Obi of Akokwa @ 50

Obi of Akokwa @ 50

- By Ingram Osigwe 

Attaining the golden age is a no mean feat. It's a biological, natural milestone that calls for deep introspection and celebration.

One, not everyone crosses the 5 and 0 mark. Many died on the cusp of 50, majorly at 48, 49. Secondly, crossing 50 rekindles hope of longevity.

Therefore, His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli (KSC), Okoli V, Agbakwuruibe III, the 11th Obi of Akokwa, has every reason to be grateful to God. Not only that he has attained the golden age, His Royal Majesty will be clocking 19 years on the throne of his forefathers later this year.

Come February 28, 2021 , all roads will lead to the ancient kingdom of Akokwa. That day is His Royal Majesty's day. On that date, Nigerians from all walks of life, people of goodwill, friends, associates and well wishers will empty into Akokwa to felicitate with Agbakwuruibe 111.

The effervescent Eze ( Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli was born into the Ezesiobuna Royal Family in Obi Uzouhu Village in Akokwa on February 28, 1971.He attended St’ Peter’s Primary School, Akokwa between 1976 and 1982 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate the same year. Thereafter, he proceeded to Federal Government College, Azare, Bauchi State and Federal Government College, Sokoto, Sokoto State where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1987.

In 1990, the young Okoli gained admission into the Abia State University, Uturu in Abia State where he obtained a BSc in Sociology/Anthropology in 1994.

Agbakwuruibe 111 is imbued with the zeal for entrepreneurship, hence after his graduation, as young as he was then, he decided to be an employer of labour as he  incorporated Equipment Alliance Limited of which he is the MD/CEO.

His Royal Highness thus  commenced the business of equipment leasing.Till date Equipment Alliance Limited which is also into Earth and marine equipment leasing, is still operational with Head office at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Akokwa is noted for peaceful and orderly ascension to the Obi stool. This explained the seamless emergence of Eze Okoli.After the untimely and painful demise of his late father, HRH Eze Osita C. Okoli (KSC) in the 2002, Eze Ikenna Okoli, as the first son of the late monarch and in line with the primogeniture rule of succession of Akokwa people,  was chosen by his people to ascend the ancient throne as the 11th Obi of Akokwa.

The Obi of Akokwa is deeply committed to the things of God and a dedicated Christian of the Anglican communion faith. No wonder the Ideato Diocese of the Anglican Communion found him worthy of knighthood and conferred him with one.

The same year he ascended the throne the church  investested him as a Knight of Saint Christopher. This was on December 8, 2002.

More wins were in store for him: On the 15th of March, 2005, the Imo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Sir Achike Udenwa, the then Executive Governor of Imo State recognized and gazetted the name of Eze Ikenna C. Okoli as the Obi of Akokwa with effect from the 5th day of March, 2005.

 HRH Eze Ikenna Okoli  descended from a very long and illustrious line of rulers in the following order:

*Eze Okwarauhu Akokwa

 *Eze Dimonyegbesu Okwarauhu

 *Eze Ezesiobuna Dimonyegbesu

*Eze Dimesoro Ezesiobuna

 *Eze Okwaraononihu Dimesoro

 *Eze Ukachukwu Okwaraononihu

 *Eze Okoli Ukachukwu

 *Eze Joseph Okoli

 *Eze Patrick Okoli

*Eze Osita Okoli

 *Eze Ikenna Okoli (Present Obi of Akokwa)

His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli (KSC), (MSI) Okoli V, Agbakwuruibe III, the 11th Obi of Akokwa is  blessed with three wonderful children.

Notedly, the Akokwa ancient kingdom is a border & nodal  town in Ideato North LGA of Imo state.

It shares boundaries with Aro-Ndizuogu, Uzii, Osina, Akpulu and also a gateway to Anambra state as it shares border with Uga and Umuchu. Akokwa boasts of many industrialist, academics and technotracts.Some of these notables are: Sir Tony Ezenna, OFR, (Ijele Akokwa) Chairman, Orange Group, Chief Charles Anudu, MD/CEO Swift Networks Limited, Chairman of Envoy Oil ltd, Sir Linus Ojimba, Prof. Kevin Ibeh,Commissioner,Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Pro Vice Chancellor (International) at Birkbeck, University of London, High Chief Fabian A. Onwuachu(Acharaugo) President Emeritus, Peoples club of Nigeria international and Patron/Trustee Peoples club of Nigeria international, Chairman of Tiger foods ltd, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu(Ide Akokwa),Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 (MBGN), Miss Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue,Late Professor (Chief) Elechukwu Njaka who founded the famous ERNEST GAMES GRAMMER SCHOOL Akokwa.

Others include Late Dr. Otuokere Njaka, the second Republic deputy minority leader of the old Imo State House of Assembly,Engineer Ezekiel Izuogu, The designer of the first made in Nigeria car, John Munonye Nigerian educator and novelist( The only Son), Renowned banker and Economist, Prof Willie Uzoaga and many others 

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Ingram Osigwe ( Enyioha) is the  MD of Full page international communications Ltd

Happy Birthday Sowore!

Happy 50th Birthday @YeleSowore
The Fearless Advocate of Visionary Leadership for the Nation Building of a New Nigeria.

The Unique Music Videos of Davido and the Power of Storytelling

"JOWO" by Davido.

David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido is one of the best young musicians of  the new generation in Africa and the rest of the world.

@MTV@RollingStone@RecordingAcad@billboard@nytimes@nprmusic
The Unique Videos of #Davido and the Power of Storytelling 

@davido has the best videos in Nigerian #music in artistry, imagery and poetry. "Jowo" and "The Best" are short films of outstanding cinematic experience.

pic.twitter.com/B5BSxN9Avm

— 247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) February 15, 2021

"A Better Time" is his best LP so far and he has made unique music videos of the songs in the LP.   

"JOWO" is a cinematic music video featuring Nollywood icon Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD and the sultry reality TV beauty,  Rebecca Nengi Hampson of Big Brother Nigeria reality TV show. The video shows the conflict resolution to a gang war.

A good music video tells a unique story in captivating motion picture of vivid imagery.

The director of these videos,  Apampa Oluwadamilola, aka Dammy Twitch is a genius.  

Did Anyone in #Nollywood Celebrate the Global Movie Day?

#Sundayvibes💋✌🏼️💕

Did Anyone in #Nollywood Celebrate the Global Movie Day?

Yes. I did!

It would have been a big day to attract more movie goers to the cinemas and new subscribers to cable TV channels and OTT streaming channels.

I am already inspired to host an event of unforgettable cinematic experience to celebrate the next #GlobalMovieDay !

You can never guess!

Just wait for it!💋✌🏼️💕

The second annual Global Movie Day was held on Saturday, February 13, 2021.

Global Movie Day is held on the second Saturday of February every year, to celebrate the power movies have to reach, connect and inspire people around the world.

How to Celebrate:

Celebrate Global Movie Day this year by discussing movies that have inspired you, post your favorite movie lines or the greatest film posters of all time, rewatch your favorite movies with friends and family or discover something new!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure to take pictures & videos and share them across social media using #GlobalMovieDay .

Photos of the Winners of the First #4BetterNigeria Video Contest

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has emphasised that regular dialogue and interactive engagement with Nigerian youths on patriotism for the promotion of love, national unity and peaceful co-existence with one another  will help surmount the current sociopolitical challenges of Nigeria.

Dr. Garba Abari.

The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari made this known at the event of the closing ceremony of #4BetterNigeria Video Contest held in Abuja on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

“Nigeria is not as hopeless as it is defined on social media. We may have developmental challenges and that is part of the building processes that we just have to pass through just like many other countries of the world, perhaps with dire circumstances."

“Challenges are supposed to inspire us; they are supposed to bring out the best of ideas to expand our views and horizon with the view to surmounting them. It requires the hands of all; especially the young. The youth represents a huge part of our demography that cannot be removed,” he stressed.

Of the 200 entries that put in for the #4AbetterNigeria contest, three winners emerged and other outstanding participants. They were rewarded with T-shirts, face caps, mugs, smart phones and certificates of honour. Mr. Waheed Ishola, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director, Lagos State in the Lagos Office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) presented the prizes to them in his office in Ikeja, GRA. 

Victory Ashaka who won the second prize.

Pharez and his family.

Pharez Obioha, the youngest winner who won the third prize came with his mother and sister. 

The notable participants  included the popular author and startup evangelist, Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,  Publisher and Editor of 247 Nigeria, Chukwuemeka Benedict Osondu, Abiodun Wisdom Olamide and Tufayl Adelakun.

Alhaji Lateef Jakande: The Best Governor of Lagos State Since 1967 To Date

 

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (23 July 1929 – 11 February 2021) achieved in four years as the Governor of Lagos State what other governors in Nigeria failed to achieve in eight years.

Alhaji Jakande was an outstanding trailblazer in the the making of modern Lagos and the unique landmarks of his indisputable achievements made him the best Governor of Lagos since the establishment of Lagos State by the Federal Government of Nigeria on May 27, 1967 by the Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967.

 

See The Three Founding Fathers of Modern Lagos https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-three-founding-fathers-of-modern.html.

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was the  Governor of Lagos State from October 1979 – December 1983, during the Second Republic of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He was a socialist state governor following the footsteps of his political godfather, the great Obafemi Awolowo, Patriarch of modern Yoruba nation. Jakande focused on free education from primary to secondary school levels and affordable housing for low income workers.

He introduced housing and educational programs targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. He established the Lagos State University. Jakande's government constructed over 30,000 housing units. The schools and housing units were built cheaply, but were of great value.

Some of the housing units include low cost estates in Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry.

To fund some of the projects, Jakande increased the tenement rates and price of plots of land in affluent areas of Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula and the processing fees for lottery, pools and gaming licenses. He also completed the construction of the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state. As a governor, he established 23 local government councils which were later disbanded by the military. He also started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, producer and director of "Lagos in Motion" documentary film.

Kenneth Gyang and the First Edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series

Kenneth Gyang and the First Edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series

I never knew the now famous young filmmaker Kenneth Gyang, director of "Òlòtūré", the most popular Nigerian movie on #Netflix and "Sons of the Caliphate" series also on Netflix until I was told by Nigerian filmmaker, Adaora Nwandu to interview him for the Black Film Maker magazine published in the UK in 2006 and the profile feature article was published as "Young At Art". Kenneth Gyang at 18 was the youngest director in Nigeria in 2006.

The Black Film Maker published by Menelik Shabazz, from 1998 to 2008, was an internationally recognized print publication as the only voice for black filmmakers distributed in the UK, USA, and Europe.

Then in 2013, his debut feature film, "Confusion Na Wa" produced by Tom Rowland Rees won the Best Feature, Best Nigerian Film and Best Director at the 9th annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held on April 20 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

I was so happy for Kenneth Gyang and celebrated him as the cover story of the first edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

This maiden edition has become the most highly priced Nigerian book on Nollywood and a collector's item selling for US$1,636.91! That is over N621, 000 a copy at the current exchange rate of the US dollar to the naira.

You can see the highly priced edition on 

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Nollywood-Mirror-Ekenyerengozi-Michael-Paperback/dp/B00Z8FH4EM.

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

 

The Best Nigerian Female Filmmakers and the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series

The Best Nigerian Female Filmmakers and the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series.

Researching for and profiling the best Nigerian female filmmakers for the third edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series have been more tasking than selecting the best Nigerian filmmakers. I started with 10 accomplished Nigerian female filmmakers in Nigeria and the Diaspora and now I have 33 notable ones.

The publication of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series has been totally financed by me and the 10 complimentary copies of the second edition I gave out gratis cost me US$300, because I am the Publisher and Editor. But the international distributors sell a copy from US$40- US$70. The first edition with the young accomplished award winning filmmaker, Kenneth Gyang on the cover sells from US$40 to over US$900 on Amazon. Book traders have made it a collector's item. 

The third edition has more features and photographs, including rare photographs of the great Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe on the location of the making of the film adaptation of two of his novels, "Things Fall Apart" and "No Longer at Ease" as "Bullfrog in the Sun" directed by German filmmaker, Jason Hansjürgen Pohland and produced by Francis Oladele, the "Father of Nigerian Cinema".  Other features include the highest grossing Nollywood movies so far, the world premiere of Femi Odugbemi's "Gidi Blues", one of the best romantic dramas in Nigerian movies; the making of "Lagos in Motion" romantic documentary; profiles of some of the top Nigerian actors and actresses; Sam Zebba's"Fincho" (1957), the first film to be made in colour in Nigeria; Adamu Halilu, the first filmmaker to have made a film in Hausa and his other films; including "Baban Larai" (1954), "It Pays to Care" (1955), "Hausa Village" (1958), "Mama Learn a Lesson" (1963), "Child bride" (1971) and "Shehu Umar" (1979); 2019 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and 2019 Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS).

This is going to be a highly priced collector's item and if book traders sell a copy for more than US$1000, I will not be surprised.

Publishing such an important publication on contemporary art of filmmaking in a society where the majority of the people are intellectually challenged has been a herculean task, because many of the Nigerian filmmakers in Nigeria don't even know the importance and significance of the literature of motion picture and the appreciation of literary culture. Philistinism is widespread among majority of people in Nigeria. But I have to continue documenting and publishing the history of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry for the benefit of Nigeria and the rest of the world.

- EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima,

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

YouNeek Studios’ African Superhero Universe Acquired by Dark Horse Comics Receives VC Funding From Impact X Capital for Animation Development

YouNeek Studios’ African Superhero Universe Acquired by Dark Horse Comics Receives VC Funding From Impact X Capital for Animation Development

Executive Producer Doug Schwalbe Oversees Distribution of First Animated Series, “Iyanu: Child of Wonder”

Following a monumental 10-book deal with Dark Horse Comics, YouNeek Studios has secured VC investment from Impact X Capital to develop a groundbreaking animation series based on a world of superhero and fantasy stories inspired by African history and mythology. Highly regarded former senior VP of co-productions at DreamWorks, Doug Schwalbe, has joined as executive producer and will oversee distribution. 

Dark Horse Comics, one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers, welcomed YouNeek and its pioneering founder Roye Okupe into its fold in January 2021 in a deal that will publish all 10 of YouNeek’s graphic novels. Okupe, a Nigerian-born rising star of the industry, is working with TV industry veteran Erica Motley, creative partner at Impact X Capital, to bring the magical series to screens worldwide, starting with ‘Iyanu: Child of Wonder,’ a classic children’s fantasy quest in the tradition of shows like ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’ More uniquely, ‘Iyanu’ features a teenaged, Black female lead whose story and world are inspired by Yoruba history, culture and folklore. An award-winning filmmaker, Okupe tells stories through the lens of extraordinary, compelling and inspirational African characters, and was just nominated for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, meant to honor “commitment to excellence and inclusion.”

According to Motley, “Impact X Capital is thrilled to partner with YouNeek Studios to bring its first animated series to life. With its stunning African locations, brilliant themes of unity and community, and rare focus on Black Girl Magic, ‘Iyanu’ represents our aim to create outstanding, multicultural content by exceptional, diverse talent.” 

“As soon as Erica Motley brought me ‘Iyanu,’ I knew it was special,” says Schwalbe. “I’m thrilled to introduce it at the Kidscreen Summit.” 

YouNeek is on a mission to bring empowering African narratives and the work of Black creatives to worldwide audiences. “This is an unprecedented time for stories inspired by African history and culture,” says Okupe. “Our mission has always been to empower African creatives and storytelling. We've done it successfully in the comic book industry and with Impact X Capital, we're excited at the opportunity to do it in the animation space, with as many people as possible creating these stories who look like the characters in them.”

YouNeek has also partnered with Forefront Media Group as well as with Triggerfish Animation Studios for ‘Iyanu.’ Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest says, “We fell in love with ‘Iyanu’ when we read Volume I, so we’re eager to bring our network of skilled creatives to make this show inventive, vibrant and an authentic representation of the fresh talent across the continent.”

About YouNeek Studios
YouNeek™ Studios is a hub for “YouNeek” and creative character-based storytelling and entertainment. Simply put, through the use of graphic novels, animation, video games and other forms of media, we focus on telling extraordinary stories about extraordinary characters inspired by African history, culture and mythology. We do this with the ultimate goal of empowering African creatives and storytelling across the globe.

About Dark Horse Comics
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics is an excellent example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Under a new partnership with Vanguard Visionary Associates, Dark Horse is positioned to further expand its reach globally with publishing, products, and filmed entertainment. Over the years, Dark Horse has published the work of creative legends such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Wendy Pini, and Gerard Way. In addition, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing exciting new creative talent throughout all of its divisions. The company has set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, including ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ ‘The Legend of Korra,’ ‘Minecraft,’ ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ ‘Super Mario,’ ‘Dragon Age,’ ‘James Cameron’s Avatar,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Mass Effect,’ ‘StarCraft,’ ‘The Witcher,’ and ‘Halo.’Today, Dark Horse Comics is one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

About Impact X Capital
Impact X Capital is a double bottom line VC, founded to support diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs and whose founding members include Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox and the first Black woman to head a Fortune 500 company, Ric Lewis, once voted the most influential Black person in the UK and British TV actor, author and diversity campaigner Sir Lenny Henry. Impact X Capital pursues investments in digital and technology, media and entertainment, health education and lifestyle companies. 

About Triggerfish Animation Studios
Based in Cape Town and Galway, the 25-year-old premium content CG animation studio is currently producing a TV series for Netflix,‘Mama K’s Team 4,’and finishing off its third feature film,‘Seal Team.’Triggerfish is in development on a broad slate of film and television projects for most of the world’s biggest studios and also services AAA-rated and mobile games for the likes of Electronic Arts, Unity and Disney Interactive.

Kevin Kriedemann
Publicist
Triggerfish Animation
https://www.triggerfish.com/