Nigerian Newspapers
It’s not easy acting romantic roles –Thelma O’khaz
By Christian Agadibe
Thema O’khaz is not just an actress, she is also a singer and as you read this piece, her single, I Like The Way, a hip hop track is on rotation. With over 30 flicks to her credit, her profile is on doubt no the rise.
In this interview with The Entertainer, Thelma opens up on growing up, acting, sex and how she juggles her world hopping between motherhood, acting and singing among other interesting issues including the joys and sad moments of acting bitchy roles.
Excerpts:
What have you been up to lately?
I just released my single, I Like the Way, which has been on rotation for quite some time now. I am done shooting a video with Patrick Elis. We are now editing it. Also I just finished doing a movie alongside top actors like Yul Edochie and Clem Ohameze, which will soon hit the cinemas.
How did you know you were cut out for music and acting?
I knew from childhood that I would be a TV person. Music and acting are the things that defined me as a child. I have always had a passion for entertaining people.
How would you describe your music style?
It’s pop R n’ B. My environment mostly affects the kind of songs I do.
What inspired you to go into music?
I have been in music since I was a child and I have been doing sound tracks for years. A lot of people have inspired me and one of them is Michael Jackson. He inspired me because he sings songs that expose and address problems in the world.
What was growing up look like?
I grew up in a polygamous family. We were 13 in number including four wives. My mum was the third wife. Growing up was fun. My dad was a very funny person; he personally did manicure for his kids and groomed our hair among others. Interestingly, he wore his hair like woman. My father was not a rich man but we were comfortable and didn’t lack much.
Did anyone of your parents try to stop you from acting?
My dad was the only one who tried and he was like, ‘why acting? Why not be a lawyer or doctor?’ But he later found out that it was what made me happy so he had no choice but to support it.
Which of your parents had the greater influence on you?
My mum loves to sing a lot. When she realized that I had taken interest in singing, she really liked it. She helped and supported me, encouraging me never to miss choir practice because I was a chorister in church. I would say my mum influenced me more.
Most people will mistake you for a foreigner; how does that make you feel?
We all have our personalities. I cannot change the way I look. I like to dress well and I don’t talk much. I allow my appearance to speak for me. The fact that I am light in complexion makes matters worse because people think you are bad and wild so they keep away from you. I have heard stuff being said about me a lot of times but I am not bothered. I am Nigerian to the core.
Why do you like keeping long nails?
I like unusual things because of the attention they get me. I can do a lot of designs and by extension express myself through my nails and that’s exciting! Though they are very long, they don’t look frightening. People are amazed and often say ‘Thelma, your nails look so sweet one would think they are edible.’
What was it like the first time you faced the camera?
I felt at home. You see, I don’t know how to explain it but whenever I face the camera, it is like I am home doing what I was born to do. I love the camera.
What were your challenges as an up-and-coming actress?
If anyone tells you they did not have challenges coming into Nollywood, they’d probably be lying; I don’t think it is possible. Frustrating moments include those times when you know what is inside of you and what you are capable of doing but you are not given the opportunity to prove yourself unless you fight for it. I keep telling people not to take acting as their only source of income or livelihood because if you do, you might end up disappointed!
Do you like tattoos? I don’t see any on you…?
I don’t do tattoos and I don’t like them because I believe the skin should be flawless. Tattooing is body mutilation. Yes, I see tattoos on people and sometimes admire them but I don’t do tattoos.
You pierced your nose?
Yes, I pieced my nose because I like it.
What is your most embarrassing moment as an actress?
That was the day I went to Yaba in Lagos and a lady approached me and shouted, ‘You are Thelma O’khaz right?’ I said ‘yes’ and she screamed, ‘How does your husband cope?’ And before I could say Jackie Robinson, people started staring at me. She kept screaming saying that in a movie she saw a man carrying me about. She shouted ‘what does that mean? You women that are into showbiz are prostitutes!’ We were right in the middle of the market and then she just walked away. I was shocked for some seconds but later on I started smiling. I started smiling because I had proved my art to that lady. My acting is so convincing I could elicit such a strong reaction from that woman.
Outside of acting, who is Thelma O’khaz?
Thelma is a homely person, I don’t talk much. You will never see me fighting or exchanging words especially in public; I will never do that.
Are you married?
Yes, I am married.
How long have been married?
I have been married for 13 years and I have four kids; it’s hard for people to believe.
How do you balance the home front with your career in music and acting?
I realized long ago that that for me to succeed I would have to be a super woman. I wake up early and sleep late. I make sure that no aspect of my life suffers or is ignored. The choices you make affect you for the rest of your life and that’s why God gave us the opportunity to make them and bear the consequences. So since I made those choices, I make sure that nothing lacks by managing my time and that’s why I said that you must be a super woman to combine all these because as a career lady with marriage and kids and all, you can’t afford to be dull or lazy about certain things. You must not let your calling disturb your marriage; I do get by.
How do you handle your male fans?
Just the same way a market woman would treat a male customer. But there are stubborn ones. Like the ones stalking me on facebook for the past three years. I just chat with him and leave it that way because one needs to be very careful.
Is it true that some actresses use sex as a tool to get movie roles?
That’s why I told to you earlier that you must not rely on acting alone for survival. Maybe it is because my husband is popular but it has never happened to me. My husband and I have had our quarrels but it’s never been on the issue of sex-for -role. But I believe it happens in the industry.
How would you assess Nollywood today?
It is changing now and it is evolving very fast. We are among the top three in the world and much better stories are being told.
When was your first kiss on set?
First kiss? Can I even remember that? If anybody tells you kissing roles are easy, that person is surely lying; kissing roles are not. But you have to do it and bury yourself in the role.
Were you married when you came into the industry?
Yeah, but I have been singing for years.
How did your husband feel when you joined Nollywood?
My husband is an understanding man. He knows what I do and believes in me so why should he not support?
Is there any part of your body that you cannot expose in a movie?
Yes, my private parts and boobs. I cannot play a nude role just because of money; I totally reject any naked role.
Do you like playing bad girl roles?
The truth about acting is that if you look like a wild babe, you would attract wild babe roles. You get the bitchy or manmade role because of your appearance; it’s not like one really likes such roles.
What does sex mean to you?
It is a private matter. Sex is sex. It is beautiful but it is not a thing you share publicly. It must not be abused; that’s the way I feel about it. Abusing it is unholy. Maybe I am old fashioned. That’s why you can’t catch me watching porn; porn bastardizes what God has created.
Have you been tempted to cheat on your hubby?
No, because I am contented with my husband. He is handsome and caring. I can’t be tempted to sleep with another man.
What is your advice to young girls looking up to you?
They have to be focused and know what they want in life. They should know that while there’s a lot to achieve; there’s also lots of challenges as well.
You look like a fashion freak. What does it cost you to be fashionable?
I can do without make up most times but I can’t do without my hair and nails. I am not a fashion freak but I like to dress well and look good. And it cost me a fortune (laughter).
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The people of the South East region have been urged to explore the power of negotiation and mutual settlement in the face of ongoing killings and security challenges in the zone because the east can not afford another war at present.
Stakeholders from the South-East geo-political zone made the remark on Thursday, at the unveiling of the book, “Igbo, 50 years after Biafra,” written by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, Joe Igbokwe, held at Ikeja G.R.A.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Cutis Adigba,
urged the people of the South-East to learn to build bridges across the country, so that they can realise their ambition of producing the next president of Nigeria.
Adigba urged leaders from the zone to discourage the move and agitation by some youths in the South East to go to war and secede out of Nigeria.
Also read: Banditry: Disregard viral video, Niger State gov’t urges residents
He said that Igbo have always found it difficult to rule Nigeria because they refused to build bridges across the six geo-political zones that made up Nigeria.
While describing the agitation as uncalled for, Adigba noted that after two decades that Nigeria returned to civil rule, the Igbo has predominantly identified with only one political party.
He maintained that remaining in one party can not advance the cause of the people of South East and cannot make them realise their objective of producing an Igbo man as president.
He maintained that the publisher of the book, Igbokwe played politics outside his state, so that the Igbo race can be integrated with one another race.
Adigba said the failure of the Igbo to reintegrate with other ethnic nationalities politically was responsible for the retrogression of the race in Nigerian politics.
Igbokwe, also addressing guests on the occasion, maintained that the Igbo are not advancing politically because they refused to be integrated into National politics, lamenting that, despite their success in business, they are not successful in playing politics at the national level.
Corroborating Dimgba, Igbokwe noted that there was the need for the Igbo people to stand up and build bridges so that their objective of producing the next president of Nigeria could be realised.
According to him: “I have decided to raise my voice, I hope my people will hear me while trying to quell the effect of the war, our people are spoiling for another war, mayhem is being unleashed in Igbo land, and there is palpable fear.
“Those who could speak have lost their voice, mindful of the consequences of their actions, I am calling on all Igbo leaders to speak up because all actions carry consequences, consequences of the silence will be too dastardly to sustain.
“Those silently supporting the wild wind should be careful or else they hand over to their children,” he said.
Igbokwe urged those spoiling for war to jettison their plan and embrace dialogue, urging them to learn from the South West region that despite the challenges faced after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, they did not go to war, and the region had the opportunity of producing two of her sons for presidential position in 1999.
“You have to build bridges to become president of Nigeria, but it is unfortunate the Igbo are burning bridges.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Uche Dimgba who is the coordinator of Igbo in All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos, described Igbokwe as “a Frank, fearless and reliable leader, who based his views on issues and stand by his opinions, and we the Igbo have confidence in him and believe he can lead us aright.”
“He is a leader we Igbo believe in and we will follow him. If he can serve all the governors produced in Lagos State since 1999, he is a better man to follow because he possesses all the experience that can be of benefit to Igbo both at home and in the diaspora.”
The post Attacks on S’East: We must explore all options of negotiation — Stakeholders urge Igbo appeared first on Vanguard News.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
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Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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