THISDAYonline

All the ladies that met Michael Power during his recent trip to Nigerian wanted a feel of his touch. He is every woman's dream. "Oh my God, this guy is a true powerful Mike, his so ruggedly cute, I'm down with this guy", a lady exclaimed as she is sighted Michael Powers alighting from a car. Her friends who were also admiring him movies whispered something in her ears as they all giggled like some school girls having a crush on one of their teachers. Whatever they were giggling about was between them and God.

Decked in his trademark black-on-black, there is something about Mr. Powers that would keep any woman coming. Of course the black colour has something to do with the Guiness Stout which he is promoting. But that is not all the excitement to this hunk who plays heroic roles in Guiness's campaign serial.

Suffice it to say that 'Michael Powers' is not the original names of this model and movie actor who has enchanted not just the women but the men as well. But he will not tell you what the real names are - nor what country he is from. All he volunteers is that he is an African. That keeps him a mystery of sort.

Meeting Michael Powers, after a video clip of his was televised confronts you with a entirely different person from the one you just saw in the commercials. But one thing remained unchanging, that animal attraction that is irresistible in every man.

It is worse for any woman who is not in control of her inner feelings. Everyone tried to get closer and at the same time, squeeze words out of him, touch him, shake his hands, take pictures with him and even seek for his authographs. He added a regale touch to the atmosphere, with his spontaneous personality.

Everybody was his friend, including his closest buddies, the huge-looking, scary broad-chested security men who bodyguarded him wherever he went. He has this sensual smile that never seems to leave his face. At the slightest inducement, the smile becomes more toothy and is soon followed by a thumps-up sign.

He is a mystic man and has chosen to remain so, probably this mysticism is what makes everybody curious to know who Mr. Powers is and where he comes from. His visit to Nigeria is not just only pleasures. He is in Africa to shoot some movies scenes - in Nigerian and some other African countries he will be visiting. If you ever get the chance to get close to Michael Powers - with his common hither smile - and think that because you are a pretty lady, you could get him to open up to you about his roots, you'll be in for a shocker. He sweetly and politely tells you that " I am a man of Africa". There's no doubt about his Africanness. The black skin could possibly not be Caucasian. But that is neither here nor there.

However, he will never reveal which part of the African world. The nearest you get is that he was born in Africa but grew up and studied in the United State of America.

People no matter your colour or any part of the world you come from, Michael says, "I love people. I don't care about the colour of your skin or where you come from, I just love meeting people".

He has tralled widely. And he says this has given him the opportunity to meet all kinds of people from different parts of the continents. " I have travelled wide but no matter how much I travel, I always love to come back home to Africa." This is irrespective of the fact that he says that things are pretty tough for the ordinary folks in Africa.

He also certain that hardwork and determination can get rid of poverty, especially if one believes in oneself. "I believe a lot in myself and I believe in people", he says, adding that this is key to breaking barriers.

Being in the limelight and remaining sane is not an easy task because you don't have a life of your own any more although stardom brings fame, it improves your life style and gives you the opportunity to meet outstanding men and women. It also has its heavy worries. Hear Mr. Powers: "but fame also comes with responsibility of being a great example and showing people how far they can go with inner strength, discipline and restraint."

When asked about how he feels being in Nigeria, this was his estatic response: "from the time I stepped off the plane in Lagos, all I got was love; nothing but love". All over the streets of Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, his advert billboards stand out in unmistakable relief. In addition, Mr. Powers is thrilled by Lagosians' acceptance of him as a person. This has highly inspired him and he has promised to continue to give the Michael Powers adventures series, his best shot.

He says he will highlight the burden of responsibility to be exciting on stage and remain a great model off stage "for accepting me so fast with love, I want to help Nigerians see the need to develop their inner strength."

While in Nigerian Michael power visited LUTH, where Guinness handed in a cheque of N2.5 million for purchase of specialised eye equipment for the Guinnness Eye Centre. About his visit to LUTH he says: " I was impressed by the hardwork, determination and big hearts of LUTH workers." He paid a courtesy call to the Federal Road Safety commission (FRSC) to encourage them in their road-rescue efforts. "I personally have a passion for rescuing people in danger and people in need", he said. Guinness presented a custom-made ambulance for the rescue operations for FRSC. Michael Powers complements: "These people in these institutions cannot do their work well without a big heart and inner strength." For tokens,

Mr. Power was given a customised number plate.

He might look as fearless as though nothing can shake him, but Mr. Powers is also human. He also has inner fears, and his greatest phobia about life is "failure."

Since the Michael Powers movies series began, this is the first time a Nigeria scene will be shot. More Nigeria scenes and Nigeria people will feature in the next round of the Michael Powers adventure films.

"It's such a pleasure filming with Nigerian. They act out their parts perfectly because being dynamic and exciting and a sense of fun comes naturally to Nigerians". Since he arrived, the Nigerian the dish, he was fallen in love with is the pepper soup.

What does he promote in his movies? Is it violence or what, since there are so many violent scenes, a lot of physical combat and all that? He explains that in the clips force is used to over-power evil and to help the weak, he added that "In my movies, I emphasis inner strength than show of force. It's about strength, confidence and sincere concern."

Still single, Mr. Powers wouldn't say how old he is but says he is in his mid 30s.

Michael Powers has strong family values but when you chip is the all-important question: when does he hope to get married? He chuckles "When miss right comes around, I will get married. I believe in the institution of marriage and respect it. I will invite the press, my colleagues, to the wedding".

Of course that response called for the next question: what do you admire most in a woman?. But the girls will have to wait for the answer to this. " A woman with inner strength and character." So do you think you have that, ladies? Michael Powers is all yours.

He sure can find all those qualities with a lot of beauty if he can wait long enough. And search deep enough. Afterall, we just gave the world a new Miss World.

Mr. Powers himself agrees that Agbani Darego has not only done Nigerian proud but the whole of Africa.

"I am proud of her she has taken on the whole world and came out tops." When I was watching the Miss World contest, and it came down to the last 10, I told my friends that the winner will be the Nigerian.

When it came down to the last 5, I said the same. When it narrowed to the last three, I maintained my position." His happiness for Abgani was so genuine he talked as if he was there live in Sun City, South Africa. "I was so delighted that someone from my continent won the contest. She won the contest not just on the basis of her outer beauty but her inner strength. This is a quality we all need to acquire."

He chipped in an advise for Nigeria which he considers a blessed country. "Nigerians should always believe in the themselves ... They should hang in there and always believe that our best days are always ahead of us. Never give up on your dreams".

In his movies, he is portrays a strong hero, with some form of physical strength, who is always rescuing people from danger. He might not be barrel-chested, with projecting, scary muscles but he sure has a body every woman would like wrapped around her. He keeps the tip-top shape by going to the gym regularly and working out every area of his body. He does jogging and routine basic morning exercises.

He adds: " I also manage my diet properly".

In his spare time all Michael Powers does is read, do some sports and watch movies. A lot people have inspired him in a lot of ways. He admires Nigeria's Kanu Nwankwo for is big heart and determination.

Even when the whole world thought he was medically unfit to continue playing soccer, he showed the world the power of a big heart and that inner strength comes from the inside. George Weah is another guy he admires. "My other mentor is Nelson Mandela who braved all odds and demonstrated that inner strength is the greatest strength of all."

A lot of people do not know that Michael Power is the first black male in the whole world to model for Giorgio Armani. He has also done other modeling jobs for world class designers. For a very long time he has not bought clothes. Giorgio Armani supplies all his outfit and he remains Michael Power's favourite designer, in the world.

He has never been seen in any other colour than the black. Black is his favourite and why does he like the colour black. It is appealing for Michael to sell the massage across for Guinness that he acts in the movie series of the ad-campaign. This is why he prefers the colour black "It is strongly appealing it conveys confidence and makes a bold statement. It helps me to cultivate my own style."

After his sight seeing in Nigeria, he was impressed by the capital which he said is highly developed. The people were warm, friendly, and dynamic. The atmosphere was fun and great for him and far exceeds his expectations. "Nigerians make the best of every situation and have a very exciting spirit that I can personally relate with."

A Nigerian features as a pilot in the very first episode. After shooting here in Nigeria, there will be more Nigerian scenes in the Michael power adventure series. While in Nigerian, Michael will visit institutions that have contributed to the development of the Nigerian society. Night Clubs are not left out, he is curious to see how Nigerians have a good time. The market is an eye catching spot for him. He wants to go the market and experience the vibrancy of the Nigerian market. He touched places like National Theatre, LUTH, FRSC, and Lekki beach.

"My Nigerian trip is not only in my memory but in my heart", Mr. Powers insists.