NEW OONI OF IFE CROWNED

Photos: See Prominent Faces At Coronation Of New Ooni Of Ife Today https://t.co/G2bS2sMXY3 #OoniCoronation pic.twitter.com/5Xp24oO98O

— Naij.com (@naijcom) December 7, 2015

Today was the formal coronation of the 51^st Ooni of Ife; Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.  The splendorous ceremony was held at the Palace Square in the ancient city of Ife, Osun State and attended by Nigeria’s elite, which included the Vice President of Nigeria; Vice president Yemi Osinbanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar IV; Governor Akinwunmi Amode- current governor of Lagos- former governor of Lagos state; Bola Ahmed Tinubu and several Nigerian artistes.

The new Ooni, looking regal in his royal robes, made a speech after giving the staff of Office by the Osun State Governor; Governor Aregbesola and watching him speak with so much sincerity and charm, it’s no wonder he was chosen as late Oba Sijuade’s successor. Sincerity and commitment are two main virtues of any ruler and that is what his majesty has. Like he said, this is a new dawn for Ife and I wish him a long and prosperous reign. 

Built in 1930 by the 49th Ooni - Oba Aderemi, will be the new home of the 51st Ooni - Oba Ogunwusi. #Oonicoronation pic.twitter.com/ANmyNWkBt6

— Oluwatomi (@torioke) December 7, 2015

ACTOR ANTHONY VALENTINE PASSES ON

On the 2^nd of December, 2015; English actor Anthony Valentine passed away after living with Parkinson’s disease for several years. He was 76. The news shocked me because on that very day I was watching a few videos of a show he starred in many years ago and afterwards researched the cast members to see what they’ve been up to since then.

Valentine played a notable antagonist in the 1980s British T.V series Robin of Sherwood, the sinister sorcerer and devil worshipper Baron De Belleme; who sought Lady Marion’s (Judi Trott) hand in marriage from her guardians but in actually wanted to sacrifice her. My brothers and I loved that series as children so we remember just how scared we were of that particular character from the moment we saw him. But that’s just to show what a brilliant actor Valentine was; I believe it takes more hard work and effort to play a villain than a hero and Valentine played it very well.

In Robin of Sherwood, Valentine had a presence from his  very first scene, slowly moving across the room like a serpent as he listened to a bewitched Little John’s (Clive Mantle)  prophecy of “the hooded man, Herne’s son” seeking the silver’s arrow and the “Master”  demanding the sacrifice of a young virgin (Marion). He spoke in a quiet, cold voice; only raising his voice occasionally; even the hot tempered Sheriff of Nottingham(Nikolas Grace), his brother Hugo (Phillip Jackson) and Sir Gisburne (late Robert Addie) were intimidated by him. 

 And the part where Robin Hood (Michael Praed) stabs him in the stomach, he let out the most terrifying scream we ever heard; I  can never forget that scream in a million years! It was so realistic we even had to cover our ears as we watched that death scene; I’m yet to see another actor scream like that. 

Valentine starred in other T.V shows which included the World War II drama series Colditz. 

"MUST SEE" MOVIES IN 2016

Nia Vardalos and John Corbett starred in the 2002 romantic comedy; My Big Fat Greek Wedding about a  Greek woman who fell in love with a handsome American school teacher, much to the dismay of her father (Michael Constantine) as Ian Miller was not the full blooded Greek boy he hoped Toula would marry someday. Ian's determination to be accepted by Toula's family and the cultural clash between the Millers and the Portokalos made the movie even more hilarious. My favorite scene was when Toula's brother Nick and their cousin Angelo tricked Ian into saying something very funny: 

However all well that ends well; the movie ending on a happy note for Toula and Ian after all. Which was a relief because Toula's family drove the couple so crazy I envisioned Ian eventually running away screaming! But no, the wedding went well and the last scene- in a several years later jump- showed Toula and Ian escorting their little daughter Paris to Greek school. 
In 2003, there was a T.V continuation of the movie; the  CBS sitcom; My Big Fat Greek Life; but sadly short-lived  as it was cancelled after 7 episodes. As it opened with Toula (actually her name was changed to Nia, the actress' real name) and Ian (changed to Thomas and now played by Steven Eckholdt) coming back from their honeymoon, their daughter Paris was not featured. However, there were a few notable guest stars while it lasted- veteran actor John Aniston  and International composer, Yanni. And personally, while I liked the sitcom, the movie was a lot better and I really don't see why Toula and Ian's names were changed and why Toula remained working at the restaurant instead of Aunt Voula's travel agency like in the movie. 

Now on March 25 next year, we are going to be treated to My Big Fat Greek Life 2; hence we are to brace ourselves for another wedding, besides witnessing Paris Miller's own struggles with her loud and interfering (but well meaning) family. OH... we must definitely brace ourselves!

The other movie to watch out for is RISEN, directed by Kevin Reynolds, a movie about Jesus Christ but with a different approach; instead of another screen reenactment of   his birth  or the crucifixion ; the move depicts the aftermath of the Resurrection. 
Joseph Fiennes  (Shakespeare In Love, Elizabeth)  and Tom Felton (Harry Potter 1-7, Belle)  play Clavius and Lucius- a Roman centurion and his aide who are ordered by Pilate to  find Yeshua's (Jesus Christ) body after it disappeared from the tomb and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.  As this story is told in the perspective of a non believer for once; this is sure to be a gripping movie, for once it deals with the later events instead of events before the crucifixion and centered on a main character whose outlook will be changed forever. 

 RISEN will be released on January 2016.

IN LOVING MEMORY: PAUL WALKER REMEMBERED

Tyrese Gibson remembers Paul Walker on anniversary of his death: 'It's still not easy': https://t.co/LNQghPOKeN ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iRtKWWwm4J

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) November 30, 2015

Two years ago today, the world received a terrible shock at the news of Paul Walker's death from a ghastly car crash. The American actor who was 40 at the time of his death was notable for appearing alongside Vin Diesel and then later Tyrese Gibson as the character Brian Conner in The Fast & The Furious and  its sequels (except for The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift).
Walker also appeared  in the 1999 teen movie- She's All That- and several other movies including The Skulls, Flags of Our Fathers, The Lazarus Project and Vehicle 19. Furious 7 was his final movie.

Vin Diesel honors Paul Walker on anniversary of his death: 'You will always be my brother': https://t.co/uCWzyjmFHd pic.twitter.com/uINudNloGa

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) November 30, 2015

Paul Walker is greatly missed; not only for his versatile acting skills on the big screen but  for his charity work; he was the founder of the charity organisation "Reach Out World Wide" (ROWW) which provides relief  efforts for areas struck by natural disasters. His family, past colleagues and fans of course will always remember him at his best.
May he continue to rest in peace.

ADELE DOES IT AGAIN!

Adele's '25' debuts at No. 1 with record-smashing sales: https://t.co/peFgpOWaeb 👏 pic.twitter.com/oqRI1OIUwH

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) November 29, 2015 

Again English pop singer  Adele has proven she's a  force to be reckoned with as her new album  reaches Number 1. '25' was released on the 20th of this month, 2015; hence for it to make reach the very top within just a week of its release is an astounding achievement.
And why not, from the moment 25's first track 'Hello' flows from the speakers, the listeners are no doubt spellbound by her powerful, soulful  voice,the soft piano chords  and words of the song which has a deeply moving nostalgic tone.
I've always felt that Adele sings from the heart and her music definitely speaks to me. From the moment I first heard her version of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love from her debut album '19'  and later, the James Bond movie soundtrack, Skyfall- I became an Adele fan.  'Set Fire To The Rain' from her previous album '21' (which won 6 Grammy Awards in 2012) is constantly played in my smartphone because she's simply a very talented singer, her songs besides aforementioned beautiful and filled with meaning.
Will there be another album after this one? If there's going to be, I've no doubt Adele will again shine even more than she's done with 19, 21 and now 25.
 So to Adele, a very hearty and well deserved congratulations!

NIGERIA PLUS SIZE BEAUTIES PROJECT: PLUS SIZE STILL IN!!!

Speaking with Adebowale Victor Ojo a.k.a Mr G’Clef d Impresario; Model, Wardrobe Adviser, Poise Coach and football analyst- he discussed his current venture, The Nigeria Plus Size Beauties Project.

“The project entails creating job opportunities for plus size women, organising a booth camp, creating a tourist club and a thousand march for plus size females. I want plus size females to get their groove, job, marriage, etc. back and appreciate who they are more ‘cause beauty doesn’t have a particular shape. African women are blessed with amazing curvy shape which is globally envied.”  He explained.

 With this venture, plus size ladies out there should emerge self-confident and assured that they are beautiful after all and say, ‘I’m curvy and I love myself!’ 

To see more details of G' Clef's project, "like" his page on Facebook. 

REVIEW: THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI'S WIVES

Lola Shoneyin’s (daughter in law of Nigerian Nobel Laurete, Professor Wole Soyinka) debut novel is an example of social realism and I was taken in by the story from page one.