Peter Bradshaw's Ignorance of the Best Nigerian Films Since Independence

@Festival_Cannes @IndieWire @PeterBradshaw1 forgot Newton Aduaka's "Ezra" and quickly added a recent Nigerian romantic comedy, "The Wedding Party" on his list of  20 best African films – ranked! https://t.co/6epSYa7YDc

— 247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) October 1, 2020. 

I saw the list and if "The Wedding Party" is the movie, Peter Bradshaw has chosen to be the best Nigerian film to include on his list of 20 Best African Films (from when to when?), then he is obviously ignorant of the history of filmmaking in Nigeria and the best films by Nigerian filmmakers since Adamu Halilu's "Shaihu Umar" of 1976 followed by Dr. Ola Balogun's "Black Goddess" of 1978 and "Vigilante" by Afolabi and Adediji Adesanya of 1988.

"The Wedding Party" is not even comparable to Kunle Afolayan's "The Figurine: Araromire" of 2009 and "October 1" of 2014.

I have selected the movie posters of a selection of some of the best Nigerian films and videos produced over the decades by Hubert Ogunde, Adeyemi Afolayan, aka Ade Love,  Joseph Abiodun Babajide, aka Jab Adu, Tunde Kelani, Teco Benson, Andy Amenechi, Lancelot Imasuen,  Stephanie Linus,  Izu Ojukwu, Biyi Bandele and others.

Scenes from the international award winning film, "Black Goddess" by Dr. Ola Balogun. 

Black Goddess (Portuguese: A Deusa Negra)

Hubert Ogunde

Bisi Daughter of the River by Joseph Abiodun Babajide, aka Jab Adu @guardian

Shaihu Umar 

https://t.co/b9oWeK4BBS

PDF) On the Afterwardness of Adamu Halilu's SHAIHU UMAR 

https://t.co/jTuha1lZR8

Black Goddess - A Deusa Negra

https://t.co/t5YbtsWA6f

— 247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) October 2, 2020

 The ignorance of the best Nigerian movies on film and video by both Nigerian and foreign film critics, film students, scholars and others can be addressed by the establishment of a Nigerian film library and museum. 

A good knowledge of film history is important for film criticism.  

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

Nigeria at 60: Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on TIME Magazine and President Muhammadu Buhari

Like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE, PC; we wanted His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on the cover of TIME magazine to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Nigeria on October 1. pic.twitter.com/8CzFdcWWHg

— 247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) September 30, 2020

The only Nigerian political leader on the cover of TIME  since 1960 to date was Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE, PC (December 1912 – 15 January 1966), the only Prime Minister of independent Nigeria.

Never in the history of Nigeria since Independence have we witnessed such a political phenomenon in the democratic leadership of modern Nigeria. 

We are witnessing the making of one of the greatest political leaders in modern Africa in the 21st century. President Muhammadu Buhari is more than a charismatic political leader; he is the symbol of the most powerful grassroots movement in Nigerian democracy.

~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream".

A cover feature on the greatest political leader from northern Nigeria by TIME magazine would have been highly appreciated by millions of Nigerians in Africa's most populous country and in the Diaspora.

Save 80.0% on select products from Qians with promo code 80SFEMHI, through 10/1 while supplies last.

Without the Camera there Will be No Star

 

Without the camera and those behind the camera,  there will be no movie star.

No actor is bigger, higher or larger than the director.

Whoever calls the shots is the boss.

Photo Credit: @pbs
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/this-is-just-the-beginning-of-change-in-the-industry-says-female-director-of-new-movie-about-life-after-sexual-assault

Drylab “allows the director and creative team to have access to all takes in seconds, on their iPhone, iPads or web browser, quickly, easily and cost-effectively. With or without wifi, with or without Internet. Drylab will allow the team to collaborate effectively. This increases creative control, saves time and money, and provides perfect flow.”

Stephanie Linus Appointed as National OPS-WASH Ambassador by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources

Stephanie Linus Appointed as National OPS-WASH Ambassador by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources   

Celebrated Nollywood star Stephanite Linus, a philanthropist and the UNFPA Regional Goodwill Ambassador for West and Central Africa who is a frontline campaigner for hygiene and public sanitation has been recognized for her role in inspiring improved personal and community hygiene with an appointment from the Federal Government as the National OPS-WASH Ambassador.  She was appointed on Thursday, 24th September by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu at a special decoration ceremony in Abuja. This appointment is the highest form of recognition given by OPS-WASH (Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) to any member of the private sector.

In his address, Engr. Adamu charged Mrs Linus to inspire behavioral change among Nigerians for people to take responsibility for their environment in her role as OPS-WASH Ambassador. While applauding her efforts with the Hygiene First campaign, he also implored her and her team to map out different activities that would encourage environmental sustainability across the nation. 

Also present at the ceremony was Dr Nicholas Igwe, the National coordinator for OPS-WASH. The premise of OPS-WASH is based on multi-stakeholder collaboration. He thus expressed excitement at the involvement of the entertainment industry in the WASH sector towards creating behavioral change. 

As the OPS- WASH Ambassador, Mrs Linus promised that she will use her role to challenge Nigerians to make good hygiene a culture, as well as inspire citizen participation and responsibility. This appointment comes as a public sector recognition of the Hygiene First campaign which she launched in May 2020.

OPS-WASH (Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is an umbrella body for private sector collaboration and multi-stakeholder innovation.

It was inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources with a goal to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025 and alleviate other water-related challenges in Nigeria.

What is the True Worth of Your Life?

 

The characteristics of homo sapiens have not really changed in their pursuits of creature comforts and titular status symbols of the social class hierarchy of the society; from the dog eat dog competition of their rat race to their celebration of crass materialism.

From the Proletariat to the Bourgeoisie, their conceit and deceit form their attitudes towards themselves and towards others in denial of the truth, because they are afraid of the truth that will expose their anxieties and insecurities when confronted by the existential realities of life.
They never learn or prefer wilful ignorance. And the most dangerous, promiscuous and unscrupulous of them are the upstarts who are desperate to keep up with the Joneses. They assume that if they can afford the same luxuries of the bourgeoisie and aristocrats, they can join their class.  The upstarts forget that money can buy all the luxuries of the Aristocrats, but money cannot buy the class of the dignity, integrity and nobility of true Aristocracy as defined by Aristotle and Plato and perfectly illustrated by our Lord JESUS Christ as written in Matthew 7:6:
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." And in Matthew 7::16-18::
¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. "

I always emphasise that what defines and determines your worth in life are your imperishable works for humanity and not the materialistic status symbols of the society. 

The greatest heritage is the legacy of knowledge.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima,
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA: Born To Conquer

#saturdayvibes💋✌🏼️ 

Born To Conquer.

Alpha Man, EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima.

Prize winning writer since 13; internationally exhibited artist at age 20; curator of the first Arts Against AIDS Art Exhibitions at the National Museum and National Arts Gallery in Lagos at age 30; Independent TV Production Manager of "Money Wise" on DBN TV at age 35; writer producer and stage director of "Sleepless Night" featuring the Crown Troupe of Africa at the French Cultural Centre in Lagos at age 39; songwriter of "Hardway To Broadway" recorded in 1984 at Hollywood Boulevard n Los Angeles, California and "She Comes on Sundays" recorded in Lagos and premièred on the BBC in April , 2003; author and leading film writer and the Publisher/Editor of 247 Nigeria @247nigeria on #Twitter, one of the most upwardly mobile news aggregators on the internet; Publisher/Editor of NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series since 2013 and among the 10 finalists in the 2014 Fund for Internet Research and Development (FIRE Africa) Awards for tech innovation of a mobile video news and entertainment app with eCommerce and currently working on two new mobile videos social network apps.

CSR: The Education, Protection and Welfare of Underprivileged Girls out of school in Nigeria.

Nigerian Dream: The nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations.

Touki Bouki: The Greatest African Film

 

Touki Bouki: The Greatest African Film Among100 Greatest Foreign-Language Films - BBC Culture

"Touki Bouki" is a must see and study for every student and scholar on African cinema and African studies."
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor, NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series.

The iconic Senegalese filmmaker. Djibril Diop Mambéty (January 1945 – July 23, 1998) was the uncle of Mati Diop, the first black female director to be in contention for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival's highest prize, the Palme d'Or, for her debut feature, "Atlantics" that won the 

Grand Prix.

Watch "Martin Scorsese Introduction for TOUKI BOUKI - Cannes Film Festival" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/HdsANF5FlKY

From the BBC:
Touki Bouki (1973) is considered a revolutionary work both in its futuristic themes and its innovative style by Senegalese director, Djibril Diop Mambéty, the visionary film-maker who  continues to influence new generations.

Read more about BBC Culture’s 100 greatest foreign-language films:

- The 100 greatest foreign-language films
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20181029-the-100-greatest-foreign-language-films

PS: See the best African films at the Cannes Film Festival in the second edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series;  also see the photos of the first Nigerian movie stars in "Palaver" by Geoffrey Barkas in 1926 and the profile on the famous actor, Orlando Martins, the first Nigerian Hollywood star.

Using Nollywood for National Orientation and Nation Building

The local and global popularity of Nollywood and Kannywood has made the Nigerian film industry the second largest entertainment industry in the world after the Bollywood of India and ahead of Hollywood of the United States of America in the production of movies. The Nigerian film industry has become the third largest employer of labour after agriculture and the informal sector of the Nigerian economy,  the biggest in Africa. 

The sociocultural and sociopolitical indices of both Nollywood and Kannywood have not been positively used  for nation building, because the leading stakeholders are more interested in the financial benefits without much consideration for the sociocultural and sociopolitical benefits to national orientation for nation building. And thus, there is no proactive approach to the appreciation and promotion of the national ethics and ethos of Nigerian culture for national development in the content and context of most of the movies produced in Nollywood and Kannywood. 

In fact, there have been widespread erroneous portrayals of Nigerians as people without principles and scruples in the characters of different personalities in their movies; especially in Nollywood movies. Observers and viewers have reported that Nollywood is now a camouflage for the promotion of prostitution, drug trafficking and internet fraud or phishing scams infamously called "Yahoo-Yahoo" and "419" by showing Nigerian youths who get rich quick through criminal activities and celebrating them as successful gangsters and successful corrupt politicians who often escape from prosecution for their crimes. The negative impacts of such bad movies have been seen in the increasing cases of young Nigerians engaged in these crimes in Nigeria and foreign countries, rubbishing and tarnishing the international image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the global village. And if the producers of these movies don't stop producing them, the already bad consequences will become worse with the deteoriation of the sociocultural values and virtues of the Nigerian society as seen in the current disorientation and disconnection of the majority of Nigerian youths who have lost their faith in the Nigerian Dream.

There should be an urgent call to action by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for a national forum of the leading stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry on how best to use Nollywood and Kannywood for  national orientation, reformation and transformation of Nigerians in the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations.

We should produce movies and music that will unite us and not disunite us.

We should produce movies and music for the promotion of love, peace and unity among all Nigerians no matter the peculiarities of our dialects of the different ethnic groups and tribes; for us to live and work together as one united sovereignty to secure our future in the world.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series

247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria

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

East-West Seed in Top 30 of FORTUNE’s Annual Change the World List of Companies

East-West Seed in Top 30 of FORTUNE’s Annual Change the World List of Companies

21 September - World-leading vegetable seed company, East-West Seed, was today ranked at number 28 out of 53 in FORTUNE’s annual Change the World list of global companies that are “doing well by doing good”.

The list is intended to showcase the power of capitalism to improve the human condition by identifying companies that have made an important social or environmental impact through their profit-making strategy and operations.  

“Our focus is on smallholder farmers who play a critical role in ensuring the adequate supply of agricultural products. They produce 70% - 80% of the world’s food,” said Bert van der Feltz, CEO of East-West Seed. 

“They are vital to food security and nutrition, especially in developing countries.

“Our model at East-West Seed proves that you can make a real difference in people’s lives while also operating a successful business, the two do not need to be mutually exclusive.”

Only for-profit businesses are eligible for the list, with FORTUNE evaluating and ranking each on four criteria including measurable social impact, business results, degree of innovation and corporate integration.

“The company, which has operations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America earns high marks for its local seed breeding efforts and the training it provides its customers,” states FORTUNE in the reasoning for East-West Seed’s ranking.

Founded in 1982 by Dutch seedsman Simon Groot, East-West Seed is one of the world’s leading vegetable seed companies.

The privately-owned company has played an important role in the development and improvement of tropical vegetable varieties that are adapted to tropical markets and growing conditions. Its mission is to provide innovative products and services that help to improve the livelihood of vegetable farmers. In addition, East-West Seed trains over 100,000 vegetable farmers annually in order to help maximize their yield and income through better knowledge on vegetable production and farming skills.

In October of last year the company’s founder was awarded the annual World Food Prize for his decades of dedication in bringing vegetables to the forefront of the fight to improve global nutrition and health. In January 2019, East-West Seed was ranked first in the Access to Seeds Index for Global Seed Companies, besting 13 other global seed companies on their commitment and performance in providing the world’s smallholder farmers access to quality seeds.

East-West Seed has its headquarters in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The company employs about 5,000 people and has 17 R&D establishments in 7 countries. With exports to over 60 countries in tropical areas, East-West Seed serves nearly 20 million farmers around the world.

Read more on FORTUNE’s Methodology for its annual “Change the World” list here.

--Ends--

For more information, please contact

East-West Seed:

Sariyaporn Srisuksawad, Communications Specialist

sariyaporn.srisuksawad@eastwestseed.com

www.eastwestseed.com

FORTUNE: 

Alison Klooster, FORTUNE PR Contact

Alison.klooster@fortune.com

646-437-6613