By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was born on March 8, 1957, has clocked 66 years.

Osinbajo survived a helicopter crash in Kogi on Feb. 2, 2019, and won re-election on Feb. 23, 2019 for another four-year term with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He featured in the 2023 presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Osinbajo, Nigeria’s 5th vice president is the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), which deliberates on economic planning efforts and programmes of the various tiers of government.

As the chairman of NEC, Osinbajo has superintended over critical resolutions on economy, health, technology, agriculture, infrastructure and security, among others.

At the onset of COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Buhari asked him to chair the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) which drafted the Economic Sustainability (ESP) to shore up the economy.

He also chairs the Health Sector Reform Committee, National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy Committee, and Presidential Committee on the Repatriation.

Osinbajo is also chairing the committee on Return and Resettlement of IDPs in the North-East, National  Steering Committee (NSC) of the National Development Plan(NDP) 2021 – 2025 among others.

The vice president attended the Igbobi College, Lagos, University of Lagos (UNILAG) from 1975 to 1978, and London School of Economics and Political Science.

He was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 until 2007.

Osinbajo worked as a Professor of Law at the University of Lagos for many years; he was also a Senior Partner with SimmonsCooper Partners, a commercial law firm.

He is also a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, have three children.(NAN)

===

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, has congratulated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his 66^th birthday.

The vice president turned 66 years old on Wednesday.

Akande extended his felicitations in a birthday message to the vice president who was born on March 8, 1957.

According to him, Osinbajo exists to inspire to build a better future for individuals, groups and the country.

“The place of inspiration and imagination in the pursuit of personal or national fulfilment is not only pivotal but also irreplaceable and this is why people who can inspire must remain in front.

“What I have come to know about the vice president is that he is an inspirer, and watching him do things is in itself an inspiration.

“People like that exists to inspire individuals, groups and nations to attain goals and objectives that advance their causes and lead irrevocably to greatness.

“He provokes something in people such that conduces towards excellence, endurance and empathy, attributes that he himself exemplify.

“He exudes excellence; so that people can discover hidden capacities.’’

Akande said the vice president showed endurance which enabled people to sustain the pursuit of vision by imbuing patience and humility that created perseverance.

He also listed empathy as one of the vice president’s qualities that reinforced a common bond of humanity by which individuals become an example of selflessness, rendering service and value on private and public levels.

The spokesman said it was the vice president’s empathy that took him to Maiduguri in the early months of the administration where he led a charitable effort that produced the learning centre.

He said the learning centre offered orphans affected by insurgency some of the best types of education available anywhere in the world in the past six years.

“It is the endurance that kept him in place when all kinds of malevolent forces were bent on diminishing the effective delivery of public goods directly to the people of this nation.

”(This is) in an unprecedented scale such as the Social Investment Programme(SIP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“Some entrusted with leadership responsibilities wanted to privatise the SIP by sharing slots among the elites in a scheme meant to secure some social safety nets in a country fiercely battling poverty.

“Finally, it is the excellence for instance that makes him interrogate his aides and people pushing laudable ideas in and out of government by demanding for scaling up the numbers.

“After all, he would wonder “what’s the use of a government programme that reaches only a few thousands in a population of over 200million.

“For him, excellence says think, not just out of the box, but think big; do the hard part, apply yourself, be relentless, work tirelessly at goals.’’

According to Akande, in the past eight years, the average closing time in the Vice President’s Office is 8pm or 9pm.

He said that on many occasions, people in the office had been at work past 12 midnights as excellence spared no effort.

“So, today as the vice president turns 66, I wish him a happy birthday and many happy returns.

“My dear boss, and Nigeria’s number two citizen, we pray that as your days so shall your strength, wisdom and favour be with God and man,’’ he said.(NAN)

====

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Esenvosa Izah

A Nigerian dancer, Ms Kafayat Shafau, popularly known by her stage name, Kaffy, has urged women to cultivate the habit of dancing regularly.

She said this was helpful in reducing stress, keeping fit and being more productive in their various walks of life.

Kaffy, who is also a dance advocate, gave the advice at the 2023 Lagos Women Dance, the fourth in its series, held on Saturday at the National Stadium in Lagos.

The programme was organised by two organisations, Jela Projects Limited in conjunction with Seed Rehabilitation Foundation.

Kaffy said the organisers wanted to give women empowerment for business, help with education, and so on, but there was more to this.

“A wellness mind is a productive mind; also, a full belly is productive, but you can have a full belly and still be worried or stressed; I think both should go together.

“Whatever we are doing for women, we should not forget that the stress of being a woman in Africa is enough to break a woman

“So, my message here is to encourage women to understand that health is wealth, but the mind that carries the body is actually the vault of where productivity lies and we need to protect that space, “ she said.

Kaffy said that the backbone of human living was continuous movement, and dance, as a way to move, was fun..

According to her, the body, mind and soul benefit immensely from dancing.

“So, if the body moves, the mind cannot tell the difference between a body that is moving positively or negatively.

“Therefore, we always encourage people, even when we use dance as therapy, no matter your negative condition, when you get up and dance, you can never return angry or sad.

“Dance melts that sadness, tension and also, your physiology: cardiovascular system, digestive system, muscular system. every part of your body is benefitting from dance.

“So, when I talk about being an advocate for dance, it is not only for entertainment, but for human excellence; we need to move in order to live, “ she said.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer and Convener of the dance, Mrs Angela Tony-Iji, said her passion for dance was the driving force behind the programme.

She said she also had passion for strong and hardworking women.

According to her, this cuts across women from all walks of life, including professionals, grassroots women and business women.

“Many women hardly have time to socialise, stress out, exercise and carry a lot of burdens like physical, emotional, financial stress.

“Some are slumping, dying of depression, having no one to talk to,” she said.

The convener said that women love to mingle, network, learn from fellow women and build very good relationships.

“So, out of this passion for dance, singing, mingling, having fun is what birthed this programme, “ she said.

Tony-Iji urged men to support their wives and partners to partake in dance and other activities that could reduce the stress in daily living.

She also called on the government and corporate organisations to partner with others to support the well-being of women in the society.

Tony-Iji said: “Gone are those days when they say women are not heard but seen.

“These days, women should not be relegated to the background and stereotyped to keep them in one place, dying in silence; no man should push his wife to that point.

“We call on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to invest more in the well-being of women in the country.”

A participant and a mother of four children, Mrs Gladys Umokoro, said that dance had become part of her lifestyle, urging fellow women to develop the habit.

Umukoro said, “I see dance as a way to unwind and relax myself; I have a dance club that I attend and I have also made more friends in the process.

“Women in Nigeria suffer a lot due to pressure from the home front; however, women can still do a lot to care for themselves by dancing or doing whatever can make them feel relaxed and stay healthy.” (NAN)

===========
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr Chidia Maduekwe, has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory in Saturday’s election.

Maduekwe said in a congratulatory message on Wednesday, that Tinubu’s victory was a testament to a renewed hope for a better, secure and prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, the emergence of Tinubu as president under the APC’s ‘renewed hope’ mantra, will present beautiful vista for the nation’s creative industry, particularly the film industry, for enhanced contribution to national economy.

Maduekwe, also a chieftain of the ruling APC, called on all citizens to welcome the president-elect with renewed optimism and support as the next dispensation ushers in better days for Nigeria.

“On behalf of myself and the Nigerian Film Corporation, I congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his resounding victory in Saturday’s Presidential Election, despite all odds.

“This is not just a victory for our great party, the All Progressives Party (APC), but a victory for Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world.

“The NFC, which is committed to development of a viable and sustainable film industry and cinema culture in Nigeria, will sure deliver more on its mandate under this administration,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared and presented Tinubu with Certificate of Return on March 1, after winning the Feb. 25 poll.

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes, while PDP’s Atiku Abubakar came second with 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of LP emerged third with 6,101,533 votes. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

==================================
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Deji Abdulwahab

Tade Adeyemi, National President, Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN), says the association has created a network platform to ease Deejay’s business for its members in the country.

Adeyemi made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, while unveiling Karu branch of DJAN.

He called on Deejays to join the association, saying that they would benefit a lot from the association’s network platform.

Adeyemi said: “The reason for coming together is to assist ourselves in the entertainment industry, because you cannot know it all and have it all; you must learn from old hands.

“DJAN has created a platform where members will assist and ease Deejay’s business for each other.

“For instance, if a member of DJAN has been invited to come from Abuja and play in Benue, that member does not need to carry anything to Benue, except his laptop.

“What he needs to do is to talk to his coordinator here in Abuja to negotiate with any DJAN executive in Benue to provide relevant equipment in that state.

“So, tell your friends to be members of this great association because you will gain more as members.’’

According to him, it is very good that we are unveiling this branch today, that means you are a recognised body of the DJAN. So, anywhere you go, nobody can mess you up.

Adeyemi, describing Deejays as parasites, who fed on other people’s works in the entertainment industry, stressed the need for them to pay stipends to the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN).

He recalled that DJAN and MCSN had on Dec.19, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that right owners benefited from the exploitation of their works.

While inaugurating Karu chapter of association, Isa Justice, the Chairman, DJAN in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), described the association as an avenue to take entertainment industry to the next level.

Justice said that over the years, Deejays were seen as drop out people who did not know what they were doing.

“But now, we are changing the narrative and we all have to change it together. It is time for us to package ourselves. It is time to turn a new leaf.

“When you go for an event, package yourselves because the world is now about packaging,’’ he said.

Justice, who is also known as DJ Smooth, said gone were the days when Deejays collected N20, 000 per play.

“We are above that level now. Very soon, there is going to be task force and it is coming very real. So, brace up as it comes,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Coordinator, DJAN Karu chapter, Sylvester Daniel, commended the FCT and National Executives for unveiling the chapter to be more recognised as body like before. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

By Priscilla Osaje

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says it has received and censored 340 movies produced by the Nigerian film industry in the fourth quarter of 2022.

This is contained in a statement issued by Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, the Executive Director of NFVCB on Friday in Abuja.

This, Thomas said, represents all films submitted to the board from across the country.

“The report is for onward submission to the relevant Federal Government agency as an input for the compilation of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter (Q4, 2022).

“The report shows a decrease in the number of movies produced from 489 in the third quarter to 340 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“118 of the films came in from Abuja censorship centre of the board, representing the chunk of the movies produced during the period under review.

“Followed by Lagos State with 115 movies as indicted in the report, Onitsha recorded 91, Kano nine and Benin four movies respectively,” he said .

The analysis by censorship location further shows that Jos recorded three films ,while Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Bauchi and Abeokuta did not rake in any film for the period under review.

“This clearly portrays the contribution of the film industry to economic growth in terms of direct and indirect jobs in the entire value chain in filmmaking.

“Our cordial relationship with the recognised guilds and associations in the industry has played important role, as we urge them to ensure that their members submit their films for censorship and approval.

“As a Federal Government agency committed to providing enabling environment for filmmakers, NFVCB will always ensure that uncensored and other unwholesome films do not find their way into the Nigeria market,” he added.

NFVCB is a Federal Government body that regulates the films and video industry in Nigeria.

The board is empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally.

It is also the duty of the board to register all films and videos outlet across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Taiye Olayemi

The Bonsue-Fuji exponent, Adewale Ayuba, is set to release  a new musical album – Fujify Your Soul.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday, Ayuba said that the album, to be released on Feb. 26, consisted of seven tracks.

He said that the album emphasised the need to embrace love, uphold monogamy and Fuji music.

He said that the album was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to love one another and strongly embrace Fuji music.

“I will be releasing another musical album on Feb. 26. This is “Fujify Your Soul” talking to everyone to uphold  Fuji music, we should not allow it to fade away.

“The tracks on the album are: Calling, Koloba Koloba, Sibi Mi, Jekarira, Asiwaju Ikene Remo Adeleke Adesina, Sookun Family and Fujify Your Soul.

“The tracks have strong messages  about love, the essence of imbibing monogamy and correcting the notion that being a musician does not allow one to concentrate on one wife.

“Musicians can live in affluence and still be decent,” he said.

According to him, one of the tracks, Jekarira, which was done in London,  emphasises the importance of love.

He said that another track, Calling, was a gospel single, seeking solutions to Nigerians’  current challenges.

He expressed the hope that the track would encourage Nigerians and other listeners to re-assess their ways of life.

Ayuba said that Christians and Muslims sticking  strictly  to the dictates of the Bible and the Quran, respectively, would help them to overcome current challenges.

“In my single, Calling, I have asked Nigerians to call on God and adhere to the dictates of the holy Quran and Bible.

” I cannot see true love in Nigeria, I can only see deception everywhere, we all need to reassess ourselves and go back to practise what the holy books say,” he urged.

Ayuba advised Nigerians to further embrace Fuji music.

He said that Nigerians must be proud of the genre of music everywhere.

“Like Raggae music is for the Jamaicans, so should Fuji music be for us, Nigerians.

“It is indigenous to us; so, we must uphold it,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola