https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi
PRESS RELEASE |
eNPFL Powered by Integral: The first Official Electronic Arts Sports Football Club (EA Sports FC™) Pro League Tournament in Nigeria |
The qualifiers will take place from the 9th of March to 13th of April 2024 in Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Enugu with the Grand Finale event in Lagos on the 27th of April 2024 |
LAGOS, Nigeria, February 23, 2024/ -- The official football esports program of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) will be part of EA SPORTS FC™ Pro elite tournament program for the first time this season. In collaboration with Integral (www.Integralsande.com), Africa’s leading innovative sports management and marketing company headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the all new eNPFL will give EA SPORTS FC 24 players the chance to represent NPFL clubs in the competition. This year, the action-packed eNPFL tournament will be hosted across four regions, with players representing the 20 NPFL clubs across the regions. The qualifiers will take place from the 9th of March to 13th of April 2024 in Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Enugu with the Grand Finale event in Lagos on the 27th of April 2024. The finalists will compete at the Grand Finale for a winner-takes-all grand prize of $15,000 (USD), with the winner being awarded a seat in the Play-Ins to the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship 2024. Commenting on the planned esports program, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the NPFL board, stated that “We are excited to be a part of this landmark series of events giving NPFL fans the opportunity to compete at the esports tournament representing NPFL clubs, thanks to our partnership with Integral! With Integral’s innovative expertise, the eNPFL tournament is sure to be engaging and thrilling both for the gamers and the fans. It is a thing of pride that with this partnership with Integral, the NPFL becomes the first West African league to be a part of the EA SPORTS FC™ Pro esports program for 2024!” In anticipation of this year’s events, the Managing Director of Integral Deolu Lamikanra said: “After a successful first-ever EA SPORTS licensed event last season, we are thrilled that we are able to once again bring an exciting gaming experience with EA SPORTS FC™ 24 right at the center! Working with the NPFL ensures we provide a unique opportunity to not just gamers across all parts of Nigeria to participate but also fans of the NPFL to follow the tournament live through our broadcast partners. It is truly delightful to have Integral yet again at the center of a one-of-a-kind gaming experience and to present the platform for the eNPFL champion to ultimately represent Nigeria on the global stage.” For more information on the qualification rules and registration, visit www.eNPFL.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Integral. For more information, please contact:Deolu Lamikanra deolu@integralsande.com About Integral: Integral, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is a leading African sports management and marketing company. Known for its high standards of delivery, the company has varied expertise and works in all aspects of the industry – events, corporate hospitality, sponsorships, media rights and athlete representation. Integral also works extensively as commercial advisor for a number of International Federations and European football clubs in Africa, and has recently extended its expertise to e-sports, working as a partner to EA SPORTS. More information on Integral is available at www.Integralsande.com. About Electronic Arts: Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. In fiscal year 2023, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.4 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and F1®. More information about EA is available at https://apo-opa.co/42Pvj5A. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. SOURCE |
RECOMMENDED The Signature of God is priceless and timeless. It is available for art collection and as wearables. #God #signature #name #holy #holiness #faith #religion #truth #power #earth #creation #art #design https://nftmyimage.com/iFcbyz_WpUQR0o-SG4s_yA?minted=true https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-signature-of-god.html The global wearable technology market was valued at USD 61.30 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing adoption of smart wearable technology products among consumers is driving industry growth. These devices aid in monitoring health by keeping track of cholesterol levels, calories burnt, oxygen levels, etc., through sensors. In addition, several companies, such as Fitbit, Samsung, Noise, and Fossil Group, Inc., are introducing wearable technology watches and other accessories with health tracking solutions. Such a feature is anticipated to attract consumers as it helps them check their health, which paves the way for market growth. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/wearable-technology-market |
2023 in Review: International Digital Post Network Limited: A Potential Unicorn
2023 has been an awesome year of rough economic challenges of tough times.
Inspite of the odds against me, my duly incorporated International Digital Post Network Limited (IDPNL) has been able to remain totally debt free and has never borrowed since the incorporation in September, 2009.
https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2023/06/international-digital-post-network.html
Personally, the total amount I have owed in my life so far is $600 (six hundred dollars) only.
International Digital Post Network Limited has been a success story with highly valuable assets and products and international partnerships in the digital media industry, blockchain, mobility, e-commerce and entertainment industry making it a potential Unicorn by the total valuation of the assets, products and partnerships for the Big Picture of the future of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry and creative economy.
IDPNL has partnerships with companies in America, India and Singapore in the global film industry in film acquisition, distribution, production and exhibition.
I am still having 100% ownership of the International Digital Post Network Limited and the subsidiaries. Because, I am the still the sole funder of the company.
Thanks to Almighty God for great is His faithfulness, goodness and mercies and loving kindness.
I trust Almighty God for the best in 2024.
Tony O. Elumelu C.F.R. in conversation with Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, at the TEF-UBA high level Roundtable, at the ongoing COP28 conference in Dubai
(Source: The Tony Elumelu Foundation)
PRESS RELEASE |
Tony Elumelu Convenes Global Leaders and Calls for Immediate Climate Action for Africa at Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai |
With African youth set to make up one third of global population later this century, the future of Africa’s youth, entrepreneurial, ambitious, resilient, needs to be given the highest priority |
LAGOS, Nigeria, December 8, 2023/ -- Tony Elumelu Foundation (https://www. At a series of events across COP28, Tony Elumelu delivered a single message to world leaders: Africa needs to be heard, Africa’s future is the world’s future and the continent that is most impacted by and the least contributor to climate change, needs our attention. With African youth set to make up one third of global population later this century, the future of Africa’s youth, entrepreneurial, ambitious, resilient, needs to be given the highest priority. Elumelu offered the infrastructure and experience of his own Foundation’s 10 year $100m entrepreneurship programme to partners, to catalyse a further generation of African entrepreneurs; entrepreneurs who can address climate change and drive the broader wealth creation that Africa requires. Reaching and funding young entrepreneurs in every African country, the Elumelu approach of sector agnostic seed funding, mentoring, and networking has delivered robust impact. The annual COP UN Climate Change Conferences unites the world to assess progress in combatting climate change. Elumelu is one of Africa’s leading advocates for an equitable agenda for climate action and through the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered thousands of green entrepreneurs, shaping a more sustainable future for Africa. The Tony Elumelu Foundation, in partnership with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), hosted a high-level session, bringing together Africans, and key players in the Gulf, Europe, and Americas, where UBA operates, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation, while fostering sustainable development, and bringing attention to Africa’s unique position. Speakers included Dr. Okonjo Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization; Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP, Kevin Frey, CEO, UNICEF Generation Unlimited; Sergio Pimenta, VP Africa, IFC; Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Financial Initiative, World Bank; Adam Wang-Levine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate; Joseph Nganga, Vice President, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Rockefeller Foundation; Hassan Al Hashemi, VP International Relations, Dubai Chambers; Serge Ekué, Chairman, West African Development Bank (BOAD); Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa; and Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation, UNFCCC. “Addressing climate change is the paramount challenge of our era. The urgency is unmistakable.” Elumelu stated. “It is critical that Africa, as a continent, and African voices, play a key role in global climate conversations, as meaningful participants, and no longer as bystanders. Africa is least responsible and is disproportionately impacted by climate change. I am investing in a generation of green entrepreneurs, and we are extending the hand of partnership, so that others can benefit and use the infrastructure and platform we have created to reach entrepreneurs across Africa.” Elumelu represented the African private sector at the 2023 New Global Financing Pact in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, and the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London, at the invitation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and U.S. President Biden. At the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) launched a first-of-its-kind Green Entrepreneurship Programme, the #BeGreenAfrica Initiative, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, Dutch Government and UNICEF GenU, to support green entrepreneurship and youth development. Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur from Madagascar in the green economy, Marie-Christiana Kola, shared a compelling impact story. “As a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship programme, I was able to create a recycled and 100% biodegradable hand soap made with waste cooked oil - the number one water polluter of water in African urban cities. These soaps do not only protect the environment, but they are also solidarity soaps. I was also able to attend the COP27 conference in Egypt, where I won the Innovation Prize. Today, I have employed over 30 people because of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.” Speaking at the TEF #COP28 high-level event, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, DG, World Trade Organisation stated, “I am proud of what my brother, Tony Elumelu, has done in empowering and inspiring so many young entrepreneurs. We have no choice; the future is green. The future of growth is two things – it is green, and it must be inclusive. I am very interested in partnerships with organisations like TEF.” Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP added, “The reason why UNDP associated itself with the Tony Elumelu Foundation years ago is because of the leadership and courage of the Foundation to trust and invest in young Africans. It was one of the first organisation to do so at that scale.” The Foundation partnered with the UNDP to empower thousands in the Sahel, with an ambitious project to impact the lives one million young Africans. Sergio Pimenta, VP, Africa at the IFC, also stated, “Tony, I salute you and your Foundation for what you have been doing to support young entrepreneurs in Africa. The IFC has deployed $2billion in funding for African SMEs in the last fiscal year and we are very excited to be able to do more, working with you.” Kevin Frey, CEO UNICEF Generation Unlimited added, “With TEF, we have moved in a concerted way into the entrepreneurial space. Generation Unlimited now have a flagship programme with the Tony Elumelu Foundation called #BeGreenAfrica, launched in Kenya, and now with the support of the IKEA Foundation and the Dutch Government, we have scaled to Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Senegal. We will train and seed 500 green entrepreneurs this year in the pilot project across those countries. So Tony, thank you so much, you are right it is all about partnerships.” Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Financial Initiative at the World Bank, announced, “Our women-focused initiative has been able to secure $3.6 billion to finance women entrepreneurs in 67 countries across the world, and is set to launch a new programme focused on financing African women entrepreneurs to drive the continent’s green energy transition, and we are keen to work with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.” Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Climate Ambassador and Head of UNFCCC Delegation stated, “My Government and I commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s incredible impact across Africa, and will facilitate connections between the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Swedish embassies across Africa to drive innovation, digitalisation, and green-energy transition, which promises to bring about new jobs and growth.” Adam Wang-Levine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate, added” Before coming to the United States Treasury, I was working in venture capital, and I know first-hand that it is incredibly important what the Tony Elumelu Foundation is doing. I have seen two pillars of their work – financing and the mentorship – just as I have seen with Silicon Valley, which helps to drive innovation and jobs creation. We are excited to begin partnership conversations.” Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy GMD, United Bank for Africa, announced, “For us, UBA, we give market access into 20 geographies in Africa. Everything that we do is around Africa, and that is why we have partnered with the Afrexim Bank to launch the $6billion fund for SMEs with a focus on import substitution, working in four key areas including climate emission reduction.” Earlier in the day, Tony Elumelu joined Ajay Banga, President of World Bank Group; Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board and CEO of Bank of America; Ms. Ruth Porat, President, Alphabet and Google; and Ms. Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder & President of Emerson Collective as a panelist in a session titled “Big, Audacious and Green: A Convergence of Visionaries”, moderated by Børge Brende, President of World Economic Forum. On Sunday December 3 Mr. Tony Elumelu, also participated in a fireside conversation with Ms. Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Change, moderated by Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and with closing remarks from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation. Contact Information:Moyo Awotile Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications Tony Elumelu Foundation Email: moyo.awotile@ Phone: +234 809 975 1482 About the Tony Elumelu Foundation: The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation in all 54 African countries, and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment. Since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has connected over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed nearly USD$100 million in direct funding to 18,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Foundation’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent. SOURCE |
"MAMI WATA", a 2023 West African mythological fantasy film shot in black-and-white written and directed by Obasi, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize in the World Dramatic Competition for the cinematography.
The film has won several awards, including three awards at the FESPACO - Prix de la Critique Paulin S. Vieyra (African Critics Award), Meilleure Image (Cinematography Award) and Meilleur Décor (Set Design Award). It was acquired by Dekanalog for North American distribution.
It is currently the Nigerian film with the widest Internatonal theatrical release in the history of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.
"MAMI WATA" is Nigeria's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations 2024
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Anatomy of a Fall
France
Director: Justine Triet
Godland
Denmark/Iceland
Director: Hlynur Pálmason
Mami Wata
Nigeria
Director: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi
Tótem
Mexico
Director: Lila Avilés
The Zone of Interest
United Kingdom, Poland, USA
Director: Jonathan Glazer
#mamiwata
#fieryobasi
#nollywood
#filmindependentspiritawards
#spiritawards2024
#nominations
#academyawards
#oscars
#nigeria
#sundance
#sundancefilmfestival
#cinrematography
#awards
All is Not Well in Nollywood.and the Nigerian Film Industry.
All that glitters is not gold.
Majority of the producers. directors, actors. actresses and other practitioners in the Nigerian film industry are facing critical economic challenges ignored by the Nigerian government.
An official of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) invited me for a meeting on how to get distribution for thousands of new movies, because only about 100 -200 get acquired by the MultiChoice Group, Startimes, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Showmax. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations and local private TV stations don't have enough budgets to acquire the movies and series. The are grossly underfunded.
The loads of local content without acquisition and distribution are either on YouTube or put aside in drawers. The producers are heart broken and depressed, because their investments have failed to produce the returns on investment and have left them bankrupt.
The cinemas are having challenges due to high costs of recurrent expenditure in Nigeria.
If, you are in doubt, you must be from another planet.
We have humanitarian emergencies in Nollywood that most people are not bothered about.
I have always helped whenever I could in spite of my own critical economic challenges.
I have done my best for the overall benefit of all in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry and I am still doing my best locally and globally to increase the appreciation, acquisition and distribution of Nigerian movies and series.
Presently, I am targeting new Internatonal markets in the Americas, Asia and Eastern Europe where I have attracted potential partners for acquisition, distribution and co-production.
The federal government and responsible ministries must address these challenges if we want the best for Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.
Memory of October 20, 2020 Has Been Released on Selar
"Memory of October 20, 2020" photo documentary on the aftermath of the tragic EndSARs protests in Lekki on October 20, 2020 in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria is of historical significance showing one of the survivors having sleepless nights of the nightmares. The photo documentary shows the 🌃 nightmares of his trauma.
View on Selar
#memoir
Memory of October 20, 2020 Has Been Released on Selar
"Memory of October 20, 2020" on the aftermath of the tragic EndSARs protests in Lekki on October 20, 2020 in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria is of historical significance showing one of the survivors having sleepless nights of the nightmares. The photos show his trauma caused by his nightmares.
View on Selar
https://selar.co/016e11
#memoir
#art
#memory
#digitalart
#endsars
#lekkimassacre
#lagos
#nigeria
#october
#2020
#protests
#riots
#police
#justice
#selar
The Nigerian Creative Economy: Beyond Nollywood and the Entertainment Industry
Overview
Nigeria - Media and EntertainmentAccording to PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2022-2026, Nigeria’s media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing creative industries in the world. It has the potential to become one of the country’s exports, with projected annual consumer growth rate of 8.8% (CAGR). PwC indicates that in 2021, Nigeria’s film industry contributed 2.3% ($660 million (239 billion naira)) to GDP. They project that the industry will increase its export revenue earnings to over $1 billion. The motion picture and music combined contributed about $1.8 billion (730 billion naira) to the country’s GDP in 2020.
The country’s television and video market grew 7.49% to $806 million in 2020, up from $732 million in 2018. The industry is projected to earn about $900 million in 2023. The market is driven by subscription revenue, which accounted for 72.26% of total TV/video sector revenue in 2018. TV advertising accounts for 21.31% of total revenue, while physical home videos account for 5.33%. Subscription-based movie streaming are very popular in Nigeria, attracting players like Netflix, Iroko TV, and Startimes. Although Netflix subscription has long been available in Nigeria, they made their official debut in Nigeria in February 2020, joining several major distributors of filmed content in Nigeria. In August 2022, Amazon Prime Video announced the launch of the localized version of its streaming service in Nigeria. According to an IMF report, the industry is projected to generate an estimated revenue of $10.8 billion by 2023 and account for 1.4% of GDP. The report indicates that in 2020, Nigeria overtook South Africa in pay TV subscription as the country currently has over 6.9 million pay TV households as of 2021. It is projected to grow to upwards of 7.4 million by 2023. A new study by Research and Markets, shows that Nigeria will contribute about 10 million, or 21.2%, of Africa’s pay television subscribers by 2025.
The music sector of Nigeria’s entertainment industry also recorded significant growth over the years. Stakeholders include artists, musicians, producers, promoters, managers, distributors, and marketers. As of 2021, the music industry employed about a million people and generated over $8 billion for the economy. In the past six years, the growing numbers of new production studios and artists enabled a more vibrant and self-sustaining industry, producing globally recognized music. In this environment, Nigerian musicians have developed a vast spectrum of music genres. The industry has won prestigious awards with artists like Wizkid and Burnaboy claiming Grammy awards, attracting more and more investments..
When the So Called Masterclass is Not a Masterclass
Some years ago, I was invited to participate in a Masterclass on Documentary Filmmaking by the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate of the United States of America in Lagos in the Documentary Showcase Program with American documentary filmmakers. Prominent Nigerian filmmakers in Nollywood were also invited. But the workshop was rushed by the American filmmaker teaching what was nothing new or different, but documentary filmmaking for beginners and what the Nigerian filmmakers already knew. He was teaching us what students in high school were taught in America.
Then the workshop ended abruptly without the completion of the most important sessions.
The American filmmaker started the presentation of Masterclass certificates to all the participants. But I refused to accept my own certificate with my name already written on it.
"We never had any masterclass on documentary filmmaking," I said.
The others were compelling me to accept it. I reluctantly collected it. But I dumped it later in the drawer of my desk in the office of Supple Communications Limited.
Finis.
#art
#artist
#masterpice
#craft
#masterclass
#workshop
#filmmaking
#filmmakers
#Nollywood
#America
#Nigeria
#documentary
#documentaryfilm
#showcase
#unitedstates
#consulate
#Lagos
#presentation
#certificate
#office
RECOMMENDED BOOKS BY EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEI CHIMA
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.
Nigeria: O Tempora O Mores, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Dabyna Poll-Abraham: Son of Rock
The Best Rock Music Guitarist in Africa
@dabynasonofrock is the best rock music guitarist in Africa for over 20 years and still counting.
A fact that majority of Nigerians don't know. And he is a Nigerian.
He has performed in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other countries.
He is also amiable, humble and noble.
A very philosophical musician.
I have had the honour of performing with him in 2002 as he and his band played for the rendition of my song, "Darego! You Are the Most Beautiful Girl in the World" in honour of Agabani Darego, the first Black African Miss World crowned in 2001.
The live performance was for the graduation day of the students of the Alliance Française at the French Cultural Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
It was an unforgettable night as the girls were screaming as I sang.
Do you know that Daby Poll-Abraham also plays Afrobeats rock music?
- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
Nigerians Report Online,
https://www.nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com
New Nigeria on Pinterest
www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi
#rockmusic
#rock
#music
#afrobeats
#agbanidarego
#beautiful
#girls
#graduation
#graduationday
#song
#missworld
#nigeria
#africa
#guitarist
#unitedstates
#america
#uk
#france
#french
#lagos
#ikoyi
#art
#culture
#band