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MY BATTLES WITH BELL’S PALSY BEFORE RETURNING TO ACTING – CHIDI MOKEME

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Veteran actor, Chidi Mokeme

In this interview with NAOMI CHIMA, veteran actor, Chidi Mokeme, gives an insight into his travails battling with Bell’s palsy, a condition that paralysed half of his face; and the sacrifices he made towards fitting into the character, Scar, in the action-packed drama series, Shanty Town

How challenging was it battling with Bell’s palsy?

It was quite challenging. This happened while we were in the middle of promotional tours for the movie, 76. I couldn’t be part of the tours; you know how it is when you have done the work or be part of a job that is as beautiful as 76, part of the joy of it is to join to show it around to people, be there, live and see their reactions and receive criticisms, good or bad.

And to go from there and know that I won’t be able to work for some time until my face is sorted out, was a challenging time.

When did you experience this ailment and what were the symptoms?

It happened in 2016. I woke up and felt that one part of my body and my face wasn’t feeling alright. By the time I managed to get up, conversations became difficult because I was no longer in control of half of my face. So, the first impression was that it was a stroke because it had the same symptoms as a stroke. But at the hospital, they said it was Bell’s palsy.

You made a heroic return to acting with your role in Shanty Town after experiencing such a medical condition, how did that make you feel?

I did what I would do with other roles in Shanty Town. As an actor, I gave it my shot. That’s the mindset that I approach every character with. With the advent of social media and the likes, we were able to get so much love. It feels good to have great reviews though.

How challenging was it to work on you becoming Scar?

It was quite challenging because Scar was a deep character. It was an embodiment of a lot of issues, both mental and psychological. The character himself was dealing with a lot and all of that was moulding the way that he was responding to society. To be able to embody all of that and project it in such a way that you can see through it in every scene, it was difficult, trying to embody the character and keep it consistent. But I guess we tried our best and the reviews have been very nice.

What motivated you to take up the villain role in Shanty Town?

I think for every actor, the basic motivation first and foremost is always the script. So you see a good script and you like it, you feel drawn to it and then you want to do it. So, it was the same thing with Shanty Town. I saw it and I was immediately drawn to it.

You had to take packets of cigarettes per day just for the role, why? Did you consider the health implications?

(Laughs!) Sometimes as creative people, we put ourselves in a sort of arms way. We do stunts and so many dangerous things to make the story as believable as possible. For most of the guys on the street, smokers are addicted to forms of stuff and the effects of years and years of consistent smoking have these telltale signs on the eyes, lips and voice. So, what I sort of tried to do for Scar was to give him a crash course, and put him in a comfortable place around all that smoking, all that cigarettes, and just make it look like it was second nature.

Will there be more of you playing the role of an antagonist in other movies?

Everybody knows that I love to play the villain. I am comfortable being an antagonist. The bad guy has a kind of swag and personality; we have different shades of the bad guy across both sides. Scar was just one. There would be a lot of bad guys, each of them coming with their own personality. I love the bad guy roles, you just need good morals to be a good guy, but I always liked a dirty, bad guy because it takes a lot more from you.

You are a multilinguist, how has that influenced your career?

It is an added advantage; it is something every Nigerian aspires to do. That’s the spirit of one Nigeria. I was fortunate to have been able to live in different parts of the country by design; I had my primary school in Lagos State, secondary school in Niger State and then went on to the east to continue my higher education. It’s an advantage because movies are ‘boundary-less.’ Ability to tell stories in whatever type of language as we already see in a multicultural society like Nigeria with different ethnic groups is a gift.

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LOVE CAN’T SAVE A MARRIAGE —ACTRESS IJEOMA THOMAS

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The idea that love is all that is needed to make a marriage work has been knocked down by Nollywood actress, Ijeoma Thomas, who believes that love is not enough to make a marriage work.

According to the actress, who was spotted in a movie role proposing marriage to Yul Edochie, love is not the foundation of marriage, adding that there are other components that makeup marriage and the family unit.

She explains further, “There are so many divorces and separations today because love doesn’t keep couples together, love can’t save the marriage. All those that have divorced or are separated were once in love with each other.

In fact, many that are divorced or separated now still love each other, but they can’t stay together again as couples because the other factors are not there, or were never there from the beginning of the relationship. They were both blinded by the love of the flesh and self-centred. What we call love today is self-centeredness.”

Speaking further in the one-on-one session with Potpourri, Ijeoma, who started production of her own movies in 2009 highlights other factors to be considered in making a marriage work.

“A successful marriage hinges on knowledge, understanding, wisdom, respect, values, love and trust. Now, when you, as a lady, know the value of your man, you will give him that high honour and respect by proposing to him before you lose him to another.

Also in the same order, when a man knows the value of his lady, he will give her that joy and happiness by proposing to her before he loses her to another man, therefore, before you take that step to propose to your lovely lady as a man, ask yourself what’s her value. Not in material or monetary terms, but values in terms of godliness, cleanliness, transparency, respect and honour. These are some of the values the man should look for in the woman he wants to marry,” she states.

The actress concluded that either the man or the woman can make the move to propose marriage.

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RIHANNA IS 35 TODAY

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Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, popularly known as just Rihanna, is thirty-five years old today. She was born on February 20, 1988.

She has sold over 250 million records worldwide. This makes her the second-best-selling female music artist of all time. Her accolades include nine Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards (including the Icon Award).

As of 2022, she is the wealthiest female musician, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

Congratulations.

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MY LOVER BROKE MY HEART ON VAL’S DAY –CHANTEL IGWE

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Nollywood actress, Chantel Igwe

Nollywood actress, Chantel Igwe has recalled her most embarrassing Valentine’s Day and how her lover broke her heart.

According to the leggy, light skinned actress, the memory of what transpired that day will remain evergreen in her memory.

She told Saturday Sun: “When I was in my third year in school, I had a boyfriend but who was in a different school. So, on Valentine’s Day, he invited me over to his place. His friends and family members knew we were dating. He sent money and everything I needed to come around and I went. I was in his house chilling when a lady walked in and asked to see him in private. He went outside with her to have a conversation. Later, he came back and told me he’s helping to write exam for the lady’s brother.”

Igwe continued, “That same evening, we decided to hang out only to meet the same lady when we got back home. Again, they both stepped aside to have a discussion, and he gave the same excuse. Well, I stayed for a few days in his house and decided to go back to school.

“On my way back home, I discovered I forgot something and had to head back to his house. Right there, I met him with the same lady in a very compromising position. I confronted him and he said the lady has been throwing herself at him. Things get me easily irritated, so I just dumped him despite his pleas. I can’t forget that day.”

Chantel Igwe, who last week lost her dear mother, listed what she would be remembered for. “I feel sad, so sad that she left so soon. There are lots of things I would remember my mother for. She’s so strong, stronger than most men. She’s hard working, she engaged in different types of businesses to make sure her family survived.”

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