Fans Agree With Charles Novia's Best 5 Nollywood Actresses of 2013

Charles, a blogger and a filmmaker, known for slamming others andbeing slammed in return is in the news again. Just this time he  is not slamming Maheeda or anybody for that matter but suggesting who the best actress for 2013 is. As i read through comments on other blogs i was surprised fans agree with about 80% of the people in the list but would have preferred Rita Dominic to be in number 2 or 3 position  not No 5,also most people didn't know who tamara was so didn't think she deserved that spot as a new face but it was shocking to see everyone agree that Mercy Johnson is undeniably the best actress for 2013. I think i need to see some mercy movies. Am happy, Yvonne okoro made this list because after seeing the game, i became her fan.Good job Charles for the professional way he judged it, you can feel his passion as he depicts or justifies his choices with nice facts. Check list below:

NUMBER 5: RITA DOMINIC

Rita had a good year. Winning ‘Best Actress’ a couple of times (among many nominations ) for the movie ‘The Meeting’. I also watched her in another recently released movie, ‘Finding Mercy’ but felt that she gave a listless and lukewarm performance in that flick. In ‘The Meeting’, Rita was smoking. I would say that for the first time since I have been seeing her in movies, she found the right script which explored her acting depths. Rita is a Theatre Arts Graduate from Uniport and that is usually an advantage for actors with such credentials from Drama School. What is expected from such actors has to come to the fore someday in Nollywood, when the right script meets the right Director and the fundamentals of a good production are met. ‘The Meeting’ is that kind of production. Rita subsumed her character and aided the cackle points of the comedy. With make-up which aimed to transform and accentuate her character, she found it easy to give us all a good performance. However, I found some grey areas of her acting bordering between slapstick and sublimal comedy especially the part where she called out ‘Code Red’ , which was a typical Nollywood play-to-the-gallery moment. But her acting on those few bits can be forgiven because she had a screen presence of mind. Rita Dominic has more to prove in Nollywood, either as an actress or as a Producer. If it is the former, then she has to be careful about her choice of scripts from now on because there might be false slips ahead. A good actress anyday, she is.

NUMBER 4: YVONNE OKORO

Now this would raise eyebrows with people asking if Yvonne is from Nollywood since she is associated more with Ghana. Nomencletures do not matter to me. Nollywood is a global brand and is a huge platform for all African actors to make their mark. Besides, Yvonne’s movie, ‘The Contract’, was released in the cinemas in Nigeria in 2013 which meets a part of the criteria I used in drawing up this list.

I must confess that I had not watched much of Yvonne’s movies before ‘The Contract’. I just knew her name from a few social media buzz which was neither here nor there for me. So when I watched her performance in ‘The Contract’,  my curiousity gave way to admiration. She interpreted the role quite well. There was an almost effortless transistion of moods and emotions in her characterisation and she had the audience eating out of the palms of her hands all through the movie. She  came off looking like she had something to prove with that movie both as Producer and lead actress and I think she succeeded. There was nothing forced about her nuances in the movie, which projected a rare self-assuredness lacking in many of her counterparts. Since Ghana is her chosen country of citizenship, I would say she is an asset to her country in the acting field.

NUMBER 3: DAMILOLA ADEGBITE

A surprise resignation from ‘TINSEL’in 2012 , made most people wonder if Damilola knew what she was doing. She gave reasons for leaving the televsion serial; to concentrate on her acting career. Watching her in Michelle Bello’s ‘Flower Girl’ brought home the wisdom in her career curve.

I have always held the notion that Damilola has a powerful screen presence. There’s something sultry and appealing about her looks on screen. Very few actors have that aura. In Damilola’s case, I thought it wasn’t yet explored to the maximum. In ‘Flower Girl’, that screen aura combined with a visible attempt at internalisation and visualisation by Damilola in her role, made many see her in a whole new light. Finally, the stirrings of a Super Actress is beginning to show. ‘Flower Girl’ is a romantic comedy modelled after the genre as it is done in Hollywood. Attempting to get it right needs the right male and female actors in the lead roles. Damilola was the right pick for the female lead. She knew when to turn on the charm and when to disarm in the movie. She gave it her best and it showed. Hopefully, she would maintain the tempo and energy in her new movies after ‘Flower Girl’.

NUMBER 2: TAMARA ETIENO

Many people would not remember her name and it is likely many would have forgotten her as the winner of ‘The Next Movie Star’ Reality show a couple of years back. But such credentials are not important when it comes to judging her abilities as an actor. Tamara was simply awesome in the movie ‘Desperate Housegirls’! She gave an organic and jaw-dropping performance which must her won her new fans and etched her name somewhere on the consciousness of movie lovers. There was a closeness to method acting when watching her in ‘Desperate Housegirls’ and she must be commended for making acting interesting again especially as we have been assailed with talentless actors and actresses in the past few years. I predict that Tamara is going to shine in a few months but that illumination depends on the kind of scripts she chooses and the Directors she works with. But then, she is good. Quite good.

NUMBER 1: MERCY JOHNSON

Mercy would be my number one choice for ‘Best Actress’ in 2013. She has simply been awesome in the her movies this year. There’s something ultra-natural and organic about Mercy Johnson which confounds even her critics. She can act. She delivers. In four movies I watched in 2013, which she starred in, she was the epitome of delightful characterisation. Watch her in the ‘Dumebi’ spawn of movies and you would appreciate how her talent has evolved since she came back from her Maternity Break.

Mercy is a chameleonic actress, one with the uncanny ability to immerse herself in her roles. She can play the victimised House Maid in one movie and switch to the Lady Boss in the next. In fact, if the role suits her, she comes out smoking.

She is arguably the Best Actress for 2013. You can quote me on that.

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Nollywood Actress Stella Damasus Rivals Ebube Nwagbo(PHOTOS)

Highly controversial Stella Damasus has shown her love for Ebube Nwagbo's kind of business as she has just floated her own hair brand called Adiva.

Ebube, if you remember two years back came out with her own hairline called Posh Hair, and ever since the sultry actress started the hair business, she has grown in leaps and bounds.

This, according to people in the know, might have led Stella too to dabble into same kind of lucrative business.

Though, Stella too, just like Ebube, has undying love for good hair, this, we gathered, has propelled her into providing women who love style, class, glamour but also those who spend wisely, with a new brand of wigs. 

Adiva Hair, as we were told, also has a new brand of Afro puffy twist for braids. This is totally different from what ladies are used to seeing in the market. This puffy hair is very soft and mild and won't hurt the fingers of your braider, it's very light and can last for as long as you want.

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At 20, People Still Treat Me Like A Little Girl – Actress, Sharon Ezeamaka

20-year-old actress and Dear Mother star , Sharon in a recent interview talks about her past, present, and future as well as romance, Nollywood and fashion.

Read the interview below

What was it like as a kid actor?

It was fun. My mum always tells me that if you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. I love hitting location, going through my script and interpreting my role. Combining it with my studies wasn’t really easy, but God saw me through. I had amazing grades in school, and I was one of the best in my class.

What is the difference between when you were growing up and now?

I think people are beginning to take the industry a lot more seriously. I remember when I was still a kid actor, people thought Nigerian movies were jokes and nothing to write home about. But now, it’s so good when you go to the cinemas and you see people going to see Nollywood movies.

People are beginning to see Nollywood movies and know that we are not here to play, that we are here to provide Africa with this amazing movie industry. There’s still so much we have to do, and we need to work on, but we’re getting there. Now, we have really good movies that we can be proud of, script writers that are amazing and directors that are awesome.

Do you think there are some things you missed out on as a child because you started your career early?

My parents were very supportive, and they knew that being a child actor was going to take up a lot of time, so in their own way, they helped me have a normal childhood. I did everything a child is supposed to do. I played with my friends, I had a very good childhood, I didn’t miss out on anything.

We heard that you took some time off to ‘reinvent’ yourself, what was that about?

I have been acting since I was 5, and even though I’m 20 now, people still see me as that little girl. So, I took a two year break to do other things, get more mature, and explore other areas of the media. I worked in a fashion magazine for about a year, FAB magazine. After that I took a break before I debuted on the M-net show, The Johnsons. On the Johnsons, I play a really young character who is fifteen.

How difficult has it been for you to prove to people that you’re no longer a kid actor?

It’s not such a big issue for me. I know it’s not going to be so easy to shed off that kid actor image. I’ve realized that a lot of kid actors especially outside the country tend to go the exact opposite route so they can get out of that image. But I don’t plan to that because I’m not a loose person. But it is sort of weird when people say things like: “You’re so grown up now.”

And I’m like “yeah, I’ve been acting since I was five, I was supposed to grow up.” It is funny, but it’s to be expected, so it doesn’t really surprise me. It’s not like I’m tired of playing young characters but it would be nice to play older characters because I’m getting older. I’m trying to get my management team to get me projects that I can play older characters.

What’s your dream role at the moment?

Fifty shades of grey. I would give an arm and a leg to play Ana Steele, the lead girl in the movie, because I love the progression of her character. It’s just that the production is all the way in Hollywood and the character is white. More realistically, I am looking forward to playing roles that will challenge me. Roles that are different from who I am in real life. And there are very few characters like that.

Naturally I’m daring, adventurous, simple, nice; I’m a whole lot of things put together, and I would love something that would push me beyond my limits. Creativity should not have limits or boundaries. You should be able to push beyond what you think you can do or what you’ve done before. So, whatever I haven’t done before is ideal for me.

Do you have any plans to further your education outside the movie industry?

I finished secondary school before I was sixteen, but I decided not to go to the university. The reason is that there are no higher institutions that teach film making as a course,but Theatre Arts. I didn’t want to study Theatre Arts. I want to study film making from a director’s perspective. I already know what I want to do with my life, that’s something I think a lot of young people lack.

I have friends that tell me how lucky I am that my parents are very understanding, how they wish they didn’t go to school to waste time on something that they don’t love. What’s the point in going to school for four years, studying something that you aren’t going to use, and then dumping the certificate somewhere? It doesn’t make any sense.

Do you want to go behind the camera anytime soon?

Yes, I want to go into directing before I turn 25. That is why I want to go to the New York film Academy, at least before I get to that age. I know I’d be ready to start directing my own projects at 25, so I want to get a lot of experience. I think directing is way more serious than people think it is.

So I’d like to learn it from professionals, and then try out experiments of sort, before I do something of my own I write, but I don’t really enjoy it as much. I’m an imaginative person, so of course I need to put my ideas down. But when I do, I get bored. So it’s much easier to work with someone that writes, and I can tell the person what’s in my head.

What else do you plan to do before you’re twenty five? Get married, have kids?

I’m not in a hurry to get married at all. Hopefully if everything works out, I’d settle down before I’m 27.

Don’t you have a boyfriend ?

I do have a boyfriend. But I’m not saying anything about him. I am keeping my private life out of my career. All I can say is that he’s a guy, and he’s a couple of years older than myself. We just started dating.

Is he someone you can marry?

I can’t really say for now. I’m not ready to go into marriage now. I still have about seven years before I get to that point, so when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Marriage is supposed to be a lifetime commitment. I still have so many years ahead of me, so I don’t see why I should rush into marriage and start having kids. I still have a lot of time to do that by God’s grace.

Can you marry someone in the industry?

Yes I can. I would actually love to marry someone who does what I do; who is somehow involved in the media. Because I have found out that only someone who is involved in the business can understand what we do, and I wouldn’t want my husband to complain about how I’m never around, or how I travel too much. I can’t deal with that kind of pressure.

Have you ever had a crush on anyone on set?

No I haven’t. The thing is, I’ve been working since I was two. I started out as child model before I went into acting, and I have learnt over the years to handle my work professionally. I do not mix business with pressure.

Who would you choose as a male co-star for a romantic movie?

From Hollywood, it would be Robert Pattinson. I love him, he takes my breath away. In Nollywood, I don’t know. Most of the guys that do all the romantic scenes are older than myself. We don’t have a lot of young actors in Nollywood, and I can’t say that I want to play a romantic scene with Ramsey Noah, that would just be weird. Hopefully, very soon, there’d be one.

Who are you looking forward to working with?

There are quite a number of people, but topping my list is Nse Ikpe Etim. I love her. I only started watching her movies earlier this year, and she’s flawless. I would really like to work with her. I’d love to work with Genevieve. She’s a living legend who’s been there for so long, but is still very relevant. The directors I’m looking forward to working with are Kunle Afolayan, and Mildred Okwo. I always go to see a Kunle Afolayan film. He does amazing work. Those are the ones I can remember for now, but there are lots of people.

Who do you look up to at the moment?

Natalie Portman. She’s really versatile. I fell in love with her in Black Swan. I like the different actors in Nigeria for different reasons, but I’m not sure if there’s anyone who entirely embodies all that I see in my future.

What do you see in your future fifteen years from now?

I see a girl who is going to be a living legend. I work really hard, and hopefully God will reward my hard work. I also see myself married with a couple of kids. There’s so much I want to do; own my media company, own a fashion line because I love fashion. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Tell us something that people don’t know about you?

People don’t know that I’m a very quiet person. I’m extremely quiet. A lot people think I’m a snob, but when they get to know me, they realize that I really am a nice person.

Nollywood recently lost a veteran actor, Enebeli Elebuwa, did you ever work closely with him?

When I heard what had happened, I was very sad, because he was a fantastic actor; very amazing to work with. I hope that God comforts his family and help them get through this difficult time, because I know it must be really hard to lose someone that you love.

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Stay Away From Married Men – Karen Igho Advises Nollywood Actresses, Others

If there is one sector that has given the entertainment industry in Nigeria a bad name, it would be the motion pictures industry called Nollywood. From cases ranging from husband snatching to high rates of divorce, fights, jealousy and many more. 

It is an understatement to say that in every three marriages in Nollywood, there would be one surrounded with controversies. It is not that those in the music industry do not have their bad sides, but Nollywood seems to be too much.

For 2011 Big Brother Africa winner, Karen Igho, who is also an On Air Personality (OAP) with Naija FM, the occurrence might have been getting unbearable for her as a lady when she took to twitter to make her mind known about it.

Karen dropped a message for ladies which also included single Nollywood actresses who run after married man and warned that the law of karma awaits them because they will get what they do in full measure, shaken, pressed down and overflowing.

“Girls (including Nollywood actresses), stay away from married men or guys with girlfriends because what goes around comes back around (karma),” the Warri, Delta State Nigerian star tweeted.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com

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Alleged S*x Scandal: Shan George In Trouble With Tee Mac, Warned To Stay Off His 21-Year-Old Son

If report by BON is anything to go by, then, controversial Calabar, Cross River State-born actress, Shan George may be in big trouble with former PMAN president, Tee Mac Omatsola Iseli.

 This is because, according to what was reported, Shan George is being alleged of nursing a sizzling romance with the flutist's 21-year-old son. As reported, Shan was alleged to have slept with about four band members of Tee Mac, who we learnt were young guys, during the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa in 2010. 

She reportedly gave the excuse of cold weather as the reason of having s*x with the boys. The report further claimed that Tee Mac was fully aware of Shan's under 'G' runs with his boys she (Shan) allegedly slept with but he choose to keep quite.

 So, when Shan made effort to have a taste of Tee Mac's handsome son's 'magic stick', Tee Mac reportedly blocked the 'runs' probably knowing what Shan might be capable of doing with his son. 

 It was further reported that about two months ago, Shan was suppose to make a trip to the just concluded London Olympics, where she was reportedly supposed to be among some Nigerian celebs to meet with Team Nigeria, but Tee Mac reportedly influenced the light-skinned actress being dropped when probably forsaw that Shan would use the opportunity to concluded her mission with his son, who was reported to make the trip.

 He (Tee Mac) then reportedly warned the Shan George to stay off his son or face his wrath. Shan has reportedly dated some younger lovers in the past who are mostly in their 20's.

 Newsmen called Shan George (on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at about 5:15pm) on phone to get her side of this story, but a female voice, which sounded like hers (Shan), told us that the actress was busy and was not available to speak to us.

The person, who answered her call, didn't wait to hear why we called immediately we mentioned . When we asked at what time Shan would be less busy or available to talk to us so that we can know when to call back, we were told that it is not certain Shan would be free anytime soon. 

 We later called her number (0802) back at about 2:47pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, but the same voice believed to be Shan's told us that she (Shan) travelled to Abuja but dropped her phone at home in Lagos. 

 Recall that not too long ago, Shan allegedly accused married Nollywood actress of sleeping around like dogs. She came under attack by colleagues and fans for that accusation. She has since denied ever saying such.

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How Nollywood Actress Eucharia Anunobi Snubbed Her Mother

To many, mothers are priceless and also reverend. There is a saying in Yoruba language that goes thus, 'mothers are gold, fathers are mirrors'. According to the gist divulged to us, while Eucharia was a campus queen at the Institute of Management at Technology, Enugu in the 80's, she allegedly snubbed and humiliated her mother who came visiting her in school back then. 

We were told by a source that Eucharia told some of her friends in school who witnessed the show of shame that her mum was her nanny from Lagos. As the source revealed, the actress now turned Evangelist was in the department of Mass Communication at IMT, Enugu when this ugly incident happened. 

 We learnt that Eucharia allegedly snubbed her mother because she may have felt that her mother didn't match her status as a campus most beautiful girl. She was said to have made most people believed that she was a daughter of a very rich man in Lagos. When her mother stormed IMT, Enugu campus to see her daughter (Eucharia), she obviously was not looking like what Eucharia had painted on campus about her 'imaginary' very rich mother.

 So, in order to save her head from shame and keep her 'daughter of a rich man' status and also as Miss IMT intact, she (Eucharia) allegedly told her friends, who were already surprised at the calibre of woman that appeared as her mother, that she was her nanny in Lagos sent by her 'rich parents' in Lagos to check on her in school. 

 This, as the source said, forced tears out of her mother's eyes and she allegedly swore at her daughter for the public disgrace and humiliation caused her. We learnt that the former Nollywood's 'bad girl' later went back to settle with her mother some years ago. This became necessary, as a source confided in us, because a pastor reportedly told Eucharia to do so when things were not getting too okay for her. 

She was reportedly told by the pastor to amends with her mother, who she had offended in the past. This reportedly happened shortly before her first marriage in the 90's. When Eucharia was contacted to confirm or comment on this gist, she simply told us to go to her former school to find out. She thereafter hang up the phone on us. Eucharia Anunobi is now an Evangelist at a church in Egbeda area of Lagos. 

SOURCE NIGERIAFILMS

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Nollywood Actress Adaora Ukoh Dumped By Younger Lover.

Zinna, 20yrs of age is a student of Imo State University and a very handsome dude and was actress Adaora Ukohs lover a while back until the lid fell of their very secret relationship.

 Loverboy was so smitten that he used to follow her to movie location and even act as her PA and carry her bag around...yes that's how much the younger lover loved the actress but when his love was put to the test he took to his heels leaving behind battered sandals. 

Their love story hit the net and gained such monstrous attention and hater comments on the story caused so much anxiety that Zinna opted out. Insider olofofos say the actress is now solo and looking for a new lover (that is if she never get already) Adaora sorry oh,loverboy must have chicken liver,please next time look for a man not a kid

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Dakore Egbuson Akande returns to acting

The talented actress who hasn't featured in any movie since her marriage in 2011 has finally returned to acting. Dakore Akande will feature in a new movie written and directed by singer/actress Ashionye Michelle Raccah titled 'Journey to Self'. 

 The movie also features Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ashionye Michelle Raccah, Katherine Obiang Edoho and Tosin Sido in lead roles. Other features include Carol King, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Brainard, Femi Jacobs and Chris Attoh, with the directorial talents of Tope Oshin Ogun. 'Journey to Self' was 13months in the making from inception. 

It is an intense story of friendship, sacrifice, empowerment and self-respect'. It is about four friends, Nse (Nse Ikpe-Etim), Regina (Ashionye Michelle Raccah), Alex (Dakore Akande) and Rume (Katherine Obiang Edoho) who lose a mutual childhood friend, Uche (Tosin Sido). Uche speaks through a series of letters stirring her friends to a journey of self discovery... a 'Journey to Self'.

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‘I was star struck when I met Joke Silva’(VIDEO)

Some weeks before her marriage to Kenny Almaroof Oloyede, Funke Akindele granted Telafrica Television an interview where she talked about everything ranging from her childhood memories to first starring on TV. 

 She also opened up on her influences in Nollywood citing the likes of Kunle Afolayan, and veterans Liz Benson, Olu Jacobs and most especially Joke Silva. ‘As an actress, I’ve always loved Aunty Joke Silva, Uncle Olu Jacobs.

 I just featured in a movie which she also starred in, I was star struck when I saw her. I was so happy, I felt fulfilled acting with her. She is someone I respect so much‘, the ‘Jenifa’ star said.

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Nollywood Actress Eniola Badmus 2-Month Old N6m Honda Pilot Car Damage By Her Fan

Top Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus popularly known as 'Gbogbo Bigs Girlz' has alleged that she was mobbed in Lagos yesterday by some of her fans. 

She also disclosed that her newly bought Honda Pilot car was destroyed by the mob. The 'plus size' actress, who acted in 'Omo Ghetto' and 'Blackberry Babes', revealed this some hours ago. 

Eniola also posted a picture of her damaged car by the fans yesterday. She stated that the incident took place in Ebette Metta area of Lagos. 

Eniola also disclosed that she might give the option of getting a body guard a thought. According to her, "[I] never knew I have so much fans. I was mobbed in Ebutte-Metta yesterday. A price to pay for stardom. I think I need body guards."

 Eniola Badmus is one of the cross-over actresses that has excelled in both genres of the film industry. The damaged Honda Pilot car was reportedly acquired by Eniola while she was in Canada two months ago.

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Nollywood Beautiful Actress Mercy Johnson is pregnant!

Almost a year after she tied the knot with her beau, Prince Odianosen Okojie, the talented actress is expecting her first child. 

I confirmed this from her publicist this afternoon after my 'people' gave me the gist. 

 The actress who is still working, (she's currently on set of a movie) is said to be in her first trimester. Big congrats to her!

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UCHE JOMBO LAUNCHES UK TALENT HUNT PROGRAMME

In a bid to seek and groom fresh talents in the Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, versatile actress Uche Jombo is set to launch a platform for talent discovery in the UK. 

 We’ve been told ‘Nollywood Star Search‘ a brainchild of the actress and producer, will target primarily people of African and Caribbean descent based in the UK. Auditions for the programme are expected to begin any moment from now. 

 The Winner of Nollywood Star Search will get a lead role in a movie to be produced by Uche Jombo studio and directed by Desmond Elliot in the summer of 2012. Runners up are also to get roles in same movie. 

 The reality show, in a statement by the organisers is ‘geared towards affording participants the great opportunity to become stars and feature alongside other Nollywood greats in a mainstream Nollywood film’. Jombo is an award winning actress with numerous movies to her credit both in acting and directing capacities.

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Actress Stephanie Okereke picks April wedding date

The date I hear in April 21st, 2012. There's an exclusive guest list and the actress has already started calling and asking the quests where their IV's should be sent.

Waiting for the pictures...and congrats to Steph and Linus.

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Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dikeh Treats Her Twitter Fans To Free Dinner

Sultry screen goddess, Tonto Dike treated two of her ardent twitter fans to a dinner on Saturday 10th March 2012.

The fans, Nene Ukwa and Munachi Ekpo got tickets to wine and dine with the top Nollywood act at Four points by Sheraton, a classic hotel situated at Lekki, Lagos after winning an open quiz competition on the social network.

They are four in number, guess that will make it a foursome!

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