Finally, Big Brother Africa Season 9 Audition Dates Announced

The highly anticipated Big Brother Africa reality TV show is set to return and fans all over Africa have been patiently waiting for the audition dates. The ninth edition of Africa’s biggest reality series Big Brother Africa kicks off in September and fans are already asking who the new housemates be, who will find their names and their faces gracing newspapers, who will become the subject of drive-time radio and just who will find themselves trending on all social media platforms. Unlike previous years, this year’s entry process is slightly different as potential housemates are invited to come in their numbers for auditions in their respective country venues. Auditions will take place at venue on date. Africa magic has always been associated with unearthing, nurturing and recognising talent from around the continent and Big Brother Africa is one of the shows that have become known for transforming ordinary citizens into stars. “We are very grateful and remain pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response that the show has been receiving over the years. We look forward to the selection of our potential housemates coming in large numbers to auditions at the specified venues and take that chance at being the next Big Brother star,” says M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa) Wangi Wa-Uzoukwu. “The fact that the fans truly adore the show is all the motivation we need to keep it fresh and that is always made possible by the enthusiastic and fun-loving young Africans who will answer to Big Brother. We are rearing to go and we know that this will definitely be another exciting season that is full of quality entertainment!” she adds. Her sentiments are echoed by Endemol MD Sivan Pillay who says, “We have been producing this series for M-Net for a number of seasons now and as partners, together we have seen this show grow to the phenomenon that it has become. We hope the season will be even better as we strive to improve on our offering season after season. We will not hold back on the quality and exciting unpredictability that has become synonymous with Big Brother Africa. Audiences and fans can expect yet another high quality production and of course, another group of fun-loving housemates who will keep you guessing on who will be left standing come day 91.” MultiChoice Africa CEO Nico Meyer says: “As MultiChoice Africa we are always pleased to welcome each new season of Big Brother Africa onto our platforms and we applaud its amazing success and ability to bring together audiences from all across the continent. The inclusion of Rwanda in this season is even more exciting as this displays that our reach and growth into the various sub-Saharan markets is going from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing further growth as well as the impressive social media presence that the show enjoys.” All persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and have a valid passport, can enter Big Brother Africa 9. If you are open-minded, bold and adventurous, that’s even better! Previous editions of Big Brother Africa have boasted huge cash prizes for winners and this it is no different as the prize money is $300 000. Remember, entries are open to the following 14 countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Big Brother Africa 9 will be screened live 24/7 on DStv channels 197 and 198 while GOtv audiences will see highlights of the show, which begins on Sunday, 7 September and is scheduled to run for 91 days. Big Brother Africa is produced by Endemol SA. Audition Details • Botswana – Gabarone (Cresta President Hotel): 4 and 5 July 2014 • Ethiopia – Addis Ababa (Capital Hotel and Spa): 30 June 2014 • Ghana – Accra (Holiday Inn Hotel Airport): 5 and 6 July 2014 • Kenya – Nairobi, The Hilton Nairobi: 3 and 4 July 2014 • Malawi – Lilongwe (The Crossroads Hotel): 30 June and 1 July 2014 • Namibia – Windhoek (Hilton Hotel): 8 and 9 July 2014 • Nigeria – Lagos (Protea Hotel Leadway, Ikeja): 30 June and 1 July 2014 • Rwanda – Kigali (The Lemigo Hotel) 9 July 2014 • Sierra Leone – Free Town (The Country Lodge Complex): 9 July 2014 • South Africa – Johannesburg (The Pyramid Venue and Conference Center): 30 June and 1 July 2014 • Tanzania – Dar Es Salaam (New Africa Hotel): 11 and 12 July 2014 • Uganda – Kampala (Sheraton Hotel): 7 and 8 July 2014 • Zambia – Lusaka (InterContinental Hotel): 4 and 5 July 2014 • Zimbabwe – Harare (The Meikles Hotel): 12 and 13 July 2014

I have access to Boko Haram, says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Thursday that he could reach out to the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, over the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the sect, but regretted that the Federal Government had yet togive him the go ahead.

Obasanjo,in an interview on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, monitored in Kaduna, said he had a communication link with the sect, expressing the fears that the  more than 200 abducted girls might never return again.

He said the terror group might release some of the girls that might be pregnant and finding it difficult to cater for the babies in the forest.

He noted that the girls might have been divided into groups and not likely to be at the same location.

The former President said, “I believe that some of them will never return. We will still be hearing about them many years from now. Some willgive birth, but if they cannot take care of them in the forest, they may be released.”

Nollywood has become boring – Jim Iyke

Star actor, Jim Iyke, speaks with JAYNE AUGOYE about his recent adventures

Getting Jim Iyke Esumogba for an interview has been a long chase. In-between movie sets abroad and running his foundation and some other business ventures, the actor has been busy.

The University of Jos graduate opens up on things close to his heart. Few know he was born in Gabon Libreville but not a few have dubbed him ‘Nollywood bad boy’. But love or hate him, he continues to stay afloat amidst several controversies.

While he admits that the controversies that usually trail him, were simply a creation of his public relations managers at the time, did pay off initially, it eventually spiralled out of control.

“I’ve heard that I deem myself something of a puppeteer and that I orchestrate these media maelstroms to maintain relevance and news. I wish I was that creative! The other side of the debate – the more discerning would argue – I’m a victim of PR machinery gone wrong. Perhaps my handlers in the earlier stages of my career saw a need to create an unfathomable media being that was as audacious as the characters I played in films.

“It caught on. Caused quite a stir, then quickly spiralled out of control. There were days when I wondered if I could have done something about it; like a campaign to state I was a different person. But then, the media loved it too much. It sold millions of movies. It sold papers. It also sold my privacy and peace of mind. I struggled for years to understand what it was doing to my psyche, my relationships, my family, my spirituality, “he reveals.

On why he has been somewhat out-of-touch with Nollywood of late, he says he is simply seeking for new challenges. He says of Nollywood, “Nothing was challenging anymore. It was too easy and too perpetual. It was too boring and too predictable. I had no room to pursue or hone other skill sets I had. I didn’t have time for extra curriculums like hobbies, family, and friends, personal and social advancements. Something had to give! After all, I was the guy that made 38 films in a year,” he boasts.

With his reality TV Show, Jim Iyke Unscripted, which is set to run for the third season, he declares, “It is the biggest celebrity reality show on the continent with over 10 million viewers. We did 12 countries in season one, another 10 in two. It’s the story of a man’s journey through his eyes and his words .If for nothing, to whom It may concern, I would have gained perspective and hopefully a better understanding of the idiosyncrasy that rules my day.”

While Nollywood is said to be a major contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, Iyke says the feat is not translating to progress in the long run. “Ours, if it isn’t oil and politics, then it isn’t attainable. They tie up funds in bogus and outlandish conditions and make bold and futuristic propaganda-driven statements as to how it is accessible to every practitioner that simply has to ask for the taking.

“The sad part is that the practitioners do not even recognise the most basic of their fundamental rights. How can you ask, when you don’t understand what you’re asking for? The ones that do understand and     fight to the helm of affairs are busy fighting each other and developing schemes to enrich their shallow pockets.”

And so will he ever consider vying for the presidency of the Actors Guild of Nigeria?

“I’ve had occasion where they tried to drag me into this unpredictable territory. I assure you categorically Nollywood politics holds no iota of interest for me.”

A conversation with the dark-skinned actor is incomplete without referring to his lover, Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari, whom he refers to as Skittles. Asked about the current status of the affair, he waxes philosophical, saying, “She (Nadia) is a solid down-to-earth woman. I’m a man that translates variables in ways many people find incomprehensible. We have embraced who we are and learnt to create our own world and expectations. We have ups and downs like every other couple.

“We have our strength and weakness as well. At the end of the day, rumours of break ups and make ups ought to abound. It really doesn’t matter. A relationship is a continuous work. Those that give up, perhaps weren’t committed enough. Those that go in for the long haul suck up and square up to the variables life throws at them. The people that judge harshly are obviously the ones that live far from their desired lives. We just live the best way we know how and leave the rest to the author and finisher of all things.”

The future is already looking good as far as Iyke is concerned. Having just featured in a Hollywood film in 2013, titled There Comes Love alongside Hollywood actors, Brian White and Gracie Beauvis, the actor is diversifying into other areas of interest already including water business.

Police ban viewing centres in Plateau

Police in Plateau State have   banned the operation of open-air viewing centres in the states.

The Plateau State Police Command said the action became necessary to prevent terrorists from attacking such centres during the World Cup.

In a statement, spokesman for the police in the state Dominic Esin, said, “This precautionary measure is aimed at forestalling warnings of impending attacks on these viewing centres by any person or group of persons and to secure an atmosphere of peace and security in the state.”

He advised football fans to stay away from such centres and watch World Cup matches in their homes.

The statement added that anyone who violates the order, which takes immediate effect, would be punished.

Also, the Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of the state has banned the operation of football viewing centres in the locality.

Football viewing centres have been the target of terrorist attacks in Plateau State in recent times. In the last incident, more than 400 football fans escaped death in the Bauchi Road area of the state, when a bomber accidentally detonated his bomb-laden vehicle before he could reach a viewing centre during the final match of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in May.

Meanwhile, Police in Enugu State have increased surveillance on viewing centres in the state because of the World Cup, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Spokesman for the police in the state, Ebere Amaraizu told NAN on Thursday that the surveillance was to discourage any acts of terrorism or violence that might erupt in the course of the tournament.

Amaraizu noted that the security challenges in the country had made it necessary to partner with operators of viewing centres, to ensure the safety of football fans.

He said, “Enugu has always been peaceful, but we want operators of the centres to be security conscious and know the type of people they admit into such centres.

“We had as a prelude, distributed our counter-terrorism pamphlets containing security tips to viewing centres, churches and other important public places.”

Amaraizu added, “Even the fans should be at alert to determine the type of people sitting close to them. People of questionable character should be reported to us promptly.

“We have already stationed our patrol teams in some strategic locations with a view to counter and discourage any act of violence.

“The state is safe and will continue to be safe for people.”