Of Nollywood and Nigeria's Diaspora Talents

Adesua Etomi

(By Tchidi Jacobs; Additional Reports By Onyinye Ndupu) - Has Nigerian show-biz been high-jacked by the diaspora?

During the 4^th season of Big Brother Naija, which featured Ikechukwu Onyema, Avala, Mike Edwards, and at least 3 other diaspora Nigerians, an online debate ensued over perceived marginalization of local talent. It was not a new debate: the second and third seasons had up to 6 housemates whose following was arguably helped by their diaspora backgrounds. Nollywood has Adesua Etomi, Wereuche Opia, Osas Ighodoro, Adunni Ade, and more. In Nigerian music, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Teni, Davido, Falz, Don Jazzy, Banky W, Naira Marley, and many others have found same privilege. 

The trend is growing, especially in Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry built with sheer local skill and hard work. From DVDs sold in Alaba and Upper Iweka, to the posh cinemas adorning urban city malls, the industry that started in the early 90’s has been on a steady growth trajectory for almost three decades. With better production expertise and funding has come a limelight drawing diaspora talent. Sometimes it is as though local actors are deemed less screen-worthy.

In our pop music industry, street cred, not foreign swag and accent, is key; but like politicians thrill the Nigerian public when they are found eating roadside corn or akara, the diaspora singer that rolls with pidgin is king. It is as though fans feel lucky the performer shares an aspect of their lives—something taken for granted in the local singer. In Nollywood, it gets more interesting.

Leveraging foreign accents and education, overseas returnees in the industry are bringing a refreshing touch to the screen. They are not necessarily better than their Nigerian-born counterparts, but the foreign allure is an asset. It is no surprise that today, many of the A-List players in Nollywood are either born or educated abroad.

Of Nigerian Stars and Celebrity Gossip

(By Joy Isi-Bewaji) - In Nigeria, a celebrity will give birth to quadruplets, hide them in a sac, marry a second time, kill her neighbour's dog, buy a house in Miami, sleep with Drake, enrol at a strippers club, amputate her left leg, suffer a heart attack, go clubbing on a yatch, have a street fight with her best friend, steal her best friend's third husband, have his baby and poison his tea with arsenic...

No blog or "gossip website" will know a thing...until the celebrity, by herself, posts it on social media. 

We do not have exclusives. There are no paparazzi waiting at Genevieve Nnaji's gate to tell who she's dating.

If Genevieve doesn't take a half nude picture with a man in bed and post on Instagram OR her friends have the mouths of worn baskets... then no blogger gets to know jack about her life.

It is why I find it ridiculous when Naija celebrities rant about privacy.

You can have all the privacy you want in this country. Nobody is snooping. I have met many A+ celebrities at malls, and people just walk by. Maybe a smile from a few shoppers, but mostly serious boning and prouding from Nigerians. 

Thank God for selfie sticks, now they ask for a selfie.

But nobody... not ONE photographer will bother taking pictures of his life or her activities.

Top 5 Nollywood Actresses 2016

Adesua Etomi

(By Charles Novia) - It’s The Novia List once again!

My annual ‘ Top 5 Best Actress/Best Actor’ list has always been released for the past three years during this period and it culminates for me, an exciting year in Nollywood wherein more than ever this year, there was a competitive slant in the quality of acting in the industry.

Introducing Adesua "Sunshine" Etomi

(Shaibu Husseini)--She is nicknamed ‘Sunshine’ and that is exactly what this new acting dynamite Adesua Etomi brings, to any picture she is cast to feature in. From an appearance in her short film, ‘Brave’ to a leading performance in that engaging telling by Royal Pictures Academy, ‘Knocking on Heavens Door’ and the ground breaking television series ‘Gidi Up’, Adesuwa has shown stuff and has proven that she is that actress any good producer should engage if he or she wants an actress who can live a role believably.

Born in Owerri, Imo State to a father who is from Edo State and a mother who is Yoruba, Adesua acts with a lot of depth. She throws herself into a role and makes every role she has played seem as though it was written with her in mind. Indeed, most directors who have worked closely with her since she returned from abroad to join the industry after her university education affirm that she is good and that the humble, friendly and amiable actress who also sings, has brought some spark to the Nigerian stage and screen acting firmament.