2022 and the Big Picture of the Future of African Content

#happynewyear

#Newyear
#newyear2022
#2022
#happiness💕

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
- Eleanor Roosevelt.

Dreams are only for the living.
Dreams come true for only those who are alive to believe in their dreams; to run with their visions and to fulfill their destinies.

Our destinies are not in the stars.
Our destinies are in our hands.

I prayed all the way into the New Year 2022 with exaltations of praises and thanksgivings to Almighty God for the victory He has given us. Then I fell asleep and had a dream: my first dream of the Year.
I have been and I have seen the Big Picture of the Future of higher grounds of greater heights of success and victory.

The dream is about the globalization of the film industry and Lise Romanoff, the Managing Director/CEO of Vision Films of California.talked about what is the best content for the  continent of Africa and for the rest of the world; African content for Africans and African content for the world.
Have we done any survey of the audience in Africa?
What do Africans want to watch?
What are their choices and preferences?
Have we asked them or we have just been showing them what we assume that they want?
They say "Word of mouth is loudest in Africa" and how does that affect and reflect on the marketing of content in Africa?

Storytelling is the heart and soul of content.

We are telling our stories about our lives in Africa. For we are the best to tell our stories to the world and not by others. But how do we appreciate and evaluate ourselves? How we tell our stories will define who we are and how the rest of the world we see us as Hollywood has been telling the stories of America; as Bollywood has been telling the stories of India and as Nollywood has been telling the stories of NIgeria.

How we present our content will determine the value of the content.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series.

Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Highest Grossing #Nollywood Movie of All Time So Far

 

Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Highest Grossing #Nollywood Movie of All Time So Far

Omo Ghetto: The Saga also known as Omo Ghetto 2[2] is a 2020 Nigerian gangster comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz.[3] The film stars Funke Akindele, Chioma Akpota, Nancy Isime, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon and Mercy Aigbe in the lead roles. This was the second film in the Omo Ghetto franchise and it was also the sequel to the 2010 trilogy film Omo Ghetto

The movie grossed over ₦189 million in the opening week and it historically became the first Nollywood film ever to gross over ₦99 million in its opening weekend surpassing the previous record set by The Wedding Party 2. In its second week, the movie continued breaking box office records by grossing over ₦132.4 million and firmly staying at the top of the Nigerian box office and bringing its 2-week gross to a record breaking ₦322 million and placing it as the fourth highest grossing Nigerian movie of all time.

In its third week, despite seeing a drop of 43% from the previous week, Omo Ghetto still topped the box office and grossed ₦75.4 million bringing its total cumulative to ₦398.5 million just after three weeks. Omo Ghetto was so popular that it accounted for about 65% of the box office in Nigeria.Omo Ghetto kept dominating the Nigerian box office, raking up ₦45.9 million to top the box office. It brought the cumulative box office figure to ₦444.5 million placing it as the second highest grossing Nollywood film of all time after just four weeks, Omo Ghetto the saga is currently the highest grossing Nigerian movie of all time with ₦468,036,300 just over a month 

Omo Ghetto continued dominating the box office in its fifth week grossing ₦35.7 thus bringing its cumulative to ₦480.5 million and becoming the highest grossing Nollywod movie of all time despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The film continued to extend its record by becoming the first Nollywood movie to stay six consecutive weeks at the top of the box office, grossing an additional ₦31.5 million. It also historically became the first ever Nigerian film to gross ₦500 million in Nollywood box office.

The film remained top at the box office in its seventh week, grossing an additional ₦27.3 million.bringing its cumulative to ₦539.6. Omo Ghetto topped the box office in its eighth, ninth and tenth week respectively becoming only the second movie in English speaking West Africa to cross the ₦600 million mark after Black Panther.

Film, Television Industry Booming in Xiamen

PRESS RELEASE

Film, Television Industry Thrives in Xiamen

Statistics show that in 2020, the operating revenue of Xiamen’s cultural industry totaled 116.36 billion yuan ($18.26 billion), growing by 7.3 percent year on year

Access Multimedia Content

XIAMEN, China, December 29, 2021/ -- The three-day 34th China Film Golden Rooster Awards is being held in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province from Dec 28 to 30, drawing a number of A-list stars and industry insiders. The Golden Rooster Awards, which was launched in 1981 (the Year of the Rooster), is a national film awards event sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association. It has developed into China's most prestigious film awards event and has contributed significantly to the development of China's film industry. As the host city of the Golden Rooster Awards, Xiamen has seen rapid development in the film and TV industry in recent years. Statistics show that in 2020, the operating revenue of Xiamen’s cultural industry totaled 116.36 billion yuan ($18.26 billion), growing by 7.3 percent year on year. Xiamen, a coastal city with enchanting natural scenery and a pleasant climate, has been hailed as "a garden on the ocean,” and it also bears elements of Minnan (southern Fujian province) and Western cultures, both of which help the city win the reputation of "a natural studio" and is favored by many filmmakers and directors. The city’s government has designated the film and TV industry as one of the engines to promote economic growth and has aimed to turn the city into a “film and TV capital” in China. The city’s continuous efforts have proved successful. Official data show that as of the end of November, Xiamen had gathered 2,046 film and TV enterprises, of which 350 were newly established this year. More and more industry leaders are choosing Xiamen as their investment destination due to its healthy business environment for the film and TV industry. Xiamen has become a hotbed for film and TV production such as the hit TV series “Minning Town,” which was released earlier this year. At the same time, the rapid development of the film and TV industry has in turn helped enhance the city’s cultural soft power and urban competitiveness, and the beautiful garden city continues to create perfect harmony between man and nature and has become a calling card for both tourists and investors. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 34th China Film Golden Rooster Awards.   Contact: Lorraine Yuan Email: lorraine@hehutech.cn Tel: +86139 1113 0781 SOURCE 34th China Film Golden Rooster Awards

Odu Obi Festival: Akokwa Comes Alive!

Odu Obi Festival: Akokwa Comes Alive

The ancient  kingdom of Akokwa will be agog today, 28 December, 2021 as Nigerians from all walks of life throng there for the epochal Odu Obi cultural festival of the kingdom's Monarch, His Royal Majesty Eze (Sir) Ikenna C Okoli (KSC) (MSI)(Okoli V.) Agbakwuruibe III. The 11th. Obi of Akokwa.

The 2021 edition of the prestigious Odu Obi festival is Eze Okoli's second since acesending the throne of his forefathers.

For the monarch, it will be a twin celebration as his second Odu Obi festival coincides with his 19th anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.

The 2021 Odu Obi festival will be graced by prominent Nigerians including His Royal Highness, Aseme-Alabo Duma Jack-Brown, KONGO XVI, Royal  Head  of the Buoye -Omuso (Brown) Royal/Major House, the paramount ruler of Finima, in Bonny local government of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Igwe (Amb.) Lawrence Agubuzo, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council among other monarchs and personalities across the country.

Deserving Nigerians will be conferred with chieftaincy titles by the Akokwa monarch during the festival.

Some of these include Ingram Adiche Osigwe ( Enyi Oha Akokwa), MD/ CEO, FullPage Communications Ltd,  Dr.Pascal Chigozie, member representing Ideato North/South in the House of Representatives, Dr.( sir) Daniel Nwanneka Chukwudozie, Chairman/ CEO, Dozzy Group of companies,  Mustapha Alhaji Tahir from Mubi, Adamawa, Dr Christian Odinaka Igwe, MD/CEO, Mailand Oil & Gas Ltd.

Others are Chief Chukwudi Ofoedu, a multi-billionaira industrialist and business mogul, Dr Anayo . M Ukeje, a renowned Biochemist, Chief (Sir) Kevin Uwanuakwa ( Agujiegbe Akokwa), Sir Ifeanyi Nwosu, MD/ CEO Mustang Group of companies, Sir Emeka Ifeacho, MD/CEO, Hyde Park Properties Ltd.

To also be honoured with chieftaincy title by the Obi of Akokwa during the Odu Obi festival are Mohammed Bello Mustapha( Kogunan Katagum), Head, Overseas Scholarship Scheme, Petroleum Development Technology Fund ( PTDF), Raymond Chidiebere Nwaigwe ( Obere Agu), Chief Uche Francis Offor, MD/CEO Ufrank Investment Ltd and IL Pelican International Ltd, Chief  Austine Chuma Ozuora, MD/ CEO, Chuzen International Investment Ltd, Nonso .C Osigwe, MD/ CEO, Gommend Gold Enterprises Ltd,  AIG Dasuki Danbappa Galadanchi.

Ijele & Ikenga Akokwa and Chairman, Orange Group, Sir ( Dr) Tony Ezenna will be the chief host of the festival.

Over 10,000 guests and culture enthusiasts across the globe, including Imo state Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, are expected at the cultural fiesta.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022!

We thank Almighty God for protecting and saving our lives in spite of the frightening challenges of 2021. 

We are more than conquerors and triumpant overcomers and victorious champions through our MESSIAH JESUS Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Romans 8:37- 39-

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Onyedum: Celebrating a Goldfish at 60

Onyedum: Celebrating a Goldfish at 60

- By Ingram Osigwe 

Goldfish has no hidding place. That is why at 60, Chief Evergreen Jude Ezeobi Onyedum (Onwa Mbosi) is being celebrated.

A man of the people, Onwa Mbosi at 60, according to his friends and associates, deserves fitting accolades and kind words due to a man who is faithfully serving God and humanity selflessly.

A touching  birthday eulogy rendered by his beloved children perhaps best summaries Chief Ezeobi's personage and unknots the nexus between ageing and goodness of the heart:

"Welcome to your Diamond Jubilee birthday ! You’re not old, you’re classic ! The sixtieth year in one’s life is a significant milestone, a memorable turning point, a touching reminder of the rich, mellowed life that would unfold in the years to come.  Life's milestones are not supposed to be counted, they're supposed to be celebrated. You've got more than half a century of accumulated knowledge and wisdom. May your 60th Birthday remind you of everything that you have done to better the lives of others, including us your children! May you know what a great example you have been to us! May you continue to set goals that change lives! Your 60th Birthday is only the beginning! May this time in your life be the start of new experiences! May you dream as big as you have, in the past, and look forward to the future with optimism ! As you celebrate your 60th birthday, know that life at this age can still be as exciting and fun as any other age. Have fun in your 60s. May your life be Evergreen and May you live long to see your great grandchildren. May you excel even more than you have already done . Age with grace Happy 60th Birthday !

"Lots of love from your Children"

Sixty years ago when he was born in his sleepy village, Umuezike, Mbosi, Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, his birth neither heralded stars nor caused rainbow to appear on the sky, yet, unknown to many a man who would change the narratives of the world around him, a star himself had been born.

Onyedum's journey to life started shortly after his higher education when he joined his brother in business and due to his can do spirit, later moved on to establish his own company, Bravo Products Limited (Bravo Foam) in 1991.

A shrewd business man and goal getter, Onwa Mbosi also went on to establish Evergreen International Services Limited, and Evergreen General Merchandise Limited.

A major player in the foam industry, Onyedum's foam depots  distribution, wholesale and retail outlets are situated in most parts of the country.

He also distributes for Mouka foam limited and has remained the number one distributor of Mouka Foam for 18 consecutive years.

A successful businessman, Onyedum has won several honors and recognitions in the foam Industry which is a testimony of his astuteness in business. Onwa Mbosi was rewarded with the title of “Onwa Platinum” of Lagos for winning the distinguished award of platinum for outstanding sales performances in 2014 from Mouka foams.

Chief Onyedum is a philanthropist who has contributed generously to the development of his home town and his environs has numerous awards and recognitions in Ihiala LGA, Lagos and beyond for his benevolence.

In 1997-2000 he was awarded the “Pillar of Development” by the Mbosi Town Development Union.

He is the President Emeritus of G21 Committee of friends club for 12 year and was indeed the founding President 

He has also been elevated to the position of High Chief Owelle Mbosi since September 2019 among numerous awards in the last few years

Evergreen as he is fondly called has also contributed immensely towards youth development, education and the society at large. In 2014 he received an ambassadorial award from the symbol of hope foundation (NGO) in recognition of his support to the organization. 

A devout Catholic, Onwa is happily married to Chief Mrs. Ogechi Onyedum (Lolo Onedo) and their union is blessed with children.

The sixth year in one's life is indeed a significant milestone, so it is in Onwa's 60th year on earth.

***

Ingram writes from Akokwa, Imo State

From Wig to Fashion: How Jideofor Rules His World

From Wig to Fashion: How Jideofor Rules His World

- By Ingram Osigwe

When you see these designers: Gianni Versace, Stefano Ricci, Guccio Gucci, Pierre Cardin, Yohji Yamamoto, Ermenegildo Zegna, Cesare Paciotti, Stefano Gabbana, John Varvatos and Tom Ford, surely your mind will readily race to the fashion label, Zeof and then the enigma behind it, Jideofor.

Twenty-five years ago, a young lawyer's path crossed that of delectable young lady. The interplay of  cupid forces would later entangled the two love birds in an inextricable marital journey that have witnessed only pure bliss.

Twenty-five years down the lane, Jideofor and his beautiful better half, Salome, have set an eviable marital example that calls for emulation.

For the man of the moment, his modest rise to success is a study in dexterity, grit-determination to excell and hardwork.

Indeed, the cliche, "a man of many parts" finds expression in High Chief (Barrister) Jideofor Valentine Chukwudebem Ezeofor's life trajectory. Versatility is ingrained in him and this explains the reason a law degree could not sentence him perpetually to courtrooms.

After acquiring a degree in law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, the mandatory one-year post stint at the Law school and then youth service he was appointed Magistrate in Anambra State Judiciary Awka. He served in the Chief Magistrate Courts Ogidi and Onitsha respectively.

However, in 2005, Jideofor resigned from the Magistracy and veered into private business, establishing a limited liability company, Zeof Corporate Identity LTD as the C.E.O.

He was also at thesame time serving as Legal adviser of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited  as well as Legal Adviser to Earls Court Properties LTD and Jacee Properties Ltd and so many other companies.

Zeof was the pestal on which Jideofor morphed from a full time practising lawyer to a fashion designer. Infact, his label is Zeof Excluzioni. Jideofor designs and makes clothes for the top echelon of society.

Jideofor is a goal-getting young man who has carved a niche for himself through the dint of hard work, innovative ideas and honesty.

Effervescent and genial, Jideofor has the presence of mind to recognise that his beautiful wife, Salome completes him and is an integral part of his success story these 25 years hence he is rolling out the drums to celebrate a silver Jubilee of conjugal bliss in grand style.

***

Ingram Osigwe, MD of Full Page International Communications Ltd writes from Akokwa, Imo State, NIgeria.

Naked Beauty in the Niger Delta

A National Geographic photographer discovers Oma, the greatest treasure of the Niger Delta of NIgeria and he must save her before it is too late.

Naked Beauty is the screenplay of a romantic art film and thriller on the awesome beauty of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, showing the purity of the nudity of an African virgin on an Island as the personification of the greatest asset of the land which is not her highly priced crude oil, but the people and their exotic cultural heritage. Tonye, a National Geographic adventure photographer from America discovers Oma, the beautiful virgin maiden of Agaja village on Bonny Island who wants more than a village life. And Tonye's exhibition of her exotic beauty makes the cover of the Vogue America magazine. Tonye helps Oma to escape from rape and ruthless militants. She survives a pipeline explosion that killed her closest friend Uli and other villagers. And in spite of her trauma, she gains admission into the University of Port Harcourt.

Written by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, one of the most notable writers on Nollywood and Dr. Christian Chika Onu, the multiple awards winning Nollywood producer at the University of Port Harcourt, the alma mater of many Nollywood stars.

Video: Gorilla Trek Safari in Cross River State in Southern NIgeria

Gorilla Trek Safari in Cross River State in Southern NIgeria

The rare gorillas of Cross River State in the southern region of Nigeria are among the most critical endangered species of the Gorillas Diehli of  the Western hominid genus Gorilla. Their location is one of the most cinematic scenes in wildlife movies and documentary films.

See The Best Film Locations in Nigeria
http://totnaija.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-film-locations-in-nigeria.html?m=1

Gorilla and two babies in front of a tree© Jeremy DArbeau.

The population risks inbreeding and a loss of genetic diversity because there are so few Cross River gorillas and they live in groups that interact infrequently if at all.

HUNTING

The hunting and killing of gorillas is illegal in Cameroon and Nigeria, but enforcement of wildlife laws is often lax. Following conservation efforts, hunting has declined to a low level, but any amount of gorilla killing will have a significantly impact an already small population.

“If we don’t get serious about saving these spectacular species, it’s quite likely that many won’t be around in the years to come.”

- Tom Dillon,

WWF Senior Vice President, Field Programs.

Photos from 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/cross-river-gorilla

For your own gorilla adventure, check out our extensive list of gorilla trekking safaris in Africa.

Where to See Gorillas in Africa?

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

2. Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

3. Cross River Gorillas in Nigeria

4. Western Lowland Gorillas in the Central African Republic

5. Different Types of Gorillas in Cameroon

6. The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cross River Gorillas in Nigeria

Cross river gorillas are one of the subspecies of the western gorilla. Unlike their western lowland brethren, whose presence can be counted in thousands, the number of cross river gorillas in the world is considerably small. There are only between 200 and 300 cross river gorillas left in the area. The border of Cameroon and Nigeria is the only place in the world where cross river gorillas can be observed in the wild. Due to their low numbers,sighting them can be hard, time-consuming work, but is guaranteed to be extremely rewarding. Here are the locations where you are most likely to spot the cross river gorillas in Nigeria.

Best Place to See Cross River Gorillas:

Cross River National Park

Mbe Mountains

Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary

For guided Gorilla Trek Safari in Cross River State, contact me.

The Best and Biggest International Acquisition for NIgerian Content in 2021 Happened on Vuulr

The best and biggest international acquisition deal for Nollywood in 2021 happened on Vuulr

On Vuulr, over 68 hours of NIgerian content was bought by a leading OTT platform in North America and more movies were acquired by an Asian video streaming and video on demand platform, one of the biggest and largest video streaming services in the world with over 280 million users globally and has a streaming library of over 150,000 hours across 12 languages worldwide.

Other major international acquisition, distribution and production deals in 2021 included Lionsgate's acquisition of "A Soldier's Story 2" for video on demand and television distribution across the United States and Canada; Silverbird Group's US$50 mllion deal with AAA Entertainment of South Africa to develop and produce a series of cinematic African feature films in Africa; Kemi Adetiba's deal with Netflix for "King Of Boys: The Return Of The King" political thriller in a seven-part project that is Netflix's first Original Series from Nigeria; Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Kugali Media's Disney Plus Original Series “Iwájú” and lest I forget BBC Studios signed a development deal with Mo Abudu's EbonyLife for a six-part heist crime thriller, "Reclaim".

These groundbreaking deals for content producers in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry have made International headlines and I am expecting more international acquisition and distribution of NIgerian movies and series in 2022.

Yuletide: House of Odua Brings Ife To Lagos

Yuletide: House of Odua brings Ife to Lagos

Lovers of art and culture will have exhilarating moments this Yuletide season as Shell Hall of Muson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos will from December 21st to 23rd host a cultural fiesta featuring a rendition of melodious Yoruba music by "Akorin Odua" direct from the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, Ile Ife and a parade of locally made Yoruba fabrics entitled " "Adire Odua".

Apart from Akorin Odua, to also perform at the fiesta are Emerald mass choir from Akure, Ekemini Theatre Troupe from Uyo, Team Definition from Lagos, Ogene Umu Africa from Enugu and UNILAG Carol, Lagos.

Xplicit Dancers and Kenny Blaq will add flavour to the fiesta with their breathtaking performances.

Powered by the House of Oduduwa, tickets for the musical fiesta range from #10,000 to #50,000 while VIP tables for 10 are from #500,000 to #1million.

Tickets can be purchased online at Ariiyatickets  online sales and also at the point of entry on the days of the shows.

PanAfrican Capital Holdings Sets Up The Catalyst Project To Promote African Entrepreneurship

The Catalyst

PRESS RELEASE

PanAfrican Capital Holdings Sets Up The Catalyst Project To Promote African Entrepreneurship

LAGOS, Nigeria, December 13, 2021/ -- In commitment to its vision to deliver exceptional services in chosen markets and create value for stakeholders, PanAfrican Capital Holdings ‘PAC Holdings’ has set up a venture capital project, to be known as The Catalyst (www.TheCatalystAfrica.com), to identify and invest in growth to product-expansion stage companies with convincing business models and market opportunities.

As a proprietary investment company with the focus to offer strategic investment solutions and unlock value across emerging and frontier markets across Africa, PAC Holdings acknowledges the vital role of technology in driving economic growth in Africa.

According to the Venture Capital in Africa Report, “90% of all reported VC deals between 2014 and 2020 were in technology-enabled companies operating across a variety of sectors. Financials accounted for the largest share of VC deals by both volume (22%) and value (26%) from 2014 - 2020, with Information Technology (18%) and Consumer Discretionary (16%) accounting for the second and third largest share of VC deals by volume within the same timeframe.” This trend is expected to continue with more opportunities for technology solutions arising in a post covid world.

Toluwalope Oni, the Global Coordinator of The Catalyst, said, “The Catalyst Project has been set up to facilitate and finance the delivery of technology enabled solutions, as well as promote African entrepreneurship. Our industries of primary focus are pivotal gears of a digital African economy, and these include finance, education, health, agriculture and logistic.”

Some of the objectives for the initiative include driving a culture of innovation and contributing to the delivery of forward-thinking market value across Africa.

“The project’s target is to inject an initial sum of $1,000,000 into ‘growth stage’ businesses that meet its criteria of; a clearly defined minimum viable product, solving a need/gap either on the demand or supply side in Africa, generating revenue enough to cover direct costs, seeking capital to boost expansion required to achieve exponential scale and little or no debt balances in the company’s balance sheet,” the Global coordinator added.

The identified sectors, given current macro-economic realities, represent the key underlying catalyst for Sustainable Economic Growth in emerging and frontier economies. Selected businesses that become successful would benefit from PAC Holdings access to an ecosystem of strategic investors & mentors, and enjoy product/service synergies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Catalyst.

Media Contact:
On behalf of PanAfrican Capital Holdings Limited
Omolola Ojo
Email: omolola.ojo@panafricancapitalholdings.com

Follow us on:
Twitter (https://bit.ly/3EQyu0j)
Facebook (https://bit.ly/3ynkWGQ) 
Instagram (https://bit.ly/3pQjEk2)

About PanAfrican Capital Holdings:
PanAfrican Capital Holdings “PAC Holdings” is a Proprietary Investment Company with special focus on Key Sectors across Africa including Financial Services, Hospitality & Entertainment, Real Estate & Infrastructure, Agro-Allied & FMCG, Healthcare, Renewable Energy, and ICT & Media.

With specialist subsidiary companies across chosen sectors. PAC Holdings is geared towards offering strategic investment solutions and unlocking value across emerging and frontier markets. The company’s corporate Head Office is in Lagos, with presence in Accra, Nairobi and Mauritius.  With Over the years, we have created strong strategic alliances with multilateral financial institutions such as African Export-Import bank, Africa Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Development Bank of South Africa, Bank of Industry, Nigerian Export-Import bank and other banks across the continent.

For more information, visit www.thecatalystafrica.com

SOURCE
The Catalyst

Akon, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Enyinna Nwigwe in "The American King"

Akon, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Enyinna Nwigwe in "The American King"

You can view the trailer of the new romantic comedy, "The  American King" starring famous African American singer, rapper, actor and businessman Akon, Hollywood stars, Andrew Howard, Nick Moran, Massi Furlan and top #Nollywood stars Nse Ikpe-Etim and Enyinna Nwigwe.

"The film mixes the spirit of Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, the provocative ideas of The New York Times‘ 1619 Project, with the shadow of the Trump presidency colliding and conflating to create a unique oddball experience. "
- The Black Film Magazine

SYNOPSIS:

When a High Priestess arrives to fulfill a 400-year-old prophecy, she chooses a troublemaking American to become the King of Africa. He and his friends are jetted away to take the crown and bring their street smarts to a new international level of mischief before discovering that with great power comes great responsibility. Can the new king save his country and Make Africa Great Again?

View the trailer on
https://www.visionfilms.net/film-detail?id=d8d46041-4028-ec11-8288-0e415c66ce57

"Eagle Wings", The Best War Film in the History of Filmmaking in Nigeria

 

"Eagle Wings", The Best War Film in the History of Filmmaking in Nigeria

"Eagle Wings’, a Nollywood and the Nigerian Airforce film collaboration is the best war film in the history of filmmaking in Nigeria since "Palaver", the first film shot in NIgeria by the Academy Award winning English filmmaker, Geoffrey Barkas in 1926.

Other notable NIgerian war films include "Ija Ominira" (Fight For Freedom) of 1979 directed by Dr. Ola Balogun and produced by Adeyemi Afolayan, aka "Ade Love", classified as one of the classics of the Cinema; 

"Cry Freedom" (1981) by Dr. Ola Balogun, "Battle of Love" (2003),  "Across the Niger" (2004), "Laviva" (2007) and "76" (2016) by Izu Ojukwu.

"Eagle Wings" is one of the best NIgerian films in 2021 and the best in original screenplay, best cinematography, best casting, best visual effects and the best directing in combat choreography.

“The film explores the often tragic, yet thrilling business of fighting for life, peace, and the freedom to love in the face of great violence. An uplifting journey through a terror-filled landscape and the power of newly found love, faith, duty and sacrifice ," said the director Paul Apel Papel.

Eagle Wings’ follows the story of an Air Force Fighter pilot who must navigate his way to safety amid an insurgency. It highlights the sacrifices of the military in combating insecurity and keeping the peace of the nation. The movie also explores the often tragic, yet thrilling mission in battling for life, peace, and freedom to love, in the face of great danger.

Starring Nollywood stars Enyinna Nwigwe,Femi Jacobs, Yakubu Mohammed, Francis Duru, Sadiq Daba, Keppy Ekpeyong, Uzee Usman, Saeed Muhammed, Patience Ujah, Jamila Ibrahim and  Abdul Zada.

The film is a poignant action war drama about an Airforce Fighter Pilot who is caught in the harrowing world of insurgency.

The director and producer, Paul Apel Papel, is a Colorado Film School-trained filmmaker.

“Overall, it is an uplifting journey through a terror-filled landscape and the power of newly found love, faith, duty and sacrifice,” he noted.

With this project, Papel said he will be able to successfully tell not just any story, but an original African story from a place of power and grace.

Papel said he has pushed all boundaries and taken new risks, not just with the storyline, but also with the quality of production he seeks to put out.

This first of it's kind to be shot using the Atlaslensco Orion 2x Anamorphic lenses on the ARRI Alexa Mini cameras, shooting OpenGate-the first to be ever done in West Africa and Nollywood. 

Alexa Mini is the favourite of the best DPs in Hollywood. ALEXA Mini LF was used to shoot the British war film "1917" (2019) by Sir Roger Alexander Deakins CBE, winner of five BAFTA Awards for Best Cinematography, and has had fifteen nominations and two wins for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.  Sir Samuel Alexander Mendes CBE, Academy Award winner for "American Beauty" (1999) directed "1917" and received ten nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, and three wins, for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Mixing.

*Eagle Wings" can be converted to an IMAX film by DMR (digital re-mastering). IMAX's 3D conversion technology enables live-action movies that were originally shot in 2D to be converted into stunning IMAX 3D.

#Nigeria #nigerians #Nigerianarmy #specialforces #armedforces #military #airforce #soldiers #security #insecurity 

#film #africa #love #war #battle #insurgency #terrorists #bokoharam #terrorism #entertainment

Branwen Okpako, One of the Best NIgerian Filmmakers Outside Nollywood

Prof. Branwen Kiemute Okpako ,  Nigerian born Welsh German filmmaker and scholar, a Chancellor’s Fellow is one of the most accomplished NIgerian filmmakers profiled in the third edition of my NOLLYWOO MIRROR® Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Branwen Okpako was born in Lagos/Nigeria. She received a BSC in political sciences from Bristol University, England in 1991, followed by MFA equivalent in film directing from the German Film & Television Academy, Berlin (dffb) in 1999. Her graduation film Dreckfresser (Dirt For Dinner 2000) won several international awards including First Steps: The German Newcomer Award for Documentary film 2000, IG Media Award (DOK-Leipzig) 2000, Distributions prize from sales 2000, The 24th Duisburg Film Week Award of the city of Duisburg for the best newcomer film Award, Bavarian State Government Documentary Award “The Young Lion” 2001, Best graduation film at the See Docs Dubrovnik festival 2001.

The fiction feature Valley of the Innocent (Tal der Ahnungslosen, 2004) had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film festival in 2003 and went on to compete in the feature film competition at FESPACO in 2005. For her documentary film The Education of Auma Obama, Okpako received the 2012 African Movie Academy Award for Best Diaspora Documentary, the Festival Founders Award for Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles (both in 2012), and the Viewers Choice Award at the Africa International Film Festival (2011). Her documentary-drama, The Curse of Medea (Fluch der Medea 2014), about the life of the late German writer Christa Wolf, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2014.

Branwen Okpako is Associate Professor at UC Davis in the Department of Cinema and Digital Media and is currently completing her sixth feature film entitled "Chibok Girls" based on the 2016 book of the same title by Helon Habila.

Welcome To FOCUS 2021, The Meeting Place For International Production

You are welcome to join us at FOCUS 2021

THE MEETING PLACE FOR INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION

Business Design Centre London, UK.

From 7-8 December for the live component, with the virtual venue operating from 7-10 December. 

Whether you participate in person or online, FOCUS will continue to offer a vibrant space to connect, reconnect and share global production expertise across film, TV, advertising, animation and games.

Here is the link to sign up for the free delegate badge..
https://bit.ly/FOCUS21_reg.

Chinonye Chukwu, One of the Most Daring NIgerian Born Filmmakers

Chinonye Chukwu is one of the most daring African American filmmakers and one of the three most accomplished NIgerian born female filmmakers with Ngozi Onwurah and Branwen Okpako. 

Chinonye will be on the cover of the third edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry published since 2013. 

She directed "Igbo Kwenu!" (2009),"The Dance Lesson" (2010) about a young black girl who struggles to become a ballerina in an increasingly gentrified community and "Bottom" in 2012.

Her first feature film "Alaska-Land"
(2012), told the story of two estranged Nigerian-American brother and sister who eventually reunite in their hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2013 she directed "A Long Walk" (2013), a short film about a child who is publicly ridiculed by his father.
Her critically acclaimed "Clemency"
 (2019), a death row drama stars Alfre Woodard as a prison warden coming to terms with the demands of her profession and Aldis Hodge as one of her inmates bound for execution. Her inspiration for the film came from the case of Troy Davis, a prisoner executed in 2011. She moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to shoot the film. She received the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at 2019 Sundance, the first black woman to do so.

Chinonye is slated to direct "A Taste Of Power", a film based on the memoir of Elaine Brown.
Chinonye's new feature, Orion Pictures' 
"Till" is about Emmett Louis Till.
"Till" tells the story of Mamie Till-Mobley whose pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son Emmett Louis Till  became a galvanizing moment that helped lead to the creation of the civil rights movement. As Time Magazine reported, “…thanks to a mother’s determination to expose the barbarousness of the crime, the public could no longer pretend to ignore what they couldn’t see.” Mamie’s decision to have an open casket at Emmett’s funeral, and to have Jet magazine publish David Jackson’s funeral photos, was driven by her motivation to ensure people everywhere knew what had happened to her son. The famous multiple award winning iconic actress, Whoopi Goldberg is playing Emmett’s grandmother.

The Challenges of Ava DuVernay, Chinonye Chukwu and Mati Diop To Nigerian Female Filmmakers

 The Challenges of Ava DuVernay, Chinonye Chukwu and Mati Diop To Nigerian Female Filmmakers

The most accomplished black female filmmaker is without dispute, Ava Marie DuVernay, the outstanding award winning African American film director, producer and screenwriter. She won the directing award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film "Middle of Nowhere", becoming the first black woman to win the award. For her work on "Selma" (2014), DuVernay became the first black woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director and also the first black female director to have her film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2017, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for her film, "13th" (2016).

Following in her trail blazers' status are NIgerian born Chinonye Chukwu, the first black woman to win the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Dramatic Competition, on January 27, 2019 at Sundance and the French Senegalese Filmmaker, Mati Diop who became the first black woman to make the Official Selection of the 2019 annual Cannes Film Festival in the competition for the Palme d'Or for her directorial debut feature "Atlantics" that won the Grand Prix.

DuVernay, Chukwu and Diop are highly intellectual and philosophical filmmakers who are psychologically nuanced.
They are as good as the best male directors in cinema and a big challenge to other black female filmmakers. But do we have Nigerian female filmmakers of the same intellectual calibre with them in Nigeria and the Diaspora?
Yes, we have. But they are few; including the most accomplished, Ngozi Onwurah, whose "Welcome II the Terrordome" in 1995 became the first film directed by a Black British woman to receive a UK theatrical release; Branwen Okpako; Chika Anadu; Michelle Bello; Mildred Okwo and Tope Oshin.

Ngozi Onwurah

Branwen Okpako

Mildred Okwo

Tope Oshin.

The challenges of those I mentioned who work in Nollywood are several, including the scarcity of good production designers and good actors who understand English grammar for enunciation and interpretation of characters. Majority of the actors in Nollywood and Kannywood cannot act. They just want to belong to the glitz and razzmatazz of the popularity of movie stars. These fundamental challenges have negatively impacted on the overall ratings of Nigerian movies. I have seen many examples of amateurish actors in Nigerian movies by very good filmmakers.

I look forward to seeing these ambitious Nigerian female filmmakers making groundbreaking films with cheers all the way to the top from Cannes to the Oscars.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima.

Who is Qualified To Be the Next President of NIgeria?

Who is Qualified To Be the Next President of NIgeria?

I have more than 30 years experience in working for the presidential campaigns of top presidential aspirants in the political ruling class of NIgeria.
I was a special aide in the Publicity Department of the Presidential Campaign of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, CON for the National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1990-1992. He later became the President of the Africa Business Roundtable in 2012 and was National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.
I was one of the brains behind the social media campaign of the Transform NIgeria Network for former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR in 2014.

I have done a comprehensive political evaluation of all the potential presidential aspirants for the 2023 presidential election, and the only presidential aspirant who can tackle the widespread insecurity in NIgeria is former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON.

Only a fearless strong Commander-in- Chief can command the Nigerian Armed Forces to guarantee the national security of NIgerians.
Boko Haram and ISWAP are on rampage in the country, because President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to be a competent Commander-in-Chief and he is overwhelmed by the failures of the NIgerian military to defeat the bandits and terrorists who have killed over 300, 000 people with over 2, 000, 000 people left homeless and abandoned in the IDPs' camps in the worst humanitarian crisis since the first NIgerian civil war of 1967-1970.

The other presidential aspirants don't have the political pragmatism of visionary leadership and competence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who was the Vice President of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for eight years and they subdued every threat of terrorism and secured the lives and properties of NIgerians in every state of the federation.

I don't have to mention the shortcomings of the other presidential aspirants, because they are not capable of the political leadership of NIgeria in such a critical period of political crisis and national insecurity. They are too weak to be a powerful Commander-in-Chief.

Rigging gubernatorial elections to become state governors and turning the Treasury of the State to your ATM machine does not make you a competent presidential candidate when you should actually be in jail for corruption without any plea bargain.
What we need is a powerful Commander-in-Chief and not a wonderful thief of public funds from the revenues of your state.

Akokwa Hosts Nigeria as Eze Okoli Celebrates Odu Obi Festival

Akokwa Hosts Nigeria as Eze Okoli Celebrates Odu Obi Festival

The ancient kingdom of Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo state will on December 28, 2021 host Nigerians from all walks of life as its monarch, His Royal Majesty Eze (Sir) Ikenna C Okoli (KSC) (MSI)  (Okoli V.) Agbakwuruibe III. The 11th. Obi of Akokwa will be celebrating the 2021 edition of the prestigious Odu Obi festival, his second since ascending the throne.
For the monarch, it will be a triple celebration as his second ODU Obi festival coincides with his 19th anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
He also turned 50 on February 28th 2021..

The 2021 Odu Obi festival will be graced by prominent Nigerians including His Royal Highness, Aseme-Alabo Duma Jack-Brown, KONGO XVI, Royal  Head  of the Buoye -Omuso (Brown) Royal/Major House, the paramount ruler of Finima, in Bonny local government of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Igwe (Amb.) Lawrence Agubuzo,
Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council among other monarchs and personalities across the country.

Deserving Nigerians will be conferred with chieftaincy titles by the Akokwa monarch during the festival.
Ijele & Ikenga Akokwa and Chairman, Orange Group, Chief (Sir)Tony Ezenna,OFR is the chief host of the festival.
A detribalised Nigerian,  Eze Ikenna Okoli has friends across Nigeria's religious and ethnic divide having had his early education in the North, higher education at the Abia state university, Uturu, lived briefly in Lagos and ran his businesses in Abuja.
Born as Prince Ikenna C Okoli on 28th February,1971 to HRH Eze (Sir) Osita C Okoli IV (Late) and late Lady Bibian E Okoli (Ezenwanyi), Eze Okoli, as a young Prince, was embedded with the zeal for entrepreneurship hence immediately after his graduation decided to be an employer of labour hence the birthing of Equipment Alliance limited where he is still the MD/CEO till date.
Equipment Alliance Limited specializes in leasing of equipments such as earth and marine equipments with its head office at FCT,Abuja.The company played an important role in the construction of Abuja National Stadium prior to the hosting of the All African games(COJA) and committed to the construction of several other projects both in the public and private sectors.

###

Mr. Ingram Adichie Osigwe,arpa
MD/CEO Fullpage International Communications Limited.

SNEAK PEEK: "The Outpost" - The Power Of One " on Vuulr

 

The Season Three premiere episode of the fantasy adventure TV series is available on Vuulr.

 "The Outpost" Season 3 is. titled "For the Sins of Your Ancestors", directed by Marc Roskin.

"...'Zed' (Reece Ritchie) forces humans to work a mining camp as 'Talon' (Jessica Green) struggles to keep peace. A sassy genius invades the lab of 'Janzo'. A dark 'Priestess' unites the 'Blackbloods'..." 

Cast also includes Jake Stormoen, Imogen Waterhouse, Aaron Fontaine, Adam Johnson, Izuka Hoyle and Jaye Griffiths.

 

Patience Ozokwor in AZUMKUTA KINGDOM

"AZUMKUTA KINGDOM"
A new epic movie from #Nollywood available for international acquisition and distribution on Vuulr.

Director : Frank Ejelam

Producer: Saviour Okpara

Cast: Patience Ozokwor, Lord Frank, Frances

There are over 400 NIgerian movies on Vuulr.    

Click here to view the best NIgerian movies on Vuulr. .

#Nigeria
#Igbo
#epic
#drama #movies #entertainment #acquisition #distribution #netflix #amazon #africa

Great Nations Are Not Built By Making Great Speeches

Great nations are not built by making great speeches, but by doing great things for human development and nation building.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of "Children of Heaven", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "The Prophet Lied" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers worldwide.

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

THE NEW NNPC BOARD AND STRATEGIC BALANCING

THE NEW NNPC BOARD AND STRATEGIC BALANCING

- By Frederick Harry

On August 16th 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the much awaited Petroleum Industry Bill into law. The signing of the Bill into law was hailed as a timely intervention as it is expected to “provide certainty to potential and existing investors on the applicable fiscal regime in the Petroleum Industry”. By the powers vested in the President under section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, on September 19, 2021 he approved and appointed the Board and Management of NNPC Ltd with Senator Godwin Ararume as the Chairman of the Board.

The appointment of the Chairman of the Board from Imo State in the South East was applauded as evidence that the relationship between the people of the region and the President was heading north.

The inauguration of the board has however been suspended twice as a result of scathing criticism against some members by some activists, civil society organisations, petitions from powerful interest groups and alleged resistance by the International Oil Companies (IOCs).

Mr. Deji Adeyanju, the Convener of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria had described the appointment of Senator Ararume as a travesty and criticized the Buhari government’s “penchant for outlandish and unconventional methods of appointing cronies and men of questionable character” to important public offices. He insisted that there are many qualified technocrats and experienced oil and gas industry players from Imo State that can lead the charge at NNPC and manage the country’s main source of revenue and that Senator Ararume does not fit in that mould.

This type of blistering and witheringly scornful criticism coupled with fight back by the IOCs and counteraction by the political elites across board allegedly led to the indefinite suspension of the inauguration of the board as announced by the Secretary to the Federal Government on November 23, 2021. It is now being speculated in the Energy Halls of Power and Corridors of Political Influence that the federal government is considering nominating another person as Chairman of the Board.

It is very imperative therefore that the Buhari administration should take certain salient factors including but not limited to political environment, economic challenges, management skills and social issues into consideration before making such a nomination.

On the political environment, the ruling party, APC has been striving to make in-roads in the South East and the South South regions of Nigeria. Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Imo State Governor has been leading from the front in ensuring that  citizens from the two regions embrace the party wholeheartedly. This can be seen from his tenacity and doggedness in persuading his brother Governors from Ebonyi and Cross River States to join the party. He has essentially converted all the big and influential political players in the South East to APC. It is the prevailing public opinion that if the nominated Chairman of the Board would be changed, the President should consult the Governor to liaise with other relevant stake holders from the South East to present an acceptable candidate with cognate industry and management experience to lead the board and that person should come from Imo State.

What many people may not know is that oil, the bedrock of the Nigerian economy was first discovered in Iho Dimeze community in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State in 1937 by Shell Petroleum then known as Shell D’Arcy. The company established a base in Owerri before it left for Oloibiri in Rivers State when it discovered oil in commercial quantities there in 1956.

With the recovery of 43 Oil Wells from Rivers State by the Uzodinma administration which is the greatest economic feat by any Imo Governor since 1999, Imo State is now an assertive 4th oil producing state in the country. Imo State is home to over 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas deposit and upside of potential 600 trillion cubic feet. Natural gas has today become a catalyst for socio-economic renaissance all over the world as the urgent need for clean and renewable energy need not be emphasized. With the emerging importance of Imo State to the nation’s economy, it would be unthinkable to deny the state the chance to lead the Board of NNPC Ltd.

It must however be reiterated that the new NNPC Board needs to be led by a certified change agent who is conversant with processes and management strategies of formulation, implementation, evaluation, modification and monitoring. It must be someone ready to implement a paradigm shift agenda with his eyes on the ball of common good not the next election. He must be an innovative thinker with excellent track record and culture of excellence in service crafting tactics to achieve objectives. He must demonstrate outstanding problem solving skills and exemplary team leadership ability with knowledge of climate challenges.

Nigeria is considered 58th most vulnerable and 22nd least ready nation to adapt to the threats of climate change. With 25% of the population living in exposed coastal region, a vast majority of the citizens plagued by devastating poverty and insecurity fueled partly by climate change, NNPC led by the Board should be ready for transitioning into “Green Economy”. The Board must be ready to create platforms for engagement to achieve climate readiness with clean energy and improved decision making.  The country cannot afford a misstep now.

The ball remains in the court of Mr. President to consult widely and give the Board a Chair that would lead the way for the nation’s economic progress. 

###

Frederick Harry, a Nigerian from the Grand Bonny Kingdom, is a contributing editor to CNBC and Africa Business News.