By Joshua Olomu

Nigerian gospel singer Solomon Lange is set to make acting debut in a thrilling stage play ‘Waiting for Her’.

Patrick Otoro, Director and Producer of the stage theatre, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, the star-studded play is organised by Rivers of Water Production in collaboration with Transcorp Hilton, and will premiere on April 1 at the Congress Hall of the prestigious hotel.

He added that other casts that would feature along the Kaduna-born singer include Olajumoke Olatubosun among others.

According to Otoro, the plot of ‘Waiting for Her’ follows the story of a Nigerian woman who was disillusioned by the current economic challenges in the country.

“In ‘Waiting For Her’, a classic Easter reconciliation stage play, we follow the journey of a Nigerian woman who opts for a carefree existence to numb the pain of her reality.

“However, her world is turned upside down when the spirit of a beloved friend materialises before her, urging a transformation in her lifestyle to avoid a dire consequence.

“This spectral visit serves as a poignant reminder that divine intervention awaits her, imploring her to embrace change and faith in God for a brighter tomorrow,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Kingsley Okoye

The President of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday, describing him as a transformational leader.

Akpabio, in a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Eseme Eyiboh on Friday in Abuja,  also described Tinubu as a developmental democrat and bridge builder.

Akpabio said: “As a transformational leader, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu leads from the front.

“This is exemplified in his developmental strides as governor of Lagos State and since coming on stream as the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria.

“As a developmental democrat, he has over the decades,  demonstrated uncommon commitment in nurturing and instituting a firm foundation for democracy in Nigeria.

“As a bridge builder, he has remained the greatest mobiliser of men and women in contemporary Nigeria and the politician with the most robust political machinery.

“Mr President, as you mark 72 years today, I, on behalf of my family, the good people of my Senatorial district,  Akwa Ibom, and of course, the National Assembly, wish you good health and many more prosperous years ahead.

“Your Excellency, may God give you the strength and wisdom to re-engineer and reposition Nigeria for today and posterity.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls  that President Tinubu announced that he would not be celebrating his 72nd  birthday, in deference to challenging times in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Joshua Olomu

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) say they are collaborating on checkmating the glamourisation of crimes in Nigerian films and other video works.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both organisations agreed on the collaboration when NFVCB’s Executive Director/CEO, Shaibu Husseini, visited the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede on Thursday in Abuja.

Husseini, who was accompanied by his management team, said the visit was to intimate the EFCC boss on operations of the board and plans to work together with the commission.

He expressed concerns over the glamourisation of crimes and other ‘get rich quick’ tendencies in movies, as well as skits on the internet, adding that the board was ready to nip ugly trend.

Husseini also noted the misrepresentation of the EFCC and his operations in most films and video works and emphasised the need for public enlightenment campaigns .

“ I have just assumed office as the CEO of the NFVCB and I have decided to visit the EFCC as a critical stakeholder in our collective efforts towards building a better society.

“We are trying as a board to discourage the glamourisation of crimes in our movies, including scenes that make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life.

“In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervise the contents.

“The board will start with the production of Public Service Announcement (PSA) with the EFCC as part of our media literacy for Nigerians.

“Then we will engage the filmmakers and then the skit makers, and that include seminars and conferences we shall be having with them on the implications of their works on society,” he said.

In his remarks, Olukoyede commended the NFVCB in its efforts to rid the Nigerian media space of unwholesome video contents, adding that such contents wrongly shape public perceptions and behavior

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two agencies and pledged full support and involvement of the commission.

“Several skits are flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers, with this collaboration we hope that will be checked.

“We believe we have the right partner with you as films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards. ,” he said.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Oladele Eniola

Mr Victor Okhai, Founder, International Film and Broadcast Academy (IFBA), has urged youths in the country to learn skills to achieve self-sustainability.

He said this would reduce the unemployment rate among the youth and develop the national economy as well as enhance self-reliance among them.

Okhai said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on the sideline of the conclusion of a five-day training of 100 up-and-coming photographers on the art of photography.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was held at the Academy Centre, in Surulere area of Lagos State.

He explained that the training would enhance skills of the participants and also help in filling the void of inadequate skills acquisition amongst the youth.

“We are training 100 photographers on the techniques of photography, as this is part of our mandate to offer free training to over 20 million people around the continent.

“Skills acquisition is very important as it plugs different holes and ensures that people can explore and use their skills set to use.

“We have been doing this type of training over the years and we are committed to ensuring that we empower the masses through these means and give people the platform to enhance and put their skills into use,” he said.

Okhia, who is also the President of Director Guild of Nigeria (DGN), revealed that the participants of the training were selected from faith-based organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and advert placement of Facebook.

He said that 2000 people in each state would be empowered before the half of the year, adding that collaborations with the Federal Government and NGOs will aid in spreading the outreach.

“We plan to spread the outreach to other parts of state as that is part of our mandate. So, collaboration with the government and its agencies would help us do more.

“We remain committed to ensuring that we play our part in ensuring that we impact the lives of the people through empowerment programme as this,” he said.

One of the participants, Mr Michael Adeyinka, who is a person with disability, applauded the training noting that it would help him develop a new skill.

Adeyinka, who is a Disc Jockey by profession, said,“I’m very glad I was able to do this training as I was always interested in enhancing my skills in photography, so, this was a great opportunity for me.”

Abaji Yahaja, an actress and movie producer, said the training would help in improving her photography skills as she has always known the basics about it. (NAN)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Folasade Adeniran

By Joshua Olomu

Jeffrey Daniel of the legendary American R&B vocal group ‘Shalamar,’ has applauded the ingenuity of Nigerian musicians and array of talents in the country.

He gave the commendation when he featured on NAN Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the multi-talented music legend, the Nigerian music industry has produced most of the best artistes from the continent that have showcased the African music genre on the global stage.

“When I got here in 2010, and I looked around, I said, my God, wait till the world see what is going to come out of Nigeria, as I was calling it the Nigerian renaissance.

“ I was right; now look at what is coming, Burnay Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Tems and lot of others, I knew this was going to happen.

“The funny thing back then in 2010, if you went out, 90 percent of the music that you hear in the clubs was American music, and that 10 percent was Nigerian music.

“Now, it is the other way around; it is 90 percent Nigerian music and 10 percent foreign music, and I am very proud of the Nigerian music industry, how it has grown up.

“They have their own thing and I would love to see their own thing blossom and develop because that is what will make the rest of the world intrigued by them.

“A lot of them are already telling their stories within their music and it is coming out loud,” he said.

Daniel, who was a judge on the first three seasons of the popular talent hunt show ‘Nigerian Idol’, however urged Nigerian music artistes to keep their originality in telling their stories.

He advised that the quest for foreign validations in form of awards and contracts should not make Nigerian artistes discard their uniqueness and style.

According to him, African music already has strong appeal and acceptance on the global stage.

“I understand that they want to be like the Chris Browns and the Jay -Zs and all that, but you still represent something better when you tell your own story.

“I see that a lot of Nigerian artistes are now going over there, signing contracts, publishing deals overseas, and when you go over there, you are dealing with their culture, with their paradigm.

“They want to be a part of that, and they want to get that big money, but when will Africa start standing for our own?

“I would love to partner with some Nigerian artistes, help develop some artistes,but at the same time, I do not want to compromise their thing.

“Still there are things that they can incorporate in their works so that they do not fall in some of the trap like some of their Americans counterpart’s did,” he said.

Speaking on the trendy ‘Japa Sydrome’, especially among the youths, Daniel who is married to a Nigerian and now based in the country, said it was time Nigerians look inward and develop their own.

He however added that the resourceful and creative Nigerian youths only needed more support from within for them to stop the rush for greener pasture and validation abroad.

“Now people say, why am I here when Nigerians are trying to go over there? but what are they going there for? I was born and raised over there so I know what is there.

“There is no doubt that Africa is the most resource-rich continent on the planet.

“I am not talking about just resources in the ground, I am talking about human resourcesm because right now, Nigerians are the number one university students in America.

“Nigerians are some of the number one doctors, engineers, pediatricians, designers, or whatever in America, in the UK, and Canada.

“You have resilience and the tenacity of the Nigerian people, African people and all we have to do is fix what we have here, then we will have this amazing experience,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Joshua Olomu

Jeffrey Daniel, American multi-talented music legend, says African music does not need external validation for significance.

According to him, “it already has strong appeal and acceptance on the global stage”.

The singer-songwriter, dancer and choreographer, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Daniel, a founding member of the renowned R&B vocal group ‘Shalamar,’ stated this amidst growing agitations by African music artistes for international awards and recognition, especially the Grammys in recent times.

According to him, it is high time Africa learnt from the intrigues that trailed the recently concluded 66th Grammy Award, with the creation of an African category and look inward to celebrate itself.

“I don’t think African music artistes need to seek validation from America to know how great they are because they are already great and they are taking over the world.

“You don’t need validation from America and other places because in reality, when P-Square, D’banj, MI, and all those people were popular, they were basically still within the continent.

“They were making more money than some American artistes and getting accolades more than them, but they wanted that validation from America because they looked up to the American music industry.

“Today, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and others are selling out stadiums and arenas around the world, so why do they need the Grammys to say, okay, we accept you when they are already accepted.

“I would like to see Africa get behind all the stress and create its own platform and support its own, besides the Headies.

“Over there in America is about 350 million people, while the African continent is about 1.4 billion, so this is even a bigger market than America.

“I think this market will better validate the African success barometer,” he said.

The “A Night to Remember” crooner particularly lauded the remarkable progress the Nigerian entertainment industry has made, especially Nollywood films that are now known across the globe.

He commended both Nigerian music and motion picture artistes, adding that they only need more support from within for them to stop the rush for greener pasture and validation abroad..

“The Nigerian movie industry, which is the second largest in the world, has really told African story to the world, and that is commendable.

“They might not make as much money as American stars when they make a movie, but you guys have your own industry, and I think that means a lot,” he said.

NAN recall that after the 66th Grammy Award was held earlier in the year, Afrobeat fans and industry players accused the Recording Academy of using Nigerian artistes to market the show for viewership purposes.

They argued that despite having five Nigerian artistes nominated in 10 combined different categories, none won. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Actor

By Taiye Olayemi

Veteran Nollywood actor, Amaechi Muonagor, has died after a prolonged illness, at the age of 62.

This was disclosed by a social commentator, Morris Monye, via his X handle on Sunday.

Muonagor was said to have suffered kidney failure and was on dialysis.

The sudden news of his demise comes just few days after a viral video where he solicited funds to help him have a Kidney transplant.

Monye wrote, “Deeply heartbroken by the news of Amaechi Muonagor’s passing.

“He was a talented Nollywood actor whose presence on our screens was truly masterful.

“We watched with concern as he battled health issues, offering whatever support we could to help him seek treatment in India.

“This tragic loss highlights the need for better healthcare in our country.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muonagor, a native of Idemili in Anambra, was born on Aug. 20, 1962.

He was an actor and producer. In 2016, he was nominated for AMVCA 2017 Best Actor in a comedy.

In 1989, after his youth service, Muonagor started working for the News Agency of Nigeria.

He left his job a few years later for an acting role in his first movie as Akunatakasi in Taboo 1, a Nigerian movie. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran