Category: Entertainment, Fashion and Lifestyle

By Taiye Olayemi

The Federation of Registered Guilds and Associations in Nollywood has called for a comprehensive review of the national film policy to reflect today’s realities and dynamic nature of the industry.

Dr Victor Okhai, Chairman of the federation, made the call during a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

He said to attract investment and grow the industry, policies that would foster a conducive environment for growth must be implemented.

“Imagine a Nollywood where every talent, from actors to directors, from scriptwriters to set designers, can thrive and reach their full potential.

“A Nollywood where our stories are told with authenticity; where our culture is celebrated; and where our industry is recognised for its excellence on the world stage. This is the vision of the federation

He said going forward, the federation would intensify efforts in engaging government and financial institutions on pertinent challenges within the industry.

He pledged the federation’s commitment toward repositioning the industry.

Okhai said it was also the duty of the federation to promptly address inter-guild conflicts as the case may be.

According to him, the federation comprised of leaders of the 18 registered guilds and associations within the industry.

“Today, we stand at the dawn of a new era for Nollywood. For the first time in our storied history, guilds and associations from the North, East, West, and South of Nigeria have come together under one unified body.

“This union is not just a symbolic gesture, it is a powerful testament to our collective strength, our shared vision, and our unwavering commitment to the future of Nollywood.

“The federation is more than just a name. It is our opportunity to work closely with government bodies and organisations both locally and internationally.

“As a federation, we will advocate tax holidays from the government, making it easier for new and existing productions to thrive.

“Accessible loans and grants will be pursued to support our filmmakers and creatives. We are advocating an Arts Endowment Fund to be established, to provide financial backing for ambitious projects and emerging talents,” he said.

He said that the federation would work in harmony, seize every opportunity to transform dreams into reality, and shape the future of Nollywood.

“Our industry has faced numerous challenges, but it is in our challenges that we find our strength.

“Together, we will overcome obstacles, advocate better conditions for all our members, and ensure that the world recognises the brilliance of Nollywood.

“We will leverage our diverse talents and experiences to create a more robust and dynamic industry.

“Let us move forward with determination and purpose, knowing that our unity is our greatest asset. Together, we will write the next chapter of Nollywood’s story, a story of collaboration, innovation, and success,” she said.

Okhai noted that forging these partnerships, the federation would enhance the industry’s creative economy, secure better opportunities for members, and establish Nollywood as a global powerhouse.

“Our unity will drive job creation, foster innovation, and create opportunities that were once unimaginable.

“Today, we make history. Today, we become pioneers of a movement that will contribute to the growth of our nation’s creative economy.

“With The federation, we are not just participants in an industry; we are leaders, visionaries and champions of our culture.

Urging members of the guilds and associations to work unanimously in advancing the industry, Okhai said with unity among guilds, challenges would be conquered.

“A true-life story that epitomises our potential is the international success of “The Wedding Party”.

“This film, produced by a diverse team of talented individuals from various parts of Nigeria, showcases how collaboration within Nollywood can lead to groundbreaking success.

“The Wedding Party” not only broke box office records but also put Nollywood on the global map, proving that when we come together, we can achieve extraordinary feats. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Housemate, Kingsley Oritsetimeyin aka Kellyrae, has won the Big Brother Naija Season 9, No Loose Guard.

 

Kellyrae triumphed over eight finalists to claim the coveted N60 million cash prize, an SUV, and other rewards.

 

The grand finale featured eight housemates: Kellyrae, Wanni, Victoria, Onyeka, Ozee, Sooj, Nelly, and Anita.

 

The competition was fierce as the housemates battled for the winning spot. Sooj was evicted first, followed by Anita and Ozee.

 

Nelly was the next to leave, followed by Victoria, narrowing the competition down to Kellyrae, Wanni, and Onyeka.

 

As the tension mounted, Onyeka was the next to leave the Big Brother house. Wanni also left leaving Kellyrae as the winner of the show.

 

The finale was a star-studded affair, featuring performances from popular artistes Joseph Akinfewa-Donus, aka Joeboy, and Chimamanda Chukwuma, popularly referred to as Qing Madi

By Taiye Olayemi

One week after the official release of ‘Mixed Emotions’, Uchechi Emelonye’s debut EP, it has been massive show of love from her teeming fans, with the new release garnering over 10,000 streams on Audiomack in 48 hours, a historic feat for debutants on her category.

On the stage, the Afrosoul Princess was at Mainland Block Party alongside DJ Neptunes for a show themed: ‘Last Daze of Summer’, where fans reportedly went giddy with her song, ‘Foolish’.

She equally thrilled fans at the Beat Fm/Naija FM NYSC Show, where the audience gave credence to her blend of sound.

The mainstream media was also not left out in the recognition for her enormous talent as Channels Television headlined her as the ‘Artiste of the Week’ on their popular weekend magazine TV show, Sunrise Daily.

The new album, ‘Mixed Emotions’ takes listeners on a journey through the various stages of love, heartache, and self-discovery.

The EP of 6 tracks, all of which individually and collectively tell a story of an ambitious lady that is demanding for “My Time” in the music industry to shine and do great things.

That lady suddenly falls in love for the “First Time” and gets disappointed by a “Foolish” guy. After all the mixed emotions, she struggles to overcome “Over You”.

As part of the distractions to rise above the heartbreak, she takes to the dance floor to “Dance” and ultimately realises that she needs to be strong again, refocus and rebuild herself “Margins”.

Each track on the EP serves as a window into her soul. Emelonye bravely tackles the intricacies of love, growth, and self-discovery.

The project is a masterclass in storytelling, where her rich, emotive vocals guide us through a spectrum of feelings.

What makes “Mixed Emotions” truly remarkable is its blend of captivating melodies and poignant lyrics.

Emelonye has a rare gift for crafting songs that linger long after the music stops, resonating with listeners on a profound level.

Her ability to articulate complex emotions with such authenticity and grace is a testament to her artistry and her deep understanding of the human condition.

This EP not only cements her place as a rising star but also as a powerful voice in music, one that speaks to the universal experiences of love, loss, and the search for identity.

Reacting to the show of love, Uchechi simply told her fans, “I love you deeply for your affection, please share the vibe”.

By Taiye Olayemi

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) says it will issue discounted tickets for all cinema lovers across the country on Sept. 21, in commemoration of the World Cinema Day.

CEAN’s National Chairman, Mr Ope Ajayi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, said that the tickets would go for as low as N1,000 per individual.

“Without the discount, moviegoers would have ordinarily parted with an average of N4,000 or more at the cinemas.”

According to him, the gesture was to appreciate Nigerians for their patronage over the years, as they mark the second edition of the World Cinema Day in Nigeria.

Ajayi said the move was also meant to encourage the cinema-going culture among Nigerians.

“We are so glad to witness another Cinema Day, this is big for us and we want to appreciate all cinema lovers for their patronage so far.

“We want everyone to know that cinemas across the country will be welcoming everyone with a token of N1,000 to enjoy a pleasurable cinema experience, to mark the 2024 World Cinema Day.

“We are also ceasing this opportunity to call on Nigerians to explore cinemas around them to unwind.

“It gives room for enhanced movie experience and improved social interaction. We look forward to receiving everyone,” he said.

By Taiye Olayemi

Organisers of IPADA Carnival, a cultural tourism programme, say no fewer than 1,500 African artistes are expected to perform at the forthcoming event.

Mr Salvation Alibor, Co-Founder, XPark360, a financial partner for the carnival, on Monday disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting, while unveiling programmes for the carnival, at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The 14- day carnival slated to hold from Nov. 29 to Dec. 12, is geared toward promoting Nigeria and Africa to Africans in the Diaspora and those interested in tracing their roots to the continent.

IPADA is the Yoruba word which means ‘The Return’.

According to Alibor, the carnival scheduled to hold at the resort, will be an annual celebration of the return of people of African ancestry to their motherland.

He said the initiative had attracted the full support of the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Tourism as well as state governments.

“The IPADA Carnival seeks to celebrate the return of Africans in diaspora to their roots, having Nigeria as their entry point.

“The carnival will feature a music festival where about 1,500 artistes, cutting across the 54 African countries will be performing. It will be a celebration of the beautiful potential of Africans in music, dance, natural resources, arts and all.

“It is meant to open the eyes of Africans in diaspora to these potential which can be converted to wealth for the continent through collaborations and unity.

“We’ll have the Nefertiti Queen of Africa beauty pageant where the true definition of African beauty will be showcased.

“Also, the Ose Awards will celebrate Africans of great accomplishments in arts, science, philosophy, politics and other fields of human endeavour. The winner of this award will be conferred with chieftancy titles across African countries.

“We are going to feature one million Africa meal buffet where various African cuisines will be displayed,” he said.

According to Alibor, the whole essence of the carnival is for cultural promotion and to create the economy of tourism through IPADA.

He said the carnival was an opportunity to create community engagement, strengthen cultural diplomacy, empower the youth and enhance public image of states and goodwill.

“The carnival will feature beach durbar, stage plays, tours to tourism attractions, business unusual picnic and many more entertaining programmes,” he said.

Earlier, founder of the IPADA Initiative, Chief Wanle Akinboboye, said the carnival would be explored to transform tourism attractions within Africa.

According to him, tourism attractions abound within Africa but have yet to be converted to destinations for tourists to visit.

“Attraction sites can only be converted to tourism destinations when some entertaining activities are created within these attraction sites, such that shelter are provided and some other things that guarantee tourists’ comfort.

“With my over 40 years experience in the tourism space, I will be helping to transform different attraction sites to tourist destinations,” he said

Nollywood actress, Binta Ayo Mogaji, has revealed that she had her only child at 40 with one fallopian tube.

The veteran actress revealed this on a podcast: “Talk To B,” hosted by another Nollywood actress, Biola Adebayo.

 

Mogaji said she was almost giving up on having her own child when she found out she was pregnant for a lawyer, simply identified as Ajibola, who had been married for 14 years without an issue.

 

She revealed that she had made up her mind to adopt once she turns 40 and did not find a man to get pregnant for.

She however met Jibola before she turned 40 and miraculously had her only son six weeks after she clocked four decades on earth despite having lost a fallopian tube during the pregnancy.

 

Mogaji said: “There was this lawyer who wanted to marry me because he had been in a marriage for 14 years and they never had a child.

He took me to his mum and I was looking for a child at that time.

 

“Our mothers were introduced and I got pregnant.

 

“Unfortunately, the pregnancy was ectopic.

 

“It stayed right inside the fallopian tube and LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) was on strike at that time.

 

“So, by the time we realised what was happening, they took me to seven hospitals and the late Uncle Eddie Aderinokun was the one who gave me a note to the hospital where they admitted me.

 

“They didn’t even want to admit me.

 

“The doctor said he wasn’t sure if I could survive till tomorrow and I said: ‘Do you believe in God? Even if you do not believe in God, believe in me because I believe in God. We did not have an agreement that I was going to die like this.’

 

“They did the operation and it took them seven to nine hours the following day.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, the ectopic pregnancy ruptured before they could do anything and it ruptured my appendix, so they had to remove one fallopian tube.

 

“I am living with one and I had my child through natural birth with that one I have left.”

By Taiye Olayemi

Bimbo Esho, Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company, on Friday, pledged to continue to build on her late father’s legacy of promoting Nigerian music.
Esho’s late father, Femi Esho, who was the Chairman of Evergreen Musical Company, died June 17, after a brief illness in Lagos.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Esho said her father would be buried on Aug. 30 in Lagos.
She said having learnt from her father while alive, including his mistakes, she remained confident to continue to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian music industry.
“Watching him and the respect that was accorded him in the society made me know that there must not be any slip from my side because any mistake I do will negatively affect what he stood for in the industry,” she said.
Esho said she would miss her late father’s humble nature and genuine love toward others.
“My father’s humility is something I will miss, his humility and genuine love. It is very difficult for you to see people that have genuine love for people,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN) on Tuesday advised creatives to collaborate with government to promote film contents capable of influencing the youth positively.
Mrs Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi, National President of CDGN, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Osawaru-Akinyemi said creatives should focus more on contents that would combat social vices like: robbery, sexual immorality, smoking, hooliganism, rape, drug addiction and cultism among others.
She said every individual involved in the value chain of film production should see themselves as agents for positive change in the society.
“I advise all creatives like film producers, directors, scriptwriters, costumiers, makeup artists, location managers, property and production designers to collaborate with government to engage in research that will improve film content.
“Recently, our industry regulator, National Film and Video Censors Board held a smoke-free Nollywood conference in Enugu, letting us know that messages can be passed without puffing cigarettes.
“We can preach against the other vices without actually practicalising it in films.
“I think the industry, rather than being sucked in, should partner with the government to promote film content that can discourage the growth of cultism and other vices.
“Government can fund research programmes for actors in the process.
“I want to say laziness is the reason we are not doing enough research; we need to do more because the contents are just there; we are not tapping into them, but foreigners are everywhere gaining access to our stories to tell,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

Nigerian-British fantasy-horror film, “A Song From The Dark “, is set to premiere on Amazon Prime, July 12.
The Film Director, Ogo Okpue, during a virtual media briefing and preview of the movie said it was positioned to ingrain heroes and heroines of African traditional mysticism with similar audacity as western films.
Okpue, a United Kingdom-based award winning multidisciplinary designer and creative director who doubles as the scriptwriter, said the movie draws a lot of inspiration from the stories he heard as a child whenever he visited the village with his parents.
According to him, his late grandmother who was a traditionalist will always entertain him with series of stories each time he visited the village.
He said: “The inspiration of the story dates back to a certain period of my childhood when my family will visit my grandmother in our village.
“She happened to be a well-respected traditionalist. Tales of her would intrigue us and as I grew older, I regretted not knowing her more.
“She was an enigma and I wondered what it would have been like if some of her tales were captured in books. The world of African mysticism has not been explored enough in the world of cinema andmost times it is vilified.
“America has Superman and Ironman, the United Kingdom has James Bond and Harry Potter. Japan and China have Flying Swordsmen and mystical Ninjas, India has Tonnes. What do we have?
“I think in Africa, our superheroes have slept long enough, African stories are as diverse and as entertaining as the continent itself, so, I thought, ‘why not add more African heroes to the fictional world of cinema.”
Speaking on the choice of the cast and crew, Okpue described the team as brave, extremely intelligent and talented individuals for being able to interprete their roles well.
According to him, the film embraces suspense and drama like the great horror classics as non-horror fans will also have fun watching it.
“At the heart of it, it is a family drama and a cautionary tale with poignant social commentary.
“Its confident blend of drama and multilayered subtexts will leave viewers reaching for repeat viewing and days long post credit conversations.”
The cast is led by Vanessa Vanderpuye, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Wale Ojo, Vanessa, Sharon Oji, Alex Scrivens, Gracia Brown, Lola Wayne, Peace Oseyenum and Paul Coster, Dimeji Ewuoso and Yinka Awoni.
The synopsis reads: “After the mysterious death of her husband, a woman hires a reluctant spirit hunter to expel an evil spirit tormenting her family. Unknown to the spirit hunter, the family has a dark secret they have sworn to keep hidden at all costs.”(NAN) (nannews.ng)