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)

By Alex Enebeli

A blind disc jockey (DJ) and musician, Mr Augustine Akpeji, popularly known as DJ Aus, says plans have been concluded to release his first album in 2021 that will entertain members of the public.

Akpeji, a producer and multi-instrumentalist, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that his album would contain positive vibes to thrill his fans.

Akpeji, winner of the first disability reality show (Ability in Disability) talent hunt, said that he was working hard to ensure early release of the album.

According to him, “I am coming out with a lot of positive vibes, with more music in my first album.

“Yes, I will hit the public with my vocals that some people call the ‘golden voice’ and it will be with songs from different genres.

“I will also do more mixes to be played in gatherings,” he said.

The Edo-born musician described music as entertaining medicine, adding that he cannot live without it.

“I am trying to use my technology to key into the entertainment industry and I am okay with everything that comes my way,” he said.
Akpeji enjoined other persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discover their God-given talents and put them into use.

“They must not give up on their dreams and talents, as everyone has an embedded talent.

“It is just for us to locate the talents, develop them and put into better use. If you have gotten yours, don’t give up on it and if you have not, try to discover it.

“More PWDs will surely tap some of my talents and they will be fortunate to learn from it,” he added.

NAN reports that Ekpeji won a reality TV talent hunt show titled: “The AID (Ability in Disability) talent show”, organised by Miss Health International Foundation in 2020. (NAN)

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated award-winning ace comedian, Godwin Komone, popularly known as “Gordons” as he clocked 50 on Jan. 15.

The governor’s felicitation was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba.

Okowa said Gordons was a quintessential comedian, whose contributions to the development of the entertainment industry, especially comedy in Nigeria were remarkable.

He extolled the comedian, who is a chief in Udu Kingdom of Delta, for his patriotism, humility, mentorship and support in building talents, adding that he remained a good ambassador of Delta.

The governor remarked that as an actor, singer and compere, Gordons had brought his many years of experience to bear in his performances on stage, particularly with his “Gordons Comedy Clinic”.

“As one of the funniest comedians Delta has produced, we are proud of your many achievements in the comedy and entertainment industry.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate an illustrious son of the state, Chief Godwin Komone, aka Gordons, on his 50th birth anniversary.

“As you turn 50, your family, associates and admirers, have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of wonderful accomplishments,” he said.

He prayed God to bless Gordons’ path and make him a symbol for the motivation of youths in Delta and the country.

Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez will take the stage at U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony in Washington next week alongside others in what his transition team said would showcase a diverse America.

The two will perform at the Jan. 20 event for the incoming 46th U.S. president, which will also feature remarks from a black firefighter from Georgia, a former Youth Poet Laureate, a Catholic priest, and a pastor from Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem and Lopez will give a musical performance.

“They represent one clear picture of the grand diversity of our great nation,” his team said in a statement on Thursday.

The presenters reflect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ “steadfast vision of a new chapter in our American story in which we are an America united in overcoming the deep divisions and challenges facing our people, unifying the country, and restoring the soul of our nation,” it added.

Their roles come as the Democrat takes over the White House from Republican Donald Trump in a scaled-down event amid the COVID-19 pandemic and growing security concerns after a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol seeking to thwart lawmakers’ certification of Biden’s victory.

The public will not be on hand to watch the swearing-in at the West Front of the Capitol building, now fortified by fencing, barriers and thousands of National Guard Troops.

In announcing the inauguration speakers, Biden’s transition team cited Lady Gaga’s advocacy of LGBTQ rights and health issues, and Lopez’s work raising awareness about the disproportionate impact of the novel coronavirus on Latinos.

Other speakers include career firefighter Andrea Hall of Fulton County, Georgia, and Los Angeles native 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

Former Georgetown University President Father Leo O’Donovan and Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church – both close to the Bid. (Reuters/NAN)

By Alex Enebeli-

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has been given new appointment by Guinea Bissau President, Umaro Sissoco Mbalo to lead a team at Africa Peace Awards 2021.

In a post sighted on her Instagram page on Thursday, the thespian shared the good news of her new appointment as a team leader at Africa Peace Awards, 2021.

She shared photo of the program venue and date including the speakers.

Dikeh also told her fans that she had been chosen by the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Mbalo to lead the team at the awards ceremony.

“President Umaro Sissoco Mbalo of Guinea Bissau set to host Africa Peace Awards, king Tonto Dikeh to lead the team,” she tweeted.

According to her, the programme will be powered by messengers of peace in partnership with Nigeria /Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Also, supported by Tonto Dikeh Foundation, Alex Report, Rachael the Piper Foundation, Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, Ghana.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the actress runs Tonto Dikeh Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

The foundation was established in  year 2000 with a  clear vision and passion of making life better for all displaced and under privileged women, girls, youths, and children in Africa, irrespective of their political, religious and cultural differences.

By Alex Enebeli

Nigeria’s popular musician, Oladapo Oyebanjo a.k.a D’Banj says 2021 will be marked in grand style as he plans to launch his new album “Ikebe” before the end of the first quarter.

D’Banj made this known in Abuja, during a listening brunch of the album, which also had other tracks like “Banga” and “Antidote”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Ikebe”, which literally means buttock, was produced by Nigeria’s talented producer Rexxie.

D’Banj said he delivered the melodious number to create awareness on the need for the male gender to thread carefully this year, as heard on the track, after a turbulent 2020 ended with testimony of him welcoming his second child.

According to the artiste, the track says “oh Lord, help me, I no wan sin. I tell my body say you go die for this “Ikebe”.

“So much has happened in my life in a short time, which appeared to be long; so this album and others like ‘banga’ and ‘antidote’ is about my personal life and I needed to express myself.

“I want to use the track ‘Ikebe’ to make a statement and preach what I stand for, which is respecting women and their rights, after my wife and I welcomed our second child and first baby girl.

“I needed to use them to relaunch myself into the music world and I was inspired by three things.

“Going through life in the last three years, it has been full of God’s blessings because he restored me after the death of my son.

“People ask me how I deal with pain of the loss and what was going through my mind and these tracks tell exactly how I dealt with it,” D’Banj said.

He expressed appreciation to his family and friends, who stood by him in time of grief, noting that God restored their lives through their prayers and messages.

The music icon also hailed his songwriters especially the one based in Los Angeles, U.S, who inspired another track “Antidote”.

He said love was the antidote that helped him and his wife to overcome the death of their son.

The music producer, Rexxie, said the songs would get people dancing and can make one feel happy and reflect on past issues. (NAN)

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The Founder, DrumsView Concepts (A youth Academy), Mr Isioma Williams, says his first quarter programme  “Janggu Drum Training Workshop” has been suspended in compliance with the second wave of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic guidelines.

Williams in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos noted that the decision was to compliment government’s effort to flatten the curve of the virus  currently ravaging the society and claiming lives.

He noted that in spite of the fact that the workshop meant to empower the youths on traditional drumming through training, the health and life of participants were as important.

“I have stopped plans to hold our first quarter programme ‘Janggu Workshop’ for now and it is basically to comply with government protocol on the COVID-19 second wave.

“The pandemic is still wreaking havoc in Lagos, other states and across the globe, as being reported, with increasing deaths related to the COVID-19, so it is proper we all stay safe.

“I am praying and hoping that in no distance time, things will change for good and activities back to normal, so that we can be running our programmes as scheduled,” he said.

According to him, the inspiration to promote Nigeria’s culture on the drum beat and place is to meet standards and stand out, adding this has sustained him in the career, amidst challenges.

He added that among his programmes, was the drum clinic, organised to further teach the originalities of Nigerian and African drums and drumming culture, so as to improve on the quality.

“The whole essence of this Janggu training workshop and drum clinic is to equip ourselves with the knowledge that will help us preserve and promote our culture, which is being embraced by all,” Williams said.

The artist advised the participants of the programmes and  the general  public to also embrace all government warning, directives and guidelines rolled out to curb the further spread of the pandemic in the country. (NAN)

By Alex Enebeli

An Etiquette Life Coach and Fashion Entrepreneur, Etienying Akpanusong has expressed concerns over lack of etiquette among some teenagers and young adults.

Akpanusong who spoke during a virtual ‘Book Taste’ event held to mark her 33rd birthday, also announced her upcoming book titled: ‘My Etiquette and I’.

“I think times have evolved, etiquette is commonsensical and I will not need to write a book on it if common sense is common as it should be.

“Parents of today are not in charge of their children as they should be or used to be in the past decade.

“They seem to be so busy these days that they do not have the time to invest and spend with their children to guide them in the right path of life.

“And there is a stage a child gets to, you cannot influence them anymore,” she said.

Akpanusong expressed optimism that the book would help its readers maneuver their ways from social, formal manners and social media.

She equated etiquette to good manners that required people to be respectful, considerate of others and desisting from actions which could hurt them.

Addressing the loss of etiquette among youths, she attributed it to `evolving times factor’.

Akpanusong noted that beyond helping people cultivate good social manners, the book would open up opportunities and doors to places they could only imagine.

“My Etiquette and I is a manual to prepare us to set ourselves up for opportunities when they present themselves,” she added.

According to her, the book is targeted at teenagers, young adults and adults.

She added that etiquette differed from culture to culture globally which provided tips on how to adapt in such circumstances.

“A section on international protocol explains the broad aspects of etiquette. The onus is on you to fortify yourself on the culture you find yourself and then comply.

“What you deem right in your environment will not be applicable to others, so you prepare yourself to fit in,” she said.

Akpanusong said she began her etiquette life coach during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days where she ran a PET project that trained over 500 youths.

She further deployed her social media platforms to start her personal coaching etiquette and had them also published on print media.

She further said that it took her three years to write the book, adding that it comprised three chapters, which focused on Formal Protocols, General Etiquette and Social Skills. (NAN)

By Kemi Akintokun

Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Wife of the Lagos State governor, on Friday welcomed the first baby of the year 2021 at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu presented gifts items to the baby and other babies during her goodwill visits to the hospital.

NAN reports that the first baby of the year, a boy weighing 4.3kilogrammes was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Onumba at 2:38 a.m. at the hospital.

Sanwo-Olu said the birth of a child required that the mother is adequately taken care of, to ensure that she got skilled care during labour and delivery.

She added that the birth of a child brings good fortune to a society, saying it was not by chance.

“We are here today not just to celebrate new lives having it in mind that our show of love, kindness and compassion is only an extension of gratitude to God,” she said.

She commended the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Madewa Adebajo and his team for their relentless efforts in rendering effective services to patients.

Sanwo-Olu advised pregnant women to live a healthy lifestyle that would guarantee the wellbeing of their babies.

She, however, urged the people of Lagos to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols in order to curb the spread of the viral disease in the state.

Also, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for health said that celebrating the first baby of the year was symbolic as the first annual activity of state health calenders.

Abayomi , represented by Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health said the celebration was one of the state’s ways of showing its commitment to the total health of the mother and her child.

“This is a very symbolic event and the significance is demonstrated by the priority visit of the wife of the governor and the presence of important dignitaries.

“They make it a duty to be here to rejoice with our mothers on the birth of their children and that, in itself, speaks volume,”he said.

Abayomi reiterated the state’s commitment to ensure that Lagosians have access to good healthcare delivery and reducing maternal and child mortality.

“It is still very sad that a significant number of people still lose their lives during child birth, because they either don’t have access to medical care or end up in the hands of quacks.

“We will continue do more to reduce maternal mortality through provision of basic healthcare, renew infrastructure and increased human capacity,”he said.

He advised the people to avoid activities that could increase the spread of the ongoing pandemic.

Dr Madewa Adebajo, the Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital commended the state government for it’s effort in making healthcare more acssessible to the people.

Adebajo said that the hospital took delivery of over 2,000 babies yearly, noting that it’s personnel would continue to put patients first in it’s service delivery.

He added that the newly built oxygen centres in the facility would also help to further meet the needs of patients.

“We have some challenges before, but I can categorically say that most of the problem had been solved.

“We have more workforce now, better and capable to attend to about 50,000 patients that come here on a monthly basis to seek for healthcare.

“We delivered over 2,000 babies annually and intend to do more for our patients this new year,” he said.

NAN reports that other hospitals visited by Sanwo-Olu included, Mushin General Hospital, Orile Agege Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). (NAN)