Last weekend, Vanguard newspaper published a story
about Omotola saying she had been tempted countless times to cheat on her hubby
only for Omotola to quickly take to Twitter and deny granting the newspaper an
interview in years.
about Omotola saying she had been tempted countless times to cheat on her hubby
only for Omotola to quickly take to Twitter and deny granting the newspaper an
interview in years.
Well, the reporter who published the interview is pissed off at
Omotola for denying the story and has released a statement to set the records straight.
Omotola for denying the story and has released a statement to set the records straight.
Last week, I published on this page some excerpts of an
interview that Omotola Jalade Ekeinde granted my New York based newspaper, The
Diaspora Star in December 2009.
The interview, though done some years ago, was still relevant
and current- (the kind of interviews that have no time-limit or currency.) She,
however, did not deny that the said interview did take place and that some
other excerpts of the same interview were published in The Diaspora Star, which
she had read when it was first published.
interview that Omotola Jalade Ekeinde granted my New York based newspaper, The
Diaspora Star in December 2009.
The interview, though done some years ago, was still relevant
and current- (the kind of interviews that have no time-limit or currency.) She,
however, did not deny that the said interview did take place and that some
other excerpts of the same interview were published in The Diaspora Star, which
she had read when it was first published.
I first met Omotola in 2008 or thereabout, when her then
manager-Jim Bass, asked me to help promote her in North America. Omotola had a
musical performance at Lehman College, the Bronx, as part of an event that was
put together by former Beauty Queen and Nollywood actress, Regina Askia.
Because I was her big fan and was proud of what she was doing, I agreed to help
promote her in the media.
manager-Jim Bass, asked me to help promote her in North America. Omotola had a
musical performance at Lehman College, the Bronx, as part of an event that was
put together by former Beauty Queen and Nollywood actress, Regina Askia.
Because I was her big fan and was proud of what she was doing, I agreed to help
promote her in the media.
We were formally introduced at that occasion by her then
manager, Jim Bass. Since then, Omotola and I struck a very professional
relationship and in 2009, during another of her visits to New York for the
premier of an HIV/AIDS movie produced by Nollywood actress and producer,
Chisom, I helped alongside her then manager, Jim Bass, organize a meet -and
-greet session for her at the popular Nigerian watering hole-Tropical Grill, a
restaurant and lounge that is located about ten minutes away from JFK Airport
and has played host to many prominent Nigerians including former president
Obasanjo. My friend, Ms. Bola Jawo, the owner of that restaurant agreed to give
us the hall free, to host Omotola. Ms. Jawo can authenticate this.
manager, Jim Bass. Since then, Omotola and I struck a very professional
relationship and in 2009, during another of her visits to New York for the
premier of an HIV/AIDS movie produced by Nollywood actress and producer,
Chisom, I helped alongside her then manager, Jim Bass, organize a meet -and
-greet session for her at the popular Nigerian watering hole-Tropical Grill, a
restaurant and lounge that is located about ten minutes away from JFK Airport
and has played host to many prominent Nigerians including former president
Obasanjo. My friend, Ms. Bola Jawo, the owner of that restaurant agreed to give
us the hall free, to host Omotola. Ms. Jawo can authenticate this.
At the event, Omnotola was so impressed by the huge
turnout of fans and our friendship deepened. It was at that event that I asked
her for an interview that was going to be different- where emphasis was going
to be placed on her private life, her marriage and other angles that the media
had not explored. She has told me exultantly:
turnout of fans and our friendship deepened. It was at that event that I asked
her for an interview that was going to be different- where emphasis was going
to be placed on her private life, her marriage and other angles that the media
had not explored. She has told me exultantly:
“Thank God, this is going to be different form all those
generic questionnaires I have been used to, from Nigerian journalists”.
generic questionnaires I have been used to, from Nigerian journalists”.
The next day, in the company of my two daughters, Ekaete
Bukola and Uduak Temitope Udoh respectively, (my daughters , Ekaete who has
already graduated from college and will be starting her law school in the
spring 2015 and Uduak who is a freshman in college are huge Omotola’s fans and
had told me they will not forgive me, if I didn’t take them along to see their
idol), I drove to Yonkers- a distance of about 30 minutes from New York City,
and the said interview took place right there in her room at the Holiday Inn.
It was a meeting of two friends and I remember her even jokingly telling me not
to take pictures because she just woke up and “looked a mess”. We all laughed
and told her she was as beautiful as ever.
Bukola and Uduak Temitope Udoh respectively, (my daughters , Ekaete who has
already graduated from college and will be starting her law school in the
spring 2015 and Uduak who is a freshman in college are huge Omotola’s fans and
had told me they will not forgive me, if I didn’t take them along to see their
idol), I drove to Yonkers- a distance of about 30 minutes from New York City,
and the said interview took place right there in her room at the Holiday Inn.
It was a meeting of two friends and I remember her even jokingly telling me not
to take pictures because she just woke up and “looked a mess”. We all laughed
and told her she was as beautiful as ever.
Since then, I have done other stories on Omotola and she has
regularly sought my help in helping tamp down negative situations that arose
about her. When in 2011, a picture surfaced on the internet showing a man with
his hands firmly grabbing her butt, and it sparked a media frenzy on the state
of her marriage, with most accusing her of cheating on her husband, it was me
and my news paper-The Diaporan Star that she ran to, to help debunk that
story.
regularly sought my help in helping tamp down negative situations that arose
about her. When in 2011, a picture surfaced on the internet showing a man with
his hands firmly grabbing her butt, and it sparked a media frenzy on the state
of her marriage, with most accusing her of cheating on her husband, it was me
and my news paper-The Diaporan Star that she ran to, to help debunk that
story.
Not only did she grant me an interview, she also
made me speak with her husband, who had stoutly defended her. That interview
finally put a lid on that scandal and is all over the social media. I reproduce
below, that interview and her confirmation of the initial 2009 interview that
she denied was ever granted. This is how The Diasporan Star edition
of May 2011, reported the story:
made me speak with her husband, who had stoutly defended her. That interview
finally put a lid on that scandal and is all over the social media. I reproduce
below, that interview and her confirmation of the initial 2009 interview that
she denied was ever granted. This is how The Diasporan Star edition
of May 2011, reported the story:
In our last edition, we did a cover story which was titled
“Omotola in the eye of the storm! Husband angry over butt-grabbing photo at the
Grammys…Why she apologized.”
“Omotola in the eye of the storm! Husband angry over butt-grabbing photo at the
Grammys…Why she apologized.”
The story centered around the rumors then spreading all over
the world about the state of marriage of Omotola-by far, one of the most
visible and popular stars in the Nollywood firmament following a butt-grabbing
incident by her escort at the 2011 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles-an event that
had Omotola, as the first Nollywood star to ever walk the Red Carpet at the
star-studded event.
The picture had elicited wild rumors and innuendoes – with some speculating
that her relationship with the guy, whose hands was on her backside, had more
to it than meets the eye.
the world about the state of marriage of Omotola-by far, one of the most
visible and popular stars in the Nollywood firmament following a butt-grabbing
incident by her escort at the 2011 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles-an event that
had Omotola, as the first Nollywood star to ever walk the Red Carpet at the
star-studded event.
The picture had elicited wild rumors and innuendoes – with some speculating
that her relationship with the guy, whose hands was on her backside, had more
to it than meets the eye.
Some had openly stated she was playing games with her
marital vows.
We had reported in the same article our inability to get Omotola to state her
own side of the story, since she was shooting a movie in Ghana. We had, however
relied on close sources to piece together our facts which provided the
background to our story.
marital vows.
We had reported in the same article our inability to get Omotola to state her
own side of the story, since she was shooting a movie in Ghana. We had, however
relied on close sources to piece together our facts which provided the
background to our story.
A few days after the story hit the newsstands, I received a
call from Omotola, who expressed the desire to finally speak on the issue. “I
am now going to use this platform to put this issue to rest once and for all.”
Omotola went on to add that “people have insinuated all kinds of things and
read numerous meaning to what was nothing but an innocuous picture taken of me
and a member of my new management team at the Grammys. The picture was an
innocent one, signifying nothing.
call from Omotola, who expressed the desire to finally speak on the issue. “I
am now going to use this platform to put this issue to rest once and for all.”
Omotola went on to add that “people have insinuated all kinds of things and
read numerous meaning to what was nothing but an innocuous picture taken of me
and a member of my new management team at the Grammys. The picture was an
innocent one, signifying nothing.
I have been married to my husband for 15 years now, and I
say this loud and clear that I have never cheated on him, and would never do so
ever! Remember I said in an interview I granted you in 2009, that yes, I have
been tempted numerous times to violate my marital vows, but I have always
resisted the temptation to do anything that would bring dishonor to my marriage
and my children. If I told you – as a popular actress that we have not been
tempted, I would be lying to you. But should one sacrifice all what one has
built, nurtured and worked hard to establish just because you want to indulge
in some ill-motivated affair? No. I don’t believe in that. I count myself
blessed to have married a perfect gentleman, a man who has supported me
throughout my years in the industry, and is still there, as a rock of
Gibraltar. My husband is a rare find, and no amount of temptation will ever
make me cheat on him.
say this loud and clear that I have never cheated on him, and would never do so
ever! Remember I said in an interview I granted you in 2009, that yes, I have
been tempted numerous times to violate my marital vows, but I have always
resisted the temptation to do anything that would bring dishonor to my marriage
and my children. If I told you – as a popular actress that we have not been
tempted, I would be lying to you. But should one sacrifice all what one has
built, nurtured and worked hard to establish just because you want to indulge
in some ill-motivated affair? No. I don’t believe in that. I count myself
blessed to have married a perfect gentleman, a man who has supported me
throughout my years in the industry, and is still there, as a rock of
Gibraltar. My husband is a rare find, and no amount of temptation will ever
make me cheat on him.
So the notion or the rumor that my haters and nay sayers
have spread to the effect that the guy at the Grammys was my boyfriend, is
ludicrous to say the least. If I wanted to cheat on my husband, would I do that
in the open? Would I advertise my boyfriend for everyone to see and at such a
public function? Just analyze that logically – would that be a commonsensical
thing to do?
have spread to the effect that the guy at the Grammys was my boyfriend, is
ludicrous to say the least. If I wanted to cheat on my husband, would I do that
in the open? Would I advertise my boyfriend for everyone to see and at such a
public function? Just analyze that logically – would that be a commonsensical
thing to do?
This rumor is really a sick one and I’m offended. My husband
is my soul-mate and I will never soil or put that trust in jeopardy – no matter
what and the extent of the temptation. It is not worth it.” (At this point, she
handed the phone to her husband).
is my soul-mate and I will never soil or put that trust in jeopardy – no matter
what and the extent of the temptation. It is not worth it.” (At this point, she
handed the phone to her husband).
My wife is no flirt – Husband
It was obvious from the manner Mr. Ekeinde sounded, that he was pained and
frustrated by all the unfounded rumors about his wife’s glorious outing at the
Grammys.
It was obvious from the manner Mr. Ekeinde sounded, that he was pained and
frustrated by all the unfounded rumors about his wife’s glorious outing at the
Grammys.
My brother, I am very proud of my wife’s accomplishments and
I join other well wishers and millions of her fans to toast her success. I’m a
little surprised that instead of Nigerians celebrating her appearance at the
Grammys and her, being the first Nollywood star to walk the red carpet; they
are busy spreading tales and rumors that do not exist.
I join other well wishers and millions of her fans to toast her success. I’m a
little surprised that instead of Nigerians celebrating her appearance at the
Grammys and her, being the first Nollywood star to walk the red carpet; they
are busy spreading tales and rumors that do not exist.
Truth be told, I was not angry with my wife when I saw the
picture. Why should I be? I know who I married, how self-respecting she is and
also the nature of her industry. She is an actress for God’s sake, and it is
not out of place for actresses to appear in scenes that may look a little out
of place for a married person.
picture. Why should I be? I know who I married, how self-respecting she is and
also the nature of her industry. She is an actress for God’s sake, and it is
not out of place for actresses to appear in scenes that may look a little out
of place for a married person.
The key thing is that my wife respects her marital status,
and in our 15 year marriage, she has been the best woman any man could aspire
to have. In spite of her stardom, at home, she is my wife. She cooks for me,
takes care of the home and above all, is a great mother to our lovely
children.
and in our 15 year marriage, she has been the best woman any man could aspire
to have. In spite of her stardom, at home, she is my wife. She cooks for me,
takes care of the home and above all, is a great mother to our lovely
children.
I sincerely would implore her fans not to buy into rumors
and speculations about her marital life, because I, the husband the one that is
lucky to have her as my wife is so proud of her and I continue to thank God for
bringing her into my life. I could never have asked for a better wife than her”
Mr. Ekeinde a commercial airline pilot had concluded.
and speculations about her marital life, because I, the husband the one that is
lucky to have her as my wife is so proud of her and I continue to thank God for
bringing her into my life. I could never have asked for a better wife than her”
Mr. Ekeinde a commercial airline pilot had concluded.
Now, let me address the point she made that she did
not grant an interview to Vanguard.
not grant an interview to Vanguard.
About six weeks ago, I became a columnist in this newspaper,
and since one of the planks of this column rests on popular culture, I have
been publishing AUTHENTIC AND CREDIBLE interviews that I have had with leading
personalities over the years. There is no ethical kerfuffle involved with this
practice.
and since one of the planks of this column rests on popular culture, I have
been publishing AUTHENTIC AND CREDIBLE interviews that I have had with leading
personalities over the years. There is no ethical kerfuffle involved with this
practice.
A writer or journalist who did an interview with a given
subject can use same interview in any other credible media platform of his
choosing, as long as the said INTERVIEW WAS PROPERLY CONDUCTED AND THE STORY IS
REPORTED ACCURATELY.
subject can use same interview in any other credible media platform of his
choosing, as long as the said INTERVIEW WAS PROPERLY CONDUCTED AND THE STORY IS
REPORTED ACCURATELY.
That was what I did, with the Omotola story. She granted me
an interview, and I am now a columnist with Vanguard newspaper, a credible and easily
one of the leading mainstream newspapers in Nigeria, and I decided to use the
story, with my byline boldly displayed, which should suffice. Her story is not
the first I had done along this line, which I may add, is a universally adopted
practice by journalists all over the world. Journalists are free to syndicate
their stories in whatever medium or platform they deem fit.
an interview, and I am now a columnist with Vanguard newspaper, a credible and easily
one of the leading mainstream newspapers in Nigeria, and I decided to use the
story, with my byline boldly displayed, which should suffice. Her story is not
the first I had done along this line, which I may add, is a universally adopted
practice by journalists all over the world. Journalists are free to syndicate
their stories in whatever medium or platform they deem fit.
For three weeks, I ran an interview I did with Her
Excellency, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, the beautiful and erudite Nigerian
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain last year in her home, in Enugu. When I did
the interview, I was not yet a columnist with Sunday Vanguard, but I exercised
my editorial judgment and used it to flag off this column.
When the interview ran in Sunday Vanguard, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu
had called me while I was on a quick trip to South Beach, Miami, Florida about
three weeks ago, to commend me on the interview and even told me she
couldn’t get a copy of Sunday Vangaurd in the entire Eastern states because the
paper had sold out.
Excellency, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, the beautiful and erudite Nigerian
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain last year in her home, in Enugu. When I did
the interview, I was not yet a columnist with Sunday Vanguard, but I exercised
my editorial judgment and used it to flag off this column.
When the interview ran in Sunday Vanguard, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu
had called me while I was on a quick trip to South Beach, Miami, Florida about
three weeks ago, to commend me on the interview and even told me she
couldn’t get a copy of Sunday Vangaurd in the entire Eastern states because the
paper had sold out.
She called me from New York where she had gone for a
socio-cultural event and I told her that I was now doing a column in Sunday
Vanguard and she wished, me well. Mrs. Ojukwu did not deny the interview on the
account that the said interview was not meant to have been published in
this paper, she knew that the interview had the full complement of my integrity
and professional bonafides, and was happy for me.
socio-cultural event and I told her that I was now doing a column in Sunday
Vanguard and she wished, me well. Mrs. Ojukwu did not deny the interview on the
account that the said interview was not meant to have been published in
this paper, she knew that the interview had the full complement of my integrity
and professional bonafides, and was happy for me.
In the weeks to come, I will use other exclusive details of
interviews I did with other popular figures in our politics and pop culture
worlds on these pages.
interviews I did with other popular figures in our politics and pop culture
worlds on these pages.
Omotola is my friend and even at this very strange moment of
our friendship, I will still count her as a good
friend. She has been a great ambassador of our arts and a role model for
millions of women and I will not excoriate or eviscerate her, even though I am
so massively tempted to get REAL ANGRY and to use the American street slang
“wild-out” but I will hold my fire for NOW.
our friendship, I will still count her as a good
friend. She has been a great ambassador of our arts and a role model for
millions of women and I will not excoriate or eviscerate her, even though I am
so massively tempted to get REAL ANGRY and to use the American street slang
“wild-out” but I will hold my fire for NOW.
I count myself as one of the standard bearers of this genre
of journalism and thus, acutely aware of ethical issues and concerns. So I take
ethics and professional conduct very seriously. I have preached this to all the
reporters and journalists who have passed through my tutelage and I will continue
to hold aloft the ideals, values , ethos and ethics of our profession.
of journalism and thus, acutely aware of ethical issues and concerns. So I take
ethics and professional conduct very seriously. I have preached this to all the
reporters and journalists who have passed through my tutelage and I will continue
to hold aloft the ideals, values , ethos and ethics of our profession.
Let me also add here that not only do I hold a bachelors
degree in journalism, I also hold bachelors and masters degrees in political
science, where I was the Best Overall Graduating student of my class of 2006,
International Relations at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New
York. I have an acute sense of right and wrong and have mentored hundreds of
journalists who today, are publishers, editors, top op-ed writers commissioners
of information, special advisers and corporate affairs heads of several
agencies.
degree in journalism, I also hold bachelors and masters degrees in political
science, where I was the Best Overall Graduating student of my class of 2006,
International Relations at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New
York. I have an acute sense of right and wrong and have mentored hundreds of
journalists who today, are publishers, editors, top op-ed writers commissioners
of information, special advisers and corporate affairs heads of several
agencies.
I will continue to do this, as long as the good Lord gives
me the strength to do so!
me the strength to do so!