Celebrity Bios
Who is Bolanle Austen-Peters?
Bolanle Austen-Peters, a trailblazing Nigerian Filmmaker, entrepreneur, Lawyer and artistic director who has revolutionized the country’s theater scene. As the founder of BAP Productions and Terra Kulture arts center in Lagos, she has been instrumental in promoting Nigerian culture and talent.
Early life:
Bolanle Austen-Peters was born 4th February in 1969 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. She comes from a distinguished family, being the daughter of Emmanuel Afe Babalola, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Mrs. Bisi Babalola, a retired Major.
Austen-Peters pursued higher education at the University of Lagos, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law. She furthered her studies at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, obtaining a Master’s degree.
Before venturing into the arts, Austen-Peters had a successful career in law. In the 1990s, she worked as a lawyer at Afe Babalola and Co Barristers and Solicitors, and later with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland. This diverse background has likely influenced her unique approach to the creative industries.
Career:
In 2003, Bolanle Austen-Peters founded Terra Kulture, a pioneering educational and cultural hub dedicated to promoting Nigerian languages, arts, and culture. Since its inception, Terra Kulture has evolved into a vibrant complex, featuring: A restraunt, art gallery, bookstore, language school, a theatre, a film production studio and an academy for the study of art. It is Located on Tiamiyu Savage Street in Lagos, Terra Kulture has become a premier destination for cultural expression and exchange, celebrating over two decades of promoting Nigerian arts and culture since its founding in 2003.
In 2013, she founded her own production -Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP production).
In addition to her theater work, Austen-Peters has ventured into film directing, producing critically acclaimed movies for Netflix. Her films, such as “Man of God” and “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,” have garnered significant attention and awards, including Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay.
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ contributions to the arts have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition from CNN, Forbes Afrique, and several awards for her outstanding work. Her impact extends beyond Nigeria, inspiring aspiring musicians and artists across the continent.
Through her work, Bolanle Austen-Peters continues to break boundaries, showcasing Nigerian talent and stories to a global audience. Her dedication to the arts has cemented her position as a leading figure in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
Personal life:
Bolanle Austen-Peters is happily married to Adegboyega Austen-Peters, a distinguished Nigerian executive and board member. Together, they have built a loving family with two children, a son, and a daughter. The family resides in Lagos, Nigeria, where they are actively involved in their respective pursuits and philanthropic endeavours.
Philanthropy:
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ commitment to empowering the next generation of creative talent in Nigeria is evident through her founding of Terra Academy For The Arts (TAFTA). In partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, TAFTA aims to provide free education to 65,000 young adults over five years, equipping them with skills in sound, stage and set design, animation, and scriptwriting.
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ dedication to the creative industries extends beyond education. She has worked closely with the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to develop job opportunities and artistic projects, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.
Her contributions have been recognized through several awards, including the Award in Appreciation of Contribution to the Development of National Museum, Onikan, Lagos in 2015. In 2017, she collaborated with the Lagos State Government to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary, commissioning over 9 sculptures that showcase Lagos’ rich history, culture, and people.
Through her initiatives, Austen-Peters is not only nurturing creative talent but also promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and contributing to the country’s economic development.
List of movies she has directed and Produced:
- 93 days (2015)
- The musical Wakaa (2016)
- The Kalakuta queens (2017)
- The Bling Lagosians (2019)
- Collision Course (2020)
- Man of God (2022)
- Fumilayo Ransome Kuti (2024)
- House of Ga’a (2024)
Uche Pedro, is a Nigerian entrepreneur, blogger, and social media expert, she is the founder of “BellaNaija,” one of Africa’s leading entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle platforms.
Uche Pedro
Early Life and Education:
Born on July 26, 1984, Uche grew up in Nigeria and later moved to Canada, where she earned a degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, in 2006.
Uche Pedro
Career:
Uche’s journey into media began while studying in Canada. Her passion for representing Nigeria’s vibrant culture inspired her to start BellaNaija in 2006. Initially a hobby, the blog gained massive traction for its fresh content about Nigerian fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment.
BellaNaija: The Top Digital Media Brand
Uche Pedro’s blog with millions of monthly visitors and a global audience and influence.
Before launching BellaNaija, Uche worked at Shell in Canada, as well as with Cadbury Middle East & Africa in the UK and Nigeria, gaining valuable corporate experience.
Achievements and Philanthropy:
Uche Pedro has earned numerous accolades for her contributions to media and innovation. She has been recognized by Forbes Africa as one of the “30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs” and by Ventures Africa among the “Most Influential CEOs of 2015.” She has also featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “Beauty Around the World” series.
Beyond business, Uche is committed to social impact. Her initiatives, such as #BNDoGood, supports organizations like Slum2School and LEAP Africa, promoting education and community development. She co-founded PVCitizen, a platform encouraging youth political participation in Nigeria.
Uche Pedro at Forbes
Personal Life
Uche is married to Bode Pedro, a tech entrepreneur, and they have twin children. Her family life complements her thriving professional career, making her a role model for balancing personal and professional success.
Uche and family
Awards and Influence:
Uche’s innovative approach has led BellaNaija to multiple awards, including recognition at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards as African Blogger of the Year. She continues to inspire as a TEDGlobal Fellow and a leader in the African creative industry.
Uche’s kids’ choice award.
With her story of resilience and vision, Uche Pedro stands as a beacon of innovation and empowerment in Africa’s digital landscape and has a future bright enough to show all she has to offer as a female Nigerian CEO with a difference.
Bamike Olawunmi, popularly known as Bambam is a Nigerian reality TV star and an actress. She is the wife of a singer and actor, Tope Adenibuyan. She is known for her exceptional roles in Inspector K, Backup Wife and Foreigner’s God. When talking about a Nigerian actress with class and gold flair for all she does, BamBam is the one for you.
Early Life And Education.
Bamike was born in Lagos on April 23, 1989 in Nigeria and schooled in Nigerian Navy Primary School, Apapa, La Folie St. James, Paris, France The Bells University, Ota, The Royal Film Academy.
She got into the movie industry when she came to Lagos from Abuja in 2017 and enrolled at the Royal Arts Academy. While in school, She featured in her first movie titled, The Backup Wife, by Uduak Isong, where she acted alongside Seun Akindele and Bimbo Ademoye.
Career.
Bambam Olawunmi
Bambam was picked after her second trial at the Big Brother Naija TV reality show audition. In 2017, she did the first audition at Abuja and the second one that took her to Big Brother Naija house was done in Lagos in 2018. Bambam started her acting career in 2017 when she was still a student of the Royal Arts Academy. Since then she has featured in quite a number of movies including ‘Inspector K’, ‘Backup Wife, ‘Foreigner’s God’ and Many others.
Awards.
Bambam Olawunmi
Bbnaija Star and spotlight Bambam Olawunmi was awarded in 2018 by the City People Movie Awards with a recognition award.
The same year 2018, the actress went ahead to get honoured and recognised by the former President of Nigeria’s wife, The Aisha Buhari Award for contribution to entertainment industry.
Family Life.
Actress Bambam and family
Bambam married Tope Adenibuyan, her roommate in the Big Brother Naija house. Their traditional wedding took place on 7 September 2019 in Ogun state while the white wedding took place in Dubai, UAE on 16 November 2019.
Bambam and her husband have two children. BamBam’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. This wealth has come from her various ventures in acting, brand endorsements, her beauty business, and influencer marketing.
She’s managed to build a successful career in a relatively short period, becoming one of the most influential women in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Kunle Remi not only captivates his audience with his acting talent but also shines in the fashion industry.
Early life and education.
Kunle Remi
Kunle Remi, whose full name is Oyekunle Opeyemi Olaremi, was born on October 18 in Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. His family moved to Ibadan during his childhood. He developed a love for acting early on and became a youth drama teacher.
He studied fisheries and wildlife management at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Later, he attended Sheffield University for Tourism and Hospitality Management.
After completing his degrees, he moved to New York City to study acting, filmmaking, and directing at the New York Film Academy, graduating in 2014.
Early work.
Kunle Remi
Kunle Remi began his professional acting career in 2011 after winning Gulder Ultimate Search 2010. His first appearance on screen was in the 2012 film Heavy Beauty. In 2024, he started performing stunts in K-pains: The Fresh of Souls.
In 2015, he secured roles in short films like Sister’s Keeper, Sting, and Hex, and appeared in the TV series The Getaway as Oliesh. His major breakthrough came with the film Falling, where he portrayed a husband who falls into a coma after a tragic event.
Career.
Kunle Remi
In 2016, Kunle Remi featured in two TV series. The first, Lincoln’s Clan Evolution, tells the story of a Nigerian billionaire and his family, where he played Eric until 2017. The second series was Tinsel, Nigeria’s longest-running soap opera, which started filming in 2008.
In 2017, he played Lolu in Tiwa’s Baggage, a story about a woman abandoned with a child. On July 24, the film Alter Ego was released. Written by Jude Martins, it follows a lawyer who fights for justice against sex offenders, and it was nominated for Best Film with Social Messages and Best Production Design at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
In 2022, Kunle Remi took on roles in several projects, including Saint Oyinda, Borrowed Wealth, Treasury, the TV series Deserted, and Anikulapo. He wrapped up the year with the crime thriller Woke, which premiered on November 4.
TV Hosting.
Kunle Remi
While studying at the New York Film Academy, Remi hosted for an online TV channel called Celebville 360. His first major appearance was in 2013 when he reported live from the Academy Awards nomination event in Beverly Hills, California.
After a break, he returned to hosting in 2021 for Gulder Ultimate Search Season 12 alongside Toke Makinwa. The next year, he co-hosted the green carpet for the 2022 Glo Dance Battle of the Year with Moet Abebe. This show aired every Saturday and Sunday for 10 weeks starting August 6.
He also served as a judge on Dance Naija Dance by Zee World, working with Sashin Kandhaj, Kenneth Agabata, Uraysha Ramrachia, and hosts Daniel K Daniel and Pelumi Busari. On December 21, he shifted back to hosting and led the Fuze Talent Hunt.
Modeling.
Kunle Remi
Kunle Remi started his modeling career with ISIS Models at 24. He has appeared in advertising campaigns for brands such as Airtel (formerly Zain), Arise Magazine, DSTV, MTN Nigeria, The Reele Magazine, and Diamond Bank (now Access Bank).
Personal Life.
Kunle Remi and his wife
In December 2022, Remi opened up about his struggles with depression, sharing how challenging his journey as an actor has been. On January 1, 2024, he married his girlfriend Tiwi and announced it on his Instagram.
Future Projects.
Kunle Remi
Remi co-founded 1810 Empire Studios in 2012, which was previously known as 7th Media Entertainment. He also established Men Against Rape and Violence (MARV), a social initiative aimed at raising awareness about the effects of sexual assault on men, women, and youth through visual storytelling.
Filmography.
In 2015, he played the role of Imoh in Falling.
In 2016, he played the role of Greg in Any other Monday.
In 2017, he played the role of Lolu in Tiwa’s Baggage.
In 2018, he played Jide in Stronger Together.
In 2019, he took on the role of Phil in Sin City.
In 2020, he was Gboyega in Mama Drama.
In 2021, he portrayed James Kokori in Hide N Seek.
In 2022, he acted as Saro in Anikulapo.
In 2023, he played Muyiwa in Untamed.
In 2024, he will be Philip in Shining Stars.
Awards and Nominations.
Kunle Remi
In 2019, he won Best Supporting Actor at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
In 2022, he received the Best Cinema Actor award at the Yoruba Movie Gist.
In 2023, he was honored as Best Actor in a Feature Film at the Cine Paris Film Festival.
In 2024, he earned the Nollywood Trailblazer award at the Silverbird Man of the Year event.
Kunle Remi’s journey shows the importance of hard work, determination, and passion.
As he continues to excel and expand his skills, he inspires many aspiring actors and shines brightly in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
Read also: Fashion Kunle Remi’s top five stylish outfits for men’s fashion inspiration.
Meet Uche Pedro – The Life Of Entrepreneurship
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