THEWILL DOWNTOWN DEC 12 EDITION

INSIDE:

From the runway to guest we bring you highli s, ghts from Arise Fashion Week in Dubai VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

OSITA CHINEDU IHEME IKEDIEZE are back as Aki & Pawpaw

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

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Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Desire Onyema @desire_makeover

EDITOR’S NOTE

I

have tried to wrap my head around a number of incidents that occurred last week, starting with the death of Sylvester Oromoni, the Dowen College student who was bullied to his demise.

We now know that five students are under police custody, but my question is if the children who were supposedly involved in this horrific act were allegedly flown abroad by their parents, and we haven’t heard anything about the government extraditing them, who are the ones in police custody?

Are these the actual children who were involved in the act, or is this the typical Nigerian case of the not-so-rich taking the fall for the wealthy?

Yes, they all pay the same amount as school fees, but let us remember that some parents give an arm and a leg to afford a school like that. They are not necessarily as wealthy but will do anything to give their children a good education. For some others, sending their kids to a school like that is not even a tap in their rather large pockets; in fact, they might spend that on a weekend.

I am not saying reveal the identities of the children, this is not possible because they are minors, but we should know if any plan to bring them home to be tried is underway.

May there be #JusticeForSylvester.

Not long after that sad news, an even more dreadful one hit social media of a truck driver who in a bid to escape law enforcement officers, killed 17 students.

CONTENTS

COVER OSITA IHEME AND CHINEDU IKEDIEZE ARE BACK AS AKI & PAWPAW

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SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN WALTER BANKS: THROUGH HIS EYES

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FASHION ARISE FASHION WEEK A WEEKEND OF COLOUR, FABRIC & NIGERIAN FASHION IN DUBAI

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SPECIAL FEATURE SASKAY’S HYPERSONIC SHUTTLE FROM BIG BROTHER HOUSE TO RUNWAY

Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone Entertainment Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy

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ODDBOD & THE CITY UNLEARNING & GROWING

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DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL SOMETHING IS IN THE AIR AND IT’S NOT LOVE

REVIEW VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE

What is going on?

May the souls of these innocent ones rest in peace.

This week, DOWNTOWN features two of Nigeria’s favourite veteran actors, Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, known to us as Aki and Pawpaw. After almost 20 years of working on individual projects, they grace our screens with the remake of their 2002 blockbuster, Aki na Ukwa, now called Aki and Pawpaw. In this interview, they discuss the new movie, their more than a decade-long friendship, and the elephant in the room…height. Flip to pages 8 through 11 for this.

Don’t miss your weekly dose of Downtown Confidential, Oddbod, Movie Review, and Fashion – this week, we put the spotlight on the just concluded Arise Fashion Week which was held in Dubai.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

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Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity

- Contributing Editor Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.

Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm

- Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN ARISE FASHION WEEK TAKES DUBAI

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @thequeensplacecanada

Nice one

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Senior Lifestyle Editor: Ayodele Johnson Writers: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphics/Layout: Olaniyan John Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

David Nwachukwu @ebube.nw - Contributing Writer David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television.

His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design.As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic communications at Clean Technology Hub.

@ adewale.adeniyi.31508076

Tiger

@ luxurybyshakeerah_ng

Efua Oyofo @efuastar

- Contributing Writer Efua has always enjoyed telling stories.

A writer and cultural storyteller, Efua Oyofo helps clients tell their most compelling story. She focuses on social impact storytelling, and hosts a podcast: This African Love, exploring the culture of dating - and helping people develop more effective ways to navigate relationships in today’s world.

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VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

FASHION

ARISE FASHION WEEK A Weekend of Colour, Fabric & Nigerian Fashion in Dubai

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Kenneth Ize He adds his unique spin on the use of Nigerian craft and traditional West African fabric. A lot was expected from the joint winner of the Arise Fashion Week Award for “Designer of the year” in 2019. Here are some of his looks.

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et against the backdrop of Burj Khalifa, the Arise Fashion Week 2021 was under the lights of the night sky at Armani Hotel in Dubai. Nigeria chose to accentuate its day at Dubai’s 2020 Expo by treating the whole city to a fashion show unlike none other and one beautifully distinguishable from its predecessors.

The showcase had a lineup of some of Nigeria’s A-list designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Banke Kuku, Kenneth Ize, Odion Mimonet, Lanre DasilvaAjayi, Onalaja, and Ziva Lagos. As for designer Hudayya, It was a day of firsts for her as the world got to see her debut collection.

Fashion taste-makers both local and international were present. One of them was Naomi Campbell who is a frequent supporter of the Arise project. A green patterned tunic, a floral-embroidered suit, and a royal blue jumpsuit were among the looks Campbell wore as she walked the runway for several of the participating designers.

With that said, let’s introduce you to them.

Lanre Da Silva Having debuted on the runway in 2005, LDA’s couture is modern, cutting edge and wealthy in femininity.

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

FASHION Yutee Rone

Ziva Lagos

Her keen attention to detail, use of experimental fabric, and exemplary craftsmanship are some of what make her pieces embodiments of feminine empowerment on those who wear them.

Nigerian fashion brand Ziva Lagos creates print-forward, trend-led fashion pieces for women on the go. Tania Omotayo is the designer behind the brand.

Banke Kuku

Known for her intricately embroidered, luxuriant textiles, Banke creates her own patterns and textiles with vibrant colours and textures.

Signature prints include adire-inspired splatters, animal print, and leaf motifs.

Onalaja Lisa Folawiyo

By fusing elements of the designer’s Nigerian heritage with design aesthetics from Italy, Onalaja creates womenswear with a contemporary appreciation for beauty and elegance.

Her seamless blend of modern tailoring with West African traditional fabric has earned her international recognition.

Odio Mimonet Her African couture brand is dedicated to highlighting the many motifs and elements that directly reflect the African woman, her style choices, culture, heritage, and love for art.

Hudayya

With this brand expect high-class tailoring.

Her bespoke ready-to-wear luxury brand provides a classy and yet very stylish design.

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VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

ODUN OGUNBIYI

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

ODDBOD & THE CITY

Unlearning & Growing and sometimes unsafe alternative wellness treatments—many of which are blooming expensive.

With this project though, she knocks it out the park, by treating the project with care and respect.

Love her or hate her, this docuseries really was a necessary public service. The show stars several couples from different walks of life and in different stages of their relationship and chronicles their journeys with different types of relationship and intimacy practitioners.

Enlightenment, breakthroughs, tears, laughter, hope, and orgasms. With work, consistency, and education anybody can be taught to break cultural shackles and have a wonderful, satisfying, spiritual, and frankly earthshattering sexual relationship with themselves and with others.

Sign me up!!!

Sex, Love and Goop A good friend put me on to this series, an easily consumed 6-episode affair on Netflix.

It really should be something that could be completed in an afternoon, but I found the content constantly needed further rumination.

I kept having to come back to it after I had taken time to digest and assimilate what I had seen and learned—these days I am practising the habit of sitting in my feelings.

An exercise my avoidant self is finding all kinds of uncomfortable. So, I would watch a couple of episodes and have to really sit with the emotions it triggered before watching anything else.

Gwyneth Paltrow—actress, the producer, Goop founder, and polarising celebrity. I was shook to find out that I may be the only person in my friends circle to be proper obsessed with her. Goop, her “wellness company” has its trials and tribulations. Some love it for its alternative advice, but others (deservedly so) criticise it for its promotion of unsound

Gwyneth Paltrow

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The series has some genuinely moving moments and I of course found myself crying like a baby on several occasions and despairing that one does not have access to the California-based practitioners.

I have told everyone I know, married, single, or otherwise engaged to watch, and now in the spirit of completeness, I am telling you!

I Wish I Knew This earlier Lessons on Love – Toni Tone The author of this book nailed it with the title—the whole time I was reading it, I was snapping my fingers and thinking, “I wish somebody had told me this earlier in my life. It would have saved me a whole lot of wahala.” Almost every scenario she outlined directly correlated with a past experience I could relate to, sometimes the relationship in question was a non-romantic friendship or with a family member.

There is nothing new under the sun. For me, here is a perfect example of how there are genuinely more things in this human experience that unite us than those that separate us. The book reads like getting sound advice from a big sister (that’s what I said. I don’t need any smarty pants reminding me that I am actually older than the author, right! Good).

There are three main sections that you can read in any order depending on what feels more relevant to you. Are you dating? In a committed relationship? Getting over heartbreak? It’s all covered. The book expands on the value of trusting your intuition, having the courage to tackle difficult conversations, and taking responsibility for your choices and actions.

Most importantly, and my biggest take away was that you must take the time to understand yourself. Know what you want, be bold enough to ask for it, be smart enough to cherish it and be brave enough to walk away when it isn’t right.

Its alternate title really should be Adulting 101: Relationships. Period.

Once you become a certain age, it becomes your responsibility to unlearn behaviours that hinder your growth as a person – unknown Toni Tone

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

Most times sex tourists don’t even know they are sex tourists.

You could be on a business trip or vacation halfway across the globe and to burn off steam; you hire an escort with a happy ending on the menu. “

Something is in The Air

AND IT’S NOT LOVE

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

W

henever the conversation relating to; where the best sex is or has been had, you’ll find that a lot of those responses orbit around the precariousness of sex and the fear of getting caught in the act. In my case, I’d say pounding one out in the teacher-only bathroom, during a lunch break is up there with my Mount Rushmore of sex yarns. And just like mine, I’d imagine everyone has theirs as well, some of which might have happened in one means of transport or the other.

In a survey carried out in America, 59 million Americans admitted to having sex in a plane, bus, train, taxi (includes rideshare), or ferry.

Some have done the deed in more than one of those forms of public transportation. And of course, this is Nigeria where customs, cultural ideals, preconceived notions—and a little something called shame— stop us from being ourselves. But we’ll agree that sex is a universally understood language. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here having a friendly chat with you about—drum roll please—sex tourism.

With the holidays up ahead, the tourism ecosystem is eagerly grinning from ear to ear ready to take your money, and the sex tourism space isn’t too far behind. They stand to earn from your sexual cravings for international cuisine— If you know what I mean. This x-rated arm of tourism has been around since time immemorial, when affluent Europeans and North Americans travelled to different parts of the world in search of “exotic” sex, such as Asia and very recently, Africa.

It’s not as hard as you think; you book your ticket, get on a plane and fly to another country solely for sex. And If you’re lucky, you might not arrive at our destination before your orgasm tourism begins. Whilst ears are popping in the cabin due to the high altitudes, you could be banging one-off in a bathroom the size of Kim Kardashian’s waist.

As pleasingly sexy as lovemaking on an aircraft sounds, it doesn’t top my ‘fantasy on wheels’ collection. What does is a steamy car sex session. I know those who have tried it

are probably saying ‘there’s nothing to it’ but then again, it’s my fantasy and without your permission, I’d like to walk you through it.

Usually, it begins with me stuck in traffic. That type of traffic; you see people hawking gas cylinders, pepper, raw meat and you’re contemplating making stew in the car. That type of traffic jam. Because of how my mind works I’d predicted something like this would happen so my windows are tinted.

Unexpectedly and completely of her own volition, my partner takes my hand and gently places it on her inner thigh and gradually, ushers it to her genitals. Thinking about it right now is giving me goosebumps. As I sit there, mouth ajar, she proceeds to unlatch my pants and warmly welcome my erect phallus into her mouth.

The comfort of her tongue around the trunk of my protuberance sends chills down my spine.

She reclines the driver’s seat and as I slowly fall into a sexual euphoria there, she is gagging and worshipping it with her mouth unapologetically.

Roadside hawkers are stealing glances but neither of us could care any less.

Nonchalantly, she mounts me and slides my phallus in. A sigh of pleasure rolls off her tongue but it’s cut short by my fingers hanging from her mouth.

Her moans send my mind into a tailspin while steam gradually begins to build on the windows. With her back arched and her eyes locked to mine, she begins to ride me like a carousel, with her hands gently wrapped around my neck. Her change in tempo makes it hard for me to hold on and I surrender inside her. She dismounts and licks what’s left off then returns to her seat with a cocky smile on her face giving a whole new meaning to sex tourism.

Before delving into what this whole discussion is about, we have to know what role you’ll play should you choose to indulge.

As a sex tourist, you are defined by your intentions— premeditated or otherwise.

Most times sex tourists don’t even know they are sex tourists. You could be on a business trip or vacation halfway across the globe and to burn off steam; you hire an escort with a happy ending on the menu. It may or may not have been your intention when you got on the plane but with time to spare, and money to blow, you decide why not?

From my understanding of the subject, in every sense of the term, you’ve just participated in sex tourism; however, that doesn’t make you a sex tourist. It just means you are a tourist paying for sex. You can only “officially” be a sex tourist if prostitution happens to be legal where such sexual encounters happen.

For example, places like Amsterdam and Thailand

are sex tourists destinations because prostitution is legal there. The commercialization of sex in these areas has made them the go-to countries for men seeking to water their sexual palettes while boosting their economic growth in the process.

The Gambia is an African equivalent of a sex tourist attraction. Popularly known as the ‘Sex Paradise’, women fly in—usually from western countries— in quest of chiselled ebony abs and as widely advertised the thing between their legs. These men loiter around beaches looking for foreign women to pleasure in exchange for money. And although the Gambian government is trying so hard to rinse the country clean of this stigma, they’ve found themselves in a dicey situation seen as that dated reputation is what attracts so many tourists—They say the country’s rich culture and beautiful beaches is why they get so many tourists but we all know the truth.

To ever think Nigeria will ever adopt this branch of tourism is like trying to erase Up NEPA from Nigeria’s vocabulary—It’s impossible.

Nigerians however, going overseas to have sex under the guise of tourism is well within our ambit. Whether home or away, sex remains a language every race, colour or tribe will forever comprehend.

And with the reputation of African men having animallike manpower and tusk-like penises preceding them, you might as well be a tourist attraction.

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VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone Entertainment Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy

CHINEDU IKEDIEZE In just a week, the hilarious, mischief-making characters, Aki & Pawpaw will make their first big-screen debut in the remaking of Aki na Ukwa, which is an early 21st-century classic. Ahead of this, their devoted following of fans across the globe are being treated to what the journey has been like. Conversations with Chinedu Ikedieze, known to home video audiences as ‘Aki’, have revealed a strong bromance with Osita Iheme that was nurtured within a decade and how a mother’s loving words encouraged him to withstand bullying.

OSITA CHINEDU IHEME IKEDIEZE are back as Aki & Pawpaw

The Nollywood movie industry has been around for a long time. As Nigerians, despite ranking very highly when it comes to our consumption of foreign media, we also invest a lot in our local craft. In the early 2000s, a few movies helped set the foundation for what the industry would be built upon. One of those movies, Aki na Ukwa, was a feel-good family comedy starring two mischievous supposed “child actors,” Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, with a stellar performance.

Popularly referred to as Aki and Pawpaw, which were the names of the characters they had done absolute justice bringing to life in the movie, the duo quickly established themselves as two of the most famous actors in the entire country. Two decades later, the legacy continues to live on; initially on social media through the largest bank of memes Africa has ever seen, and eventually on the biggest cinema screens in the form of a sequel.

To celebrate their accomplishments in the film scene, DOWNTOWN’s Ayodele Johnson and Kehindé Fagbule spoke with the veterans about their relationship on set and outside of it, their transition from mischievous comedic child roles to solo adult characters, and their movie release later this week.

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As soon as the new century began, you met with fame as an actor alongside Osita “Pawpaw” Iheme.

Can you talk about how you got into acting?

It was just youthful desire.

Growing up, I had always wanted to do everything.

When I got admission to study mass communication, I asked a coursemate where an audition for a movie role was being held. It was at a hotel in Enugu, Nigeria. I went there, auditioned, and got the role. That was how I started, precisely around August-September 1998.

What do you imagine is the obvious growth in your character, Aki between 2002 – when the Aki na Ukwa movie reached an audience and now when a remake is about to hit the cinemas?

It is just the normal growth in we human beings. As much as it is just a sequel, we paid attention to the timeline, not just playing the role like it was 20 years ago. We just wanted to have little ingredients from the prequel. Before we embarked on this project, we had a vox-pop. We threw it to the public and in the feedback we got, they wanted us to keep up the same appearance wearing baggy shorts, t-shirts, and looking like village rascals.

At the end of the day, it was just a normal story of a pair of boys in their quest to make ends meet.

Coincidentally, we were able to portray their dreams without much ado. Through digital packaging and social media, they were able to go viral.

For a while, you were distant from home video audiences. How did you occupy yourself within this interval?

I have been busy with The Johnsons series, shooting Nollywood movies, and my personal business. It is my tenth season on the series.

Now, it looks like you are back and in touch. Did you reimagine a new, interesting way to project Aki in the remake?

The producers wanted something.

We had several meetings about that. They still wanted that Aki but only one-third of it and that was what happened. They told me the character Bible, and I did what they wanted.

In the movie set for a December 17, cinema release, what are some of the struggles that your character will be dealing with?

The character is a unique character on its own with no struggle. My duty this period is to promote Aki and Pawpaw. It is a blockbuster already. After one year, it will still be in the cinemas.

The storyline borders on complications that might come about in the quest for riches. What do you think is the moral of this story?

I will say the moral is about celebrities in general. When you get to the limelight, don’t start misbehaving. No matter where you are, family, friends – all these are key.

For me, I wanted to meet someone that I have been told looks like me. Meeting Osita was wonderful. We met and exchanged pleasantries. To other people observing, they were just seeing two creatures that were probably not from this planet. It happened as if we were Siamese twins that were separated but are connected again. From that moment, he knew he had found a friend and a brother.”

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER

Each time I went home crying, my mum would always remind me saying “Look. They are not your Creator. The God that created you has a reason.” That simple statement gave me succour every time someone tried to hurt me or talk to me rudely. The words help me to forgive and move on.” different things because they feel that the government has disappointed them and that’s the truth. That hope to change their lives has driven them to the other side of the world and you know what that means. What we did is a reflection of what is happening.

How pivotal was your mother towards establishing you as an actor despite discrimination growing up?

Each time I went home crying, my mum would always remind me saying “Look.

They are not your Creator. The God that created you has a reason.” That simple statement gave me succour every time someone tried to hurt me or talk to me rudely. The words help me to forgive and move on. My mum would tell me that if I study and excel in my education, I’d overcome the bullying. But it wasn’t just my mum; my siblings, my late dad and my uncle Dr. Nwabueze Merife helped too.

What has two decades in acting taught you about the right psychology that gets the viewer to laugh?

Just be natural. It was just like when we were shooting Aki and Pawpaw, we were just laughing. It is your body language, facial expression. All those things are the Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone things that make the antics.

Entertainment

Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages What was it like meeting Osita “Pawpaw” Iheme for Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy the first time?

For me, I wanted to meet someone that I have been told looks like me. Meeting Osita was wonderful. We

met and exchanged pleasantries. To other people observing, It is your big-screen debut in the remake they were just seeing two creatures that were probably not since it is going to be shown to a cinema from this planet. It happened as if we were Siamese twins that audience. How do you feel about achieving were separated but are connected again. From that moment, this feat? he knew he had found a friend and a brother.

My brother, I feel great. This is the

first time the two of us (alongside How did you establish the onscreen connection that sees you Osita Iheme) majored in a cinematic complementing each other almost as if no effort? movie. Individually, I have done We have done several things together. We were roommates. At some cinema movies. I feel very a time, we were sharing the same bed. One time, I had to tell elated – I can’t wait for everyone to him that some marketers were taking advantage of that. So, we see it. Even my family and friends started having separate rooms. All these combined helped us to are happy. They have been waiting to build synergy and chemistry. He understands me, I understand see a major work for so long. him. We lived together for seven years and we know each

other. We are not just colleagues; we are brothers.

Do you see a connection between the

storyline and the challenges that the You acted in so many movies together and quickly gained a reputation as Nigerian youth is facing? the biggest duo in Nollywood. Why did you decide to then go on that break An average Nigerian youth wants and take solo roles? to make it. They are building a No. We didn’t take solos. Sometimes, people when they cannot utopian and imaginary world. You afford the two of us, they call one person. By the way, we can see what is happening in our are good with it. Working alone has nothing to do with our schools now. The youths are into relationship.

Your filmography is stacked - you’ve featured in over 100 movies. There was a transition though. You went from getting comedic child roles to being a multifaceted established actor. At what point did you decide to “rebrand?” And were you then turning down the child roles to favour the more mature gigs?

From 2002 until 2004, we had done over 50 movies and they were all stereotypical characters. At the time, we thought that if we continued like this, we would rubbish the characters. That was around the time we started.

Let’s talk about the remake. Whose idea was it to get the boys back together? Tell us how the whole sequel project started.

We had started talking about it, me and Osita – how we could remake the movie but we needed funds. We were having this discussion when the movie producers came to us with their ideas. We let them know that we had always wanted to do the movie.

Things are obviously very different now compared to 2002. What are some of the things in the first movie that are now difficult to recreate?

I think some of the antics.

Give us a sneak peek of what to expect.

After this movie, we are going to do another blockbuster. People need to laugh. They need to be happy. This movie is an antidote for sadness.

The remake is perhaps the most anticipated movie of 2021. Most sequels are underwhelming in comparison to the original ideas. Did you feel any pressure to outdo 2002’s legendary performance with this production?

We gave them a good run for their money and we can’t wait to see the audience smiling again.

Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone Entertainment Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy

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VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone Entertainment Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy

OSITA IHEME If you’ve been on social media the past couple of years, you must have come across a host of memes of a comedic TV character, fondly known as Pawpaw, for his mischief.

Osita Iheme’s journey from forming an iconic bromance with Chinedu Ikedieze in the early 2000s to getting recognised as one of the most popular actors in Africa is nothing short of inspiring.

With the release of their latest potential blockbuster, Aki and Pawpaw, set to hit big screens nationwide, Osita Iheme talks about his character’s immortalisation, his divine connection with Chinedu Ikedieze, and how he has since monetised his title as Africa’s meme king.

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How did you get into acting?

As you know, every information is out there.

A friend introduced me to acting. I auditioned and the rest is history.

In your early days, before Aki na Ukwa, what was it like getting movie roles, and what movie roles were you looking to get?

I didn’t try so hard to get movie roles. After my friend introduced me to the first movie that I did, some producers and directors that saw my performance felt that I did well and they appreciated it, so they started giving me roles.

Because they saw that ‘this peculiar guy is doing well and his performances are fantastic’, I started getting roles from recommendations.

Also, I was not asking for any role, in particular, they gave me characters that they thought suited me according to the script they’d written.

Your filmography is stacked - you’ve featured in over 100 movies. There was a transition though. You went from getting comedic child roles to being a multifaceted established actor. At what point did you decide to “rebrand?” And were you then turning down the child roles to favour the more mature gigs?

That is how it is meant to be because as an actor you are supposed to be versatile. Coming up in the industry, the producers decided to stereotype us with comedic roles and there were talks of “Oh it seems like he cannot do any other thing aside from comedy”. So at the time, we decided and said apart from this comedy, we can still do this and that, and then we started turning down some comedy scripts because we needed to evolve, to do something different so that people would know that we are so much more than just comedy. We are actors, we are versatile, we can do other things aside from comedy. So they started coming up with contemporary stories and we performed well. That is the job of an actor, to be able to interpret any character given to you, not just the one people know you with. That was what happened.

In the beginning, how difficult was your relationship with your colleagues, especially the ones who would want to disrespect you because of your newness in the industry and of course, your size?

No one tries to do that because firstly, they were like “these people are peculiar, they are different”, so I don’t think anyone had the impression to be disrespectful. Also, you have it in mind that people of this nature are not regular, you don’t see them always, they are not everywhere. So when you see someone like that, you have to just give them that respect, knowing that God created that person and they are peculiar. And because of the kind of person I am, I don’t put myself in the position to be disrespected or looked down on because of my nature. No, I don’t do that. The only difference between you and me is that you are probably taller than me, nothing else.

And everyone has someone taller than them, and that makes them shorter in comparison to that person. So there’s really no need to disrespect based on height and I’ve never been disrespected by my colleagues.

What is an average day like in the life of Osita Iheme?

When I wake up, the first thing I do is read my Bible because in whatever we do, God is the greatest, so I pray. After that, I do some morning exercise, eat my breakfast and get ready for the day. I attend to emails and keep an eye on controlling the business. In my leisure time, I read books and play football.

The legacy that Aki and Pawpaw have created cannot be overstated. You’ve gained the reputation as the king of memes in Africa.

How did it feel when you started to see your expressions throughout your career all over the internet?

I feel delighted. I know that I did something that people will always hold on to. When I was doing it, I did it for a long-term purpose like I said before. I did it so that when you see it, you will know that it was planned and I was born to do this. Those things come out naturally when I’m on set. So when I started seeing it all over the media I was like yeah it was a fantastic job that I did and I was expecting people to appreciate it. I was delighted and elated to see that people are appreciating it because I did the work well.

You have done the acting side of the job brilliantly. But oftentimes as we’ve seen in Nigeria, that is never enough, if we are going by the rate at which Nigerian legendary entertainers retire into poverty. You’ve taken a different route, however, trying to profit off the buzz through the launch of your NFTs. How else have you tried to take advantage of the social media attention surge?

As you said, I dropped the NFT. Also, I have other contents that I drop on social media - YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, to monetise the buzz on those channels. Get the platforms monetised so that when you drop the content, and people watch and appreciate it, you’ll get something. I try to take advantage of the buzz.

There’s a Pawpaw reaction for every mood.

The immortalisation of that character has been phenomenal. Did you enjoy any other character you’ve played in the past as much as you did Pawpaw?

You know I’ve done so many movies, and there are some of them that I enjoyed like the Pawpaw character.

I have some movies where I acted as a lawyer and I enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed Baby Police as well. Also, the

We felt no pressure. The 2002 script is different from what we have now. It is still the same person playing it, me, so I was not trying to outdo the performance, I was focusing on the current script, to perform what was right there in the script.

Then, Aki and Pawpaw were mischievous kids, right now, they’re grown and looking for survival, looking for a business to do in Lagos, so the performance is not the same.”

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER one you mentioned where I played a very rich guy, I enjoyed that a lot too.

Do you sometimes take elements from your real life into your role?

[Laughs] No, I don’t do that. I interpret the script given to me and then do improvisation and add one or two things in the movie. That is it. I don’t take any element from my real life [laughs]. But maybe I do and I don’t know. When I’m on set, I’m just the character.

Ramsey Nouah recently criticised the level of acting in Nollywood movies nowadays. What are your thoughts on that?

I think I support that. A lot of people coming into Nollywood only come to show off themselves. They’re just coming to say “I wanna be a star”, to use the platform to promote whatever they have aside from acting, not really looking deep into the business. When you watch them act, the character performance is not that deep. So that makes their performance have a lot of lapses.

Right now, a lot of these new actors want to grab onto that money, that fame, without following the nittygritty of the business.

He also blamed the directors...

What you also find in Nollywood is that the regulation is not that strong because somebody from nowhere can come and make a movie and call themselves a director just because they have the money. And then they start saying “Action!” This is why you see a lot of performances that aren’t right because a lot of people come into the hands of someone who doesn’t understand anything to do with movie direction.

Have you ever had a directorial role?

No, I’ve not directed a movie before.

It takes a lot to direct a movie because it is a major part of the production. You go through the script and interpret it first before the acting.

With the script, you are looking out for possible corrections and making sure there aren’t any lapses in the story. There’s a lot to do as a director, but these days, people just get a camera and start saying “Action! Cut! Action! Cut!” Also, when you don’t have a good director on set, it gives good actors problems because they won’t be given what they want.

In 2018, you revealed that you will eventually dabble into politics. Are we expecting to see your face on campaign posters for the next round of elections in 2023?

I won’t say yes or not but consultations are ongoing. It is still something that might happen in the near future.

Aki na Ukwa went on to create a legacy as one of the biggest Nollywood movies of all time. Did you think at the time that it would maintain this evergreen nature that it has almost 20 years later?

When you are doing whatever you’re doing, the mindset is for the long

Cover Story Images Courtesy of Playnetwork Studios and Filmone Entertainment Photographed by Tunde Talabi @tundetalabiimages Styled by Yolanda Fubara @yolandaokereke and Samuel Udeji @amdiddyy

The only difference between you and me is that you are probably taller than me, nothing else. And everyone has someone taller than them, and that makes them shorter in comparison to that person.” term. Especially with me, the way I do my thing, I look for the long-term purpose. I was positioning myself there for a long time that I would remain this way because it is something I want to do for my lifetime. I was not doing it for the short-term to maybe stop after some time, so I keep on being consistent, determined, and achieving what I want. We had to be optimistic that things would move well and we prepared ourselves for that.

Let’s talk about how Aki na Ukwa came to be. What was it like when you first met each other?

Yeah, it was lovely. It was a beautiful moment. I was staying in Aba, but I travelled to Enugu to look for a job. So when I got there, I saw Chinedu, he was like wow! And people around were looking at us as we shook hands. I’m sure it was a divine connection. We met, we looked alike and we both said “wow!” People kept looking at us and that was when the producer got the idea to cast two of us together in a movie. At the moment that the producer saw us, he first greeted me because he was meeting me for the first time; it was Chinedu he knew because they’ve been working together. He asked me one or two questions to get familiar and that was how he decided to create the Aki na Ukwa story.

You acted in so many movies together and quickly gained a reputation as the biggest duo in Nollywood. Why did you decide to then go on that break and take solo roles?

Actually, we didn’t decide to take solo roles. It was producers that decided to give us solo roles, maybe they felt like we’ve done a lot of things together and felt the need to differentiate us or capture us differently. We are here to make movies, to interpret any character. It also happens at times that the producers can’t foot the cost of production of having the both of us in the same movie or maybe either of us has a busy schedule, so they will choose to have just one of us. Sometimes producers experiment and decide to test the waters with just one of us to see what the market will be like. Overall, it wasn’t our decision, it was the producers’.

How would you describe your relationship with Chinedu Ikedieze?

Oh lovely. We started living together after the Aki na Ukwa movie and we did for over 10 years before maturity came in and we started having our separate families, that was when we then moved into our separate apartments. Despite that, we still see each other a lot, attend programmes together, we still do everything together, so the relationship is still intact. Like I told you earlier, it was a divine connection.

Aki and Pawpaw will be out on our screens on the 17th of December. Whose idea was it to get the boys back together for the remake?

We were doing a series together and along the series, we were contemplating doing a remake of this Aki and Pawpaw, even as we were going to locations for the series production. When a friend saw the series, he wanted to get us out of it to start shooting the remake. We told them that we have already entered into production for the series we were filming and everything had been put in place.

We (Chinedu and I) were thinking about it too, so we said “fine, let’s do it.” Then we first reached out to the wife of the producer who made the first one.

After that, we started making it.

Things are obviously very different now compared to 2002.

What are some of the things in the first movie that is now difficult to recreate?

Most of the things in the first movie such as the popular tyrant style of Aki and Pawpaw, we couldn’t recreate. We can’t bring back everything because Aki and Pawpaw have changed for so many years because people need to see the grown version and not go back some years. So there were some comic activities and mischievous nature that we couldn’t bring back because Aki and Pawpaw have passed that stage. They’ve outgrown it so we couldn’t bring them back.

Give us a sneak peek of what to expect.

You are going to expect a good performance from all the cast aside from Aki and Pawpaw. We have some wonderful actors on board. You should expect glamour, comedy, expect a lot of things. I don’t want to let it all out, so I hope you come out this December and see for yourself.

The remake is perhaps the most anticipated movie of 2021.

Most sequels are underwhelming in comparison to the original ideas. Did you feel any pressure to outdo 2002’s legendary performance with this production?

Not at all. We felt no pressure. The 2002 script is different from what we have now. It is still the same person playing it, me, so I was not trying to outdo the performance, I was focusing on the current script, to perform what was right there in the script.

Then, Aki and Pawpaw were mischievous kids, right now, they’re grown and looking for survival, looking for a business to do in Lagos, so the performance is not the same.

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THEWILL THEWILL DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN

VOL 28 –– DECEMBER DECEMBER 18, 04, 2021 2021 VOL 11 NO.42 NO.44 •• NOVEMBER DECEMBER 12

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Movie Review:

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

VENOM:

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

Playlist for the week

LET THERE BE CARNAGE

F

ull disclosure: I really did not like 2018’s Venom, this film’s predecessor. I found it silly, tonally inconsistent, and quite literally incomplete. Somehow that movie made $850 Million and the studio greenlit a sequel almost immediately. After three long years, the sequel, Venom: Let Be Carnage is here. Directed by motioncapture legend Andy Serkis, this film manages to be marginally better than the original, but that’s not really saying much.

The best things about this duology are the performances that Tom Hardy gives as the lead character Eddie ABrock and his symbiote, Venom. Tom Hardy is once again effervescent, lively and the dynamic between his character and Venom is just as good, if not better than the original film. Following the events of the first film, a rather chaotic detente has been formed between Eddie and Venom and the first 30 minutes are genuinely hilarious, with Venom’s dark humour contrasting well with Eddie’s

PAGE 12

more jittery personality.

At a brisk 90 minutes, you would think the film’s pacing would be snappy but the flick still meanders, not coming to life until the introduction of Cletus Kasady/ Carnage, an unctuous serial killer played by Woody Harrelson. His introduction is what kicks off the ‘plot’ of this movie but there’s really not a lot going on here. The circumstances around the creation of his symbiote, Carnage are lazy, and the resultant CGI-powered antics are severely limited by the film’s PG-13 rating.

The ‘Carnage’ advertised is little more than property damage. The action is at least much more coherent than the original, with credit going to frequent Martin Scorsese cinematographer, Robert Richardson.

Throughout, there are brief glimmers of a better film. In an early confrontation between Brock and Kasady — which the script bends over backward to accommodate — the convicted murderer gestures to our uncomfortable fascination with true-crime (“People love serial killers!”); there’s a striking animated sequence depicting the horrors of Kasady’s past; Peggy Lu’s scenestealing shopkeeper Mrs. Chen shows how fun Venom’s body-swapping conceit could be. But it’s frequently frustrating, too — the mega-talented Naomie Harris picks up the squandered-talent baton from Riz Ahmed as Kasady’s equally evil lover Frances; the very nature of Carnage is ill-defined; Williams’ Anne largely spends the final act gagged and bound in a box.

As with the original film, there are redeeming qualities to this film.

It’s genuinely funny at times, and up until the final 30 or so minutes I was fine with the film. However, the complete collapse of the film in the third act was borderline criminal. I really couldn’t care about what I was seeing and why should I? This entire film feels like a marginally better waste of time than the first one. Let There Be No More.

Rating: 3/10

Mayorkun_ Victony - Holy Father

Ruger - Dior

Timaya_ Buju - Cold Outside

Metro Boomin_ Gunna - Space Cadet (feat. Gunna)

Davido_ Focalistic - Champion Sound

Fave - Baby Riddim

Zarion Uti_ A.BEEB - new heart

Tame Impala - The Less I Know The Better

Rema - Soundgasm

Netflix Watch of the Week

Arcane

Black Sherif - Second Sermon

With their acclaimed series Castlevania and The Witcher, Netflix broke the video game adaptation curse that plagued Hollywood for years. But it seems the streamer is just getting started, as its new Arcane is a visually stunning animated effort that easily stands toe-to-toe with the medium’s most vaunted entries. More than just an eye-popping artistic achievement, though, it features the sort of nuanced characterizations, thoughtful storytelling, and rich world-building typically associated with big-budget, big-screen epics.

The series borrows heavily from the fantasy, steampunk, and sci-fi

genres, but none of it feels rehashed or phoned-in.

Even its central idea - of a utopian society oppressing the people literally living beneath them - manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily recycled premise.

And, ironically enough, its pulse-spiking action scenes and set pieces never come off like over-the-top video game sequences. It’s clear everything in Arcane has been crafted with the goal of making not only a great video game adaptation but a series that any fan

of compelling characters and absorbing storytelling can appreciate. To that point, you needn’t have played League of Legends - or any game at all, for that matter - to be pulled into this incredibly engaging world.

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN

Arise Fashion Week TAKES DUBAI

T

his year’s event had promised to be bigger and better than the ones that preceded it and it did that and more. For the first time, the colourful event was hosted at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The show sparked off with a speech by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo who represented the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari at the event that marked Nigeria’s Day at the Dubai Expo 2020.

Also in attendance were

the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, Segun Awolowo and world-renowned model, Naomi Campbell who is an advent supporter of The Arise Fashion Week project, Helen Prest- Ajayi, and many others.

It was not just a night for Nigeria and fashion, but for a launch of ARISE Play, the streaming platform from the THISDAY/ARISE Media Group dedicated to showing the best of African entertainment to the world.

THISDAY Publisher and

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Chairman of ARISE Media group, Nduka Obaigbena, also gave a speech on the platform’s goals and current achievements, expressing the need for a platform that aids in projecting the country’s reputable image.

The guests were treated to performances by The Koko Master and Senegalese American singer, Akon serenaded them with groovy tunes.

Without further ado, here are pictures of some of the guests.

up. rise Media Gro /A ay d is Th , er d Foun baigbena Prince Nduka O

and Ruth Osime Oniru

Bunmi Tejuosho, Larry Esi n, Roberta Calarse

baigbena

Efe and Eka O

Segun

Helen Prest Ajayi

Segun Awolowo

ayo

Otunba Niyi Adeb

efiele

CBN Governor , Godwin Em

Konye Nwabogor

Akon

Kwaghdo Enyi , Ikyuma Obaigbena , Mavir Taangahaa r

Dbanj Odion Oseni

ia Kiki Akwuku and Tan Omotayo

Mary Edoro

Lara Alfred

Afolabi Oseni an

d Muiz Banire

Segun Ogunsanya

PAGE 13

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

SPECIAL FEATURE

SASKAY’S

hypersonic shuttle from Big Brother house to runway

Deep-ebony Tsakute ‘Saskay’ Jonah has started out on a firm footing towards a new, organic identity – one that makes no reference to the short stint as a former Big Brother Naija housemate.

Already, she has received attention from stylish runway audiences who care to see fresh trends on display at the Lagos Fashion Week; and she is quite focused on launching an Afrocentric brand that would reel out everything that is good about the African continent for the world to see. In Saskay’s carefully curated artsy universe lies the desire to shoot beyond basic roles. With a massive Gen Z supporter base to lean on, she hopes to rise above difficult experiences that may cause her to fall. The outlook for the future has the model envisioning colourful milestones while keeping the momentum alive. Saskay, over a curious lens, reveals intrinsic yearnings she had groomed over time and the thirst to blossom in any endeavour.

She talks with DOWNTOWN’s Ayodele Johnson about her plans for the future.

PAGE 14

T

he feeling of endearment from fellow contestants you had built a bond with followed your exit from Big Brother’s house.

Did you feel a loss after your eviction in September?

As much as I went into the Big Brother house with the mindset of winning, I also considered myself a winner just making it into the house alone. I was able to show the viewers everything about me.

Everything I wanted the world to see, I was able to show.

If you had to compare timelines in your existence, what difference have you noticed between the duration which you applied to become a Big Brother housemate and now – close to three months after your eviction?

Yes, there are a lot of changes that I have noticed.

The most prominent one is my people’s relationship.

I have learnt to relate with and understand people more. That was something I struggled with a little before the house. That started a real change in me.

As a person, I have grown so much from Big Brother’s house. My experience showed me a different side to everything. I got to see people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I think I am a better person now.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE What pivotal milestone do you hope to record in five years?

I can’t say it is one event because it is a process for me. I think it is being able to move out of that role of being a Big Brother housemate. I want to grow out of that. In the next five years, when people talk about Saskay, they will hardly remember that she was a Big Brother housemate. Instead, it is the achievement in my modelling career, music, art, and other things they will see. I just want to move out of that box and create my identity away from that.

Is there still room for painting now that you are excelling exceptionally on the runway?

Of course, there is. In fact, through all my activities and modelling, I have been able to squeeze out time to work. I just finished one this morning but art is not something I want to really carry as a business.

Something about being creative is that it does not happen all the time. The moment you get inspired, then you create something.

If I say I will take art as a business, then it takes away the passion. What I want to do is, when I get inspired to create a piece, I will work. At the end of the day, if I feel like selling it, then it is fine. But art is not a business for me. It is a passion that I intend to continue.

What was going through your mind dancing down a Lagos Fashion Week runway?

I prepared my mind backstage to gather motivation. When I went up there, I didn’t look at people’s faces. I owned the runway – made it mine and enjoyed myself. I made sure to allow the audience to feel comfortable in what I was doing to also enjoy the show. It did go well.

Do you care that your fans felt told off by your comment asking them not to match you with any potential boyfriend?

I think if you love and support me, then you should trust my judgement to an extent. If I say I do not want this at this moment, someone who cares will understand that it is for the best. I don’t think my fans will feel any type of way. I think they will be happy to support my brand and see that I am focused.

What type of brand are you trying to create?

My brand is Afrocentric. I am here to push every good thing that comes out of Africa, especially when it is around art. When I say art, I mean music, dancing, modelling.

That is what I am focused on right now. To help the African talent to move beyond the continent and show the world all we have to offer.

Do you think you have built the maturity to navigate the pressure of the current boom in your career?

To be honest, I didn’t think there is ever a moment where you feel you have built enough maturity to navigate through pressure because you keep seeing things that will look new to you. I think you can never be strong enough no matter the time you have spent in the industry. It is more like a decision to push daily.

Deciding that every day you will wake up and get back on your feet irrespective of obstacles is what matters.

What other strengths are you trying to build besides modelling?

I will tell you something. I never really learnt how to draw or paint – I just started and I know obviously that I will need more training to do better. Besides that, music is also something that I am considering because I am a songwriter. Also, acting – I might just want to pursue a career in that.

Is it your intention to cater to learning as you grow?

To be honest, entertainment is not something I want for the rest of my life. It is a short-term plan. Maybe five to ten years and I will go back to school. I want to pursue a career in international security. I need to go back and do my studies on that.

What defines you in one word?

It is not one word but ‘I am everything and more’.

What do you want to tell your fans at this moment?

To my fans out there, I want to say thank you so much!

Trust me, I am grateful and appreciate everything you do for me. I want you to be patient with me and trust that I am actually putting in the work. I might make mistakes sometimes but don’t forget, I am also human. The most important thing is being able to accept those mistakes, make corrections if possible and move on. Thank you for still supporting me. I love you all.

PAGE 15

VOL 1 NO.44 • DECEMBER 12 – DECEMBER 18, 2021

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

SÓRÓSOKE FASHION DOWNTOWN

WALTER BANKS:

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Through his eyes It takes an unusual amount of talent and out-of-the-box thinking to pique the interest of music video director, TG Omori and a plethora of Nigerian music acts have already been strucked off Walter Banks’ wishlist. Although his glaring unique talent has caught the eye of many, it’s the absent-minded creativity behind these unconventional shots that makes him different. At first glance, these pictures look like regular photographs but when examined closely, his composition, subject placement, and ability to minimally distort and alter images prove they aren’t walk-in-park shots.

Walter Banks tells his journey and his self-taught knowledge in his craft through photography.

W

alter Banks is such a cool alias. Is that your real name?

Walter is my real name but Banks is a nickname I got when I was in secondary school because I just wanted something that could stand out, something people can hold on to. Plus Banks is catchy and easy to say.

How did it all begin for you and at what part of your life did you realise that capturing excellent stills and emotions was your calling?

I won’t lie it wasn’t easy because I came from a family of three, lost my dad at a very tender age, so it all started from church. I used to love taking pictures with my phone, well till the church got a camera. So, yeah I learnt on my own, I wasn’t taught by anyone just YouTube and practice. Also, it is not just about taking pictures it’s about being different cause I want to change the mindset of people. You can create pictures in different ways,

PAGE 16

I hate being restricted to just taking normal pictures, I go the extra mile to create something people have never seen. I will say it’s definitely not easy being different from anyone.

In your line of work, how important is getting that big break, and what is your big break story?

I would say the first time I shot TG Omori. He doesn’t like basic concepts so I needed to come up with something sick. We shot in a studio and I did a crazy manipulation that blew his mind. He was expecting a normal studio picture but I did something different and gave it an Asian feel. I think that was my big break. After that, I started attracting other people like Joeboy, Fireboy, Badboy Timz, Ckay, Phyno, Olamide, and so many other people that started looking to work with me.

What is one thing you wished you had known venturing into photography but you had to learn the hard way?

Retouching was something I wish I knew about earlier on because it’s actually really complex and I had to learn the hard way. I’m self-taught. I had to use YouTube to learn everything. I didn’t know skin retouching could be very tricky, so sometimes, I have to watch it again and again. Another thing was finding dope locations because I’m always looking to do things outside the box and sometimes people make location scouting difficult but I always find a way around it.

Not everyone knows exactly what to do in front of a lens, as a photographer with a unique eye, how are you able to get a result both parties are content with?

It’s hard because sometimes when you get on set and you’re about to take pictures, you don’t always get what you are expecting so you have to be flexible and always have a plan B. Sometimes I’ll have to research and find ways to spice it up during post edit because I like to keep my pictures clean and classy. It always needs to have the Walter Banks vibe.

In what ways have those who have done it before you influenced your thinking, photographing, and career path?

Honestly, I don’t have a lot of Nigerian photographers that I look up to because they don’t do anything out of the box. The only person’s career that inspires and influences me is TG Omori because he has a different level of creativity and is on the next level. He is in more ways than one, different from every other director. He’s unique in so many ways.

Can you tell me precisely what you want your photographs to say, and how do you get them to accomplish that?

My mission is to have an edge that makes them stand out because I’m focused on lifestyle photography. When I take pictures, I already know that I want them to be distinctively distinguishable so I work on the composition of the photo and do necessary editing to get the perfect results.

In your photography, are there any technologies/software/camera gear that helps you keep focused on what you do best?

I feel cameras are just cameras, they don’t make the photos; it’s the lenses and the photographer handling it that makes for great photos. I can use any camera; I don’t restrict myself to just one but, I’m more proficient with Sony.

Considering the country you’ve found yourself in, what fuels you to keep taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually, or emotionally?

I’m motivated by life, things happening around me, and how I’m feeling.

In the grand scheme of things, who is that one person you want to shoot, that would do it for you?

That’ll be Wizkid because he has a delightful vibe, he understands posing, and has nice skin so it’ll be stress-free. I’ll just need to give him the right aesthetic. I’d also like to shoot Davido, A$AP Rocky, and Luka Sabbat.

As far as photography goes, how sustainable do you think it is as a profession in Nigeria?

Photography is more like a lifestyle to me, I find myself doing it as a profession because it’s good money. I love what I do and that fuels me.

How do you keep evolving and growing as a creative?

I love to research and experience different lifestyles and that helps me grow as a creator. I hate being restricted and I always find a way to make things happen. Photography is all about exploring and thinking because to bring up fresh ideas you need to open your mind to new possibilities.