Uriel emphasised the importance of love in navigating this complex and emotional journey.
“Caring for someone with dementia – especially when that person is my mother – is the most challenging, heartbreaking, and rewarding experience. Each day brings new hurdles and deep emotions, yet we face them with love. In the end, love becomes both our strength and our solace,” she wrote.
The Nigeria Police Force has dissociated itself from the use of unauthorised uniforms and accoutrements by content creators.
The police recently condemned online personality VeryDarkMan whose real name is Martins Otse for wearing police gear in one of his videos.
The police have launched an investigation to find out where he got the uniform and if he had permission to use it.
Following the bold use of it gears, the police are warning all content creators to stop misusing police uniforms and symbols.
According to a statement on X, using them without permission is a criminal offense, according to Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law.
The police said they support creative Nigerians, but they won’t tolerate anyone undermining their values and integrity.
“NIGERIA POLICE CONDEMNS UNLAWFUL USE OF POLICE UNIFORMS BY CONTENT CREATORS.
“As Police Launches Investigation Into Circulating Video By VDM.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the unauthorized use of official uniforms and accoutrements by an online personality, Mr. Martins Otse, popularly known as “VDM,” in a video posted on his social media platforms.
“The Force unequivocally disassociates itself from this unauthorized portrayal and has launched a full investigation to determine the source of the Police gear used, as well as the authority under which he acted.
“It is important to remind the public that the unauthorized use of Police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements constitutes a criminal offense, as stipulated in Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law, and is subject to strict penalties.
“While the Nigeria Police Force recognizes and supports the creativity of young Nigerians in the content creation space, we strongly caution against the misuse of Police uniforms or symbols. Unauthorized use of these items undermines the values and integrity of the Force and will not be tolerated”.
Nigerian gospel artiste, Somtochukwu Nsofor aka Essemm, has embarked on a mission to break the Guinness World Record for the longest hours of continuous singing.
The current record holder, Indian Singer, Sunil Waghmare, set the bar at 105 hours but Essemm is determined to surpass this with an impressive 128 hours of non-stop singing.
Nsofor, while addressing newsmen, said that the aim was to surpass the current record of 105 hours, held by Indian singer, Sunil Waghmare.
The record attempt which will be held in Lagos is open to the public, with live-streaming options available for audiences around the globe.
Nsofor said that it was not just about breaking the record but “Seeing Jesus Christ on a global scale. I do not think anybody has broken the record talking about Jesus Christ.”
Emphasising the significance of using music to spread the gospel, Nsofor popularly called Essemm said that “I believe music is a powerful tool to heal and transform lives and I want the effort to serve as a testament to the strength of faith.
“I do not know how I will put it but I know what this is going to do when we break this record, it will be clear that someone, who sang gospel music broke the record. It is about the kingdom, it is a global media impact for the gospel,” he said.
Nigerian comedian and content creator, Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie popularly known as Brain Jotter and the Chief Executive, Lelook Bags, Chief (Mrs.) Chinwe Ezenwa have been announced as some of the honourees of the Life-Impact Awards at the 2024 MMS Hall of Fame.
According to the co-founder, MMS Hall of Fame, Kingsley Anaroke, the Life-Impact awardees were selected for their exemplary humanitarian exploits which resonates with the MMS brand essence.
Anaroke further said Brain Jotter’s strings of inspiring life-transforming skits and jokes have redefined the creative industry with an appeal of generosity and humanity, setting a new standard of practice that conforms to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“In specifics, his novel comedy show (Outside the Box) ironically, turned out to be a humanitarian platform with the donation of N30 million for a female participant in crutches. We are particularly impressed about this for the female gender unsolicited. The comedian’s creative ingenuity which reinvented Pa Mike Ejeagha’s folklore song – gwo gwon gwo – was also singled out for praise as it placed Pa Ejeagha’s career on the global music radar,” Anaroke asserted.
Other awardees include Kikelomo Adeniyi, Christopher Zakka Maikalang, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, and Ambassador Michael Okoli.
One of the highly anticipated features on Netflix by Native Media and Play Network, ‘Hijack ’93,’ has started streaming on Friday, October 25.
After the release of its trailer and announcement of release by the streaming giant, the film has generated a lot of buzz with many Nigerians excited about the film’s premise and significance.
At the heart of the film is a fictional retelling of the hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight by a group of teenagers in 1993. It revisits the moment etched in the annals of Nigerian history, following four men who hijack an airplane, leveraging passengers onboard in the name of social change, in an effort to dismantle their military-backed government.
The film mirrors insight into both the hijackers’ desperation and the passengers’ struggle for survival, inviting the audience to reflect on the harsh realities and moral dilemmas faced by individuals in extreme circumstances.
The Story of Hijack ’93 will probably be its strongest advantage, as it will inspire nostalgia and much scrutiny from those who remember the event.
Veteran musician, Paul Play has said that the dominance of technology in the music industry has reduced artistes’ creativity and hard work.
The U.K.-based artiste said this during a recent podcast with Adesola where he compared the new generation of artistes with his generation.
Paul Play, who was one of the top acts in the 2000s, discussed that while it took artistes a lot of creativity and hard work in his days, technology has simplified the process now, especially with the introduction of artificial intelligence.
“Technology has really taken a lot of the hard work away from musicians,” he said. “You don’t really have to do much these days, like when I see DJs, it reminds me of seeing DJ Cassie with three turntables but now you can just press buttons. So music in terms of creativity has been simplified.
“If you have that interest you could just come up with anything. Now we are hearing there’s AI. Anybody will just say don’t worry I will bring out my song and sell millions of records by just using AI. My generation started doing music by learning the ropes and understanding the dos and don’ts of the music game, production, and songwriting.”
Anthony Offiah aka King Perryy has released two singles entitled ‘Confirm Parole’ featuring Ajebo Hustlers and Dandizzy, and ‘Gbege,’ featuring Pyscho Yp and Kaestyle.
On ‘Confirm Parole,’ King Perryy teams up with Port Harcourt’s heavyweights, Ajebo Hustlers and Dandizzy, to craft a playful yet boastful anthem. Blending their signature blend of grandiloquence with vibrant energy, this track rides a wave of unapologetic swagger.
‘Gbege,’ meaning problem in English, is where King Perryy turns the energy around to deliver a deeper message. Stepping into drill territory, this track explores the struggles, survival, and ambition that define everyday life for the average young Nigerian man.
Perryy is a Nigerian Afro-dancehall singer and songwriter whose unique sound has earned him global recognition.
Born in Nigeria, King Perryy’s musical journey took off when he signed with Timaya’s DM Records in 2018. This partnership proved pivotal, as it provided a platform for him to release a string of successful singles that quickly captured the attention of fans both at home and abroad. His ability to fuse African rhythms with Dancehall’s vibrant energy set him apart in the music industry.
Known for her performances in Yoruba and English-language films, Jumoke Odetola has established herself as a crossover talent, constantly pushing the boundaries of story-telling in Nollywood. In this exclusive interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, she opens up about the growing prominence of the Yoruba sector, the relevance of epic stories, and the creative process behind bringing these narratives to life. With big screen ambitions on the horizon, Jumoke shares her thoughts on Nollywood’s global potential, the challenges of biopics, and the importance of staying inspired in an industry that never stops evolving.
IT seems the Yoruba sector of Nollywood is coming all out with big projects, what’s your take?
That’s a very laudable and interesting thing right now I must say. We are deep, Yoruba as a language is deep, and the culture is deep and everything about it has depth so seeing us being who we are and people reckoning with that is a great feeling and we are just about starting. People want to start tagging us as epic movie producers but this (Queen Latifah) is not epic and it is a very relatable story. That is to tell you that we are dominating.
What are your thoughts on epic stories in Nollywood?
I’m so happy we are doing epic stories because it is our language, it is our tradition, it is our culture, and if we don’t tell our stories other people will do and they will give it their narrative. So, it is a very good thing that we are telling our stories ourselves.
What can be done to further harness this attention the industry is getting by telling these beautiful stories?
Everything is unfolding and sometimes you don’t have it all figured out at once. The opportunities are boundless, we may not know where the next step will take us but the thing is that we are already in it and there is no limit to what we can do.
Would you suggest that producers should step down a bit on making epic movies?
No, we should not because there are a lot of stories to tell. If you look at it, no two stories are the same despite the fact that they are epic, they are unique and each one has a message. We are not going to reduce telling epic stories because there’s nothing as deep as the language and the culture that you cannot take out.
We see a lot of movies going to the cinemas lately, do you think every movie is cinema-worthy?
I would say every story is big screen worthy it just depends on how you tell the story. For instance, if my entire story is that I’m going to London I could just wake up and you will find me in London but if I want to tell it in a bigger way you will see how I’m waking up from the bed, how I’m preparing to get into the car, while in the car something happens and then I get to the airport and stuff will start unfolding. It depends on how you tell your story but believe me any story can be captivating, it’s just the approach.
Some movie lovers are beginning to say that biopics are a cheat for filmmakers; they opined that filmmakers are running out of creativity
(Cuts in) Biopics are the most difficult stories to tell. There are arguments for and against it. It is easier to tell fictional stories because it is my story and I can tell it however I want. For biopics, people can reference it. They will tell you there’s a book they read, there’s a stage play or someone somewhere heard a story somewhere, so biopics are actually the most challenging because it is open to criticism.
When is your big-screen movie coming?
Very soon. No pressure.
Are you saying you are not pressured by what your colleagues are doing with big-budget movies?
I’m inspired and motivated; I want to gather more inspiration. When you see people around you doing, well it opens your brain also. It depends on how you want to take it, for some people it leads to negative energy but for some, it inspires and springs up creativity.
As a crossover actress, would your big project film be in Yoruba or English?
Language is just a medium of expression. It is the story that would dictate the language. You shouldn’t let the language you speak tell you the story. If you’re telling the story of someone in the hood; where in the hood is the person? Is he in the village or a place where they speak pidgin? It should be your story telling you what language you are not dictating.
What do you do to catch fun?
I love my company, I’m a loner. When I’m on my own, that’s when I enjoy it most. I love it when I’m alone and when I can listen to myself.
What’s your big dream for Nollywood?
I’d say we are getting there but it is that global recognition for our stories to reach everywhere. For us to be able to tell the stories that we want to tell and for us to reach the right audience.
Laju Iren Films released its debut feature film, ‘Loving Amanda,’ two years ago, through a unique first-of-its-kind virtual cinema, making over 11 million in sales, making it the biggest virtual premiere of the year.
Two years later, the company went on to beat its own record, with the Biodun Stephen-directed-romantic-comedy, ‘Mistakenly Yours,’ making over 26 million in sales. This Christmas, Laju Iren Films is going three times harder.
“We are releasing three of our best movies in one virtual cinema this Christmas,” said the Executive Producer, Laju Iren, in a statement to newsmen recently. “This is a first for us in more ways than one,” said Iren, “it is the first time ‘Danfo’ and ‘The Rose,’ our young adult film will be released to our expectant audience.
We cannot wait for the world to see the magic put together by our crew, and our star-studded cast, featuring Adunni Ade, Sam Dede, Sunshine Rosman, Michael Dappa, Seun Ajayi, Akah Nnani as well as Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo, aka Mr. Macaroni.
“It is also the first time we are doing a worldwide release during the Christmas season, a feat with our audience is incredibly excited about. Our partners at Unilever, Malta Guinness, and Crust Africa also share greatly in this excitement as evidenced by their support for us from the very beginning of the project.”
In addition, Iren added that this would also be the first time the independent company is releasing three movies at once, adding that “it is three times the stories, three times the inspiration, and three times the drama that our viewers have come to know and love us for, all for the price of one.”
Speaking on pioneering the innovative virtual cinema system that is beginning to revolutionise Nollywood’s distribution system, the filmmaker said, “We cannot continue to wait for permission to tell our stories. Nollywood makes hundreds of films every month, many of which are quality films despite Nigerians’ tough economic terrain. The major streaming platforms only take a handful of films per year, only a small percentage of these movies get the opportunity to be shown in physical cinemas, and the numbers for satellite television are not all that impressive. Quite a number of filmmakers have found success via free-to-air platforms like YouTube, but when you do the maths, it is quite difficult for many filmmakers to make thriving figures from YouTube especially when a film has a relatively high budget. The industry has developed greatly in the area of storytelling, but in the business of distribution, we need more platforms that put more power in the hands of independent filmmakers and enable us to continue to tell even more stories. I believe the virtual cinema platform is one of such, as it enables us to reach the consumer directly.”
In addition to ‘Danfo’ and ‘The Rose,’ two other movies, ‘Loving Amanda,’ starring Blossom Chukwujekwu and Teniola Aladese, and ‘Mistakenly Yours,’ starring Stan Nze and Chinonso Arubayi among others. Viewers can watch from anywhere in the world from December 24- 31st and can purchase tickets for the three movies at the price of from October 28th.
The board of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has launched the second coffee book to mark the 20th anniversary of the continental film awards ceremony.
The launch of the second coffee book drew major dignitaries and film practitioners in the country and beyond to the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja GRA, where the event was held.
The first coffee book launch was published in the 10th edition of AMAA and served as a compendium of the journey of AMAA for 10 years.
The second coffee book chronicles the journey of AMAA for 20 years while capturing the life of the founder, the late Peace Marie Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe as well as other major individuals, who have contributed in no small measure to AMAA.
The coffee book also showcases some of the past winners and memorable moments as well as some of the highlights of each of the editions of AMAA since inception.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of AMAA, Dr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe expressed delight at the book launch saying it marks the beginning of other activities lined up for the 20th anniversary and edition of the continental awards.
Dr. Anyiam-Osigwe also noted that the 20th edition will, as always, create memorable experiences that will not be forgotten in a hurry for attendees and guests.
