By Joshua Olomu

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, says the creative industry is Nigeria’s ‘new oil’ as the nation seeks to diversify its revenue and economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister stated this in her keynote address at the opening of the 2024 retreat for the ministry and its agencies on Wednesday in Abuja.

The two- day retreat with the theme,” Driving Creativity and Innovation Towards Destination 2030”, had in attendance heads of agencies under the ministry, government functionaries and stakeholders in the creative sector.

According to Musawa, as the nation grapples with economic challenges and seeks to diversify its economy, the creative economy is a robust alternative that should be explore.

She said the ministry under her watch has unveiled a roadmap to ensure that the sector creates Two million jobs by 2027 and attracts $100 billion to GDP by 2030.

“As a nation, we are trying to diversify from oil, and the creative economy is a strong alternative as the new oil because the future of the country depends on the creative sector.

“ Nigerian creatives all over the world are doing great things and that is why our ministry is set to be a beacon of creativity, innovation, and inclusivity.

“We play a critical role in shaping the creative and cultural landscape of our nation while promoting and preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

“Since the establishment of the Ministry by President Bola Tinubu, we have witnessed remarkable achievements and milestones, thanks to the dedication and passion of our predecessors and key stakeholders within the sector.

“From the establishment of cultural institutions to the implementation of landmark Policies, Project and Programmes, our Ministry has been and will continue to be at the forefront of driving positive change and transformation,” she said.

Musawa said that the ministry was committed to aligning itself with the Presidential Priorities set forth by the President for Ministers, Aides, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries in November 2023.

According to her, the priorities include reforming the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth, strengthen national security for peace and prosperity, boosting agriculture to achieve food security, among others.

“The Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy sectors have a crucial role to play in achieving these priorities and are critical drivers of economic growth and job creation.

“By ensuring the development and continued investment in these sectors, we can harness their potential to stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship and attract investments, thereby contributing to the diversification and resilience of our economy.

“We are committed to working together to ensure that the efforts made to birth the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy are consolidated and institutionalised.

“This retreat serves as a platform for us to collectively assess our progress, identify challenges and chart a course for the attainment of the Ministerial Deliverables as executed in our Performance Bond.

“It provides us an opportunity to strengthen our bond as a high-level leadership team, to share best practices, and to develop innovative strategies that will propel our ministry and its agencies forward,” she said.

In his her goodwill message, Ms Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, commended the leadership of the ministry for organising the retreat.

Usman who was represented by Dr Sanusi Ohiare, said the initiative was an indication that ministry was committed to ensuring that the creative economy serves as a virile source of revenue for revenue.

“It is a matter of unique pleasure for me to be here given the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its economy and the pivotal role this ministry play in the achievements of this imperative.

“It is a clarion call to all Nigerians, especially those of us who are privileged to serve in our current respective capacities, to unlock the boundless potential of our nation’s creative prowess.

“The creative economy is a fountain of opportunities, a wellspring of economic growth, and a catalyst for societal transformation.

“It is a testament to the ingenuity of our people , the richness of our cultural heritage and the boundless imagination that defines our nation,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Aderogba George

Mr Chuks Anyaduba, the Convener of the Crossroads of Culture Festival, says the festival will attract foreign investments and showcase Nigeria’s culture to the world.

Anyaduba said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the festival, slated for August in Brampton City, Canada, would feature Nigerian cuisines, Afro fashion marketplace and Afro commerce connect.

“The festival’s mission is to export Nigeria’s cultural richness while promoting its diverse cultural heritage on the global stage.

“Canadians will explore Nigerian food, culture, music, fashion and the rest of them; and by that way, we are operating a bridge to build the country.

“The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Ministry of Tourism as well as Nigeria Tourism Development Agency should come in by giving us technical support, creating awareness, giving us the platform to strive.

“We want them to support this event and give us a platform to thrive and make sure that Nigeria’s culture is exported.

“We have a welcome letter from the Mayor of Brampton, His Worship Mayor Patrick Brown, extending greetings to all attendees ahead of the festival,’’ Anyaduba said.

The convener recalled that the unveiling of the festival which was held recently in Abuja featured a high-level dialogue with policymakers, cultural experts, and representatives from UNESCO and other international organisations.

He said discussion was centred on the critical importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Anyaduba added that the event served as a precursor to the main festival scheduled to take place from Aug. 9 to 10 in Canada.

“The Crossroads of Culture Festival promises to be a celebration of Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry and a platform for fostering global cultural exchange.

“The festival will serve as a bridge, connecting Nigeria and Canada, and promoting unity, inclusiveness and collaboration

“As preparation continues for the main festival in Canada, anticipation grows for an event that will showcase Nigeria’s vibrant culture to the world,” Anyaduba said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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By Joshua Olomu

Mswitch Media, an Abuja-based talent development hub, has trained 20 budding talents on post-production aspect of filmmaking.

The aim is to enable them explore job opportunities that abound in Nollywood.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a graduation ceremony and demo–day was held for the beneficiaries of the free creative academy on Wednesday in Abuja.

The graduation ceremony was the climax of a two-day stakeholders forum organised by the hub with the theme, “Positioning Nigerian Creatives For Global Post-Production Demand.”

The event had in attendance stakeholders in the creative industry, including actors, filmmakers and representatives of relevant government institutions.

In his goodwill address , Mr Salami Kadir, Co-founder of MSwitch Media, said the four-week training was for participants to acquire necessary skills to operate as professionals in film and music production.

He said having people with requisite skills and competences would bridge existing gaps in the country’s audio production industry.

According to him, the initiative is part of measures by the hub to complement government’s efforts in making young and passionate people self-reliant in order to reduce unemployment and curb youth restiveness.

“In Nigeria, we have beautiful and unique stories that the world is yearning to hear, but they will never appreciate our stories if they don’t come up with impeccable quality.

“This is the reason we have decided at Mswitch to champion this cause and develop the next generation of creative and innovative editors, colorists, motion graphics specialists, sound designers, and trailer editors.

“Our goal is not just to prepare them for the global job market and the creative industry, but also impacting them with necessary skills to excel in their personal projects so they can earn a sustainable living.

“At the moment, we do not even have enough people that have been trained to know how to create sound, a massive sound for motion pictures.

“So, we want to create a community of audio creators, people who have products and passion for sound, then we can help them refine those skills,” he said.

He said having vibrant post-production professionals in the industry would ensure that any video being exported would be well packaged to attract direct foreign investment and boost the image of the movie industry.

Some of the graduates that spoke with NAN on the sideline expressed gratitude to the creative hub for offering them such a huge opportunity for free.

David Ikani said:” As you can see from my face, I am really excited because I just received my certificate and this entire journey has been an amazing journey.

“This is a big stepping stone to the miles that we are going to cover eventually because this is opening the doors for young creatives who are interested in post-production.

Nkeoma Umudu, a young filmmaker, said : ” I decided to do this because I wanted to know what it means to identify real sounds in films

“I wanted to be able to identify a film that has a good sound, so, moving forward I can sit with editors and be able to tell them, okay, this is how I want my sound to be.”

Highpoints of the event was the presentation of certificates of participation to the students and electrifying performances by various artistes.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Joshua Olomu

Organisers of the annual Humanitarian Awards and Magazine(HAM), have said that the 2024 edition will recognise charitable individuals and organisations  committed to humanitarian interventions, and activities in  support of underprivileged persons.

Mr Emmanuel Anabueze, Project Director of HAM, stated this at a news conference to unveil programmes for the 2024 awards on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, this year’s edition will search out hitherto unsung charitable individuals across Nigeria who provide relief to those in need and honour them.

He added that foreign organisations who have championed humanitarian activities anywhere in the country will also be identified,  and recognised at the event scheduled to hold later in the year.

According to him, recipients are individuals  who have demonstrated  empathy, selflessness and dedication to building a better life for everyone.

“The Humanitarian Awards ceremony aims to shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in addressing pressing humanitarian challenges both locally and globally.

“This event serves as a platform  not to only honour  the achievements of the awardees, but also to inspire others to join the noble cause of humanitarianism.

“With a diverse range of categories, ranging from legislative members to sports personalities, from organisations focused on healthcare to those championing environmental sustainability, this ceremony promises to honour a wide spectrum of humanitarian efforts.

“Nominees include individuals, NGOs and corporate bodies who have used their resources to promote humanitarian initiatives, and positive influence on communities,, especially during challenging times.

“In the face of global challenges, we have witnessed the remarkable resilience of the human spirit, this year’s edition of HAM is our opportunity to spotlight the unsung heroes and honour them,” he said .

Anabueze said this year edition of the HAM ceremony, which will be held in August, will coincide with the World Humanitarian day.

He said the award was non-political, and therefore called on  Nigerians to nominate any individual and organisation involved in humanitarian initiatives for the awards.

“Nomination for this roll of honour will start on April  20, and we have about 28 different categories that are open for nominations before voting by the public.

“The voting is a public opinion vote where everybody is being allowed to vote for those that have been nominated, and you can vote for anybody you feel that deserves the categories that are going to be listed.

“As part of events to mark the World Humanitarian Day on Aug. 19, there are programmes, humanitarian activities, outreaches , empowerment programmes before the award ceremony on date within August.

“It is our hope that it will encourage more individuals and organisations to step up and make meaningful impact in our society,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Taiye Olayemi

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has declared Thursday as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of actor Junior Pope and three other crew members.

The Nollywood actors died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Emeka Rollas, National President of AGN, in a statement on Thursday said that this happened on a movie set titled “The other side of Life”, produced by Adamma Luke.

“Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely.

“No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and the film titled “The other side of Life” is suspended indefinitely.

“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons.

“May their souls rest in peace,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

The late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was short lived .

“My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

“God knows the best. We finally lost him.

Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Ace Nigerian actor and comedian Ayodeji Makun, popularly known as Ay, has confirmed the end of his marriage to Mabel Makun, his wife of 16 years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the comic artiste disclosed this in a post on his Instagram page.

He wrote, “Many people believe that staying silent simply means that one is incapable of dealing with issues.

“It is one thing to watch my friendship/marriage of 20 years slip off my hands, but it’s another thing for the parties involved to understand how to appropriate the blame in a space that is designed for most women to always play the victims and win.

“Projecting a negative narrative against someone who is not struggling to defend himself doesn’t mean he is weak.

“Yes! Without compromising my family, I have found myself doing some things that I am not proud of today.

“I can tell you for free that no one is completely innocent enough to cast stones.”

However, in swift reaction to the post, Mabel made a post on her Instagram page confirming that the once love birds were now at loggerhead.

“She wrote: “distance is my new response to disrespect. I don’t react, I don’t argue. I don’t dive into the drama. I just remove myself”.

NAN reports that the couple got married in 2008 and have two children from the union. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Taiye Olayemi

Pelumi Nubi, the 28-year-old travel content creator who embarked on a solo drive of 68 days from London to Lagos, has received a hero’s welcome at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Nubi embarked on the trip in a car on Jan. 30, and arrived at the Nigeria-Benin Republic Border on Sunday morning, where she was received on behalf of the Lagos State Government by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka.

She had a brief stopover at Badagry, and then headed over to UNILAG where a heroic homecoming was planned for her.

Nubi, in excitement mingled with her well-wishers as she danced to different music of local artistes.

Nubi, whose father is a Professor in the Department of Estate Management, UNILAG and the Founder/National Coordinator, Ideal Habitat Initiative, took her fans through her journey of solo drive from London to Lagos in an interesting footage.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, described Nubi’s feat as the resilience of an average Nigerian.

Ogunsola also described Nubi as the woman with the indomitable spirit.

“For Pelumi to leave London and spend hours on the road, she went through 17 countries. She embodies the Nigerian spirit. She is the second person to do it.

“Nigerians are courageous. She was not afraid of racism and things that might be on the way. I want all of us here to know that there is nothing you cannot do. All that is stopping you is in your mind.

“Queen Amina of Zaria took to war and conquered; Captain Chinyere Kalu was the first female pilot, among others. Pelumi has shown us that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Pelumi, we are proud of you,” she said.

Addressing the audience, Dr Newton Jibunoh who did a solo drive from London to Lagos, 56 years ago, said he did that four times.

“I did it 56 years ago alone and I have done it four times after and I was hoping to do it again but age will not allow me. Today, I am handing over to Pelumi because there is so much to gain from this,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during Nubi’s solo road trip, she faced a daunting challenge in March when she survived a crash.

Video footage showed severe damage to her vehicle’s front and a shattered windshield.

Nubi started from England, crossed into France, Spain and headed to Morocco, then through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambi, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin and finally reaching Lagos. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran