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Jade Osiberu Praises Joke Silva for Crucial Isoken Support

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Jade Osiberu

Jade Osiberu praises Joke Silva for backing her during a funding pitch for debut film Isoken, highlighting women who supported her career journey

Nigerian filmmaker Jade Osiberu, founder of Greoh Studios and director of several Nollywood hits, has revealed that veteran actress Joke Silva played a decisive role in helping her secure funding for her debut feature film Isoken.

Also read: Jade Osiberu Welcomes First Child at 40

Osiberu made the revelation on Monday in an Instagram post reflecting on the women who supported her professional journey.

The filmmaker shared the story shortly after speaking at an International Women’s Day event where she discussed the impact of female mentors and advocates throughout her career.

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The filmmaker said Silva intervened during a pitch session organised by the Bank of Industry’s NollyFund programme when Osiberu was seeking a loan to produce Isoken.

According to Osiberu, several male members of the panel initially dismissed the project as unrealistic.

Silva, however, spoke in support of the proposal and ensured that Osiberu was shortlisted for funding.

“Joke Silva was the only female on the NollyFund panel when I was pitching for a loan to make my first film, Isoken,” Osiberu wrote.

“When a number of the men on the panel dismissed my plans as idealistic, Aunty J spoke up for me and ensured I was shortlisted to get the funding. I ended up being one of only a handful of filmmakers who paid back that loan.”

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Osiberu used the moment to celebrate women who have opened doors for her career.

The filmmaker also highlighted the influence of her former corporate supervisor, Lola Odedina, whom Osiberu described as her first professional champion during her banking career.

Osiberu recalled that Odedina once arranged a meeting with the managing director of GTBank to allow Osiberu pitch the idea for Ndani TV directly, a gesture the filmmaker described as a powerful boost to her confidence.

Another deeply personal moment in the reflection involved Osiberu’s mother, who offered her home as collateral for the loan used to finance Isoken.

The filmmaker said the sacrifice remains one of the most emotional memories of her early career, noting the risk her mother took to support the project.

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Osiberu also acknowledged collaborators who have contributed to her more recent success, including colleagues who helped facilitate a landmark agreement with Prime Video for her production company, Greoh Studios.

That partnership led to the release of Gangs of Lagos in 2023, the first Nigerian original film distributed on the streaming platform.

The deal formed part of a three year arrangement to produce original films and series.

Osiberu began her career in banking before transitioning into media, working with Ndani TV.

The filmmaker later moved into film production, directing and producing titles including Isoken, Sugar Rush, Brotherhood and Gangs of Lagos.

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Released in 2017, Isoken marked Osiberu’s feature film debut and established the director as one of the most influential female voices in contemporary Nollywood.

Also read: ‘Gangs of Lagos’ Director Jáde Osiberu on Making Nigeria’s First Gangster Epic

Reflecting on the journey, Osiberu described the encouragement she received from women across different stages of her career as a transformative force that shaped her path in the film industry.

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Entertainment

My Wife Knew About Actresses I Dated, Says Yinka Quadri

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Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.

The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.

Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.

“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.

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He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.

“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.

The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.

“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.

Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.

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Prioritise Talent Over Social Media, Fisayo Abebi Tells Young Actors

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Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.

“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.

She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.

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“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.

The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.

She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.

Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.

“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.

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She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.

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Regina Daniels Spent Months In Wheelchair Due To Health Issues

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Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.

The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”

Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.

“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.

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She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.

“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.

According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”

“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.

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“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.

Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.

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