Dons Eze
- Entertainment
- May 8, 2024
- 74 views
‘OVULARIA’ OF NEW MASQUERADE FAME DIES AT 82
‘OVULARIA’ OF NEW MASQUERADE FAME DIES AT 82 EXACTLY four and a half years after her rumoured death on November 5, 2019, Madam Elizabeth Evoeme, popularly known as Ovularia in the 80s TV sitcom, ‘The New Masquerade’, has passed on aged 82. A statement by the Evoeme Emekalam family on her expiration read: “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The new Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans. “We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.” Her daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, who is based in London confirmed Ovularia’s demise, which she described as painful and shocking, adding “I need to get my head around what has happened.” On November 5, 2019, Evoeme’s rumoured death was reportedly announced on Twitter by one Churchill Ebhodaghe without any detail regarding the cause of her rumoured expiration. Dismissing the rumour, Ovularia, on November 8, 2019, reportedly said that those behind the rumour deserved to be punished. She said: “There was never a time I was so sick that it get to the paper or the media. I was never so sick that I needed prayer and I made it public. My sickness is just the sickness of elderly people — arthritis, hypertension, that’s it.” Asked if she knew what was responsible for the rumour, she said: “I wish I knew. I wish someone can answer the question for me. Those behind the rumour deserve punishment.” Following the rumour of her death then, her on-screen husband, Chika Okpala popular for his role as Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwaogbe alias 4.30 in the sitcom, dismissed the rumour.“Who’s wishing her dead? I am telling you now that Ovularia is not dead. You can call her on the telephone and she will speak to you. Wishing her death means that she will live longer,” Zebrudaya reportedly said.
- Entertainment
- April 15, 2024
- 67 views
JNR POPE WAS PROVIDED WITH LIFE JACKET BUT REJECTED IT BECAUSE WAS DIRTY – PRODUCER
JNR POPE WAS PROVIDED LIFE JACKET BUT REJECTED IT BECAUSE IT WAS DIRTY – PRODUCER Adanma Luke, the producer of the movie Junior Pope was shooting before he drowned has claimed that the later actor was given a life jacket but rejected it. Luke has been under heavy fire following the death of actor Junior Pope and three others after their boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from the location of her movie, ‘The Other Side Of Life.’ Breaking her silence since the incident, Luke Adanma claimed that Junior Pope was provided with a life jacket but rejected it because it was dirty. Speaking in a video message shared via her Instagram account, she said: “My director was on life jacket, Emeka the DOP was also on life jacket. There was still one life jacket available, I don’t know who took it. “My producer manager said they saw life jackets hanging and they took them. He said he even asked the late Friday to take one to Junior Pope but Junior Pope said it was dirty so he didn’t take it. “Those with life jackets survived the boat mishap. And they also told me that when they were in the water trying to survive, Junior Pope was also there asking, ‘Is everybody okay? Hope everybody is fine?’ They said they even threw a gallon to him to use and hold himself which he was holding but all of a sudden they didn’t see him again. “It was when they came out that they noticed that he was no longer there. They said divers came and reduced some of them while other divers were still there trying to rescue others.“I said what could have caused this accident? They said they don’t know but TC was standing on the speed boat rigging bell.”
- Entertainment
- April 14, 2024
- 61 views
UNTOLD STORY OF BOAT MISHAP THAT KILLED JNR POPE, FOUR OTHERS
UNTOLD STORY OF BOAT MISHAP THAT KILLED JNR POPE, FOUR OTHERS Veteran actor and SA to the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Military Relations, Mr Steve Eboh has provided graphic details on the boat mishap which claimed the lives of Nollywood actor Jnr. Pope and four others at Anam River, in Anambra State and how they have been able to bring the situation under control. Eboh, who’s popularly known as Ajebo was part of the production Associates of the ill-fated movie, ‘Another Side of Life” being produced by Adanma Luke. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the length and breadth of the Nigerian movie industry. And while different stories are still flying around in respect of the incident, Eboh has decided to shed light on it. This is just as the Marine Police of Anambra State Command said yesterday that they have recovered bodies of the the remaining three victims of the unfortunate boat accident. Two of the bodies were recovered on Thursday, while the last body was thrown ashore by the tide yesterday morning. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, however, urged all water commuters to be safety conscious and avoid behaviour that may jeopardize their safety and that of others while on transit on water. He promised an expedited investigation into the sad accident. Narrating how the boat mishap happened, Eboh said: “I was part of the production Associates of the movie, ‘Another Side of Life.’ On that day, I was supposed to be on that set. But somehow, I got to the location very early when the cast and crew were not yet there. I went back home, hoping that they would call me when they arrived. But the next thing I heard was what happened and the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Chief Emeka Rollas called me, and instructed me to move to Asaba to ascertain the situation. The incident didn’t happen in Asaba, rather it happened in Anambra State. But the takeoff point was Asaba.” Eboh, however, blamed actor TC Okafor for the misfortune. Okafor’s live session interview, narrating how the incident happened went viral on social media on Thursday. According to Eboh’s account, while the victims were on board, Okafor kept standing and was pouring libation on the water, and at the same time ringing his bell. In the process, he blocked the view of the person steering the boat in such a way that he couldn’t see the incoming canoe, thereby leading to a collision. According to Eboh, “The producer of the film, Adanma Luke was supposed to be in the boat. But somehow, she forgot something and had to rush back to the hotel to pick it up. That was how she missed the boat. But when the accident happened, we were asked to perform some rituals by the riverside before we recovered Jnr Pope’s body alongside the other victim. They were already dead when they were bought out of the water. “I was at the riverside when they brought their bodies out of the water. At that point, I invited the police to take their corpses to the mortuary, but the supreme argument prevailed that we should take them to the hospital first for the doctors to confirm they were dead. We went to the first hospital and they were confirmed dead. At the mortuary, the attendant insisted that we must obtain certain clearance before he would do anything. “However, when our people decided to perform some rituals by the tradition of the Anam people before taking the bodies away, the man that presided over the rituals told our people that their spirits were back in them and that we should rush them to the hospital…
- Entertainment
- April 12, 2024
- 75 views
JUNIOR PỌPE: PỌLICE RECOVER THREE MORE BODIES
JUNIOR PỌPE: POLICE RECOVER THREE MORE BODIES The Anambra State Police Command has said that their marine unit has recovered the bodies of the three remaining victims of the tragic boat accident involving a movie cast that claimed the lives of a Nollywood star, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope and other crew members. One of the two boats that conveyed the actors including Junior Pope and other crew members to a film location in the Anambra West Local Government Area, was returning to Asaba, where it took off when the accident happened on Wednesday. A statement issued by the Anambra State Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that six actors and one actress had been recovered and that two other victims of the incident rescued were unconscious and were handed over to the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria for conveyance to the hospital, while three others were still missing. In a statement issued on Friday by the police spokesperson, the command said that two of the bodies were recovered on Thursday while the last body was washed in by the tide on Friday morning. The statement said, “All the bodies have been deposited in a hospital mortuary in Asaba while the President of the Guild of Actors and Actresses has been notified of the recovery. “The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye has urged all water commuters to be safety conscious and avoid behaviour that may jeorpardise their safety and that of others while on transit on water.“He promised expedited investigation into the sad accident that claimed the lives of five actors. He also commended the Command’s Marine Unit and its Commander for dedication to duty.”
- Entertainment
- April 6, 2024
- 85 views
I CHERISH MEMORY OF MY FATHER, CELESTINE UKWU’S DAUGHTER
I CHERISH MEMORY OF MY FATHER, CELESTINE UKWU’S DAUGHTER Barrister Cynthia Chikwado Ukwu, the only child of highlife music legend Celestine Ukwu, shares her experiences and plans regarding her father’s legacy in an interview with Fred Iwenjora. Born on December 27, 1977, Cynthia came to understand her identity as the daughter of Celestine Ukwu around the age of 11. She began hearing stories about her father’s renowned contributions to highlife music, often from various people, including family members and her father’s friends like Uncle Buzuzu Mogbo. Despite never having met her father, these stories and resemblances to him left a lasting impression on her. While she was initially very interested in music as she grew up, Cynthia eventually found other passions in life, although she still cherishes her father’s music deeply. She often sings her father’s songs, with “Ije Enu” being a favorite that resonates with her due to its philosophical depth. Cynthia expresses her fascination with her father’s wisdom, passion for music, and the moral values embedded in his songs. She feels his presence whenever his music plays and recognizes similarities in their character traits. Over time, her love and pride for her father have deepened as she matures and understands more about his legacy. Regarding the benefits of being Celestine Ukwu’s daughter, Cynthia considers it all as gain. His name has opened doors for her and endeared her to many. She proudly displays his photos as her phone screensaver and profile pictures, with his music as her ringtone, feeling a profound connection to him through these. Speaking about her mother, Mrs. Josephine Uzoyibo Ukwu, Cynthia describes her as managing her life well. After her father’s death, her mother remarried but later returned to Cynthia when that marriage ended. Cynthia acknowledges the strength of her mother, who often shares memories of Celestine Ukwu’s caring and family-oriented nature. To immortalize her father’s name, Cynthia founded the Celestine Ukwu Memorial Foundation after graduating from ESUT Faculty of Law. The foundation aims to promote everything related to Celestine Ukwu and celebrate his contributions to music. They plan to host the Celestine Ukwu Memorial Symposium 2024 on May 7, the 47th anniversary of his death. The symposium will feature an academic paper on Celestine Ukwu’s music and philosophy, delivered by a music scholar. Live music performances by his surviving musical associates are also planned. Cynthia hopes to secure the support or sponsorship of Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State for the event, as it would be an honor to have him host the occasion.The foundation is seeking support to make the event a memorable celebration of Celestine Ukwu’s enduring legacy.
- Entertainment
- March 26, 2024
- 90 views
NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, ZACK ORJI, DEAD?
NOLLYWOOD VETERAN ACTOR ZACK ORJI DEAD? Social media is currently buzzing with unconfirmed reports of the passing of Nollywood Legend, Zack Orji. Orji who has been suffering from brain issues leading to a brain surgery was said to have died yesterday night. The actor was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital in Abuja on New Year’s Eve. He was said to have had brain surgery the next day. The AGN said the actor was unable to walk or talk upon admission. A footage which surfaced on New Year’s Eve showed Mr Orji being admitted to a hospital in Abuja after collapsing at his house’s toilet. The video also showed the actor lying in bed in pain. The 63-year-old actor struggled with fatigue for weeks, leaving him unable to talk or move. The actor underwent medical tests, and the guild will inform the public of any developments. During the build-up to the general elections in February 2023, the actor made headlines in 2022 when he declared support for President Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He shared his endorsement in a two-minute video on his social media platforms. The actor also served as a director of performing arts for the APC’s presidential campaign council in 2022. Orji, a director and film producer, has starred in movies such as ‘Living in Bondage ‘Iva’ ‘Blood Sisters’ and others. He was featured in 2023 ‘Black Harvest,’ a gripping psychological thriller where he embodied the patriarch of a wealthy family wrestling with dark secrets and buried desires.He also starred in ‘Alerte’, a suspenseful action film alongside Nollywood stalwarts like Rita Edochie and Sani Danja.