FOR Nigerian stage and screen actor Gbenga Richards, an urgent call for help has been issued. A video posted on the social media handles of notable entertainment blogger and entrepreneur Emdee David, the actor was seen calling for help to enable him seek urgent medical attention. He said he was battling acute diabetes and high blood pressure. The SOS post by Emdee accompanying the video by Gbenga Richards read thus: “Another Nollywood actor is critically battling with his health: Gbenga Richards needs our help as he battles acute diabetes and high blood pressure for a while now. We sure do not want to lose another of our creative talents. We can do something to get him back in good health. Your support can go directly to him. God bless you as you show him some love’’. Gbenga Richards is an actor, known for 30 Days (2006), Darkest Night (2005) and Betrayed by Love (2004)
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Garlands of honour for the stage n’screen, Joke Silva
*’Acting has made me popular and easily recognisable; it has opened doors for me and I am grateful to God for his grace and mercies‘
SINCE she clocked 60 on Wednesday September 29, a rain of garlands has descended on the replete crown of the world-class stage and screen actress and producer, Ajoke Silva-Jacobs.
Messages have continued to pour in from all over the world for the queen of performance art whose passion and commitment to the vocation is glaringly boundless. Fans, colleagues both young and old, friends, contemporaries and family members of the stage and screen diva have continued to eulogise the skillful performer, who has exhibited a rare combination of hardwork and an inalienable commitment to her first love, acting.
Indeed, if there is any screen and stage actress who is roundly admired for her unique interpretation of roles and who is rightly respected for bumping easily into such roles, it’s the immensely gifted, top-rate acting diva, Ajoke Jacobs. A red hot star, Ajoke, wife of the senior actor, Olu Jacobs, has exhibited a palpable commitment to excellence and to playing a raised game since she joined the acting vocation 40 years ago.
BORN under the star sign Libra, Joke Silva, the professional name she and her better half Olu Jacobs have agreed to adopt, she has continued to win the hearts of viewers within and outside Nigeria with grace and charm, and she has proved overtime that she is a world-class actress who puts a stamp of quality on all her acting performances.
A core professional, principled and one of the very few actors at ease on stage, film television and on home video, Joke is regarded as a magnetic star who though has not allowed success and fame get into her head and who has become more of a reference point or something of a parameter for assessing other actresses. Indeed to say that Joke, an ‘acting auntie’ to a lot of upcoming actresses, has become a household name in the world of the cinema and theatre in Nigeria would be stating the obvious.
A timeless actor, acting was all Joke wanted as a career. As a kid, nothing gave Joke so much kick than acting. Acting was all she wanted to do. Hard as her parents tried to convince her to open her mind to other career choices, Joke just couldn’t get her mind of acting not after she has been exposed to the acting prowess of veterans like the late Elsie Olusola aka ‘Sisi Clara’ and that of the inimitable Ibidun Allison aka ‘Amebo’ of the ‘Village Headmaster’ fame. Their showing on screen provided the pull and got her really resolved to pursue a career in acting. And because she exhibited a stubborn determination, her parents, particularly her mum, had no option than allow her express her inner passion. Incidentally it was her mum who pulled a call and secured a place for the old girl of Saint Saviour’s School, Lagos, Holy Child College, Lagos and an alumnus of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, South Kessington London, the University of Lagos and Fate Foundation Ijora, Lagos, at the defunct Center for Cultural Studies of the University of Lagos. While there, Joke took part in a number of productions. It was at this point that she decided that the best thing to do was to get herself grounded in the art and science of acting. So she yearned for more training. And when the opportunity came, Joke chose the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, London. While there too, she took part in a number of stage productions. For instance, Joke was a major part of the College staging of Arnold Western’s ‘Shylock’. She also played a prominent role in the College staging of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth.’
A popular star and an actress of international repute who is greatly sought after, Joke returned to Nigeria after her training in London to further her acting career. Sadly when she returned nothing much was happening in terms of theatrical productions. So she had to take up teaching in schools to get by. It was about this time too that she met and acceded to the marriage proposal advanced by a man she described as her ‘friend, mentor and confidant’, Olu Jacobs. Their marriage of over two decades now is blessed with children and grand-children.
Co-founder of Lufodo Productions and the Lufodo Academy for the Performing Arts, which she runs with her husband, Olu Jacobs, Joke’s first cut on the raised platform here was on television. She was a major feature in most of the early television soaps and series. Many still recall her remarkable performance in such television soaps and series like ‘Mind Bending’, ‘Mirror in the Sun’ and ‘Second Chance.’ In between, Joke spared time to be part of most of the cities upscale stage performances. Many still recall her dazzling run in Fred Agbeyegbe’s ‘The King Must Dance Naked, in ‘Holy Child’ a stage play which her husband produced almost annually under the aegis of Lufodo productions and in Ahmed Yerima’s ‘The Sisters,’ where she lived delightfully, the lead role of Taiwo.
A founding member, secretary and assistant coordinator of CULAN, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the struggle for gender equity using the arts, Joke, a native of Lagos breezed effortlessly from television to home video. She became an instant hit there and made most producers to conclude that a movie will ‘sell fast’ once Joke Silva was in it. And as scripts got to her, she made her choice and only accepted those that could challenge her professionally. This is why she has only done a couple of movies, all critically acclaimed.
In Joke’s movie and film pouch are such critically acclaimed flicks as: ‘Owuro Lojo’ her debut movie in Yoruba, ‘The Kingmaker’, ‘Twins of the Rain Forest’, a short film produced by the pay channel MNET; ‘Brave Heart,’ a film, ‘Violated’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Women’s Cot,’ which earned her a deserved best actress crest at an earlier edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA); ’30 Days’ and ‘Digging for Gold’, ’Jonah’, ‘The Drummer Boy’, and ‘Footprints’. Indeed to say that Joke has had a very remarkable career as an actress and producer would just be stating the obvious.
A recipient of several industry and society awards including EMOTAN, an award by African Independent Television (AIT), Joke is an actress with a passion for humanitarian activities. She belongs to a number of associations and boards that are concerned about gender-based issues and the well-being of the girl child and African children in general. She is a member of the think-thank for the Blair Commission for Africa, a trustee of Advocacy for Women and Children and a board member cum grief counselor for AART of Life Foundation.
Joke has had many memorable moments as an actor. But the one she readily recapped was when she played the role of King Omojua in Fred Agbeyegbe’s ‘The King Must Dance Naked’, which the National Troupe produced in 1993. “It was a great experience for me working in a star-studded production. The audience had to be turned back at some point because the tickets were sold out. There was no room to stand in the hall at the National Theatre where the play was staged.”
If she has had any sad moment at all, then it would obviously be the day she lost her beloved daughter to the cold hands of death. The child couldn’t pull through an operation that was carried out on her. “It was a sad moment for all of us. It was”, she said.
When Joke is not busy with acting, teaching and or engaged in humanitarian work, she spends time with her immediate family. She also loves to read, watch movies, swim and dance. Her favourite colours are pastels while her favourite international actors are Judy Dench, Kathrine Hepburn, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and a host of others.
Asked if she has any regrets and whether it has been rewarding acting, the warm- hearted diva simply posted a “no.” She maintained that she has no regret at all acting and would encourage any of her children and or ward with the right talent to act. As for rewards, Joke admits that acting has “greatly rewarded her.” She adds: “what more can I possibly ask for. It has made me popular and easily recognisable. It has opened doors for me and I am grateful to God for his grace and mercies.”
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REVIEW
The Kingmaker
Producer – Olu Jacob & Joke Jacobs
Director – Fred Amata
Actors – Joke Silva, Bimbo Manuel, Olu Jacobs, Bukky Ajayi amongst others
NOT too many Nollywood movies have been greeted with quite as much anticipation as this one by the duo of Olu and Joke Jacobs. The mere fact that the actor-couple produced the movie set expectation soaring. And true to expectation, the Jacobs didn’t disappoint with this debut effort. No they didn’t, even though some of critics expected something more grandiose, especially in terms of scenic design, special effect and costumes.
Anyway what was undoubtedly a fascinating experience on video that was appropriately titled The Kingmaker revolves round one Bolaji Coker (Bimbo Manuel), a strong contender in the gubernatorial race of a state of about 60 people of mostly dancers (my comment). Though he stood a better chance of winning the race, he seeks help from a renowned political Godfather – no sorry Kingmaker, one Chief Akanji Dagunduro (Olu Jacobs), perhaps just “to make assurances doubly sure” (apologies Chief Zebrudaya of New Masquerade). He is elected but soon finds himself locked in a scary battle with the Kingmaker who is hell bent on easing Idowu (Zulu Adigwe), Bolaji’s deputy out of office. This leads to an intense political rift. By some twist later, Chief Akanji is arrested by an AIG (certainly not AIG Ige of the celebrated ‘Ngige-Ubagate’) played by this actor who is a cop in every movie – Ayo Emmanuel. And yip the movie ends.
An attractive movie with a likeable cast, The Kingmaker strikes as what the various shades of political rift in the country inspired. Save for the rather austere set and some minor missteps, The Kingmaker which had the signature of some substantial fellows like Bukky Ajayi, Bunmi Oyinsan and Fred Amata tried to maintain its integrity as a well-crafted movie. However a few critics found that Amata’s explosion too cheap. We were also miffed at the paucity of costumes, especially the ones donned in some scenes by some very influential characters like Akin, especially Akin (played by the veteran actor of the Memorial Hospital fame, Tunde Alabi); the deputy Governor and his Excellency Governor Bolaji (Bimbo Manuel). If you have not seen it, please do. If you have, go back again. Comparably The Kingmaker was thoughtfully produced and has a sweetening that is difficult to discount.
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Notice Board
Steve Ayorinde is Jury President for AMAA 2021
ORGANISERS of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have announced the appointment of Steve Ayorinde as President of the Jury for the year 2020 honours. A pioneer member of the Academy, Ayorinde has been the Chairman of the Governing Council of AMAA for over 10 years. He is the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State. Before then, he was Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the National Mirror newspaper and Editor of Punch newspaper. He is also regarded as one of Nigeria’s best-renowned film and art critics who has served on the juries for some of the world’s most recognised film festivals and awards, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival and Mumbai International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival.
A statement signed by the Awards’ founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, said AMAA could not think of a more seasoned personality that can embrace what the film industry is going through at the moment than Ayorinde, who is expected to inspire filmmakers across Africa and the Diaspora in a period the industry needs inspiration. The statement added that 2020 has been a compelling and interesting year with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has negatively impacted the creative and tourism sector globally.
“This year, due to the pandemic, there has been delays and date changes because we have been hoping for the world to open up so we can congregate physically for the AMAAs. Film making and awards are about team and networking, rooms filled with happiness, laughter, wine, dances and jubilation for the year’s hard work. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has made it impossible, as the world goes through the second wave of lockdowns and Nigeria still recovering from the aftershock of the #EndSARS dilemma — where youths were demanding for the rejuvenation of the values of togetherness, a better police force, better Nigeria and Africa. As we come together for the 16th edition of AMAA, it is to reward African cinema, and to embrace the fact that we have been working even in these troubling and difficult times,” it said. The nominations for the 16th edition of the awards in all categories will be announced on AMAA networks on the 20th of November, 2020 while the Awards ceremony will be held on the 20th of December, 2020
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Excitement as Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Swallow’ premieres on NETFLIX
THE much awaited new film by Kunle Afolayan titled ‘Swallow’ is out on Netflix. ‘Swallow’, the film adaptation of Sefi Atta’s book, which is set in 1980s Lagos, sees Afolayan continuing his cinematic exploration of bygone eras. The riveting drama-thriller weaves a compelling tale around drug trafficking and workplace sexual harassment and how these social issues are exacerbated by poverty. To pen the screenplay for Swallow, Afolayan chose to work with the novel’s author, Sefi Atta and had this to say about their collaboration. “It was a seamless, process especially because it was my choice to work with the original writer of the book which is rare in most adaptations. Usually people don’t work with the writers. I gave her a freehand to write what she thought and then changed a couple of things and infused some other things so as to give more life to the story.” Swallow is the first film from Kunle Afolayan’s Netflix multi-title deal and it premieres globally and exclusively to Netflix on October 1. Development for this movie was first announced at the beginning of the year after KAP Motion Pictures, acquired the rights to the adaptation of the book by Sefi Atta into a film. It is on Netflix.
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Star Fad & Hobbies
The Actor Enyinna Nwigwe:
“Adding to the hobbies list would be deep sea-fishing, it is one way I relax now and get closer to nature, getting far from the chaos of the city whilst also doing sport. And for career ambition, I want to be at the centre of conversations to unify (Africa) and drive the film industry to commercially viable status and global reckoning’’
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The Actress Joke Silva:
On a scale, I prefer to do more stage productions than home video productions. Both are challenging. It is just that the stage requires more projection and there are no opportunities for retakes. But I prefer the stage even though you don’t earn as much on stage as you would on screen. But stage is a prestigious thing. You improve your skills better on stage than on screen because you have the equipment that would boost your performance like the microphones that will make you sound louder. But I prefer the stage’.
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The Actor Joseph Benjamin:
“The only thing I know I miss from a personal point of view is the ability to park on the roadside and buy quick snacks from the vendors on the road (Boli, Corn, Gala and the likes, lol) Apart from that, I don’t really miss anything. I am with my family, which would have been the only thing I would have had a struggle with. I have never been a pervasive person in the entertainment industry. To be honest keeping a very social life is expensive. As for likes and dislikes, I like being able to express who I am. And I thrive in such environments. I dislike disingenuous people, I believe you live your best life when you are genuine. When I am not filming, I am learning to increase my capacity. I like to rest alright, but that is after my mind has taken as much as it has the capacity to”
The Actor Ali Nuhu:
“After so many years in the industry, I mastered the art of balancing between my work and family. As for whether my children are taking after me, well I think they are all gifted. I produced a movie recently and my children all acted in the movie as child actors. At the moment, Ahmad still acts even though he is more interested in football. I will only guide them and I won’t dictate what they should do in terms of career’.
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MILESTONES AND ROUGHCUTS
#NAMED- Content strategist and founder of the Nigeria International Film and Television Summit (NIFS), Ijeoma Onah, has emerged as the new CEO of the new Video-On-Demand zero data streaming platform, SuperTV. The platform which has been commercially launched in Lagos is promoted as Nigeria’s first VOD zero data streaming service that will be available to MTN’s existing 70 million subscribers. Onah hinted at the launch that subscribers on SuperTV will be able to stream VOD and TVOD content as live TV channels without data, thereby bringing streaming to the mass market. Industry observers have expressed optimism that Onah will bring her experience as a content strategist to bear in running SuperTV, which the new CEO has further assured will offer accessible, affordable and flexible pricing on various bouquets.
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