Business

‘Why i Dumped my Networking Job for Entertainment’ – Nollywood Actor/Director, Chief Chidi

Published

10 years ago

August 1, 2016

Talented Actor and Film Director, Chief Chidi, as he is fondly called is no doubt one who is set to take over the industry by storm. With just few years of his diversion into the entertainment industry, he has worked with a whole lot of people around.

The 46-year old Imo born Producer, who is presently working on a film titled ‘College Life’ has however got his own challenging times too.

He is the CEO of Gold Valley Production which houses Micheal Onyebuchi, Ruth Alexanda, Janet, Timothy, Perpetual Uwaezuoke as crew members.

In an interview with Saharaweekly Magazine, he talked about his movie, career and those he has worked with, and those he will be working with.

Excerpts Below:

Q – My name is Osho Oluwatosin from Saharaweekly Magazine / Online, can we meet you sir?

R – My name is Chief Chidi Ohazurike. People in the Nollywood know me as Chief Chidi. I’m 46 years old from Imo state. I studied IGPM and after that I went into data processing in Lagos. I’m a network engineer for 23 years before I left the communication sector to delve entertainment. I started in 2014.

Q – Why did you switch from communication to Entertainment?

R – From the onset I didn’t want to work in a company for a long while. So I started telecom in 1989, I would have gone into entertainment before then because that is where my passion lies. I had two passions then; Entertainment and telecom. Having tried telecom world, I have seen everything about telecom, I decided to go into my primary domain which is entertainment. That passion and zeal to entertain people, to tell my own story.

Q – How many years have you been into it?

R – This is just two and half years even though before then, i have been attending meetings but I started fully in 2014 and so far, it’s been challenging. I’m still planning something bigger to take me into full limelight.

Q – What are you working on presently?

R – Presently, I’m working on a college film. The working title is ‘college Life’. It’s a student film. It’s about school life, cultism, how it starts from secondary school into higher institutions.

Q – When you came into the industry, were you accepted or looked down upon as a new comer?

R – No, because i have been around the corner so when I came in, they welcomed the development on a loud oviation

Q – So far So good, who are those you’ve worked with?

R – I’ve worked with a lot of people. I’ve worked with the likes of Charles Inojie, Chinedu Ikedieze, Joyce Kalu, Ferrari Cole, Jibola Dabo, and many More

Q – In the nearest future, who are those you wish to work with?

R – I don’t have anybody in particular, it’s all about where my work takes me, I can work with anyone.

Q – Is there anyone you look up to in the industry?

R – Having being trained as an actor and a director, I believe i’m self motivated, even though I have those that have been in the industry but I’m self motivated.i have something I want to give out there. Those I can say I look up to are Kanayo O. Kanayo and Gbenga Salu.

Q – What have been the challenges?

R – Ahh, a lot. In the industry, the major challenge is money. We source our funds by ourselves; the government isn’t ready to help us. We have to fund ourselves till we come to limelight. After that, it’s the man power. Most of them are good but they need to improve on their capacity. If they have better capacity training, production will be much easier.

Q – What else do you do apart from entertainment?

R – Like I said earlier, I’m a networking engineer but that is on a part-time now

Q – In Nollywood, there has been an issue of sexual assault on the junior collegues by the senior ones, what’s your take on this?

R – Well, I think that is the socio-political aspect of the industry. I believe if you are well trained, understand the business and have your self-esteem within you; nobody can look down on you sexually. On the other way round, some directors perhaps, senior colleagues will want to press it on the junior ones to have sex with them as an exchange for a role. My own take is that it’s not acceptable. I’ve called on our guild which is Actors Guild of Nigeria sometime ago to handle such report and deal with it.

Q – Has there been any response?

R – So far, i’ll say not much but recently, myself and a colleague will be working on something. It’s on a personal capacity. We will do our writings and put it on air.

Q – With your kind of Job, you will have to mix with opposite sex a lot, how does you wife take your profession?

R – Yes, I always tell people, it begins with the person involved. If you are not responsible, and your wife doesn’t have confidence in you and you have this kind of profession, your wife will keep suspecting you but if you are living a decent life, technically, you will be at peace with your wife as usual. For me, I deal with a lot of opposite sex but I do things professionally.

Q – Were your Parents supportive?

R – Well, they are in the village and they are not supportive, how will I take care of them (Laughs)

Q – Tell us about the upcoming movie.

R – It’s still work in progress. We started shooting on the 25th of July, 2016. It has been challenging but we thank God.

However, we bring you pictures from the shooting of ‘College Life’

Business

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

1 day ago

February 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.

Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.

Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

3 days ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.

The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.

With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.

Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19

It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.

Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.

Business

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Published

3 days ago

February 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.

In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.

For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.

Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”

Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.

With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.

About HabariPay

HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:

GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com