Business
‘I’ll be the First Nigerian actress to feature in Hollywood’ – Nkechi Emmanuel AKA Nurse Titi
Q – How would you describe stardom and to what extent would you say clinic matters has helped you?
A- clinic matters has really helped me in every area of my life; career wise, it has boasted my career, it has boosted my career, it has open doors for me in nollywood,it has given me opportunities to work with better people in the industry and through that channel, they’ve been able to believe in me and in what I can deliver and give me the opportunity to do other jobs. Clinic matters was the last audition I attended, after that, I’ve just been getting my roles. I can’t even remember the last time I went for a table casting, all I do is receive call to pick a script and see if I like the story, I go for it so clinic matters is a great opportunity and a great channel for me.
Talking about my life, it has given me the opportunity to meet with other people everywhere I go, everyone likes me. my family have been able to come closer, not like we weren’t close before but the bond is now there, they feel happy and love has increased so clinic matters has been a plus in my life.
Q – I read a lot about you and I could remember then when you said you attend more than three auditions in a day in different locations, would we be right to say clinic matters is a move that shot you to limelight?
A – yes, it is. Like I said earlier, before clinic matters, I’ve been everywhere in lagos, I’ve been jumping from one place to another without even knowing if I’ll be chosen for the role or not. When I was doing clinic matters season 1, used to go to paul’s office casually and he will just call me to come get my script for the next season and I’ll just walk in and go. After season 2, I couldn’t pass his office peacefully anymore, anytime I get to his office, I will just sit in the car for like 10 – 15 minutes to gather up courage because he has people selling something around his office.most times, I met my other colleagues there and it’s always like a movie itself. It’s just been God, I’ve stopped doing what I used to do, that’s when I realized clinic matters has shot me to limelight.
Q – I could remember before then, people know you as sexy but now, it seems “Nurse Titi” has rub-off that nick from you, what’s your take on that?
A – I would say people usually call me ENKAY SEXY. Yes even till date but people who are closer to me still call me sexy, even till tomorrow, people will still call me sexy but most people who would prefer to call me nurse Titi call me that and some people even tag me as “sexy nurse Titi”. Even my sister calls me sexy at home.
Q – At what point did you dad actually accept you as actress and not the lawyer he wanted you to be?
A – it was when He started watching clinic matters on TV. Clinic matters was first aired on national TV and not on CD and every time I’m not in the house I maybe I’ve gone out for shooting, when I get back, I’m always like my dad is gonna scream, but when come in, he will be smiling and I started getting the knowledge that he’s been watching some episodes on TV. Gradually, he started accepting it cos of the role I’m playing. The role gave him more reason to accept it because I didn’t go on TV and start playing a romance scene, the character is cool, educative, in formative and he even got to learn some things from my mouth on TV so I think those are the things that made him relax.
Q – All that time when he was on your neck, was there a time you felt like giving up?
R – There was no time like that. There was no space because the thing just happened suddenly. There was a church programme which we all attended then, they brought actors to our church and that same day, I told my mum that I want to act and on Monday, I saw an advert on TV for those interested in acting and on Monday evening, I told my mum and requested for some money to go for audition, that same night, I prayed, gathered courage and told my dad. The whole thing happened in the course of the week, I went to national theatre on Thursday of the week and I started attending audition so there was no time for him to pressurize me and not after that,I got my first major role where I played the role of a nurse titled ‘ When you are mine’ and the producer of the movie is a fast person so in a week, the movie came out and it went viral so the producer of clinic matters saw my performance and the next week, he invited me for an audition. Immediately we finished audition, we started shooting and it went on air so in a month, everything happened so there was no space for him to really press me down.
Q – What would you describe as the secret of your success?
R –I would say its God, perseverance, focus and humility. I was opportuned to meet ‘Klint D Drunk; on a movie set and I watched him and was pleased. He was down to earth, playing with everybody, you will not even know he was the one. We became friends and he picked me as a sister, always advising me to always drop my shoulder and be humble, coupled with the fact that I was focused, determined, prayerful, and with my humility, everything just worked together and that has been what pushed me to success till date.
Q – What were the challenges you faced and how were you able to overcome them?
Q – I went through a lot of challenges; going for audition very early in the morning and seeing that you are number 71 on the list and looking around, you begin to wonder where the remaining 70 are. It was bad that some people would come very early, write their names and go back home to shower. I’ll stay under the sun, no food, no water, till they call you, the competition will be very high because you are not the only best actress and after you are done, they will promise to get back, some will, some will not, so many disappointments. Some will call you and give you role and promise to pay when you done but they eventually end up giving you stories, they will leave you empty handed. So many debt outside there but you can’t just start pursuing them, you just have to focus on what you want so the challenges have been so bad but I thank God I’ve overcome and outgrown some.
Q – Everybody has their source of Inspiration, anytime you are acting, what inspires you?
R – There was a job I was doing, I was acting and the director just stopped suddenly and asked me to come and said ‘ let me tell you something today and have it at the back your mind, job you are doing, always do it like it’s your last Job on earth’’ and after that word, I did the scene again and he was pleased. That got me going, you know, everytime I remember it, it just rings a bell to me and whenever I remember that, I act like it’s going to be my last. Another thing that inspires me is my Mother. She has always been supportive and likes to see every little thing I do. Anytime I act, she’s always glad to see it. She’s always been there to support my career. Whenever I’m driving out of the house, she comes to the veranda and start looking at me like I’m not going to return and she’s just somebody I don’t want to disappoint so anytime I remember her, I want to do more and she’s a woman who has always been there for her kids. She’s strong, I want to be stronger than she is, she has always been inspiring me.
In acting, I’ve always loved Angelina Jolie, she’s a strong woman. When she acts, she acts like there is no tomorrow so when I remember her, it give me motivation, even if nobody has ever broken that bond in Nigeria from Nollywood, I’ll do it.
I’ve made inquires about how it happens over there and I’ve seen how they do it. They have white skin Hollywood and black skin Hollywood. Going through the black skin Hollywood isn’t that easy not to talk of white skin Hollywood, it’s a No No and I’m like this barrier, I’ll break it. All I pray for is the strength; opportunity and I know it will come soon because I’m on that channel now.
Q – Why do you prefer acting in movies shot in Warri?
R – One, Warri people are fun to be with, two, the environment is conducive enough. I just like Warri, the way they talk alone can drag you to joy, there’s this their broken way of talking, their acting, when you see a small Warri boy, you won’t even know he’s small. Little things gives me Joy and I love to be wherever I find joy. My first film there was ‘Free Langua’ Where I had to learn how to speak their Langua, and act with it so it was fun.
Q- What’s your plan about shooting your own movie?
R – I don’t know if I would produce a movie of mine, if God says Yes. I’ll do it but for now, even if I want to do that, I wouldn’t want to venture into it ‘cos I see one or two people do it. I’ll want to go and study because it’s a course on it’s own, even if it’s for three months, I’ll have to study the basics so I don’t make mistakes in the end or regret. I know a whole lot of people who are now producing but I’ll have to study it first so I’ll go into it as a professional. Now, I’ve a lot on my desk as an actress so I’ll have to clear my desk first, only God knows maybe in the next five years.
Q – Who are those you admire in the industry?
R – I admire a lot of people, a lot inspires me, lot of role model I can’t start listing but I like Genevieve, Omotola Jolade.
In fact, when I was coming up, she was one of those that took me to her office and made me understand that I should study first cos I was in school then and that I should come back to acting later so I went back to study though I was still acting but when it comes to exam time, I put acting aside. I don’t know how the devil works, when it’s exam period, that’s when I get the best job.
Q – What can you say your smile has open doors for?
R – My smile, it has opened doors ooo…most times when I go to a place and it’s becoming difficult, I’ll be lie let me just see the Manager. Getting in there, i’ll smile to the person first because it says another different thing, it creates a better audience so when I smile to the person, no matter the sex, he or she will ask me to have my sit and from there, the conversation begins. Some other people will just call me to do a video of me smiling and many more, it’s a way of helping me look younger and open doors, it’s now part of me.
Q – Can you take us through your beauty routine?
R – When I wake up in morning, I do exercise, have my shower and use my cosmetics. I make sure I don’t sleep with my make-up on no matter how tired I am and I make sure I brush my teeth before I sleep. I also mind what I take into my body, not just because I don’t want to add up weight but I need to keep up my skin.
Q – Some people believe men are more emotional than women, what’s your take on this?
R – I’m a very emotional person but to compare between men and women, you guys are strong (laughs). Hardly will you see a man that will start crying over job loss, heart-break, but you can see a girl crying because she’s broke, you will still see a broke guy playing around with his friends.
Q – In your lonely moment, what do you do?
R – I just stuck in my headphone and listen to music then relax. The lyrics help me get over any situation and the next day, I’m good to go and sometimes, I could be like ‘ this life, I cannot kill myself’. I just call my friends or colleagues and party with them. I just let God take control.
Q – When was the last time you cried?
R – that was on a Movie set.
Q – In the midst of your busy schedule, how do you unwind?
R – I just find time, either I just want to be alone and listen to music or I go out to party.
Q – To what extent would you say fame rob-off your relationship?
R – It hasn’t
Q – How do you deal with crazy fans?
R – I’m one person that likes to give audience to my fans but we don’t get close. I’ve this fan that sent me a mess mess ago but I was busy doing something at the moment so I didn’t reply. Suddenly, I just saw his message, abusing me, insulting me, I just didn’t say a word. I understand how he felt but he didn’t understand I was just waiting for the perfect time. There’s another that sends me airtime every weekend. I accepted the first one so it doesn’t look like I’m rejecting but he kept sending it and it started looking like a weekend gift so I called his attention and he was like he’s not requesting for anything, that he just feels like giving me. I was surprised so I have so many of them. My male crazy fans are much but I thank God I handle them with wisdom. Some are beginning to understand that I’m trying ‘cos I got a lengthy message from one of them appreciating the fact that I’ve time to reply my fans, there are people who don’t reply at all
Q – What are you working on presently?
R – There’s something I’m working on presently but I don’t want to let it out now. I don’t want to say anything about it now. The next one is i’m working on a new TV series.
Zacch Adedeji: And The Revenue Keeps Increasing By Rabiu Usman
By Rabiu Usman
It was President Bola Tinubu that declared that in the first half of this year, the revenue of Nigeria soared to over N9.1 trillion, compared to the first half of 2023.
For instance, N5.2 Trillion accrued into the Federation Account for the period January to June 2023, while a total of N7.3 Trillion accrued into the account for the period July to December, 2023.
However, for June this year, accruals into the Federation Account rose to N2.483 trillion in June 2024. It was N2.324.792 trillion in May, meaning for the two months of May and June this year alone, about N4.8 trillion accrued into the Federation Account while N5.2 trillion accrued into the account for the first six months of last year.
The President attributed the revenue increase to the government’s efforts in blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilizing funding creatively, all without placing an additional burden on the people.
A few days after the President spoke glowingly of the considerable increase in the revenue of the country, a process being powered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), under the Chairmanship of Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Nigeria’s Zaccheus the Tax Collector, the World Bank also confirmed the progress being made in the area of revenue generation.
The World Bank projected that following the recent increase in government revenue, Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio could rise to over 10.5 percent by the end of 2024.
Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Nigeria shared the forecast during an interactive session on ‘Fiscal Reforms for a More Secure Future’ at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja last month.
Also, according to data released in September by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue increased by 99.82% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2024.
During this period, total VAT revenue reached N1.56 trillion, a 9.11% increase compared to the previous quarter.
The NBS report highlighted that the revenue growth was driven primarily by local payments, which brought in about $484 million, while foreign payments contributed $242 million. VAT on imports generated $228 million.
However, despite the level of progress already made, the FIRS under Dr Zacch Adedeji is not done yet.
Various innovations are daily being introduced to ensure seamless payment of taxes by Nigerians.
Last week, the Taxpayer Services Department of the FIRS launched the new USSD code *829#, aimed at revolutionizing taxpayer engagement and access to essential tax services.
According to the FIRS, the initiative was aimed at “simplifying tax processes and providing a seamless, efficient service experience.”
With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers can now effortlessly access a range of services, including TIN retrieval, Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) verification, and general inquiries all from the convenience of their mobile phones and with no need for internet access.
Also, Zacch Adedeji is everywhere, explaining the four tax bills currently before the National Assembly, assuring that it will not reduce the funding or operational efficiency of government agencies.
Last week Wednesday, Adedeji addressed the heads of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at the Revenue House in Abuja. He allayed concerns surrounding the proposal to rename the FIRS as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), clarifying that the change is intended to streamline and improve agency efficiency.
He said the main goal was to align government revenue practices with current fiscal demands to ensure all agencies are well-funded and effective.
Adedeji further highlighted that the proposed legislation would enable government agencies to concentrate on their core responsibilities without the added task of revenue collection.
“The bills, once enacted, will allow agencies to focus on their primary functions instead of managing tax collection duties,” he explained.
Adedeji, who appears to have taken up the job of an Explainer concerning the new tax bills, further pointed out that the bills were the aftermath of President Tinubu’s administration recognition of the need for a unified tax code to reduce complexity and stimulate economic growth.
Perhaps, by the time this is being read, Dr Zacch Adedeji, will be standing before another audience to explain the ideas behind the new tax bills and their capability to further sore up the revenue base of the country, because for him, the revenue must keep increasing.
Usman, a public affairs commentator lives in Abuja.
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