By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says plans are underway for the construction of the biggest events centre in Africa at the Abuja Arts and Craft Village.

The Director-General of the NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday said the centre when completed would attract investments and boost Nigeria’s economy.

Runsewe described the land belonging to the Abuja Arts and Craft Village, valued at N9.8 billion as the biggest in the Abuja Central Business District.

According to him, the challenges confronting the council over the land have now been resolved after many `battles’ with land grabbers and saboteurs.

“We have the land to build the biggest events centre in Africa in that place. The centre will compete with the best in the world.’’

Runsewe explained that before he became director-general of the NCAC, the Chinese Government had given Nigeria a grant running into millions of dollars, disclosing that the money was kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria for nine years.

“Nothing was done with the money and they therefore, collected back their money and gave it to another West African country.

“I felt like crying but it is not bad all together. When we start the market, we can build Africa’s biggest events centre on that land,” he stated. (NAN)

By Chinenye Offor

The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, says the creative industry is the sector worse hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Runsewe said that up to 70 per cent of people engaged in the sector were not getting monthly pay, making life unbearable for them since the the pandemic set in.

The director-general was speaking in an interview with correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

According to him, 70 per cent of people in the creative sector, including photographers, fashion makers and others do not earn monthly salaries but make their living from their handiworks from day to day.

Runsewe, who is also Chairman of the Post COVID-19 Initiative Committee on the Creative Industry, said the Federal Government would soon support the creative sector to cushion the effects of COVID-19.

He noted that the Federal Government had set up the committee to advise and implement measures to cushion the devastating effects of the pandemic on the sector.

The director-general disclosed that he had interacted with some people in the sector, including shoe makers, tailors and those in the hospitality sector to ascertain how they were affected by the disease.

“The report will ascertain how many were affected, how much that was lost and other challenges affecting the creative sector will also e looked into.”

He said that the report of the committee had been submitted to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, whom he said, was working tirelessly to ensure that the report got positive outcome.

Runsewe expressed his optimism that the sector would soon bounce back with support from the Federal Government. (NAN)

By Patience Aliyu

Ms Jacqueline Mvula, Communications Team Lead for ARKFLIX Africa, a Christian movie and entertainment streaming platform says it will promote Nigerian content on its network.

Mvula said this during the Online inauguration of Arkflix Africa, on Saturday in Abuja.

The communication team lead who noted the importance of Nigeria’s film industry Nollywood in the entertainment industry said ARKFLIX would play a great role in promoting Nigeria’s local content on its platform.

On the choice of Africa for the inauguration of the platform, Mvula said the continent is among the frontiers of digitalisation in the world hence its choice for the network.

“Africa is the next frontier in digitalisation.

“Our extensive footprint, increasing customer base and significant experience in the region makes Africa a natural choice of focus for us.”

On the activities of the media organisation, Mvula said its content was designed to cater to all age groups in the society.

“We provide quality entertainment space for people of all ages to view, listen and enjoy without the worry of harmful content.

“Our collection is designed appropriately for everyone, particularly those who are interested in watching faith-based and inspirational movies, TV shows, kids educational content and documentaries,” She said.

She also said that the platform was designed to offer a vast collection of different genres for subscribers to select from.

NAN reports that ARKFLIX  allows consumers to view and stream high-definition movies, documentaries, TV shows via their computer, tablets, smartphones and TVs by subscribing to the platform. (NAN)

By Babajide Awoyinfa

Amazon studios has released “Coming 2 America’’ trailer globally on Prime Video on March 5 virtually, the officials said on Friday in Lagos.

The film is set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has seen them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began. https://www.youtube.com/embed/x5lrkdvEZGg

Joining this star-studded ensemble are Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne, Nomzamo Mbatha and Teyana Taylor, making Coming 2 America the most anticipated comedy film of the year, they said in a statement. (NAN)

By Taiye Olayemi/Vivian Ibobo

The President, Entertainment Database and a Nigerian Flutist, Omatshola Iseli, popularly known as “Tee Mac”, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to provide COVID-19 palliatives to Nigerian entertainers.

Tee Mac, who made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said Nigerian entertainers were worst hit by the restrictions occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Iseli, also the Chairman, Entertainment Foundation, said the fact that night clubs and multipurpose halls had been shut down and ban on live shows, entertainers like musicians, actors and comedians have been hugely affected.

According to him, with this development, Nigerian Entertainers have no streams of income.

Tee Mac said that palliatives must be extended to these group of individuals just as practised in other climes like Europe and United States of America (USA).

He said unfortunately, no Nigerian entertainers had recieved any palliative from the governments since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tee Mac said the Federal Government should revisit the issue of COVID-19 palliatives meant for Nigerian Entertainers and ensured that they truly benefited from it.

“Nigerian Entertainers are suffering, if government bans live shows, night clubs and multipurpose halls from operating, they should also cushion the effect on entertainers who were not working by providing palliatives.

“In 2020, we were told that some money was earmarked as COVID-19 palliative for Nigerian Entertainers but up till now, no musician, comedian or actor has received any dime as palliative.

“This is disheartening and I plead with government to wade into this issue promptly because Nigerian entertainers are really suffering.

“In Switzerland, every musician gets US$3,000 per month, in the United States of America, they get US$1,500 per month while musicians in the United Kingdom get 1,500 pounds, this is because their wellbeing is prioritised.

“Nigeria should not be an exemption, the wellbeing of musicians, comedians, visual artists and actors must be placed on the front burner,” he said.

Tee Mac noted that there were over 400,000 professional musicians in Nigeria and about 1.2 million amateur musicians who were currently suffering due to the negative effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

“The group of people who have suffered the most during this COVID-19 era are the entertainers, the said COVID-19 palliative should be extended to us,” he said. (NAN)

By Emmanuel Afonne

The newly-appointed General Manager (GM) of Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Mrs Ngozi Nwaizu, says plans are in top gear to return the prestigious hotel to its former glory.

Nwaizu said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, that the state government has marshalled out plans to return the hotel to its five-star status.

She noted that Gov. Hope Uzodimma, had resolved to make Imo a tourist destination with the renovation of Concorde Hotel.

“Imo Concorde hotel was erected in 1983 to attract tourists and compete with the likes of Hilton and other five-star hotels around the world.

“The building is historic and it needs refurbishment to be able to attract our targeted audience.

“Once guests get good service, they will come back; these are my target to bring back Imo Concorde to its past glory and be able to compete with other five-star hotels within and outside the country.

“We have a good team that will look into feedbacks from guests on what they feel, and what needs to be done to improve the place in other to return it to its former glory.

According to her, the hotel is among the best in the country but regretted that previous administrations in the state allowed it to degenerate to its present level.

She urged private and government institutions to join hands with the administration of Gov. Uzodimma to return the hotel to its place of pride in the tourism industry. (NAN)

By Ladejobi Ekemini
Award-winning Nollywood actor Enyinna Nwigwe‘s portrait photograph has been selected for a permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, located on the National Mall of the United States capital, Washington DC.

Enyinna’s portrait by Nigerian-American photographer, Iké Udé, was selected to join thousands of traditional and contemporary African art from both Sub-Saharan and North Africa on permanent exhibition at the Museum.

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art has housed famous items like Mohammed Ali’s boxing headgear, Oprah Winfrey’s studio couch and Harriet Tubman’s shawl since its official opening in 2016 by former President Barack Obama.

Enyinna recently starred in an action drama “Black November” alongside Vivica Fox, Akon, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Wyclef Jean, for which he was acknowledged by the State of Texas, California and won the best supporting actor award from NAFCA.

He is also a producer best known for The Wedding Party, Black November, and Black Gold.

Enyinna was raised in Ngor Okpala in Imo State, along with two sisters and a brother, by retired public servants and graduated from the University of Calabar in Nigeria with a degree in Economics.

While in university, Nwigwe began his career as a runway and print model before transitioning to acting.

He made his professional film debut in the 2004 film Wheel of Change, directed by Jeta Amata, and now travels between Los Angeles and Nigeria to work.

By Babajide Awoyinfa

Creele Animation Studios, on Thursday in Lagos announced its debut with its project, “The Satchel” a 3D animated short film based on the Yoruba mythology of earth’s creation.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the action-packed, drama-filled short film was produced by Nissi Ogulu, Adeoyin Okuboyejo, Ayobami Bello and Jimi Oremule of the Creele Animation Studios and Taeps Animation Studios.

“This story dates back thousands of years, featuring revered Yoruba deities, “Obatala” and “Oduduwa”, (sons of “Olodumare”, the Supreme Being), who battled for the power to create earth as we now know it using an all-powerful Satchel,” the producers said in a statement.

The Director/Producer, Nissi Ogulu, said: “With The Satchel, we want to start telling authentic African stories to ensure that our magnificent culture is preserved.

“We portray the beauty of African culture, lifestyle and music in the concept, character designs, scenes, visual screenplay, art and music direction.

“This film is one rich with African themes, suitable for all age groups, is relatable and draws a strong connection to home.

“Many of us in my generation grew up consuming a lot of foreign pictures, we weren’t privileged to watch content made up from characters of African descent and this vacuum is what we’re trying to fill starting with our debut project.”

It added: “The story centres on what happens to The Satchel from the moment it is presented to Obatala (keep your eyes peeled) to how it ends up with Oduduwa.

“The passion and power of each deity comes out in their actions, behaviour to one another and for what the satchel can do.”

Staying true to the Creele Animation Studios’ culture of infusing music with art, Nissi Ogulu brings to life the sophisticated 3D animated motion pictures through her music by lacing the film with two beautifully written songs titled “Adupe” and “Wonderful”, both of which are set to be fan favourites.

The statement said that to watch the short film, visit The Satchel’s official YouTube page, you can also join the conversation on our social media pages: Instagram – @creelestudio, @taepsstudios, @TheSatchel2020.

Others are Twitter –  @creelestudios, @taepsstudios, @2020Satchel. Facebook – Creele Animation Studios, Taeps Animation Studios, The Satchel 2020, LinkedIn – Creele Animation Studios, Taeps Animation Studios  and website as: https://creelestudios.com/, https://www.taepsstudios.com/

NAN reports Creele Studios is an entertainment company focused on portraying the creative brilliance of Africa by telling authentic and inclusive stories of our people and culture, primarily using animated motion pictures with sounds of the best quality, innovatively and uniquely for families around the world.

It sights are set on showcasing a new kind of creative innovation in the entertainment industry, as well as across the technological and social spaces.

It hopes to capture the ears, eyes and hearts of all people, delivering a truly unique “Creele” experience. (NAN)

By Patricia Amogu

The Nigeria Entertainment and Economic Roundtable (NEER) has announced plans to establish a ” one-stop Entertainment City” that would be a melting pot for showcasing Nigeria’s rich tourism, culture, arts and hospitality endowments.

Mr Chuks Akamadu, Director General of NEER, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the new Entertainment City being proposed for the FCT would be a 24-hour hub that would attract visitors from across the world all year round.

“It’s a huge project; a one-stop shop for its tourism, arts, culture and hospitality endowments.

“Anyone coming into the country would just go there and have a virtual tour of our diverse creativity, tourism assets and potentials.

“We are also looking at cinemas, art galleries, exhibition stands, statues of entertainment legends, bookshops, native kitchens, conference halls for public use, locations for movie productions and music video shots.

“It will also include, museums, parks, swimming pools, recreational sites and research corners; a whole lot is going to be going on there,” he said.

Akamadu said that NEER, an initiative of Afrocultour, along with other major stakeholders in the industry, would be unveiling a prototype of the Entertainment City which would be situated in the FCT.

According to him, the centre will be affiliated with hotels and airlines so that their visits to the Entertainment City will be made very easy for visitors and tourists.

“Giving dwindling oil prices the world over, it’s time for the government to make this sector a priority to grow the economy faster.

”As we speak,there’s more emphasis on mining and agriculture as major alternative sources of income without looking at the entertainment industry.

‘If you do an audit and compare Nigeria and then check countries like Brazil, USA, India and then do a comparative analysis, you would find that there’s a disparity.

“These countries have seen the oil in the entertainment industry and put them to use, so they’re making it big.

”COVID -19 in the meantime has allowed some businesses to thrive incredibly; one example is Netflix, which has grown in leaps and leaps and the industry is prepared to do better to task themselves to see that the industry does better under the situation,” he said.

Akamadu added an inter-ministerial project implementation committee, comprising representatives of Federal Ministries of Finance, Information and Culture, would soon be inaugurated, while NEER would shop for local and foreign investors. (NAN)

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the “Eagle Wings”, an action-packed movie on war against terror and insurgency has set a new standard for the Nollywood.

He made the statement in Abuja at the private premiere of the movie, a motion picture by the Nigerian Air Force Investments Ltd, in collaboration with Papel Image Tech Ltd.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the movie is about an Air-Force fighter pilot, caught in the harrowing world of insurgency shortly after his marriage.

With primary location in Maiduguri, the epicentre of insurgency, the film explores the often tragic yet thrilling business of fighting for life and peace.

It also delves into the freedom to love in the face of ferocity and the power of faith, commitment to duty and sacrifice.

Mohammed, who was the guest of honour at the premiere, said he was highly impressed with the quality of production and the professional way in which the actors played their roles.

“The movie we have just watched vividly portrays how the Nigerian Air Force optimally leverages kinetic as well as non-kinetic air capabilities in attaining victory in the war against terrorism and insurgency.

It also depicts the humanitarian efforts deploy by military to win hearts and minds of the victims in the overall national strategic approach in the war.

”I must say that “Eagle Wings” has undoubtedly set a new standard for Nollywood.

“It will also project the image of the Nigerian Air Force far beyond the shores of our great nation, further boosting Nigeria’s international prestige,” he said.

The minister commended the efforts of the military, particularly the Air Force for their contributions to both internal security and off-shore air power projections, in support of Nigeria’s national interest.

He specifically hailed the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar for his outstanding leadership and vision as well as his commitment to utilising the media space to enlighten citizens and other stakeholders about the valuable contributions of the Air Force.

Mohammed appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the Armed Forces the enabling environment to function.

He also applauded the production management team for the conceptualisation and making of the movie with such a great storyline that reflect the reality in the Nigerian Air Force and the undying determination to succeed.

He urged Nigerians to embrace the culture of supporting the Armed Forces in fighting criminality in the country.

“Our gallant troops daily make a huge sacrifice, including the supreme sacrifice, so that you and I can sleep with our eyes closed.

“I enjoin us all to make use of this movie as a tool of creating awareness in the public about the critical roles, especially of the Air Force, in national security and nation building,” he said.

The event was attended by the Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, among other dignitaries. (NAN)