Once again, the Internet is agog because of one person…Kim Kardasian also known as Kim K, Kanye West wife, Ray J ex and her very popular TV shows keeping up with the kardashians.
Well if you don't know her, here is what Paper Magazine, the magazine she covered their front page have to say about her:
"If you know nothing else about Kim Kardashian, you know that she is very, very famous. Some would say that's all you need to know. At press time, she has 25 million Twitter followers, about a million less than Oprah Winfrey and nearly 5 million more than CNN Breaking News. Her Instagram account, where she is a prolific purveyor of selfies, is the site's third most popular. You can't walk through a supermarket without glimpsing her on a multitude of tabloids whose headlines holler about her relationships, her parenting style and the vicissitudes of her ample curves. But she has also graced the covers of highbrow fashion bibles like W and Vogue; with her now-husband, Kanye West, she appeared on the latter above the hashtag ?#worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple?, creating a furor that made it perhaps the ?#worldsmostcontroversialcover?" (Paper Magazine, 2014).
I am going to base my logic in two premises. Moral angle and the brand angle.
From the moral angle, i am really scared about what the future of our young girls who see this woman as their role model will be. I am so scared that the world is changing for our women. Covering ones body looks very out of place now. People take nude pictures and post it online with the tag leak. People video themselves having sex and post it online as leak. Now releasing nude to the public is no longer referred to as improper but people are beginning to accept it. With the rate these celebrity role models are going, we may all be living in the garden of Eden, all naked in less than 25 years time to come. I am also scared and want to iterate that it does not tell well for a mother to still indulge in such lifestyle be you a celebrity or not. To me, it is absurd and pure profanity taking to the highest level.
On branding angle, she indeed broke the internet. In modern day history, if my memory serves me right, she is the first celebrity to reveal the full frontal view of her nudity for magazine cover. She has not only toppled Rihanna, She has also made a mess of other celebrities that show their butt only. Watch out for the endorsement she will get within the next one year. Sex indeed sells.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Ginika Maureen hasn’t really achieved the superstar status in Nollywood, but she is coming along just fine. The Imo State University graduate of philosophy, who isn’t afraid to take on any role provided she doesn’t have to go in her birthday suit, has done a couple of films, which have at least put her on the map.
Maureen says the issue of sex for role isn’t trendy any more in Nollywood. What is trendy now, according to her, is actors paying directors to have their faces in a movie. The slim Isiala Mbano girl says the situation is so bad that the real talented ones are now being conpromised
“It has been so hard for me. The challenges are so much. Now you have to have money, bleach your skin and own a car before some producers or directors can give you a role”, she told Potpourri.
But she believes it is her talent that is seeing her through. “I interpret my roles to the best of my own ability, most times my directors are impressed. I can even take on sex scenes if I am well paid”, she said.
She even revealed to Potpourri that there was a day she was sexually turned on kissing a guy on set. “Yes, I have been sexually stimulated on set before. It was funny but I controlled myself well. We were actually kissing and I felt a sort of stirring for the guy. Of course, I love clean guys and this guy was clean, handsome and a good actor too” she revealed. However she added that she has never dated any actor or any of her fans
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Award-winning Nigerian pop duo, Peter and Paul Okoye, are set to drop their sixth studio album titled, ‘Double Trouble’ on Friday, 12th September, 2014.
Some of the songs from the album are Shekini, MMS (Mugu Money Spender), Ejeajo featuring Influential American rapper, T.I.
Collabo featuring Don Jazzy, Enemy Solo with Awilo and Zombie featuring Jermaine Jackson, Ije love and missing you are set to rule the airwaves. Testimony, Personally and Alingo were included as bonus.
Sold-out albums like The Invasion, Get Squared, Danger and Game Over are works of P-Square.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Onetime member of defunct KCPresh musical duo, Kcee has reconciled his marital crisis with wife, Ijeoma, the mother of his two adorable kids. According to sources, they are back together. Ijeoma has equally relocated back to Nigeria after her long stay in Germany.
Kcee has reportedly acquired a brand new 2014 Toyota Camry car for his wife.Kcee fueled the news of his marriage breakdown months back when he went on air to call his wife and kids past tense, stating he didn’t even know their whereabouts.
He also referred to his wife as his younger sister during the interview. It was equally alleged that actress Ebube Nwagbo's romance with Kcee led to the near irreconcilable differences.
We thank God for this understanding, and Nollywood unrepentant single babes should bow out this time.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
MTN Project fame one time winner, Chidinma Ekile was spotted last week at D’Place Lekki leaving for home in her Hummer H2 around 4am. The Car Is Worth 47million Naira
A bit about her: Chidinma Ekile born 2 May1991, popularly known by her stage name Chidinma, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist and stage performer. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of MTN Project Fame West Africa. Following the release of the music video for her "Emi Ni Baller" single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.See the car after the Break .In 2011, she released her first solo single "Jankoliko" featuring Sound Sultan.Chidinma, her self- titled debut studio album, was released through the music platform Spinlet. It was supported by the singles "Jankoliko", "Carry You Go", "Kedike", and "Run Dia Mouth". The album features guest appearances from Sound Sultan, Tha Suspect, Olamide, and Muna. In 2012, Chidinma won the "Best Female West African Act" category at the 2012 Kora Awards; she performed "Kedike" at the ceremony. Early life, educational pursuits, and public image Chidinma Ekile, the sixth of seven children, was born in Ketu, Lagos State. Both of her parents are from Imo State.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
They are one of the sexiest couples in Africa,the 24 year old ex-beauty queen met him in 2009,got married and gave birth in 2010.In a new interview with The Sun,Adaeze Yobo opens up on how she met and got attracted to husband Joseph Yobo. I met him in Nigeria through a friend at an event. From there, we became close friends. I became pregnant and we got married immediately. Everything happened in a very short time. A lot of people thought it wasn’t going to work but at that moment, I knew I felt something I had never felt with anyone in my life and I said to myself, why not take that chance? I’m quite prayerful , so I knew there’s no way I could err, though I never planned getting married so early.
I had so many dreams of what I wanted in life. Marriage was the last thing on my mind. It happened so fast and I thought I should give it a shot.On what attracted him to him
When we first met, I didn’t know who he is really. He didn’t know that I was the most beautiful girl in Nigeria. When I knew he was a footballer, I said to myself this relationship might not work or lead us anywhere, because of the lifestyle of some footballers who have so many girlfriends.
On any regrets marrying him
Not at all. No marriage can ever be perfect. Even my relationship with my mum can never be perfect. I have never regretted any moment with my husband and I always say to my sisters and cousins that I don’t know what I could have been without my husband. I wondered the kind of man I would have ended up with if I didn’t marry him. I thank God that He planned my life and I’m living the life He planned for me. God has been gracious to me in every way
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
First runner-up Vanguard’s Sexiest in Nollywood Actor 2013, Benson Okonkwo, is an actor who goes all out to make his movie roles as real as it could get. He once confessed to Potpourri that he was in support of the injection of soft-porn into our movies. According to him, they “make the movies more real”But in a recent chat. Benson wasn’t talking about pornography or gay issues for which he was severally linked in the past. He told us what he considered his most embarassing moment on set as an actor.
His words: “Having an erection while acting a romance scene on set was my most embarrassing experience . When the go-ahead signal was given, I and the actress got into the character of two lovers and we were in a parlour and started kissing and smooching. In fact my trousers were half way down but I was still wearing my shirt while she had removed her top, but believe me, she was so busty that what I saw turned me on, and I presume, that made me have an erection.“She felt my dick when it came up but we had to be professional and ignored it. I guess the girl’s big breast did that to me. I knew it was mere acting but I am human and I still have blood flowing in my veins.She noticed my erection and she just kept laughing. I guess she was surprised; the cast and crew members also laughed and made fun of me and I was a bit embarrassed. To me, that is the most embarrassing moment of my acting career.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
We have searched across the African continent , for those people who have made keeping fit and looking good the new black, whether its by spending fortunes on personal trainers, healthy diets or personal chefs just to look the best they can. Today we celebrate them, as they have made it to our maiden Sexiest Africans Alive list for the year 2014. From an initial shortlist of 100 African elite athletes, musicians, actors, socialites, TV personalities, fitness experts and super models, we have narrowed it down to 20, to bring you the best of the best. These 20, do not only have what appears to be the sexiest bodies in their respective industries, but they have excelled and distinguished their-selves in their chosen careers in the year 2014. See list of Illuzion magazine Sexiest Africans Alive 2014, and five Nigerian celebs; Genevieve Nnaji, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy and UK-based Nigerian model Williams Falade made the list. See the full list and their photos below
GENEVIEVE NNAJI, AGE: 35, NIGERIAN, ACTRESS
Genevieve Nnaji is an AMAA award winning super star actress, with an enviable profile, which include a profiling on the Oprah Winfrey show and on CNN’s Connect The World where she was dubbed Africa’s answer to Julia Roberts and Africa’s Screen Goddess, she was rumored to be next Bond girl a few years back, the role later went to British actress Naomi Harris. The Former face of Lux and MUD might not have been in any recent movie aside from 2013′s Hollywood period film Half Of A Yellow Sun, however, she was reported to have earned nearly $1.5 million in endorsements alone, within the first quarter of 2014. Genevieve Nnaji’s appeal transcends age and gender, as we have witnessed ,many African superstars openly express their undying love and admiration for the iconic actress.
WILLIAMS FALADE, NIGERIAN-FITNESS MODEL
Williams Falade is a Nigerian-British fitness model and the former Miami Pro European Fitness Model Champion 2013, Body of Africa 2013. Williams has built a brand and career out of his love for fitness, which has notably made him a highly sought after fitness instructor and celebrity personal trainer.
LIRA MOLAPO, AGE: 35, SOUTH AFRICAN, MUSICIAN
Lira is a celebrated South African platinum recording artist,who like wine only gets better with age. she is revered and loved across South Africa, On 29 April 2014 she released her debut American album “Rise Again”. She is a multi-platinum selling and an 8x South African Music Award-winning Afro-Soul vocalist who refers to her music as “a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African. Lira won the 2014 Africa Muzik Magazine Awards for Best Female Southern Africa. According to The Star Newspaper, she’s currently considered the foremost adult contemporary female solo artist in South Africa. She has appeared in major ad campaigns and been an Ambassador for Audi, Shield, Samsung, MTN and Blackberry. She has appeared on the covers of over thirty magazines worldwide and currently holds the largest Facebook following of any South African musician with over half a million fans.
FLAVOUR N’ABANIA, AGE- 30, NIGERIAN, MUSICIAN
Better known by his stage name Flavour N’abania (or simply Flavour), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer. Flavour gained world wide acclaim for his Ashawo and Nwa Baby singles which till date still enjoy air plays. Just as the African continent has been held spell bound by Flavour’s infectious sound and powerful stage performance, so has he also grasped our attention with his larger than life abs, that is finely sculpted and chiseled by presumably hundreds of hours spent in the gym. Flavour keeps his millions of fans always guessing with his now famous bathroom selfies.
DIDIER DROGBA- AGE: 36, IVORY COAST, FOOTBALLER
Didier Drogba, is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League as a striker, and is the all-time top scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team. He is best known for his career at Chelsea, for whom he scored more goals than any other foreign player and is currently the club’s fourth highest goal scorer of all time. In October 2012, he was voted by Chelsea supporters as the club’s greatest player ever. He has also been named African Footballer of the Year twice, winning the accolade in 2006 and 2009.
CORNEL FREDERICKS, AGE- 24, SOUTH AFRICAN, ATHLETE
Cornel Fredericks is a South African track and field athlete who competes in the 400 metres hurdles. He won the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold in the 400m hurdles with a dominant display at Hampden Park. Fredericks finished in 48.50 seconds, ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s Jehue Gordon (48.75) and the Bahamas’ Jeffery Gibson (48.78).
GAIL MABALANE, AGE: 29, SOUTH AFRICAN, ACTRESS
Gail Mabalane is a South African singer and actress best known as one of the Top 14 finalists on the sixth season of the M-Net reality competition Idols, in 2010.Gail, who auditioned in Bloemfontein, was born and bred in the town of Kimberley. In 2001, she made the Top 5 of Miss Teen SA, and she also enjoyed a stint in Johannesburg as a Kaizer Chiefs cheerleader. in 2012, she became the face of beauty giant Olay, and her career has since skyrocketed.
LUNGA SHABALALA, AGE: 25, SOUTH AFRICAN, TV PERSONALITY
Lunga Shabalala is a South African socialite, model, television presenter and actor best known for taking over as the host of the SABC1 music show Selimathunzi from Kaos Matu after winning a countrywide presenter search, in 2011. He is considered South Africa’s ultimate bad boy, as his toned abs have become signature brand which earned him the coveted South African rep for Calvin Klein men’s underwear line after a nationwide search, his career has since been growing in leaps and bounds just as his appeal moves further beyond the South African shore.
ASSOU EKOTTO, AGE: 30, CAMEROONIAN, FOOTBALLER
Assou Ekotto is a professional footballer who plays for English club Tottenham Hotspur. Born in France, he plays internationally for the Cameroon national team. Since arriving at Tottenham, Assou-Ekotto has pursued an interest in the local community and its inhabitants, expressing a “great sense of connection to Tottenham”. He carries an Oyster card and frequents the London Underground, and often walks with Tottenham supporters towards the stadium before home matches. During the London riots, the outspoken footballer suggested in an interview with BBC Sport that his colleagues do more to mitigate geopolitical issues, such as donating a hundredth of their salaries towards local causes.
ALEK WEK, AGE: 37, SOUTH SUDANESE, SUPER MODEL
Alek Wek is a South Sudanese British supermodel, designer and philanthropist who began her fashion career at the age of 18 in 1995. As the first black model whose looks did not conform to Caucasian aesthetics, she has been hailed for her influence on the perception of beauty in the fashion industry. Wek has modelled, either on runways or in print advertisements, for Issey Miyake, Moschino, Victoria’s Secret, Clinique, Shiatzy Chen, John Galliano, Chanel, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Jasper Conran, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Armani, Fendi and Christian Dior. She has also been featured in articles in American and British Vogue. And has been on the cover of Elle magazine, i-D Magazine, Canadian, German and Japanese Vogue, Cosmopolitan magazine, Glamour magazine, Forbes Magazine Africa, and Ebony magazine. Dark-skinned models were rare, if not unheard of, in the high fashion industry. Wek was “the first black model who didn’t conform to a Caucasian aesthetic, the first with an uncompromising, sub-Saharan beauty… her industry saw her as new and exotic – a savage beauty.” As a result, Wek’s mainstream success was celebrated by black women all over the world. Oprah Winfrey commented that “if [Wek] had been on the cover of a magazine when I was growing up, I would have had a different concept of who I was.”
TIWA SAVAGE, AGE: 34, NIGERIAN, MUSICIAN
Known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. The Pepsi ambassador, is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mavin Records. She co-wrote the track “Collard Greens & Cornbread” on Fantasia Barrino’s Grammy-nominated album Back to Me. Savage was featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album that was released a day after the establishment of Mavin Records. On 3 July 2013, she released her debut studio album Once Upon a Time. Savage sings in English and Yoruba. As a singer, her achievements include one MTV Africa Music Award, one The Headies Award, one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, and two City People Entertainment Awards, and a BET nomination for Best International Act among others. On the release of her now infamous music video ‘Wanted’, Tiwa trended across the continent for weeks, receiving a continent wide media backlash for the sexually provocative music video.
BURNA BOY, AGE: 23, NIGERIAN, MUSICIAN
Burna Boy is an amazing Nigerian vocalist with his unique sound blends Dance-hall, Afrobeat, R&B and Hip-Hop into one tightly knit package. His songs span from ballads full of depth, sometimes to controversial subject matter as well as, his Dance-hall tendency implies, songs that are just meant to get you in the mood for the groove. Burna Boy is a refreshingly goofy, ultimate bad boy, with his near nonchalant yet infectious disposition, though a musician he is however a style trendsetter, as any clothing or accessory worn by him, becomes almost a nationwide trend amongst the hippy- pop culture savvy young Nigerians, be it a tattoo, sunglasses or tee. Burna Boy is known for his smooth Patois-influenced Dance-hall crooning, and most especially for his hit singles“Abeg Abeg Abeg”, “Party Wit Me”, “Firewood”, “Touch Your Toes”, “Like To Party” and the Davido-assisted “Trumpet”.
VIMBAI MUTINHIRI, AGE: 27, ZIMBABWEAN, TV PERSONALITY
Vimbai Mutinhiri is a Zimbabwean model and television personality. She was born in Harare, Zimbabwe but raised in Belgrade, Serbia and in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to participating in Big Brother Africa Amplified in 2011, she studied in South Africa graduating from the University of Cape Town with an honors degree in politics, philosophy and economics. Vimbai is perhaps, one of the very few who actually successfully built a burgeoning career outside of the fickle Big Brother Africa fame. She has gone on to host major African events, notably the first ever Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards broadcast live to 54 African countries from Lagos, Nigeria. Currently the Face of Castle Milk Stout (Cameroon), she has also been on the runway at the SA Fashion Week and the Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
BRENDA WAIRIMU, AGE: 23, KENYAN, ACTRESS
Brenda Wairimu is a Kenyan television actress on Africa Magic’s Kona series, she is a budding starlet who seems to be shooting for the stars. Brenda’s mainstream appeal is inimitable- even as she is presently one of Africa’s ‘IT’ girls of the moment. With her talent, Brenda should spear-head the next generation’s screen goddesses.
DILLISH MATHEWS, AGE: 23, NAMIBIAN, BBA REALITY STAR
Dillish Mathews is the winner of the 2013 Big Brother Africa reality show, even though she is yet to pick a definite career path, as she is yet to hit her first real breakthrough, we are however hopeful that in the nearest future, she will grace our screens once more, either as an actress or Television personality, either way, we will cautiously keep our tongues in-check as Dillish is the mother of surprises, just as she turned from the BBA’s underdog into its eventual winner, there is definitely no telling what this starlet can or can’t do.
JOSELYN DUMAS, AGE: 34, GHANAIAN, ACTRESS
Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian television host and actress. In 2014 she starred in A Northern Affair, a role that earned her a Ghana Movie Award and an Africa Movie Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Joselyn Dumas is indeed a sight to behold. She shot to continental fame as the curvaceous bombshell bride in Lynxx’s music video, and since then her career has never been the same and so has been her appeal which transcends borders and nationalities, she appeals equally to west Africans as she does the Southern part of Africa.
BLESSING OKAGBARE, AGE: 25, NIGERIAN, ATHLETE
Blessing Okagbare is a record breaking Nigerian athlete, who participated in both the 100m and 200m races at the 2014 Common Wealth Games in Glasgow. She made it through to the finals of the 100m and won with a time of 10.85, breaking the games record of 10.91 seconds set by Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie 12 years earlier at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Okagbare also won the gold medal in the 200, with a time of 22.25 seconds. In doing so, she became the fourth woman to win the 100m and 200m double at the Commonwealth Games.
FALLY IPUPA- AGE: 36, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, MUSICIAN
Fally Ipupa is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, and guitarist from Kinshasa, he was part of the band of Koffi Olomidé, Quartier Latin International, from 1999 to 2006 before starting a solo career. His first solo album was Droit chemin released in 2006, which went on to sell over 100,000 units, and his second album Arsenal de Belles Melodies (A2BM) was released in 2009. In 2007, Ipupa won the Kora Awards for Best Artist or Group from Central Africa. In 2010, Fally Ipupa won the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 for Best Video (for Sexy Dance) and Best Francophone. He won the urban awards for best African artist. Ipupa was nominated in the Best Live Act category at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards. He released an album titled kosa leka in 2014.
IAN MUGOYA, AGE: 24, KENYAN, TV PERSONALITY
Ian Mugoya, is the sexy Kenyan Television personality, who is referred to by the Kenyan media as “the ladies man” . With such a title comes expectations from his millions of Kenyan fans who are struck by his charm and good-looks. Ian like the many young people on this list is slowly reaching beyond the shows of Kenya, looking to export his East African ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the rest of the African continent.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The expression, “there is ability in disability’ doesn’t ring any truer for any other person than Nigeria’s superstar comedian, Kelly Blind.
Born Kelly Igberhi, the star humour merchant who hails from Sapele local government area of Delta State has made a name for himself in the blossoming comedy sector of the entertainment industry despite being blind.
Though destiny has denied him the power of sight, Kelly has refused to be an object of pity by taking on life, turning his blindness into an asset to the envy of not only the sightless but the sightly as well. Hear his story:
How did your journey into the comedy business begin?
I started comedy professionally in 2009 with the AY Comedy Open Mic Challenge. Since winning the competition, it has been success all the way for me in the show business. Also, I’ve performed in all kinds of comedy shows in Nigeria, like the Nite of a Thousand Laughs , AY comedy Show, Stand up Nigeria, amongst others.
But what really brought me to Lagos was my education because there is a school for the blind in Lagos where I studied music, typing, mobility, handcraft and many other things,. The school is called Nigeria Farm Craft Centre for the Blind.
How has life been for you generally?
Everything has been good, and life has been very interesting.
Do you have any project you are working on at present?
I have a lot of projects I’m currently working on. First of all, I just unveiled a foundation sometime this year called ‘’Inner Eye Foundation”.
It’s strictly for people living with disability, especially those that have talents and wish to showcase them. This is because I believe that disability is a thing of the mind. So if the government is not ready to help, we should come out to help ourselves. That is the idea behind the foundation and it is owned by me.
What else do you do besides comedy?
I’m into music because I also learnt music then in the school. Right now, I’m planning on how to work on my gospel album.
How exactly did you discover you have a talent for comedy?
They say any child that was born and brought up in Warri is a comedian. The truth is that when I was in the school for the blind whenever I talked, most of my colleagues would tell me to go to either AY or Alibaba’s show and perform.
There was a day I went to a friend’s house and there was a comedy show on TV and I thought that the comedians were not that funny and I believed I could do better.
I told my friend to help me copy the numbers on the screen, because there was an advert placed by AY for those who were talented in comedy to come for auditioning.
So when I called AY he gave me his address. Meanwhile, he didn’t know that the person talking to him was blind. We talked normally. I went to his office alone and when I got there I met the receptionist. She asked me to sit down but I didn’t know where to sit and the receptionist never knew that I didn’t know where the seat was, so I simply used my guide stick to locate the seat and sat down
When AY came out to look for the person that was waiting for him he had to go back because he was expecting me to approach him. I was right in front of him and he was looking at me but I was looking in another direction because when I called him on phone, I didn’t tell him I was a blind person and I didn’t act like a blind person to the receptionist too .
After standing there for a long time, AY went back to his office and after a short time I went back to the receptionist and asked if she had told AY that someone wanted to see him. The receptionist was surprised and went back to inform AY that I was still waiting for him.
AY told her that he was just coming from the reception and that he met one guy who acted as though he didn’t come to see anyone. When AY came back, the receptionist now called me and said this is AY. Immediately, I jumped up and started calling AY, looking in another direction while AY was right in front of me.
He then tapped me and said. “What do you want me to do for you?”. I told him I wanted to participate in the comedy auditioning. AY then said, “Na wa o! How will you know that people are laughing or angry when you are cracking your jokes?” Anyway, he saw beyond my disability and gave me a form of N3000 for free. He said, “I won’t ignore you or deprive you of this opportunity so that tomorrow you won’t say it’s AY who killed your career”. He also gave me transport fare when he learnt that I came alone.
How did the audition go?
On the day of the audition I met over 90 people. When people saw me, they were surprised that even a blind man came for the audition. The whole thing was funny and the rule was that you don’t crack someone else’s joke. The judges included Alibaba, Julius Agwu and others. At the end of the audition I emerged the first among 90 contestants and that was my most memorable experience.
That day, I had the opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the comedy industry and also got endorsed into the industry. Prior to that day, I had never presented myself as a comedian. It was indeed a memorable experience for me.
What has been your experience in the industry since then?
I’ve had a good experience. I will say the challenges so far are not really challenges because it has been so good. Some upcoming comedians will say they face a lot of challenges while coming up, but I never had any serious challenges.
What was your growing up like?
I actually lost my sight through measles, at the age of 11. I was in Junior Secondary School Two (J.S.S 2) then. When it started my parents had to take me to a hospital in Enugu where I did a test, yet there was no result.
They later took me to churches for so many years and yet there was no result. At a point I started thinking that a time will come when everybody would be blind. Because I just couldn’t believe it was just me.
Growing up was fun in the sense that the children around me didn’t sideline me. I wasn’t side-lined but carried along. My father never pitied me for once and he never looked down on me too. He trained me the way he trained my other siblings. I wasn’t restricted from any house chores, that has really helped me a lot as it has helped in building my future.
Has blindness helped you in being creative?
Yes, because when I found myself in this situation, what I did was to make myself productive. So I believe to an extent, my being blind has really helped me in being creative.
Which of your senses helps you most, is it your sense of touch, smell or hearing?
I identify people mostly by their voice.
Would you say blindness has been a blessing to you or a curse?
It has been a blessing to me. Even many comedians now wish to be blind like me. So today I don’t regret being blind, because it has really brought many good things to me.
As a blind man, do you crave for women?
Of course, because I’m also human like every other person.
What qualities do you admire in women?
I don’t like fat girls, I like them slim and tall. But right now, I don’t have any woman in my life. I like women that are accommodating, tolerant and God-fearing. I don’t like women who are not straightforward.
What has your experience been like with women?
There was this lady I was dating and one day I needed to go to bank to withdraw some money. Usually, whenever I want to withdraw money from the bank, I use my thumbprint. On that particular occasion, I wanted to withdraw N20,000. So I asked the lady to help me fill the withdrawal slip so I could thumb print and the amount I told her to write was N20,000, but she wrote N40, 000. When we got to the cashier who was very friendly with me, she said, “It seems you want to enjoy yourself this weekend “, to which I replied “Is it just N20,000 that I would use to enjoy this weekend.
Then she said “No, it’s N40,000 that is written on the slip”. I was surprised, but in order not to make the lady feel bad, I had to lie to the cashier that I forgot that it’s actually N40,000 I asked her to write. When she collected the money from the cashier she gave me the N40,000 and left me angrily. That was how our relationship ended .
How do you handle your female admirers?
I just admire them and appreciate the fact that they enjoy what I’m doing.
What makes you unique as a comedian?
What makes me unique is that I have my own kind of jokes, which no other comedian can do. You must be blind to do my kind of joke. So before you do my kind of joke, you have to attribute it to me.
How do you enjoy yourself?
I enjoy myself mostly with the people around me; those that make me feel important.
How’s your relationship with your colleagues?
My relationship with them is very cordial. Especially AY, my father, Alibaba the ancestor in comedy, Okey Bakassi among others. When we meet in shows, we relate very well.
Besides showbiz, what else are you into?
I intend to become a broadcaster. My programme will soon commence, it’s called “Better Naija”. It’s for people living with disabilities because they are being treated as third class citizens of this country. I’m standing up to speak for them, because in this present government we’ve not really enjoyed anything and we are being denied things and sidelined because of our disabilities.
How do you relax?
I’m the kind of person that loves having fun and I go to clubs to relax myself. I can tell you the number of clubs in Lagos, because there is no bouncer in Lagos clubs who doesn’t know me, especially on the Island. I dance very well too. If you were looking at me with pity before, when you see me dancing at the club, you won’t pity me again. (Laughs).
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Multi-talented actor and former winner of Big Brother Africa (BBA), Uti Nwachukwu has revealed his wish for colleague, Tonto Dikeh to have her own reality television programme, where he says the general public would get to know more about the controversial actress’ real personality.
Uti, who poured encomium on Tonto, said it is sad the way people see the actress differently, describing the role-interpreter as a great person.“I have so much respect and love for Tonto.
Tonto always support me and everything I do. Tonto is always there for me, supporting my charity works. She is one person that is seen in a different way by the public, but I know Tonto on a personal level,” Uti said.“She is such a sweet personality and a no nonsense person. I think I am going to advice her to have her own reality TV show so that people can see the true her.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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