Afrobeats’ Star Ruger to Perform at African Energy Week's (AEW) Just Energy Transition Concert with a Call to Make Energy Poverty History

 

PRESS RELEASE

Afrobeats’ Star Ruger to Perform at African Energy Week's (AEW) Just Energy Transition Concert with a Call to Make Energy Poverty History

It is with immense excitement that the African Energy Chamber reveals Ruger as one of the esteemed performers for the forthcoming Just Energy Transition Concert

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 17, 2023/ -- In anticipation of Africa's premier energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) 2023, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is thrilled to introduce Ruger as a headline artist for the Just Energy Transition Concert on October 16, 2023, at Cape Town's Cabo Beach Club. This exciting concert blends music and the energy sector, uniting individuals from diverse fields to celebrate progress towards a sustainable world. Ruger, known for hit tracks like "Bounce," skyrocketed to fame with chart-topping success. His unique Afro-dancehall style combines Afrobeats and dancehall elements, shaping his distinct musical identity. Ruger's songs, including "Dior," have garnered millions of views and streams, showcasing his talent for crafting resonant hits. As Ruger takes centre stage, his presence signifies more than just a captivating performance. His influence aligns perfectly with the AEC’s vision to encourage and engage youth participation at AEW. By having Ruger at the event, the AEC aims to inspire meaningful discussions about Africa's energy landscape, fostering empowerment and ownership among the youth. “We are excited to feature Ruger at the Just Energy Transition Concert. This significant event aligns with AEW23's focus on prioritizing energy poverty, well-being, sustainability, industrialization, and championing free markets. Ruger's performance will undoubtedly bring his artistic brilliance to the atmosphere, inspiring young individuals to actively engage in the ongoing dialogue about a just energy transition in Africa. We invite all to join us in celebrating this remarkable fusion of music and energy discourse” states Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, African Energy Chamber advisory board member. As participants eagerly anticipate AEW 2023, they can look forward to the vibrant energy and electrifying performance Ruger, and other artists, are set to bring to the stage, creating an unforgettable experience that that resonates with the event's mission of driving sustainable energy solutions and positive change. This concert provides an exclusive platform, inviting energy stakeholders and music enthusiasts to converge and engage in energy-related discussions. By intertwining music and the energy sector, the Just Energy Transition Concert carves a unique niche as an innovative venture. AEW is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event uniting African energy policymakers and stakeholders with global investors to discuss the opportunities across the continent’s energy industry. For more information about AEW 2023, visit www.AECWeek.com Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. SOURCE African Energy Chamber

VOGUE September 2023 : Naomi, Cindy, Linda and Christy: The Return of the Supers - Behind the Scenes Video

 

Naomi, Cindy, Linda & Christy: The Return of the Supers - Behind the Scenes of the September Issue (VOGUE.com)

All people in this work:

Posy Dixon - Director

Edward Enninful - Fashion Editor/Stylist

Eugene Souleiman - Hair Stylist

Adam Fleischhauer - Makeup Artist

Stephane Marais - Makeup Artist

Taylor Horne - Set Designer

Candice Idehen - Manicurist

Megumi Yamamoto - Manicurist

Christy Turlington - Model

Cindy Crawford - Model

Linda Evangelista - Model

Naomi Campbell - Model

Anna Wintour - Self

Edward Enninful - Self

Rafael Pavarotti - Self

Alexandra Gurvitch - Other

https://models.com/work/voguecom-naomi-cindy-linda--christy-the-return-of-the-supers---behind-the-scenes-of-the-september-issue

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

"UNFORGIVABLE" is still on the top 20 box office movies showing at the cinemas in Nigeria. The daring drama on illicit sex, rape and court trial is for adults only.
Kisses n Roses, a Nigerian adult blog is showing the uncensored trailer which is also on YouTube.

There are millions of adults who will rush to watch the movie, but there are not enough cinemas for Nollywood movies in Nigeria.
The film distributors prefer Hollywood movies, because of the popular hype for them.
"Barbie" is over hyped and is the #1 Hollywood film in Nigeria.

"Orisa" is the #1 Nollywood movie. An epic Yoruba drama of mysticism, war and heroism.

FilmOne Limited has the largest cinemas in Nigeria and shows more of their own Nollywood and Hollywood movies than movies from other distributors that I cannot call competitors, because they cannot compete with FilmOne in film distribution in Nigeria.

With a population of over 200 million people, the cinemas are not up to 400 in about 70 locations in the most populous country in Africa.
There are states without a single cinema!

There should be a cinema in every neighbourhood in Nigeria like viewing centres with affordable tickets from N500 - N1, 000 per seat.

Cinewav of Singapore has offered  affordable solutions to make cinemas available in over 2, 000 locations in Nigeria. But the film distributors and exhibitors still want to have cinemas only in enclosures indoors at the upscale shopping malls in middle class locations for only the middle class and upper class people.

Growing Demand for Cinemas in Nigeria - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-48480401

0.4 cinema screens to 100,000 people is very small for millions of movie lovers in Nigeria and the present locations of the few movie theatres are not the most appropriate in terms of demographics, because more thousands of people drive for miles to get to the nearest movie theatres, because they don’t have anyone in their local government areas.

Cinewav can roll out cinemas to the people in their local government areas in Lagos and other conducive and receptive locations in Nigeria. The Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Country Club, Metropolitan Club, Capital Club and other clubs can have Cinewav cinema outdoors and in halls every weekend.

There are more than 50 million people who can afford tickets for $1 per seat in cinemas.
We can have up to 50, 000 cinemas in Nigeria if investors can invest in the installations of low budget affordable cinemas for the majority of Nigerians in every neighbourhood in the country.
Let us bring cinemas closer to the majority of the people.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

#unforgivable
#barbie
#nollywood
#hollywood
#cinemas
#movies
#distributors
#boxoffice
#cinewav
#shoppingmalls
#filmdistribution
#distributors
#exhibitors

Letter To Nollywood

I received good replies from intelligent and wise people who read the firrst important and timely letter I wrote to NOLLYWOOD. The following is an updated version of it 

As written in 

◄ Proverbs 11:14 ►

"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

The wisdom of the world is nothing to the Wisdom of God.

It is important to accept wise counsel.

I have updated this message, because a big insurance company told me last week that when the company wanted to support Nollywood, the President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) of over a decade ago and the leadership of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) antagonized each other and refused to cooperate on the program. So, the company left and never wanted to support Nollywood again.

When I recommended that AMP should be changed to the appropriate Producers Guild of Nigeria (PGN), it is for the best interests of the Nigerian film industry. 

Intrigues and shenanigans are childish and foolish in professional bodies.

Unprofessional practices have actually caused the untimely demise of several actors and producers in Nollywood without any insurance policy.

The good news is: I have attracted another multinational company in the entertainment industry and I have already recommended a thorough seasoned professional in Nollywood to them. Because, she is above aboard; a woman of substance; a woman of dignity, integrity and nobility of over 40 years professional experience in the Nigerian film industry; from the cradle of Nollywood, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where I also started my career and was paying my monthly tax from the age of 17, when I was earning N400 monthly for four years before going on to work for the John Hopkins University''s Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) at 21 as a public health illustrator and later as a translator (through which I paid, the Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo to do translation of English into Igbo for the family planning methods booklets fully illustrated by me for the whole Nigeria. I met him at the Radio Nigeria office in Ikoyi, Lagos).

Finally, from a dialogue in my "Once Upon a Time in Nollywood":

Even if you are driving a stolen car in Nollywood since 2010 to date, do your best to drive it well and maintain it, so that people will not even know the truth. I will even enjoy the jolly ride with you and your passengers 😀.  

PS: 

For those who are good enough for the production of documentary films, funding is available for you.

I don't know if anyone applied for the Sundance Documentary Fund I mentioned before the closing date. If you did not apply, you can apply for the 2024 round closing in April.

https://apply.sundance.org/res/p/2023dfpfaq

The Sundance Institute was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

If you have a film festival with a film institute or foundation, you can apply for the establishment.

We need a Nollywood Museum for the Nigerian film industry from the making of the first feature, "Palaver" of 1926 to date.

See details on The MacArthur Foundation grants.

100&Change, our competition for a single $100 million grant, is open to any proposed solution to any critical problem of our time. Nonprofit and qualifying for-profit organizations may apply. The competition cycle repeats every three years.

https://www.macfound.org/info-grantseekers/

PS:

Please, don't apply for funds to misappropriate the money to enrich yourselves. If you do so, I will also report the misappropriations of the funds which I have done before as a national Program Consultant for the UNICEF in Nigeria for NGOs.

We cannot point accusing fingers at the government for corruption when we are not innocent of corruption. 

Corruption is corruption; from the closet to the Office of the President; from the bedroom to the boardroom.

I have seen greedy filmmakers in Nollywood who misappropriated hundreds of thousands to millions of naira given to them for film and TV productions. And the funders have been disappointed and discouraged from supporting Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,.

The  Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

The first book on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013. Distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

12 Growth Stage Startups Selected for 2023 VC4A Venture Showcase Africa

 

PRESS RELEASE

12 Growth Stage Startups Selected for 2023 VC4A Venture Showcase Africa

This annual flagship program brings together the best and brightest startups from across the continent, giving them the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors and industry experts

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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, August 14, 2023/ -- VC4A (https://www.VC4A.com), the leading startup platform in emerging markets, is proud to announce the 12 African startups that have been selected to participate in the 2023 VC4A Venture Showcase Africa. This annual flagship program brings together the best and brightest startups from across the continent, giving them the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors and industry experts with the objective of raising their Seed or Series A fuding rounds. The 12 startups selected for the 2023 Venture Showcase Africa are: Three ventures from Egypt, which are Rology (https://apo-opa.info/455sUUU), an AI-assisted tele-radiology platform that helps deliver accurate radiology reports on time; FreshSource (https://apo-opa.info/451X5fw), a B2B agri-supply chain platform that uses data and technology to connect producers to businesses, guarantee fair prices, and minimize food loss; and Pharmacy Marts (https://apo-opa.info/47H09zA), a B2B marketplace for pharmacies that provides a one-stop shop for products, financing, and logistics. Four startups from Nigeria namely; Vendy (https://apo-opa.info/3YvNpaP), which helps businesses accept payments from customers without internet access; Treepz (https://apo-opa.info/3OCiBQS), a car-sharing platform for Africa that aims to reduce CO2 emissions; Winich Farms (https://apo-opa.info/3qCT7ee), an application that connects food producers to informal food processors and retailers in Africa; and OmniRetail (https://apo-opa.info/3OAwu21), a B2B e-commerce platform offering supplier & retail software, to connect the informal retail ecosystem across Africa. Three startups from Kenya; Duhqa (https://apo-opa.info/3OBqdDi), a digital supply chain platform that uses AI and automation to help SMEs and manufacturers grow their businesses; MPost (https://apo-opa.info/3KDJtPu) which is a digital platform that turns mobile phone numbers into formal postal addresses, and SympliFi (https://apo-opa.info/3OTghFF), a blockchain-powered credit-as-a-service platform that provides affordable credit to MSMEs in Africa. To close the top 12 list, one startup each from Uganda and Senegal; Emata (https://apo-opa.info/3OW2PC7) is a digital lending platform on a mission to provide loans to millions of farmers in East Africa and Maad (https://apo-opa.info/3KCIizP), is an e-commerce marketplace connecting manufacturers and retailers in Francophone Africa. These high-growth ventures were chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants, and represent a diverse range of industries and sectors in the Seed and Series A tracks. Each startup will receive mentorship, technical assistance and will have the opportunity to showcase their companies to an audience of investors and industry leaders in the VC4A Deal Room. "We are thrilled to unveil these exceptional startups for our upcoming VC4A Venture Showcase Africa 2023 program. Each is a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship. These visionary teams have demonstrated remarkable potential and we eagerly anticipate the transformative journey ahead as we accelerate their growth and shape the future together," said an excited Abu Cassim, Lead of the Acceleration Team at VC4A. We thank our 2023 Africa sponsors, the African European Digital Innovation Bridge Network AEDIB|NET and Work in Progress! Alliance, for their commitment to strengthening Africa's startup ecosystem. Their support was essential to the success of this cohort selection process. For more information about the final cohort of the 2023 VC4A Venture Showcase Africa, please visit VentureShowcase.VC4A.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VC4A.   Media Contact: Boyewa Abiodun-Adepoju boyewa@vc4a.com About VC4A: VC4A is an ecosystem builder that leverages its infrastructure, network, and expertise for the programs that contribute to the startup movement in emerging markets. Since 2008, the organization has designed, structured, and implemented successful entrepreneurship programs on the continent. VC4A runs an online platform featuring the world’s largest database of startups in Africa and Latin America, connecting entrepreneurs to resources, networks, and funding. Visit https://VC4A.com/ for more information. About Work in Progress! Alliance: The Work in Progress! Alliance, funded by the Dutch government, aims to enable young people from diverse backgrounds to generate sustainable living wages and create optimism about their future. As a member of the Alliance, VC4A works with partners on the acceleration of start-ups and the offering of business development services (BDS) to impact-driven small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so they can employ more young people. About AEDIB|NET: The African European Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB|NET) is an EU/Horizon2020 project that aims to strengthen a common African European digital innovation ecosystem by supporting local digital innovation and startup Ecosystems in Africa, thereby facilitating the collaboration between European and African innovation hubs. The project has a specific focus on Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Cities, Digital Trade and Cleantech. SOURCE VC4A

Ban "Barbie" in Nigeria - Ahmed Muktari

Barbie: How Did An American Cult Movie Promoting Homosexuality Get Approval For Theatrical Release in Nigeria By The National Film and Video Censors Board?

- Ahmed Muktari

In Lebanon, Mohammad Mortada, the Minister of Culture has convinced the Lebanese government to ban the film "Barbie" from cinemas on Wednesday, saying it "promotes homosexuality" and contradicts religious values.

"Barbie" has been banned in 

Kuwait to protect "public ethics and social traditions", the state news agency reported. Other anti-gay countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are most likely going to do so.

The National Film and Video Censors' Board (NFVCB) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have questions to answer for the release of "Barbie" in Nigeria.

Homosexuality carries a 10-year jail term in Nigeria.

The act of aiding and abetting anyone in homosexuality is also a crime like aiding and abetting anyone in robbery and other crimes.

Did the NFVCB watch the film before approval or they have compromised their official duties and responsibilities to censor movies violating the ethics and laws of the constitutional policy of the agency and the laws of Nigeria?

OUR POLICY – NFVCB | National Film And Video Censors Board:

The detail of the Guidelines is contained in the following pages. But it is right to set out here the general underlying grounds on which the Board exercises the broad discretion conferred on it. There are four main considerations:

is the film or video work in conflict with the law?

that adults should be free to choose their entertainment, within the law.

is the film or video classified for a particular age group likely to be harmful?

is the material, at the age group concerned, clearly unacceptable to broad public opinion?

https://www.nfvcb.gov.ng/our-policy/

The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which banned gay relationships and entrenched intolerance of sexual minorities in Nigerian society, was signed by Goodluck Jonathan, then president, in January 2014.

Nigeria is a country of almost equal populations of Christians and Muslims who are against homosexuality condemned by both religions of Christianity and Islam. And the minority of traditionalists also condemn homosexuality as demonic and against the native customs and traditions of the tribes in Nigeria.

We must not permit the corruption of our society and the violations of our laws by Western import of homosexuality.

- Ahmed Muktari,

Lagos,Nigeria.

PS:

"Barbie' is a 2023 American fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with her partner Noah Baumbach. Based on the Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel, it is the first live-action Barbie film after numerous computer-animated films and specials. 

It is currently the highest grossing movie so far in 2023.

The views of the author of the article are not the opinions of Nigerians Report Online.

Rejoinders will be published.

"UNFORGIVABLE" is On the Top Nigerian Movies at the Cinemas

UNFORGIVABLE is the Most Daring Nigerian Movie on Sex and Rape

A new Nollywood romantic drama, "Unforgivable’ is the most daring Nigerian thriller on mistaken love affair, lust for sex and rape starring popular Nollywood diva, Nancy Isime in her sexiest role with fast rising Nollywood sex symbol, Timini Egbuson. The raunchy erotic scenes are only for adults.

The movie written, produced and directed by Osezuah Elimihe, one of the outstanding filmmakers in Nollywood is already on the Top 10 box office since it started showing at cinemas nationwide with a Watch and Win promo of N100, 000 for moviegoers.

Other actors featured are Jude Orhorha, Victor Eriabie, Mercy Isoyip, Anthonia Okojie, Emeka Okoye, Kokoette Omoinyang. Ijeoma Richards, Joseph Momodu, Aaron Sunday, Moses Nwosu, Osasu Esemuede, Linda Igwe and Aloysius Onyejegbu.

The Synopsis:

An arrogant, self assured, rich, debonair, mid level investment banking professional with an excessive lust for women finds himself mired in a rape charge. In the game of saving himself from life imprisonment and odium, he rejects assistance from his powerful, but modest father and chooses to go it all alone. He will find his cook, who reveres him for his generosity, and his cousin, with whom he has a steaming incestuous relationship, dependable in the fight, but will this be enough for him?

"Unforgivable" is a production of AISRE Pictures with the media partnership of Megalectrics Ltd (operators of Classic FM 97.3 & The Beat 99.9FM) and distributed by Blue Pictures Entertainment.

Watch the Uncensored Trailer on 

http://kissesandroses..com/2023/08/nancy-isime-in-unforgivable-is.html

Awo: The Best and Greatest Nigerian Political Leader Never Became President

Awo: The Best and Greatest Nigerian Political Leader Never Became President 

Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo, GCFR (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987)

,the best and greatest Nigerian political leader in the history of modern Nigeria never became the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The legacies of his outstanding visionary leadership are still manifested in Western Nigeria.

He was the first Leader of Government Business and Minister of Local Government and Finance, and first Premier of the Western Region under Nigeria's parliamentary system, from 1952 to 1959. And he is recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of the nation for his key role in Nigeria's independence movement (1957-1960).

You don't need to become the President of Nigeria to be a great nation builder.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series

Nigeria Daily Twitter

https://twitter.com/nigeriadaily

New Nigeria on Pinterest

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

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

GET BOOKS ON AWOLOWO AND NIGERIAN POLITICAL LEADERS

JAZZHOLE, Me and PLATO's Republic

 JAZZHOLE, Me and PLATO's Republic

Last Wednesday, August 2, 2023, I went to JAZZHOLE, the largest bookstore for the Nigerian intelligentsia located on the Awolowo Road in Ikoyi on Lagos Island of Nigeria.

I often go there to visit Olakunle Tejuosho, the Co-founder and CEO of JAZZHOLE and Glendora Bookshops whenever I wanted to have cerebral moments of intellectual discussion on literature, the reading culture and political leaders of Nigeria.

We are both old boys of the famous St  Gregory's College on the Island where I became a child celebrity at 13 when I won the first prize in a national essay competition followed by the beautiful Elizabeth Banjo, daughter of the famous Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, CON.

I was standing, because I did not want to stay long. But as I decided to sit down, suddenly a hardcopy book fell to my feet from the bookshelf beside me. As I picked up the book, it was PLATO's "Republic"! One of his famous books and an all time classic and one of my favourite books.Written around 375 BCE, it is regarded as Plato's best-known work, and one of the world's most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually and historically.

This book is highly recommended for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and Peter Obi, CON

#jazzholelagos

#Chima 

#Plato 

#repubiic

#jazz

#music 

#books 

#literature 

#intellectual 

#stgregory 

#college 

#reading 

#culture 

#politics 

#leadership 

#leaders 

#Nigeria 

#Tinubu 

#peterobi

Happy New Month of August of Success, Triumph and Victory!

 

#tuesdayexaltations😫👏💕💋💞🙌
HALLELUJAH!

HAPPY NEW MONTH OF AUGUST OF PROGRESS, PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, TRIUMPH AND VICTORY OF TRIUMPHANT OVERCOMERS AND VICTORIOUS CHAMPIONS OF OUR ONE AND ONLY ALMIGHTY FATHER GOD JEHOVAH JIREH.

Isaiah 43:18-19 
King James Version (KJV)

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Psalm 111

1
Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.