By Alex Enebeli

Veteran Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie, has publicly endorsed his son, Yul Edochie, for the 2023 presidential election in the country.

Yul Edochie, also a Nollywood star in a video shared on his social media pages on Thursday night said:  “My Father Chief Pete Edochie endorses my 2023 Presidential ambition.

“God Almighty, take absolute  control.”

In the video, Pete revealed that the endorsement was as a result of constant pleadings from young people asking him to publicly support his son’s political ambition.

“Most of the youngsters have been bugging my phone, asking me to endorse my son that they want him as president and l get amused.

“But they keep insisting daddy, we want Yul to be the president of this country. We like him,” he said.

The veteran actor also expressed confidence and belief that his son possesses the right values and drive to steer the country forward.

“He is disciplined, sympathetic, he believes a lot in people. They have bothered me so much that today, I hereby present him to you.

“He has my blessing and endorsement, any day he decides to veer off from the discipline under which he was raised, l will withdraw my support him.

“It shall be well with you son,” he prayed for him.

He said while he was not interested in politics, he would not hold back his support for any of his children who decided to delve into it.

“My values are very strong. I have my own children and they are very strong in that regard too and I am not one to be involved in politics.

“But you see, not all your children are bound to follow you, one of my sons, who incidentally is an actor, has decided that he wants to be a politician.

“Since it has been your ambition to go into politics and the desire

to run for the presidency of this country, may the good Lord assist you, protect and direct you,” he added.

It would be recalled that in 2017, the Nollywood star, Yul contested for governorship election in Anambra on the platform of Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC).

He had maintained during the campaign that he had the support of his family and he was indeed ready for the mantle of leadership.

“Yes my father, Pete Edochie, my mother, siblings and even my wife gave me their full support. So, I’m ready for the task ahead and I am not too young at all,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yul later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018 and would pick the party’s nomination form for the 2023 presidential race.

He began his sojourn into Nollywood in 2005 when he starred in a movie titled, ‘The Exquirers’, alongside  late veteran actors, Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa.

He made his hit in 2007 after featuring alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the movie ‘Wind of Glory’. (NAN)

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

Nollywood veteran, Chico Ejiro, who died on Dec. 25, 2020, will be laid to rest on Feb. 20, 2021, Zeb Ejiro, an immediate family member of late Nigerian movie producer confirms.

Zeb Ejiro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that the burial programme, designed in line with COVID-19 protocols, would start with a service of songs on Feb. 16.

The service of songs tagged  “Industry Evening of  Tribute’’ would be also be aired via zoom.

NAN reports that 57- year- old  Chico Ejiro, who died as a result of complications arising from High Blood Pressure, was a film and television Director/Producer.

Late Ejiro was a creative industry entrepreneur who had directed over 80 movies.

Popularly known as Mr Prolific, late Ejiro was  a screenwriter who had partnered  over 30 different movie organisations for television and film productions through his company, Grand Touch Pictures.

“The obsequies,  which is the service of songs for Chico my late brother ,will be a private family event which would also be on zoom.

“ The arrangements are basically to bring the COVID-19 protocols to bear.

“We considered that throwing it open will pull crowd as people will want to be physically present, so we are taking advantage of the zoom for people to key-in,” he said.

The late Ejiro , who was survived by a wife, children, siblings, uncles and cousins would be laid to rest on Feb. 20 at the  Ejiro’s compound, Ozoro, Isoko North LGA of Delta. (NAN)

By Mateen Badru

A Nigerian filmmaker, Desmond Ovbiagele has revealed the inspiration behind his movie “The Milkmaid” which is a contender for the upcoming 2021 Oscars International Films Category.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science would announce its nominations for the Academy Awards on March 15 in Los Angeles, U.S.A.

“The Milkmaid” tells the story of two sisters who were abducted from their village during the insurgency in Northeast Nigeria.

It has been submitted by Nigeria as its entry for international feature consideration at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Speaking with NAN on Monday in Lagos, Ovbiagele said that the movie was inspired by the two iconic figures at the back of the 10 Naira note.

“The screenplay was inspired by the two iconic figures at the back of the 10 Naira note, those are the Fulani milkmaids who were carrying their calabashes.

“So I sought to imagine what would happen if the two characters were caught up in an insurgency situation. How would their lives play out and how would they adjust to the new way of life that would be imposed on them.

“In the process, we did extensive research on the world that these characters were living in and then tried to arrive at a narrative that was authentic to all the operators in that setting,” he said.

On the choice of language used in the movie, Ovbiagele said “one could have chosen the easier decision to shoot the film in English language, but because we were striving for authenticity, we didn’t think it would be authentic enough for people in that rural area setting to speak `Queens English’.

“What they would normally speak would be Hausa and the Fulanis would speak Fulfude. This is how we arrived at the language used in the film,” he said.

The former Investment Banker turned Movie producer told NAN that he was overwhelmed by the nomination of the movie for the Oscars adding that it was an accolade to reward the efforts of the cast and crew.

“My feelings were that of overwhelming, gratitude, obviously I was grateful that our film was selected out of a number of other high quality films to represent Nigeria at the 93rd Oscars.

“I was particularly happy for my cast and crew who had put in their hearts, souls and put in so many personal sacrifices shooting this film for three months in Taraba State.

“Just because of the nature of the story and what we considered the significance of the message we were trying to portray through the story, they made so many sacrifices.

“To have their efforts and sacrifices rewarded with such a fantastic accolade. I am pleased to fly the flag of Nigeria at the Oscars, a Nation of 200 million people, the most prolific film making industry in the world by volume is a tremendous honour,” he said.

Asked if the likely emergence of his movie as an Oscars winner would be the breakthrough needed by Nollywood, to keep abreast of the mainstream international movie industry he said it was not for him to say.

“It is not for me to say that this is a breakthrough for Nollywood to keep abreast with the mainstream international film industry, it is for others to say.

“The ultimate judge is time, to see if the film has that impact. I hope the film would certainly contribute to bridging that gap between Nollywood and the international film industry.

“Obviously just by the nature of its honour of being selected, and the platform that the selection has provided for the film to be shown in so many channels and outlets where Nigerian films may not necessarily have been shown.” He said.

In tackling the scourge of piracy, Ovbiagele said piracy can be checked by keeping close control on the circulation and the distribution of the film.

“It is the most important step to make sure the movie is only distributed among people with integrity that would not act in a criminal way regarding its content.

“Beyond that, the strategy of releasing films on DVDs in Nigeria is no more in prevalence with the emergence of various platforms like African Magic, IrokoTv, IbakaTv and Netflix.

“Filmmakers now gravitate towards these digital channels In addition to the theatrical release so the outlets prone to piracy are gradually being avoided.

Ovbiagele, who is the Managing Director of Danono Media, added that in spite of the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global entertainment industry, he was able to utilise the lockdown to be creative and productive.

“COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the movie industry globally. Personally it has affected the setting of the release and the mode of the release for the movie Milkmaid.

“Also the lockdown period afforded me time for some internal soul searching to find out what sort of story I want to tell, the style, voice and to put pen on paper to articulate my thoughts into a number of scripts.

“I am looking to get the scripts which I was able to write during the lockdown into production as soon as I can and resources are available. Time will tell if they become blockbusters but they are stories which I feel passionate about.” he said.

NAN reports that the film has already won five Africa Movie Academy Awards, including Best Film.

The movie is also said to be eligible for the Oscars best international film category because the characters addressed each other in the Hausa, Arabic and Fulfulde languages spoken locally. (NAN)

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, says the sex party idea, trending currently in Nigeria is worse than the deadly coronavirus.

Runsewe admonished Nigerians to reject the `disgusting’  idea and condemn it totally.

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

He lauded Gov. Nasir el-Rufai for stopping the party from taking place in Kaduna.

Runsewe explained that sex party was not all about dressing sexy to a party and dancing, describing the evolving idea as worse than COVID-19.

“In the advert of sex party, they will tell you to come with your condoms and at the entrance, you will be tested for sexually transmitted diseases and warned that there is no forceful sex.

“In a sex party for example, 20 men are expected to come with 20 women and they will be rotating them like dogs, making love on the floor of the dance floor. This is against our culture, values and law of God.

“In 1994, Gambia and Senegal rejected sex tourism and that is what some immoral people without cultural values want to bring to Nigeria.

“Some people may have their differences with El-Rufai but for me, culturally, I commend him for putting a stop to that anti-God and anti-African activity in his state.

“I know the danger. The moment a girl or guy starts attending sex parties, she or he will never come out from it. It is like hard drug addiction.”

The director-general said that Nigerians did not know about all these and that was why they didn’t put in seriousness to resisting and speaking against it.

“I was glad when El-Rufai stopped them in Kaduna and with that sex party has gone to rest but if nothing is done, it may re-surface.

“I am appealing to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, to intervene. She can do something to further ensure that such an evil party is never hosted on Nigerian soil.

“She can go to the National Assembly and demand or sponsor a bill that anybody caught in sex party should spend many years in prison.

“We must not wait till the evil act destroys our country. I am also pleading with the media to help us enlighten Nigerians.

“It is not just a party it is the height of immorality. Our culture and tradition do not tolerate such.”

He admonished parents to talk to their children, teach them Nigerian culture and instill good moral values in them so that Nigeria would not have a generation of evil doers and morally corrupt personalities. (NAN)

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)