Category: Entertainment

A multi-talented musician Akinbote Akinyemi aka Akin Omo Akin has returned to the music scene with the release of his new song entitled ‘Puzzle.’

The new song, according to Akin Omo Akin, has been completed and ready for release in a few weeks.

With five albums in his archives, Akin Omo Akin, said he is fully back to dish out great content to show that he is the new king of Afro Highlife.

“My fans should expect good music and artistry from me and look forward to my musical video with great content. The Puzzle audio and video will be launched on different musical platforms and social media for all good music lovers around the world.”

Speaking on his foray into music after being self-taught, the singer said, “since I got involved in music, it gives me joy because it gives me the opportunity of doing what I like to do and make ends meet from it. I feel fulfilled anytime I see my fans and other musicians appreciating my songs. For me, that is a fulfilment of destiny as a musician.”

Teo Ukpaa, the Chief Operations Officer for Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), recently joined Nollywood practitioners to discuss the business of filmmaking at the Coal City International Film Festival.

Ukpaa joined other facilitators that include Izu Ojukwu, and Chichi Nwoko for the Masterclass session on business of filmmaking at the film festival.

According to Theo “Often times people focus merely on the show and glamor as well as the razzmatazz that comes with filmmaking, and end up dying broke. A strong national economy depends on a strong creative economy – and it all starts with a story. The film and television industry supports 2.4 million jobs, pays out $186 billion in total wages, and comprises over 122,000 businesses.”

Continuing, Ukpaa said, “As a Filmmaker, one of the best moments is directing real stories of real individuals, getting them to the big screens and smiling to the Bank”. He believes that passion can burn out when expenditure and hard work does not produce financial returns.” These are part of the important basics he wants to teach at his Masterclass at the coal city film Festival.

Theo Ukpaa is an African filmmaker, playwright, and entrepreneur.

A handful of Nollywood’s elite including Bovi, Nobert Young and Yemi Cregx gathered for the premiere of ‘Lahira’ to watch the show’s first episode.

The event, hosted by fast-rising Nollywood actor, Deza The Great, was held at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Lahira is scheduled for premiere on April 4.

Also at the intimate premiere were Zeb Ejiro, Gloria Anozie-Young, Wana Udobang, Big Brother ex-housemates like Sandra, Jaypee, Jenni O, Boma, Dotun, Sammie, and Saskay. Others include Bade Smart, Seun Kentebe, Emmanuel Ilemobayo, Sunday Afolabi, and Eyiyemi Rogbinyin.

Lahira, which has several war-zone scenes and required a lot of ‘action filming’, had significant military backing from the start of production till the end.

Hence, Brigadier General O. Adegbe represented the Chief of Defense and gave a short speech, commending Africa Magic for telling the very challenging story of Lahira.

He said, “In those days, you don’t mention what happened in the trenches, but it’s a new military. We are fighting a war where you cannot call the opposition an enemy – we call them adversaries, bandits and terrorists. I’m so highly pleased to watch the show being scripted and screened.”

Lahira is the story of a young, brave, intelligent girl, Lahira, and what she faces after insurgents took over her village. She managed to escape and made it into an IDP camp. However, the same terrorists assailed the camp and abducted her again. This time, she will have to run and try to save other girls as she does so.

Energetic Nigerian comedian and Master of Ceremony Gbenga Adeyinka D’1st has announced the plans for the  2023 edition of his traveling comedy-music show, Laffmattazz.

Tagged the unity tour, Adeyinka explained that the 2023 edition of Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends is slated to kick off in Ibadan and then move on to other South-Western states.

The popular comedian promised that the tour will be exciting like never before, as he will be storming the South-West with amazing and creative talents across the country.

“My crew and I are working round the clock to ensure that the show brings laughter and happiness to the good people of Nigeria’s South-West, (which the Laffmattazz brand is known for) even as we promote Unity,” he added.

On why he chose the Unity Tour theme, Gbenga Adeyinka D’1st said “This is the election year and we have witnessed a lot of division that stemmed from propaganda and political stunts, there is a need to remind the good people of Nigeria that our Unity is non-negotiable, that it’s time for us to come together as one and focus on making the country better, regardless of our differences.”

Adeyinka also noted that the show is sponsored by Maltina, Goldberg and the Oyo State Government.

StarTimes has announced the launch of its “Season of Goodness” promo and contents for Easter and Ramadan celebrations.

With the Season of Goodness promo, StarTimes offers families thousands of juicy content, for less the price.

Some of these contents include gripping series on ST Novela like ‘Three Sisters,’ a Turkish series which premiered March 15, to music reality show, The Voice Nigeria, Kiddies channels like Kartoon and Jimjam, several Nollywood channels as well as religion channels like EWTN, Dove TV, ST Gospel, TBN Yetu TV, Iqraa, Sunna TV.

The promo, according to StarTimes PR Manager, Lazarus Ibeabuchi, will run from March 20 to April 30.

Subscribers who recharge for two months on Nova, Basic or Smart Bouquet will get an instant boost to the next higher bouquet while Classic and Super subscribers will enjoy ten days extra when they recharge for two months.

“We are delighted to bring our customers quality content for less than the price. The Season of Goodness promo is a great way for families to enjoy their favourite shows, movies, series and religious programs during this special season. So don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get more for less,” Ibeabuchi said.

Grammy award-winning artist, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy has released a visual for one of his songs entitled, Rollercoaster.

The song, which features Colombian singer and producer, J. Balvin, is off his impressive sixth studio album, Love, Damini.

Announcing the release of the video on social media, the self acclaimed African Giant shared a picture of himself with Balvin at the shoot.

“Wetin I see for this life plenty,” he captioned.

The music video was shot at the Los Angeles Fayette theatre in New Jersey, USA, and directed by Loris Russier.

In the video, Burna Boy displayed a rollercoaster of emotions to capture the lifestyle contradictions through warbled melodies.

The new music video is coming after his unveiling as one of the performers at the 2022/23UEFA Champions League finals.

Following skirmishes that rocked the just concluded elections, filmmaker Chris Oge –Kalu has called on Nigerians to embrace and spread the message of peace beyond the elections.

This call was made by Oge –Kalu at the Peace For Free lecture series recently held in Lagos in Lagos State.

Kalu who is the convener of the event, with the theme: Sustainable Peace Beyond Elections said the need for Nigerians to embrace peace is essential in the move to avoid conflict over election.

“First of all, I am a Nigerian and the election you are talking about took place in Nigeria. So, I am part and parcel of the Nigerian society, if Nigeria burns, I will burn. At this point, in order to ensure that we don’t burn, we have to come out from where we are, from whatever profession we belong to and embark on a noble cause like this to ensure we don’t burn.”

Continuing, he said, “The thing is this, the recipe for a peaceful coexistence of a united Nigeria is the ability to look beyond primordial sentiment because there is no society that does not have conflict. It can emanate from anywhere; it can be tribal, ethnic, religious but in our case, sometimes we take it out of context because of the kind of small things we hear. You have to remain resolute to the cause of one Nigeria. We have to embrace peace because it is a peaceful society that will allow us to think how to progress in the first place but in the midst of chaos, you cannot think of anything. The takeaway on this Peace for Free series we are embarking upon is to see that people understand that this is a democratic process.”

Global streaming platform Netflix has splashed a total of N50 million ($90,000) on a short film by Nigeria’s Korede Azeez.

The anthology of Korede’s short film was launched as part of Netflix’s partnership with UNESCO to support the next generation of storytellers who were provided with resources including a $90 000 budget and creative guidance by established filmmakers as mentors to bring their stories to life.

The project is tagged African Folktales Reimagined and had six emerging storytellers from Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritania, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania having their respective short films make their debut on Netflix globally.

For Korede’s short film entitled Zabin Halima  (Halima’s Choice) to come to life, she got creative guidance from award-winning filmmaker Kenneth Gyang, who was the film’s producer.

Zabin Halima (Halima’s Choice) tells the story of a young girl from a secluded Fulani village, who inadvertently elopes with an AI to escape an arranged marriage.

Other short stories that made the project are Enmity Djinn from Mauritania, Katope from Tanzania, Anyango and the Ogre from Kenya, Katera of the Punishment Island from Uganda, and MaMlambo from South Africa.

Speaking about the achievement, Tendeka Matatu, Netflix’s Director of Film in Africa, said, “We are excited to finally bring this anthology of short films created by the next generation of African storytellers to Netflix members around the world.”

Continuing, Tendeka said, “This initiative is a testament to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the pipeline of African storytelling and to include voices from underrepresented communities. We’re grateful to our partners at UNESCO who walked this journey with us to provide an opportunity for the six emerging African filmmakers to create and showcase their reimagined folktales to the world, in their own languages, so that more people can see their lives reflected on screen.”