TEASER TRAILER TO GENEVIEVE NNAJI'S NEW MOVIE - ROAD TO YESTERDAY

NATIONWIDE CINEMA RELEASE DATE - 27th NOVEMBER 2015

T.E.N (The Entertainment Network) producers of the feature film ‘Road to Yesterday’ are pleased to announce that the highly-anticipated film will be released in all Nigerian cinemas on Friday, the 27th of November 2015.

Directed by Ishaya Bako, Road to Yesterday stars the Award-winning actress, Genevieve Nnaji and introduces Nigerian-British actor, Oris Erhuerho. Majid Michel, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and veteran Ebele Okaro lead the supporting cast.

Set in Lagos Nigeria, Road to Yesterday is an epic love story, about a couple desperate to mend its marriage on a road trip to a relative’s funeral. However when memories and secrets from the past are revealed, a lot more is at stake than their relationship.  Road to Yesterday is set to resonate with movie-goers nationwide.

CELEBRATION OF MEDIOCRITY, POWER TUSSLE AND SEASONAL LOVE IN WASTED BREEDS AND OTHER PLAYS

Playwright: Olanrewaju Ari-Ajia

Publisher: Phyleom Publishers, Lagos

Pages: 113

Year of Publication: 2015

Reviewer: Olutayo Irantiola

The society is the bedrock of inspiration for a writer because they are a product of that locale and this can be transported into any genre of literature. The unending complexities of the country would produce sufficient themes for any writer; as it is being said; African writers are still fighting for emancipation from our brothers, who are taking us on another round of ‘colonialism’. Ari-Ajia, a product of this society, tried to show the examine the rot in the educational system, the power tussle which leads to the wanton waste of lives and what people call ‘love’ on February 14.

The first place which is about a young lad; Dede, who is a book aficionado, he reads at all times in preparation for his final examinations from high school to the University. He has been having endless struggles with two tempters and his ‘tempter’ friends equally. He eventually becomes a victim of what happens to many Nigerian students; they study courses that they do not want because they do not know people who can help them during the struggle for admission. Some of the insinuations from the play are written below-

Being the Best Through Positive Efforts!

Author: Ezekiel Dayo Adetunji

Title: Power in the Spoken Word!

Reviewer: Rowland Olonishuwa

Every sane human wants the good things of life; a fat bank account, a good job, a peaceful and beautiful home and of course, the best spouse in the world. However, not everyone is ready to make the choices that would attract these goodies and in the game of life the rule is that ‘if you can’t pay the price you can’t have the goods,’ there is no shortcut.

A senior colleague once said, “Life is choice driven.” This is true because whether you act positively or otherwise is your choice. It is your choice whether you will get your wish or not. This is what the book, Power in the Spoken Word, is all about.

Throughout the 28 chapters of the book, Ezekiel Dayo Adetunji, the author, discussed in very simple language the importance of being positive in a relationship. A better title for the book could have been “guide to positive daily living” or “nuggets for a successful relationship.” This is because the 111 paged book contains nuggets that if properly imbibe could attract the goodies of life to one. What’s more, the book, though written for adults, is written in clear and simple English, simple enough to be understood by children in the primary school.

In the first chapter of the book, Mission, the author affirmed the importance of challenges. “Stress is a wonderful thing… you need to find yourself in a situation where you are desperately short of resources so as to know how to manage your words!” he said.

He also affirmed the importance of learning and continuous learning as this is what makes a complete man. “Maintain the quality service within you, and provide continuous quality service everyday …. learning has no end”

In chapter two of the book, Pitfalls and Swimming in Sin, Adetunji does not leave his readers guessing his religious, or rather moral, inclinations as he tackles the issue of co-habitation, random sex partners and other immoral activities now celebrated in our society.

Although he recognized that “living together without being married is very common nowadays,” he bluntly opined that “living with a man you are not married to is like stealing and you are a thief. You are both stealing from each other, because it does not belong to either of you! So stop stealing and get your own in a proper way!”

This point of view, probably may not be unconnected to Adetunji’s strict upbringing in a family ‘where discipline was an ethic for every child of his father’

Still on doing the right thing, Adetunji goes ahead to define the importance of a document in Chapter 3, A Document. He also discusses how sleeping postures of couples speak volumes about the health of the relationship.

In chapter 4 which is subtitled as Ideas, the author tries to define the whole book, although he did that on a more elaborate scale in chapters 17and 22. He explains that “the positive word neither condemns anybody nor praises anyone, but it teaches how we can do it together….”

Although, he revealed his desire to expose his readers to a life of positive thinking, Adetunji was modest enough to affirm the power of choice “talking with you in this way can’t change your life for you unless you want to change your life for the better,” he said.

The book, Power in the Spoken Word, is all about having and maintaining a positive relationship and so chapter 5, Relationship, defined the importance of relationships. In this chapter, the author stressed the importance of having a clear goal before meeting your partner. The importance of being a TEAM, SMART and the place of sex in a relationship are also discussed.

Adetunji discussed Confidence in chapter 6 of the book. He stressed that confidence in a relationship is built on commitment while sincerity and thanksgiving waters it to make it blossom. He therefore urged couples to spend more time together in commitment and sincerity so as to boost confidence in their relationship.

Chapter 7 of the book, Power in the Spoken Word, dealt with a vital virtue that most people run away from, Sacrifice. It is a virtue that cements relationships but most shy away from it. In this chapter Adetunji revealed its importance through true life stories.

Remarriage is discussed in chapter 8 and the author strongly supports it, arguing that “In relationships there is no best; both partners are equal, because one can do without the other. Think now and go back to your ex- if he/she has yet to get someone else in wedlock.”

Chapter 9, Happy Married Life, urged couples to keep their love life constantly aglow by spending quality time together. “Make sure you are scheduling quality time together. It is the most important aspect and a valuable key to keep your romance alive forever,” he said.

In chapter 10, Adetunji sidestep to speak on the importance of slimming with Bonsal. He spoke glowing of the drug but failed to tell his readers where to buy it and the price.

Everyone makes resolutions but bringing them to reality is the major problem and this is what chapter 11 deals with. In chapter 12, the author urged couples to avoid suspicion in their relationship and even in the event that a suspicion is confirmed the best way out is to be clear headed and calm. “Marriage is not about score keeping or competition but complementing your partner,” he reasoned.

Sexual Myths and the Truth about it is discussed in chapter 13. Although the author did not discuss any sexual myth, he affirmed that sex in marriage should not be guided by any rule or law but by the desire and wish of the couples involved and the need for them to understand each other.

Adetunji reels out 10 principles to help develop personal self image in chapter 14 but cautioned “Never, for even one day be obsessed with your personal appearance… never be afraid to admit your mistakes… never stop learning… never despise your weakness… realize that your talent is a gift, not something you have manufactured yourself….” 

Workaholic is the title for chapter 15 and here the author gives two major reasons people work so hard at the expense of a relationship. Grief with Loss is the title of Chapter 16 and Adetunji presented a well researched work on how to grief with dignity. Loss, especially the death of a loved one could happen to anyone and that is when one becomes vulnerable. Chapter 16 deals with loopholes to avoid and also how to handle such traumatizing situation.

Just like in chapters 4 and 22, chapter 17 explains why it is important to stay positive and “just love, no matter what”. He revealed that “when you marry and stay in marriage, it could improve your self-image and is likely to make you a better-behaved person and more successful. Married people seem to be healthier than the divorced, who suffer 30 percent more from chronic conditions.”

Life is not all about pleasing everyone. This is what chapter 18, You are Precious, is all about. Adetunji explained that when you lose your individuality you lose everything. Therefore it is important to know you are precious because according to him, “the buyer will pay no more than what the seller is demanding.”

Do You Smile? is the heading for chapter 19 and here the author discussed the importance of a smile and equal rights in the home. Chapter 20 focused on faithfulness in the home bringing to the fore those things which are easily ignored but happen in our everyday life, relationship with God and his creatures.

Chapter 21 is on Learning to Live together. Here, the author encourages couples to “take delight in honuoring each other. Be patient in trouble and prayerful in fasting.” He reiterates that love, true love, is the foundation of a strong relationship.

Watch what You Say is the heading for chapter 22, and the author enjoined parents to speak positively to each other and to their children, to be plain while speaking to their children and avoid negativism and use of gutter language in the presence of their children because “you do not know who is looking at you!”

Chapter 23, the Simple Steps to Success in a Relationship gives an insight into what it takes to start a successful relationship and how to maintain it. Single and Sad Living is the heading for chapter 24 and without mincing words the author condemns this type of life style in its totality.

Adetunji reverts to religion while discussing Positive Thinking in chapter 25. He explained that the source of negative thoughts and words is actually the Devil. He therefore encouraged that “don’t hit back, discover beauty in everyone. Get along with everybody, don’t insist on getting things by force… if you see your enemy hungry, please give him a good lunch….”

Chapter 26 is centered on Maturity and the author affirmed that maturity has nothing to do with age but the level of control one can exhibit in the face of challenges. “Maturity is also being at peace with what you think you cannot change, having the courage to make an impact and influencing the change,” he said.

Take Control and Prove Your Love is the title for chapters 27 and 28 respectively. Here the author re-echoed chapter 18 and stressed the importance of taking control of one’s life but here he adds that one should consider his/her partner. He seems to be saying, “taking control is good but while taking control of your life prove your love to your partner; include him or her in your success story.”

Man is imperfection and his creations are never without fault, the same goes for this book. As one reads through the whole book there are serious suggestions that it was not thoroughly edited. On almost every page of the book one is assailed with both typographical and grammatical errors. Also, on page 97 to 99 –almost the whole of chapter 25- is a reproduction of pages 60 to 62!

However, the importance of the messages in the book outweighs its shortcomings. You gain more by staying positive and according to the author “the motivation of the body depends on the activities in the brain. When you improve the brain part of the network, you will make the body part more regulated. If you are in a positive state of mind, the brain will send down nice signals to the body, and you will be happier in your day-to-day activities.” So it is a win-win situation! 

Exploring The Burden of Secrecy

Author: Patrick Nwosu
Title: Theory and Practice of Secrecy: Focus on Okonko and Ogboni Societies in Africa
Reviewer: Rowland Olonishuwa

 

In his epic work, Kurunmi, Prof. Ola Rotimi questioned that: “what is man without knowledge of himself? We have tradition, the scared laws of the people left by our fathers to guide our lives.”

Long before the influx of foreign religions and societies, Africans were guided and guarded by taboos and secrets which made up the tradition of the people. And these instruments of cohesion were administered by a select few, usually elders, and on very few occasions, the powerful.

However, with the advent of foreign religions these very instruments were attacked, ridiculed and abused and described as out-dated, outright evil and anti-social. To be relevant and accepted, foreign religions had to turn a blind eye to the good some societies were doing for their communities. Proponents of these foreign religions outrightly denounced every association, group or society perceived as ‘rivals’ to their messages.

It is this inaccuracy that the book, Theory and Practice of Secrecy: Focus on Okonko and Ogboni Societies in Africa by Patrick Nwosu seeks to right. According to Benson Igboin, who wrote the foreword, the author’s focus on Okonko and Ogboni societies gives the work “a cross-cultural imperative that bespeaks unity in a culturally diverse and ethnically contested space like Nigeria. That such similarities exist independently does not only call for intense interest in the project of humanization in Nigeria but also one that should functionally lead to social cohesion among the diverse people.”

More than that, the book sieves the good from the bad; the author, a Catholic priest, discuses the metamorphosis of the Church’s initial stance against secret societies and concludes that “discovering that ancestral secret societies are not enemies of religion, the Church now encourages dialogue with such societies with a view to removing any obstacle to people’s membership therein. Ancestral secret societies are mighty and powerful allies of religion.”

As the title indicates, this book also dwells on secrets as it affects secret societies and the author is of the view that “the maintenance of secrets by societies or any group would constantly elicit fear and concern in any free society…. From the view point of democratic and rational ethics, then, secrecy has the same moral suspicion that exercise of power attracts, due to the tendency to dominate and manipulate the majority thereby creating inequality among people.”                

According to Nwosu, secrets, depending on its depth and efficacy give an aura of awe and reverence to the possessor, however, secret societies which are inherently evil use the license of secrets to wreck evil and then cover their tracks successfully.

The author therefore posits that, “to safeguard souls from such evil societies, religious traditions caution people and raise alarm about their existence.” But unlike the foreign religion proponents, Nwosu reveals that “there are other ancestral secret societies which are chiefly concerned with initiation, ancestral cults, and guarding their secret rites. These are traditional associations that have secrets; they are found in almost every community in Africa. Their main purpose is to attain a closer link with the divinities for the ultimate well-being of the whole society.”

One great boon of this book is that the author, though a Christian, does not mince words in exploring the subject matter.  There is no ambiguous rhetoric, he lashes out against evil secret societies, exposing their ills and short comings but also commending ancestral societies where necessary.

For example on page 27 he says, “the intent of most ancestral societies in Africa is to ensure closer link with the gods and have greater power in dealing with them.” He goes a step further by defining ancestral secret societies as “associations, whose members agree to conform to rules which themselves, or their predecessors, have established in order to promote laws and order and guard the mysteries surrounding their existence.

In the event of a breach of these ways of life, they also agree to submit to sanctions which are well-defined and known to even the transgressor. Membership is by rigorous and prolonged rites of initiation including large payments.”

Nwosu is of the view that Okonko and Ogboni societies are different from secret societies in the typical context. He asserts that these two societies are “private, voluntary organizations formed to champion the well being of members and the community at large. They are essentially groups of adults inside a global society, who combine to apply rituals and pressures on others in order to attain the common goal of the community.”    

The book, Theory and Practice of Secrecy: Focus on Okonko and Ogboni Societies in Africa as the author affirms is an addition toward alleviating the paucity of literature on secret societies. However, the work seems to be meant for academic consumption only. There are no definitions of terms to help readers who are not familiar with the jargons of comparative religions.

But as earlier said the message of the book is clear and unambiguous. And to the best of my knowledge the author did a good job at convincing his readers that not all secret societies are evil and that “societies that insist on maintaining their secrets cannot be associated with criminally willed fraternities.”   

In conclusion therefore, Okonko and Ogboni societies, according to the author, practices secrecy for glamour, dignity and discipline while membership “remains a choice not a compulsion,” need we begrudge them then the burden of secrecy they chose to bear?

WATCH! FIFTY- BEYOND THE TRAILER

EbonyLife Films gives us a Behind-the-Scenes peek into the highly anticipated feature, FIFTY. In this clip, we hear from all four principal characters played by Ireti Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Omoni Oboli respectively. We also hear from the Movie Director, Biyi Bandele and Executive Producer Mo Abudu.

The tight-knit cast and crew share their various experiences on set including Biyi Bandele reason’s for directing and his use of Lagos as the movie’s unofficial fifth character “FIFTY provided a chance to treat Lagos - a city I'm very fond of - as a living, thriving organism, and to showcase its complexities like never before.”

Delving into the trials and triumphs of these principal characters, FIFTY captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers.

FIFTY will have its Festival premiere on Saturday, 17th October 2015, at the Vue 7 Cinema, London, and a special grand Nigerian premiere on the 13th of December 2015at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Check out the behind-the-scenes video to get an extended look at some of the movie scenes. December will be here before you know it!

FIFTY's BFI LONDON PREMIERE SELLS OUT IN 4 DAYS

Tickets for the world premiere of EbonyLife Films’ highly anticipated feature Fifty, sold out in 4 days.

Tickets for the opening screening at the Vue 7 Cinema, Leicester Square on Saturday 17^th October and the additional screening at the Ritzy Cinema, South London on Sunday 18^th October are sold out. All four lead actresses are expected to attend both screenings.

Speaking about the popularity of the event, Executive Producer Mo Abudu said: "This is a moment for African Storytelling. This is the objective for EbonyLife Films and we are overwhelmed by the reception for the film thus far."

The film stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim. The production is Mo Abudu’s quest to showcase African women coming of age, loaded with increasingly similar aspirations and dilemmas faced by their contemporaries everywhere, while yet navigating unresolved traditions and obligations.

Director Biyi Bandele and Producer Tope Oshin-Ogun are expected to join the cast on the BFI Red Carpet. Fifty will get a special grand Nigerian premiere this Christmas on the 13th of December, 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and go on nationwide release on the 18^th of December, 2015.

GRACE ADENEKAN DEBUTS WITH ‘BIGGER THAN THE BIGGEST’ GOSPEL ALBUM

Grace Adenekan, popularly called Akorin, will be launching her debut gospel album and video tagged “Bigger than the Biggest” on the 1^st of November, 2015 at the Centre for Management Development Hall, Magodo, Lagos.

In a statement, it was unveiled that Grace Adenekan has been a gospel artiste for many years; she started out as a youngster in the church choir and has since then followed her passion by proclaiming the gospel through music.

The album has 8 tracks has been done in partnership with her husband, Kehinde Adenekan, who composed and co-arranged the music with Segun Joshua. Akin Jazzy, featured in the track that the album is named after ‘Bigger than the Biggest’, the album is produced by Saxy; EMX mixed the track, ‘Sope’ and directed the video.

Currently, one of the songs titled ‘Most High’ has been trending on Youtube in recent times. Some of the A-list gospel artistes billed for the launch includes Kenny Kore, Mike Abdul, Pelumi Strings, Nixon Sax and Ann.