The Academy Awards, Nollywood and the Submission of Nigeria's Entry for the Best International Feature Film

The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is not responsible for the selections of the members of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the annual Academy Awards (Oscars).

The brouhaha over the lack of honesty and transparency in the rejection of any of the two acclaimed Nigerian films as the country’s official submission for the IFF Award last year caused the resignation of Mildred Okwo and Shaibu Husseini from the selection committee and I don't know if they have returned. But there should be a defined criteria for the membership of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) based on international professional achievements and accomplishments in filmmaking and being on the jury of highly rated international film festivals and awards. So, some members of the NOSC are not qualified to be members of the committee. And I mean every word in my statement. 

I was dragged into the mess of the NOSC last year that caused the local and international embarrassment of Nollywood, because after my investigation I discovered that Nigeria should have submitted an entry for the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the last Oscars. But personal antagonisms and not professional criticisms caused the rejection of the two films from which one should have been submitted. 

The two major contenders for the submission as Nigeria's entry were "Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman" , Yoruba-language historical drama film directed by Biyi Bandele based on Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka's "Death and the King's Horseman", a stage play he wrote while in Cambridge and "Aníkúlápó", a Yoruba epic fantasy film by Kunle Afolayan. Both of them were good enough; therefore one of them should have been submitted for the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the annual Academy Awards (Oscars). But the antagonism between those who wanted "Aníkúlápó" and those who wanted "Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman" resulted in the rejection of the films. 

Selfish opportunism has done more harm than good to professionalism in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

To me, any Nigerian film that fails to be accepted for the Official Selections of any of the following annual international film festivals: Sundance Film Festival; Berlin International Film Festival: Cannes Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) should not be in the consideration for the submission by the NOSC.

 - Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
Nigeria Daily
Nigerians Report Online on Blogger and Facebook
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Vuulr Program Partner,
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#Oscars
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#nominations
#nominees
#films
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#Nollywood

Confraternity of Christian Mothers Festac Celebrates with Mrs Muo

Confraternity of Christian Mothers Festac Celebrates  with Mrs. Muo

Obeying the Biblical admonition to Christians to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, members of the  Confraternity of  Christian Mothers, CCM from the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac Town, Lagos on June 25, 2022, trooped out in their numbers to rejoice and felicitate with one of their own, Mrs Ann Muo at the wedding of her daughter, Augusta Ifeoma Muo.

The holy matrimony took place at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The gaily dressed and vivacious CCM mothers proved to be their sister's keeper as they gave amble moral support to one of their own ensuring that the wedding was one of  the best organised social events in the recent time.

The bride's mother herself brought colour and distinction to bear on her daughter day of glory as her company, Spanset cakes & events ensured that everybody went home with a pack of cakes( different Flavours).

Founded in France over 150 years ago, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers was founded by lay women to discuss their struggles in raising their children and to pray for each other in a culture that had become increasingly opposed to Catholic values. 

CCM members who graced the wedding include Mother Esther Okereke, president Emeritus, Mother Vivian Obi, Ex Vice President,  

Mother Modesta Iguh president, Mother Adaku Agughasi, Vice President, Mother Ann Okorafor Treasurer.

Others include, Mother  Chioma Ekeh Provost, Mother Uche Emetarom, Financial Secretary 2, Mother Chinyere Chinedu, Provost 2, Mother Adaku, Ezeugo welfare.

Also in attendance were Mother Chinyere Aniaku member, Mother Uwandu Mabel, member, Mother Bibian Okeke, member, Mother Maryqueen Obelle, member, Mother Adaku Uzoukwu member, Mother Ifeoma Chukwueze, member, Mother Virginia Ogbatue member, Mother Rose Uchendu exco and Mother Onyeneke exco. Other notable guests @ the event include Chief Ingram Osigwe(EnyiOha) Chief Kevin Onyebara, Dr Obinna Okpara, Madam Blessed and Princess Ifeoma Agu. 

Indeed, Saturday, June 25th, 2022 will be a historic day for the families of Fidelis(Adizue) and Mrs Ann Muo and Chief John (Snr) and Mrs Fumilayo Adollo as their children, Augusta Ifeoma and John Jemin Jnr consummated their love at the Cathedral of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

The groom, an indigene ofJakpa, Warri North local government area, Delta State,  is a US-based Engineer while the bride who hails from Nnokwa, Idemili south of Anambra state, owns one of the latest boutiques in LEKKI phase 1, Lagos.

The rites of joining Ifeoma and John as husband and wife had begun a week earlier with a lavish but multi-cultural traditional wedding that witnessed a rich and enchanting blend of Igbo, Itsekiri and Yoruba cultures.

This was expected as the groom is Itsekiri with a Yoruba mother while the bride is Igbo from Anambra state.

The traditional wedding had in attendance Captains of Industry, politicians, professionals etc.

The galaxy of guests from virtually all parts of Nigeria gave the traditional wedding the colour of a pan-Nigerian event.

All Nigerian dishes which were served further added glamour to the wedding.

The colourful Itsekiri dance troupe ushered the groom amidst cheers.

The groom's mother, a Yoruba, added rich Yoruba panache to the event with breath-taking Yoruba eulogy and dance steps. 

Guests at the traditional wedding included a former Senator representing Lagos East senatorial district and current MD/CEO of the  Federal Housing Authority, Sen.Gbenga Ashafa among other notables.

The classy traditional wedding foretold the quintessentially glamourous church wedding that took place on June 25.

The reception which was held at The Bell Campbell Event Centre, Campbell Street, Lagos, witnessed pomp, pageantry and colour.

It attracted the high and mighty in the society with exotic dishes and wines made available to all guests.

***

Story by Chief Ingram Osigwe.

Five Outstanding Nigerians Invited To The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2022

Five outstanding Nigerians, including distinguished directors Newton Aduaka and Blessing Effiom Egbe, accomplished actors Funke Akindele-Bello and Daniel K. Daniel and notable talent agent Josiah Akinyele are among 397 New Members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 2022. 

Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity. This year's class of invitees includes 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners.

See complete list of the new members on https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-invites-397-membership.

***

According to the Academy, the "membership process is by sponsorship, not application. Candidates must be sponsored by two Academy members from the branch to which the candidate seeks admission." 

Open Invitation to the Members of the Press: New Social Network,

16 May 2011 13:20 Africa/Lagos


Open Invitation to the Members of the Press: New Social Network, New Opportunities - PrimeHangout.com

PR Newswire

PHILADELPHIA, May 16, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PrimeHangout, a subsidiary of ClinicTools, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA, is pleased to invite the media to the launching of a new social network popularly known as PrimeHangout.com. The launching, as declared by Henry I. Balogun, founder and CEO, is scheduled to take place at Kirby Auditorium, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19106 on June 10, 2011 at 11:00 am.

"Inspiration behind the establishment of PrimeHangout came out of the desire to create a better platform designed to take connecting with the outside world to a new height," said Henry Balogun. "Our goal is to give people something socially rewarding, financially beneficial, and historically inspiring.

"At http://www.primehangout.com, we make it possible for individuals to showcase creativity - a place for business to increase exposure, thereby generating effective business leads and for vacation destinations to let the world know where people can come to learn, enjoy historical value, relax and unwind."

PrimeHangout.com is divided into three major sections:

1. Individual User section is for creating connections with people locally, nationwide as well as worldwide.

* Genealogy, embedded in the individual user section is designed to help you discover your roots, the people you are connected with by birth and the origin of your humanity.


2. Business User section is designed to help you build a solid, dependable and highly beneficial client base. The time has come to use the power of social networking to increase business as well as the bottom line.

3. Vacation Destination section is designed to assist you in your quest to find a place to relax, and enjoy the rich diversities of culture as well as historical places of interest all around the world.

"Each section is equipped with a way to upload pre-recorded video or live show, thereby communicate effectively with your contacts, audience and friends. Users can use their respective business wall to make presentations, show product demos and generate leads. Our chat module makes it easier to have one-on-one or group chat with friends or business contacts."

Henry Balogun declared that "during this launching, we are going to unveil, thereby make available the first Internet Mall (like the mall in your city) where individuals and businesses can actually open stores, sell and make money. We are also ready to present to the world the first cross-platform EMR/Healthcare Management System ever developed."

PrimeHangout is committed to innovative ideas including ongoing improvements and new functionalities. "We have developed a PrimeHangout App for the iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android-based Smartphone. Use it to make new friends, connect and chat with existing friends, or organize and announce an event at the speed of light - the communication platform of the future is here. Kindly register your intent to attend by sending a message to phpressrelease@mednetservices.com," said Balogun.

Contact:

Henry I. Balogun, Ph.D., Chairman/CEO
Mobile Phone: (215) 704-8223
Email: hbalogun@mednetservices.com

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE ClinicTools, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.primehangout.com