weaves, looking closely, was a wig which was not properly taken care of. That wig had holidays from comb; it was too neat for that august outing. Do these actresses take time to see what vendors bring to them or even stand in front of the mirror for brief moments of examination before stepping out? I like the fact that the evening dress was ‘cut and sew’ which l also do sometimes, but please spell out clean finishing to your tailor. Anyway, that’s by the side.
Now, when Sylvanus walked around the hall feeling like a local champion, I quickly stood up from where I sat and went straight to the bar for a drink just to see if she and Okoye will exchange pleasantries. Then she strolled to the corner where Anumobi sat with Okoye, who still had a gloomy mien, immediately Sylvanus got there, Okoye looked down, started fiddling with her phone, maybe pretending to be pinging an invisible Mr. Marine. Sylvanus excitedly exchanged pleasantries while Okoye looked away and appeared uninterested. I have forgotten to add since that, ‘Pastor’ Anunobi, of course spoke with Sylvanus before she walked away. Now, this is what I call, return of the Mack, that song by Mark Morrison, maybe Sylvanus is back to snatch her stolen mandate who knows?

Yul Edochie
I saw him at the event in his white outfit with red cap popularly affiliated with the Igbo traditional dressing for men. I saw him exchange pleasantries with colleagues and fans. He was elated obviously. He is a fairly good actor too. Who wouldn’t be with a father like Chief Pete Edochie. Recently, not too long after the launch party, he was entangled in a controversial story with one Steve Ugochukwu who claimed that Yul was his gay lover.  But Yul denied the story saying Ugochukwu was a mentally deranged, a crazy fan who wanted a picture of his manhood, but when he refused to send the picture to him, Ugochukwu vowed to expose and destroy his good name and career. I don’t want to believe that the happily married Yul is gay and I am still not saying he might not be one. But for Stephen Ugochukwu to grant such an interview to a paper like Punch with his face out there, we need to sniff well or maybe smell hard to perceive the coffee. Why would two grown men come and fight dirty about their secret sexuality bikonu? If anybody should take the major blame here, it’s Yul Edochie, because if he was not interested in being a lover to Ugochukwu, then why would he introduce his wife to him because of travel papers to Canada? Why would he play along collecting gifts like expensive wrist watches and ipads from Ugochukwu all the way from Canada? If truly that was what happened, then he has what the Igbos call ‘Akpiri ogonogo’ (Long throat); he is not a contented man. You don’t want to date this gay guy called Steve Ugochukwu or want to have anything to do with him, according to you since, he kept calling and wooing you, and then you introduced your wife to him just because you want to travel to Canada, for what now? Can’t your father’s big name in entertainment do that single magic for you? You’ve even worked hard too to carry your family there. Honestly, your line of story and that of Steve Ugochukwu is very messy, something went under, but please don’t soil that name your father worked hard for because of material things. If you are so desperate to go to Canada, you are an actor, apply for the Toronto film festivals, a letter from the organisers can see you through at the embassy as long as you can afford to pay for your accommodation and feed yourself too. But sincerely, Nigerian entertainers should learn to live within what they can afford in life.

Uche Odoputa
Looks like he has gotten his groove back finally, this is the first time I’m seeing him after his jail term because of drug trafficking. Those days, he was one of the promising Igbo actors, a natural act who played any role given to him so well that his fan-base grew until the sad incident. I’m still a fan though. Anyway, drug trafficking seems like part of the entertainment business because of the fake lifestyle of some of these artistes and because they have to meet up with this extravagant showing off. Some become so daring as to try drug trafficking as a fast way to wealth and that is the sad case of Uche Odoputa.  I always caution myself never to envy anybody’s lifestyles or sources of wealth Contentment was implanted in my head; by my parents as a child living by what you can afford makes you a fulfilled, peaceful and a happier person.
He was arrested on Friday 23 March, 2007 at the Murtala Mohammed International airport when he was about to board a Virgin Atlantic plane to London. It was so cool seeing him at the event full of smiles as he chatted with a colleague who sat so close to me.

Uche Nkokedi
This is the kind of man who should be fully involved in Nigerian politics, I might be wrong, but I see him as a technocrat, in short an aristocrat, thoroughbred and an accomplished lawyer, oh no, I remember he is now a SAN. Known for his towering practice in litigation and international arbitration and enterprise in oil and gas, his profile will make you go green with envy. His interest in arts has made him to produce some musical plays and concerts in Nigeria, which include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in 2004, Jesus Christ Superstar in 2006, The Vision in 2008, musical revenues like The True Colors Concert in 2011, The Playhouse Unplugged in 2011. I remember being at another musical stage drama produced by him titled, ‘Kakadu’

Best dressed Igbo actors
Genevevive Nnaji dressed up like an Igbo maiden; she was on point like they say. Uti Nwachukwu, Kingsley Nwachukwu, OC Ukeje, all stood out with their ‘funkified’ Igbo apparels but why would Ozzy Agu wear a suit to recklessly flout the dress code? I walked up to him and asked him where his Igbo attire was- that his stylist disappointed him was his response.

Artistes who performed
The star-studded event had a performance by an Igbo traditional troupe and stellar performances from artistes including Tony One Week, Chidinma, Phyno, and Flavour, who closed the event with a medley of his hit songs.
The highpoint of the evening was when the elegant Onwenu joined Chidinma on stage in an incredibly spontaneous and unforgettable performance.

Flavor and Chidinma
But there is nothing really wrong if these two Igbo artistes decide to walk down the aisle. Hmmm, that Olufemi video is one of my favorites right now. Their love story in that video is captivating and fascinating. Whenever both perform the song on stage, there is a visible natural romantic flow on and off stage.
They look so sweet and good as a couple, I’m just saying if it happens, it will be so cool. Flavor’s Igbo song titled, ‘Igbo amaka’ brought the memorable event to an end and an evening that I prefer to refer to as a night to be remembered. We all danced till the wee hours. There was yet another after party event, I didn’t attend because I hardly do all-night party activities except it is a concert or a proper show. I had seen enough for the day. And then I regretted breaking my Clean 9 diet plans when I sighted that enchantingly proteinous Igbo delicacy known as ‘Ukwa’(Breadfruit) and ‘Okporoko’(stockfish). I chided myself so badly that I could have controlled my ‘Akpiri Ogonogo’ (long throat).
On a final note, I was on this trip to Enugu with my colleague and friends in the media jungle- Funsho Arogundade of the The News and Hazeez Balogun of Daily Independent, I jokingly told them that they are on Igbo soil and since the Oba’s threat to throw us into the Lagoon didn’t work, I will push them inside the Nike lake, they laughed and said that we shall all swim inside the lake together.  I can’t even get close to the stream let alone dare to  swim.

WALTERSMITH  Partners AWEP
Members of the African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) recently paid a courtesy visit to Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited to express their profound gratitude to the company for its contributions towards women empowerment in Nigeria. In line with its CSR objectives, the company had last year provided full sponsorship for eight women drawn from the six geopolitical zones to attend the Santa Fe Arts Festival held in Albuquerque New Mexico from July 9th to 15th, 2014.
  The festival which is geared towards supporting artist, artisans, designers, craftspeople and innovators across the globe, provided an ample opportunity for the women to learn new skills, develop ideas and acquire concepts that can be deployed to their own businesses. In addition to attending the festival, the women were given tours to Museums, Art Galleries, exhibitions and craft warehouses. Worthy of note were:  “Art Santa Fe”, an exhibition of paintings, where visitors were allowed to speak with dealers and artists while experiencing a full range of art in a comprehensible context and the visit to the Basket of Africa ware house, a distribution point for high Quality hand woven African baskets. Owner Cael Chapell who is a member of the Fair trade federation believes that promoting the works of these weavers, most of whom are women greatly contributes towards their economic development and stability.
The special highlight of the trip was the meeting with Casa Nova, an Art gallery which has succeeded in developing cultural fusion which epitomises “the Art of living and living with Art”. Casa Nova displays some of the best of Africa’s artistic talents; they are committed to supporting and nurturing local African artists, craftspeople and designers in the interest of contributing towards poverty alleviation.
The fair was variously described as a melting pot of influences and meeting point of cultures; a confluence for the convergence of like minds and creative spirits. The culture connection and exchange were seen as transferrable in the form of skills, which could be exported back to the local communities in Nigeria. Essentially attending the festival becomes a “Train the Trainer” exercise. In addition to serving as a platform for networking, it also opens a whole new vista to Nigerian arts and crafts.
Ms Ora Ataguba, AWEP Lagos chapter Vice President for Arts and Craft, who was also team leader of the contingent, shared her observations, lessons learned, highlights and lowlights. She identified the need to urgently build capacity and provide the requisite product development and branding skills to artisans and craftspeople, as some of the major challenges confronting the development and export of products from Nigeria in the international market. Some of these issues became very apparent during proceedings at the exhibition session of the festival.
One of the eight participants from last year’s event, Mrs. Raheela Bashir Umar MD/CEO of Albukhra Nigeria Limited has been selected to represent AWEP Nigeria at the International Folk Art Market in July 2015. She will be showcasing various products uniquely made from leather.