Tuesday, February 3, 2026

About EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima

 


Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima (also known by the pseudonym Orikinla Osinachi) is a prominent Nigerian writer, publisher, and multimedia producer born on January 30, 1963, in Lagos Island. 

Professional Roles & Media Presence
He is the Founder and CEO of the International Digital Post Network Limited, the first Nigerian company to attract the IMAX Corporation to Nigeria, King of Kings Books International and Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC). He secured International partnership with the Cinewav of Singapore for the "One Village, One Cinema" initiative and partnership with the 
International Chamber of Media & Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) of India for the Bollywood To Nollywood Filmmaking workshops for international co-productions between India and Nigeria.

Writer & Publisher
He is the Publisher/Editor of several online platforms, including Nigerians Report Online, Nigerian Times, and the Founder and Publisher/Editor of the popular NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Consultant
He has served as a social media consultant and previously worked as a National Program Consultant for UNICEF Nigeria and independent Production Manager of "Money Wise" business magazine programme on DBN TV.

Advocacy
He is recognized for his advocacy for girl-child education supporting the compulsory education of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria.

Art, Literary & Creative Works
Chima is a notable artist with local and International exhibitions of his drawings and paintings. He  was the national curator for the 1993 World AIDS Day "Art Against AIDS" exhibitions at the National Museum and National Theatre in Nigeria.
He is a prolific writer who is the author of numerous books spanning fiction, poetry, and historical commentary: 
Books
He published his first book, Children of Heaven, in 1987.
His notable titles include Bye, Bye Mugabe, a collection of short stories; collections of his poems in Children of Heaven, The Prophet Lied and Scarlet Tears of London;  The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream on the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, In the House of Dogs and Diary of the Memory Keeper.

Prizes
Chima won the first prize in the national essay competition on What I Like Best in Nigeria organized by the Pop magazine in 1976.
His poem "Song of Patriotism" won the first prize in a national poetry competition on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1987.
His poem, "Empty Shells in Our Oil  Wells" was one of the finalists for the 2000 Music Society of Nigeria national poetry award.
His short story, "One Day at Obalende Bus Stop" won the third prize in the 2002 Lire en fĂȘte short story competition organized by the French Cultural Centre in Nigeria.

Early Success
He directed his first play at age 17 and at 18 he became the youngest independent professional scriptwriter for TV in Africa, writing episodes for the puppet drama series of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the largest TV network on the continent from 1981-84. See 
Nigeria: 'I Started Writing Professionally At 18' - allAfrica.com
https://allafrica.com/stories/201212030437.html

Visual Media
In 2016, he produced the photo album LAGOS in MOTION, documenting Africa's largest megacity from the principal photography of his first long documentary film project, "Lagos in Motion: Sights and Sounds of Africa's Largest Megacity".

Education & Affiliations
Education: He attended St. Gregory's College, Lagos, and later had further education from seminars and workshops by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1980, Book Development Council of Nigeria in 1982, Johns Hopkins University's Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) in 1984 and 1990,  PATH in 1985, UNICEF in Nigeria in 1988, World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993 and other organizations.

Memberships
He has been a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) since 1987, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), Digital Cinema Society (DCS), International Law Office (ILO) and Online News Association (ONA). He participated in the Digital Media Law Project (DMLP), a major initiative based at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Originally founded in 2007 as the "Citizen Media Law Project," it provided legal resources and education for independent journalists and online media

Chima’s work often bridges the gap between sociocultural analysis and political documentation.

Focus on Nollywood
As a major stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry, Chima has documented its evolution through the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series: This is a comprehensive book series—available in print and digital formats—designed to capture the "big picture" of the industry for a global audience.
The First Edition celebrates Nollywood's icons, its emergence as an African phenomenon, and its strategy for breaking into global markets.
The Second Edition highlights "New Nollywood" developments (circa 2014), including the epic Invasion 1897, the evolution of digital filmmaking, and the first Hollywood star from Nigeria, Orlando Martins.

Film Festivals
He is the Founder and Festival Director of the annual Eko International Film Festival and Zenith International Film Festival.

Political Commentaries
His political writings focus on pivotal moments in Nigeria's democratic history:
The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream: This book serves as a personal testimony and historical chronicle of the 2015 presidential election. It analyzes the principal actors behind the first time an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria’s history.

Digital & Periodical Analysis: Through his platforms Nigerians Report Online and Nigerian Times, he provides ongoing commentary on Nigerian federalism, social justice, and leadership.

Satirical Critique: 
Works like Bye, Bye Mugabe use short stories to offer a broader critique of African leadership and political dynamics beyond just Nigeria. 

Contact:

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Founder/ CEO,

International Digital Post Network Limited,

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC)

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

New Nigeria

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport



Monday, February 2, 2026

Uche Montana is the Fastest Rising Young Actress in Nollywood


Uche Montana is the Fastest Rising Young Actress in Nollywood 


The 50 Most Outstanding Women in Nollywood and the Nigerian Film Industry


Uche Montana is the fastest rising young actress in Nollywood and currently tops in the 10 most viewed Nollywood movies on YouTube.

Uche Montana (born Uche Frances Nwaefuna on May 8, 1994) is a prominent Nigerian actress, model, and film producer.

Originally from Ibusa in Delta State, she grew up in Festac, Lagos, where she initially pursued a diploma in law before transitioning to the film industry in 2015. 

Career & Recent Works

Montana gained widespread recognition for her role as "Adaze" in the popular television series Hush (2016–2017). Since then, she has featured in over 60 films and recently launched her own production channel, Uche Montana TV on YouTube, which has surpassed 1 million subscribers. 

Key Movies & TV Shows: 

Poison Ivy (debut), The Fake Life of Abuja Housewives, Hire a Woman, A Weekend to Forget, and Seven.

Recent Viral Projects: 

Her 2026 film A Place With You hit 2 million views in a single day on her YouTube channel. 
Other recent titles include The Other Woman (Parts 1 & 2) and Love Choose Us.

Awards & Recognition: 

She is a 2025 AMVCA Best Actress Nominee and has previously won the Moreklue All Youth (MAYA) Award for Best Supporting Actress. 

Lifestyle

Known as a fashion and lifestyle enthusiast, she often shares updates on her Instagram and recently celebrated the acquisition of a 2024 Range Rover. 




Late Mrs Ezenna Receives Grand Farewell From Children



Late Mrs Ezenna Receives Grand Farewell From Children

- By Ingram Osigwe.














































The late Mrs Comfort Mary Nkechinyere Ezenna, the matriarch of the Ezenna family of Owerre Akoka, Ideato North LGA, Imo state, and mother of the Chairman, Orange Group, Sir Tony Ezenna( Ijele Akokwa) who died November last year aged 88 was Thursday, the 15th of January,2026 laid to rest at the Ezennas' country home after a funeral mass at St. David's Catholic church, Owerre Akokwa.

Indeed, Sir Ezenna and his siblings- Mrs Georglyn Chinwe, Mrs Chika Mgbemena,  Mrs Ngozi Nwanna, Ernest Ezenna and Kelechi Ezenna- spared no cost to accord their late mother a grand, befitting farewell.

The the well attended three- day carnival- like funeral which climaxed with a Thanksgiving mass on Sunday, January 18, 2026, attracted an array of important dignitaries within and outside the country including Imo state governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, former governors of the state, Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha, former Anambra state governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi; Member representing Ideato North/South in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, former member of the House of Reps, Hon. Jones Onyeyiri, Senior Special Adviser( SSA) to the Abia state Governor on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka- Obasi, Chairman, United Airline, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, sports administrator and CEO Hensen Trust Group, Dan Ngerem. 

Other important personalities that graced Mrs Ezenna's colourful and grand funeral were business mogul and a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) in Anambra state, Chief Chris Ubah, former Imo state Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Professor Ngozi Anyikwa, Secretary to Imo state Government, Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff to Governor Uzodinma, Nnamdi Anyaehie.

Also in attendance were Senators Osita Izunaso, Sen Ndubueze Patrick, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh; Prof. TOC Ndubuizu – 1st Vice Chancellor Imo State University (IMSU), Jide Iwuanyanwu, Imo state Commisioner for special duties, Dr Chika Abazu, Speaker Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, Dr. Ngozi Njoku – Former Imo State Commissioner for Women Affairs-, Chief Chukwuma Maduchukwu (SAN),  Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, Hon. Dr. ThankGod Ezeani, CEO, Ekulo Group, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Chairman & Co founder of Seplat Energy PLC, Dr ABC Orjiakor, CEO, Westfield Energy Ltd, Chief Henry Okolie -Aboh, Chief Chris Igwe, Chairman, Mainland oil and Gas, CEO Sweet home Bathroom Ltd, Chief Amobi Ikeh, CEO Legacy Auto, Chief Okey Ezeibe, Barr. Chijioke Nzekwe (Former Imo state Commissioner for Culture & Tourism), Chief Longers Anyanwu, Chief Abraham Otti( Mighty Mighty) Former Imo state Deputy Governor,Chief Jude Agbaso, 

Prince Obinna Okwara, Dr. James Okoroma (Acting Chairman African Democratic Congress (ADC) Imo State), Chief Vin Mgbemena, Ace actor & Comedian Okey Bakassi, Chief Okey Dike, Chief Felix Fezel Ezeamama,High Chief Ifeanyi Ojimba, CEO, Transtel Group, Lady Ngozi Udokoro, Chief Okwudili Otti, CEO, Caltec Group, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods,Pharm( Barr) Azubuike Okoronkwo, High Chief Fabian Onwuachu, Chairman,Obi's cabinet Akokwa, Owelle Chukwudi Ofoedu, High Chief Chijioke Awalite, CEO De Heavens Group, CEO of Panda Hotels Yaba, Chief Willle Obi, Hon Odera Onwudiwe, MC Cogency, Dr Obinna Okpara,MD, Ron Logistics and Supporting services Ltd, Bar Okey Muomalu, Chief Obinna Umunna, CEO,Patricklingo Pharm Ltd, Chief Uche Onwuelingo, CEO, Don Pee Wine & Beverage Ltd, Dr Onyeka .C Ogbatu, CEO UTEC Ltd, Chief Uche Anazodo,Chairman, Koil Nig Ltd, Chief Luke Okeke, Chief Azubuike Umunna, Chief Emma Agbarusia Ginika, Hon(Chief) Chukwuemeka Eze Chinemeze and gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Chief Val Ozigbo.

The traditional institution was not left out in the funeral as a number of traditional rulers  registered presence. These include HRH Eze( Amb) Damian Emeka Obianigwe, Ezeoha, Obi of Isi Ihite-Owerri, HRH Nnanna L. Emechebe, the traditional ruler of Owerri-Akokwa,HRH Eze Kingsley Ifeanyi Anyaoha(Ojukwu 111), the traditional Ruler of Umukegwu-Akokwa,Nkume Jude P. E. Anyikwa,(Osuachara the 3rd), the Ononankume & traditional Head of Umueziama, Umuezeaga, Akokwa.

A devout Catholic during her life time , the late Mrs Ezenna's funeral mass was officiated by two Bishops- Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, Catholic  Bishop of Orlu Diocese and Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke,  Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese.

***

Osigwe is Media adviser to Sir Tony Ezenna and MD, Full page communications Ltd.