By Patricia Amogu

An Abuja-based fashion icon, Celestina Ibeh, on Thursday said with the government investment Nigeria can compete globally with other industry operators and even take over the global fashion space.

Ibeh, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Queen Tee Fashion and Beauty Empire, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“Nigeria stands out in Africa, having the biggest economy and some of the most robust fashion hubs, fashion designers, and fashion shows widely accepted around the world.

“We have a lot of influencers on social media spaces, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube just promoting the Nigerian fashion space and making it more visible across the globe.

“We have all it takes to be ranked among the best in the world.

“One thing that stands out for us as a people is our unique and diverse culture. We also have unique styles and dress sense.

“I see Nigeria in the next couple of years making a huge global impact economically through the exploration of our fashion industry if the government invests in the fashion space especially locally.

“That way, we can achieve giant leaps economically,” she said.

Ibeh who is also an influencer and promoter, said the Federal Capital Territory had the potential to become a fashion empire given the presence of entertainment shows and celebrities in the area.

“It is a good thing for me as it is for our fashion industry establishing a fashion empire as a brand in the Capital City where we have a lot of entertainment stuff going on, celebrities who come for make-overs, fashion show organisers, and comedians.

“We also have fashion enthusiasts and a lot of influencer brands connecting to promote and uplift the entertainment industry.

“It is a one-stop-shop, so to speak, for hair-do, make-up, clothing, massage, spa, barbing, studio shoots, catering, and eateries, as well as lounges and bars, among others,” she added.

Queen Tee Fashion and Beauty Empire was established nearly a year ago to provide services such as high-quality fabrics, tailoring designs, and allied services to the Nigerian public.

She decried the increasing hike in the exchange rate of the dollar against the naira.

She, therefore, urged the Federal Government to make the local business environment conducive for operators in the fashion industry so that job opportunities will be created for the young people.

“The swaying dollar rates are not helping us. The increase is overwhelming for us. We are hopeful that the government can make the business environment conducive for us here because we are also creating employment for the youth.

“The scholarships we used to give have become difficult to provide these days and young people are finding it difficult to cope even with their businesses,” Ibeh said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Joshua Olomu

Inkblot Productions, a leading Nollywood blockbusters producer in Nigeria, has recorded the highest numbers of films in the 2023 list of 30 most-watched movies on Amazon Prime Video Nigeria.

According to streaming data released by ShockNG , providers of box-office information, Inkblot have four titles among the 30 most-popular movies of 2023 , an unprecedented feat by any studio in a competitive year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prime Video Nigeria is an subscription video on-demand over-the -top streaming and rental service owned by Amazon, an American company.

The list of top 30 movies includes both Nollywood and Hollywood films that resonated with Nigerian audiences throughout the past year.

According to ShockNG, the four Inkblot blockbusters include ‘Palava’, ‘Love in a Pandemic’, ‘The Blood Covenant’ and ‘The Set Up 2’and the data represents 99 per cent of all viewing on the streamer during that time.

Reacting to the development, Co-founder of ShockNG, Akintunde Damilare, said: “ This is interesting. It goes to show how Inkblot has been able to blend the consumerism and appeal of Prime Video audiences

“They have also scaled up their operations and been able to meet the demand and preferences of Nigeria’s Prime Video subscribers.

“It also means that at a various point of the year, you had an Inkblot title on the top 10 table at a particular point of the day, week or month throughout 2023.

“This is a very good signal that the stories from Inkblot are getting better and are now being acknowledged by the consumers.”

Also speaking, Mr Damola Ademola, Co-Founder and Executive of Inkblot, said the unprecedented achievement was a product of hard work and talent of partners, cast, and crew.

“We are thrilled to have seen our titles heavily present in this list as our diverse lineup of films resonated with audiences, and we are grateful for their continued support.

“Our focus has always been on providing memorable and impactful storytelling, and we will continue to do so in the future,” he said.

NAN reports that heist drama “Brotherhood” topped the 30 most-watched movies chart, followed closely by Femi Adebayo’s “King of Thieves” and Funke Akindele’s “Battle on Buka Street”.

For Inkblot, “Palava” and “Love In Pandemic” reigned in the top 10,as the production house accounted for 2023’s critically acclaimed titles, cherished among audiences and
movie critics.( NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Chinenye Offor

The FCT-Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) reminded Abuja socialite Mrs Aisha Achimugu to fulfill her tax obligations on Saturday.

FCT-IRS posted on its social media X handle, wishing the socialite warmest birthday wishes as she lavishly celebrated her 50th birthday, setting the Caribbean state of Grenada agog in a seven-day bash.

Achimugu, the founder and managing director of Abuja-based Felak Concept Group, turned 50 on Jan. 22.

“The FCT-Internal Revenue Service extends our warmest birthday wishes to you! May this special day be filled with joy and blessings. Remember to fulfill your tax obligations by filing your annual tax returns,” FCT-IRS posted.

The dedicated website for the seven-day birthday party included information regarding visa arrangements, available chauffeurs, travel schedules, and the nearest airport to the event venue.

The festivities began on Jan. 16 with the arrival of guests. The following day, the event started with a welcome breakfast, exploring the resort, and mingling.

On day four, attendees wore vibrant African attire for special performances, including drum dances. A bonfire provided a cozy backdrop as guests gathered for an evening of warmth and music.

Day Five showcased performances by a local band, various cocktails, and a retro disco party. On the sixth day, guests embarked on an island excursion.

On Jan. 23, the seventh and final day began with an all-white breakfast culminating in a luxurious dinner-themed ‘glitz and glam’ before guests bid farewell to Grenada.

Many socialites and prominent Nigerians, including a governor of one of the Southwest states, reportedly graced the birthday bash. Those in attendance were said to have flown from Nigeria to Grenada in hired jets.

Some described the birthday bash as one of the most lavish parties they had ever attended or heard of.

The celebrant hired Calivigny Island for a week and booked rooms for her guests at Silversand, Grenada.

Mrs Achimugu was reported to have changed clothes at the party at least 30 times, with each dress reportedly costing thousands of dollars.

These were in addition to the high-end clothes she wore for a photoshoot with a celebrity photographer before the event.

Throughout the evenings, she wore costly diamond jewelry, designer shoes, and carried Hermes crocodile leather handbags, each estimated to cost between $50,000 and $80,000.

One of the many gatherings occurred aboard the Silver Angel, a yacht sailing on the Caribbean Sea under the flag of the United Kingdom.

According to reports, Achimugu spent nearly one million dollars (more than N1 billion) to rent the island for the entire week.

A significant number of local and international A-list musicians and entertainers flew in to perform at the various events. Artistes who performed included American saxophonist and composer, Kenny G, Nigeria’s Waje, Flavour, Adekunle Gold, Asake, and Mr Killa, a Grenadan musician.

The event was filled with lots of activities from swimming to extravagant meals, bonfires, kayaking, and treasure hunting.

The Nigerian version of the birthday bash continued on Friday at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, and another one on Saturday at an undisclosed location.

Achimugu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Jos. She also holds an honorary degree from The Commonwealth University, Belize, also in the Caribbean.

She married Engineer Sulaiman Achimugu, a former Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, and they have three children.

Mr Achimugu lost his life to Coronavirus in 2020. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Kashimawo, a play on late Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, is to be staged in March.

The play, produced by the Duke of Shomolu Foundation, is to be staged in Lagos.

According to a statement by Mrs Mofoluwake Edgar, Managing Director of the Duke of Shomolu Foundation, the play will bring to life, Nigeria’s symbol of democracy.

“The play will delve very deeply into Yoruba mythology in an attempt to tell the story of this remarkable Nigerian whose very colourful life and ultimate sacrifice birthed the democracy we now enjoy.

“Abiola is a symbol of democracy; he signifies our collective dream of a great country with a free people,” the statement said.

It warned, however, that the Play would disappoint audiences as it would not address the issues of Abiola’s politics.

“The play will focus on the essence of life; it will delve into trying to understand the evolving spirituality around a life that was destined for greatness.

“The effervescent Yoruba folklores and the entertaining philosophy embedded in his rich repertoire of proverbs, which delineated and guided his life, will form the guiding push of this play,” it said.

Written and directed by Prof. Rasaki Ojo, a foremost theatre director currently Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Arts and Culture, ‘Kashimawo’ is expected to introduce the mythical characters that formed and guided the personality of Abiola.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ojo also wrote and directed ‘Fajuyi’, a play on the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi.

The play was staged in both Ekiti and Lagos with Governor Biodun Oyebanji attending both shows along with his cabinet and other prominent members of the Fajuyi and Late Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi families.

‘Kashimawo’ is also expected to attract prominent members of the Abiola family amongst other such prominent Nigerians, the statement said.

It added that the play is being sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Ltd.

Other sponsors include Lagos Internal Revenue Service and Unified Payment.

Abiola, a philanthropist, died while struggling to actualise his mandate after retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, then military President, annulled what many believed was a free and fair election.

The Federal Government had since recognised him as the winner of the June 12 election and declared the date as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. (NAN)(www.nannewsngr.com)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Joshua Olomu

Mswitch Media, an Abuja-based talent development hub, says its capacity programme will provide youths with necessary skills to bridge existing gap in film audio production industry.

Co-founder of MSwiTch Media, Mr Salami Kadir, said this on Thursday at the Official Launching of Free Training on Music and Film Audio Production for youths in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 20 budding talents drawn from different backgrounds participated in the maiden edition of the Audio Master-Class.

Kadir said that the four-week training was for participants to have the necessary skills to operate as professionals in film and music production.

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.

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

“People do not even know the importance of audio or sound in video or anything visual that they watch.

“They do not know that at least 50 per cent of the experience you get when you are watching anything is actually the sound of the audio you are hearing.

“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.

“Sound is a critical part of video production and because of that we want to start making sure that any film or content that is going out of the country, the sound is deliberate, and not just an after-thought.

“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.

Kadir added that the training would help raise experts in sound production.

This, he said, would ensure any video going out of the country would be well packaged to attract direct foreign investment and boost the image of the movie industry.

He explained that at the end of the training, participants would be supported with platforms and opportunities to excel in the movie industry as professionals.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Deji Abdulwahab

By Joshua Olomu

Mr James Sule, the new Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, has solicited the cooperation and support of members of staff to achieve the ministry’s mandate.

Sule made the appeal when he assumed office on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new permanent secretary was formally received by Minister of of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

Sule was redeployed from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to take charge of the ministry.

While thanking the minister for her warm reception and extolled her efforts towards putting Nigeria on the world map of art, culture and entertainment, Sule expressed readiness to advance the course of the ministry.

He promised to provide the necessary support needed towards the realisation of the mandate of the ministry.

He, therefore, solicited for the support the members of staff and other stakeholders in the ministry to succeed.

“I know that you have hit the ground running with the blue print that will make Nigeria a creative, cultural and entertainment capital and hub of the world.

“I am aware of the efforts you are making, including your Eight-Point Agenda tagged ‘Destination 2030’, and I have watched your video and I am impressed.

“I want to assure you that we are ready to make ourselves available to the political head in accordance with the civil service,” he said.

Welcoming the scribe, the Musawa said the ministry was created on Aug. 21, 2023 to provide an enabling environment to develop and harness potentials that abound in Nigeria’s art, culture and creative sectors.

“I warmly welcome you to the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy.

“The Ministry is saddled with the responsibility of providing overall political leadership and guidance for the attainment of goals and objectives of the ministry.

“We also provide oversight in the formulation and implementation of policies necessary for the realisation of mandates of the ministry and also provide oversight for various arts and culture related programmes and activities.

“We are happy to have you as permanent secretary to help steer the administration of this ministry according to the civil service rules. We are grateful that you are in a position to advise us accordingly,” the minister said.

NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy has 11 agencies, which include National Council of Arts and Culture, Nigerian Film Corporation, National Theatre.

Others are the National Films and Censors Board, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture, National Gallery of Art, National War Museum and National Institute of Archeology and Museums Studies.

The National Troupe of Nigeria, National Institute for Cultural Orientation and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments are also agencies under the ministry.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deji Abdulwahab