Awakening - The Movie: Now in Nigerian Cinemas

It has echoes of Final Destination but the trailer shows that it is a totally Nigerian movie, even with ties to some time in history and to ancient gods or oaths.  I saw the trailers to this movie earlier and was impressed. Reading two positive reviews [here and here] made me publish this post calling on people to go see the movie for those in Nigeria. It seems they shot on a really small budget and had little left over for promotion. I think good producers and directors need to be encouraged, so go see the movie at your nearest cinema if you can.

I have contacted the director to ask for those of us who live in the US, if there is any chance that Awakening is coming soon to Amazon or Youtube for paid streaming? Or even Iroko+? There is also the option of Distrify? Nigerian movie makers should get with the diaspora audience already jare.

This is the blurb of the movie and you can watch the trailer below;

A story about a young man who suddenly starts to have strange dreams about people dying and discovers his dreams are actually premonitions to real life events. He begins to investigate his connection with the deaths and discovers a sinister plot by greater forces that have existed even before the foundations of this nation. Together with a top newspaper journalist, they race against time to find a solution to the strange events.

Uru Eke on Single Parent Upbringing and Her Kind of Man

Uru Eke is an upcoming Nollywood actress. She used to work as a IT Consultant in the UK but moved back fully to work in the movie industry in Nigeria because that was what she felt more passionate about. She has been moving up gradually and and has now featured in several high profile movies including Last Flight to Abuja by Obi Emelonye. Uru Eke spoke to the BN Weekend interview crew on various subjects including her work, her family life, and thoughts on relationships. As you can imagine, I was very interested in the latter two. See some snippets from the interview and more pictures of Uru Eke below;

What kind of upbringing did you have?
I was raised in a strict environment. My Mum is a hard woman, no messing about with her. But she is my hero, my rock; I don’t know what I would have done without her. My Mum is the most positive person I know.

I notice you’ve only talked about your Mum. What about your Dad?
My Mum is a single parent but she did an amazing job. I don’t even feel like I grew up with a single parent. I turned out all right.

Real Love Story - Couple Find Love on Instagram

Matt Fleming and Robin Coe

When I read this story on the MSN Heartbeat blog, it just melted my heart. With echoes of how I too found love online, I think their story is one worth sharing to encourage anyone out there still wondering about online dating and long distance relationships. Honesty, and a commitment to see as soon as you can is definitely key.

Matt Fleming and Robin Coe followed each other on Instagram, and though she had over 200K followers, she would sometimes comment on his pictures and reply to his comments on hers. In the winter of 2011, she shared a photo of someone walking a dog through Toronto's cold landscape which reminded him of his childhood in the midwest. He finally asked her to send him a private message.

"What's up?" she replied. This prompted Matt to send her an eight-paragraph email about himself and his childhood.

"He was just so endearing and sincere. I could feel the warmth in his words," Robin, 34, told The Heart Beat. "I'd long been struggling to find my place on this earth, and despite the differences in our individual circumstances, I could relate to every single word. I didn't hesitate to write back."

Pictures From Tuface and Annie Idibia's Island Wedding Reception

Tuface and Annie leave wedding venue

After the wedding was complete, Tuface and Annie Idibia's mostly celebrity wedding guests socialized at the Jumeirah Hotel venue before heading off via a boat ride to their island wedding reception. Enjoy!

Watch Ay's Crib - Full Episode of August Visitor

AY's Crib is a family sitcom from popular Nigerian stand-up comedian, AY. In this first Episode titled August Visitor, AY plays himself with Alex Ekubo as JJ, Bucci Franklin as KC, Justice Nuagbe as Ushbebe and Venita Akpofure as Mimi, AY's girlfriend.

Omotola Jalade Pays Tribute to Husband on Their Wedding Anniversary

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde's new twitter profile picture

First it was the PDA at Omotola's surprise birthday party [Photos], and now the actress and wife of Matthew Ekeinde is speaking out in appreciation of her husband, whom she calls "a GOOD MAN".  Omotola and her husband are celebrating 17 years of being married, and it so happens that they got married on his birthday, so it's a double celebration. Omotola doesn't often talk about her family life [Interview], but when she does, she is always full of praises for how supportive her husband is.

Often we hear about the worrisome dysfunctional marriages, but in as much as all relationships have their ups and downs, there are quite a number of good men and happy marriages out there. I love that Omotola paid this tribute publicly to encourage those who need it, and also her good man. May we all get the good man we wish for.

Happy 17th anniversary to Omotola and Matthew Ekeinde.

See her tribute tweets below;

2Face and Annie Idibia’s Dubai Wedding Pictures

Tuface and Annie after the wedding

Tuface and Annie Idibia's Dubai wedding event is currently going on right now, on the beach in the shadow of the Burj Al Arab. These are pictures being shared on social media by celebrity guests. Come back later for more.

Blast from the Past - Nnamdi Azikiwe and his Wife, Flora

Pictures have a way of being the only things that survive when we pass on, and as someone who loves taking pictures, I also love looking at them especially the ones from the past. I was able to find a few old pictures, [see Awolowo and HID on their wedding day] and once in a while I'll share some of the others with explanatory news clips I can find.

Nnamdi Azikiwe (November 16, 1904 – May 11, 1996), popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. He was head of state of Nigeria from 1960 to 1966, serving as the second and last Governor-General from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966, holding the presidency throughout the Nigerian First Republic.

For a man of Azikiwe's stature in the history of Nigeria, not much is known about his first wife, Flora, or his family life. However, a few snippets crop up here and here. According to Emeagwali,

Dear Myne - My Girlfriend is Older and I'm Not Ready For Marriage

This request came in through facebook, and it is from a guy this time.

Hello Mrs. Myne, I've got a lil issue thought you can help with it. I'm 27, haven't had a stable relationship for 5 years, virtually since I knew about the dating thingy. Some years back I met a lady in a bus, we got talking, after which we became friends later. I made a move, she turned me down saying she's engaged. That she kept saying for 3years, but I persisted.

Then luck shone its beauteous face on me, she gave in late last year, telling me that the guy has no plans for her that she's come to love me more than him. Enough of history, now lemme break down the main issues:

1. She's 30, I could care less about that, but my folks and siblings, I don't know what their reactions will be, my mum especially.
2. My girlfriend doesn't know I'm younger, because of my sense of maturity and humour (I've actually dated older ladies before her).
3. Thirdly, my plan is to walk a lady down the aisle only when I'm 30, that's 3 years from now. That's one big thing to ask from her I think!

I await your kind response! Thanks a lot.

Watch Gidi Up Episode 5 - Beautiful Sweetness

Gidi Up is a thrilling adventure centered around the lives of four friends in pursuit of happiness, success and independence. However, a few wrong choices quickly turn their Lagos dreams into a Gidi nightmare.

In this episode of Gidi Up, Tokunbo and Eki discover they have quite a bit in common and bond over cocktails while the consequences of Obi's poor decisions begin to catch up with him.

Music by DRB-LasGidi -- Selecta ft. Shank; and Bemyoda - Faded Grace

Catch up with Episode 1 and 2 HERE, Episode 3 HERE and Episode 4 HERE.