Category: Midweek Magazine

Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo aka Mama G has been conferred with Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) Lifetime Merit Award during the ninth edition which was held recently in Lagos.

Mama G was honored with the award for her contribution to the movie industry.

Accepting her award, Mama G revealed that she was tricked to attend the event without a prior knowledge of the award.

She, however, expressed joy for being recognized and loved for her contribution to the industry while vowing not to stop doing her best.

“When we started in the industry there was no social media and so many other luxuries we enjoy now. Progress was completely dependent on your talent, humility, word of mouth and trust. I appreciate my colleagues who work tirelessly and oftentimes without recognition. I appreciate my family, who have always surrounded me with love and acceptance. My children sacrificed a lot and stayed long periods without a mother. At one point, my daughter became my PA and is still my Associate Manager till date,” said Mama G.

Continuing, she said, “All marketers that believed in me from the very beginning. I did not want to mention names so as not to omit anyone, especially producers, executive producers and independent producers far too numerous to count. I appreciate you all. Thank you #MamaGLovers’ for your unwavering Love and support. I will never take you for granted. I will keep working hard so help me God.

“This moment right here is written in stone, firm, immutable and permanent. To all those who dream, to all those who work hard, to all those who hope, to those who start from the very bottom, to the obscured. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Never stop moving, never stop learning, never stop believing, never stop praying, never look down on yourself, never try to be anyone else but yourself. Your change will come in the due course.I am a living testimony.”

Award-winning comedian, Emeka Erem aka Ajebo is set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his show, Ajebo Unleashed 10.0.

Tagged the ‘Grateful’ edition, the entertainer disclosed that he will be delivering a scintillating performance for his audience on June 25 at Eko Hotel and Suite alongside some of the funniest men and rave musicians in Africa.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Ajebo said, “Basically, Ajebo Unleashed 10.0 is my way of expressing my gratitude to God who has brought me this far. I owe everything to him. Without God, I won’t be here. It is also a Thanksgiving concert as I had a major accident last year and came out unscathed.

“I am grateful to God for life as well. I will be talking about my fatherhood experience. I’ve had three daughters over the last five years. I’m giving God back the glory.

“The event is my way of saying thank you to my fans who have stayed loyal to the Ajebo brand over the past decade. ‘Ajebo Unleashed’ started as a child of passion but grew to become a household name, all thanks to the loyalty of my teeming fans,” he said.

The humour merchant revealed that he has curated a list of the funniest comedians and the finest musicians in Africa and the Diaspora to provide quality entertainment on the 25th of June.

As a comedian, Ajebo has had a colourful career in the humour industry. In addition to ‘Ajebo Unleashed’, he is also the brain behind the ‘House of Ajebo’ cartoon brand which has been running for the past 13 years.

Talented standup comedian and on-air personality, Oluwafunmibi Olarinde aka Funbi is set to hold the fifth annual edition of his annual gig, ‘Funbi’s Bus.’

The 2023 edition of the gig is themed ‘Grown Man’ and will be held on June 4 at Eko Conference Centre with performances from Sabinus, Terry G, Sean Tizzle, Crayon, Majeed, Josh2funny, Remote, Odogwu, and Bowjoint.

Read Also : Why my skits don’t promote nudity – Sabinus

 Sharing the concept of the event, the host said “Funbi’s Bus is my brand and it’s unique, when thinking of rebranding my show name, I had to pick between myself and what everybody could relate to which is a Bus (everyone enters buses home and abroad) and this is my own bus giving happiness, so Funbi’s Bus is a movement. This year’s edition is ‘Grown Man’ because I’m somebody’s father and somebody’s husband now! I have people looking up to me and I have a story to tell about being a Grown Man” he said.

 Revealing why this fifth edition stands out from the previous editions Funbi Funbi said “Over the years, we have changed lives! From people getting married after meeting at the Show to people becoming superstars in the industry… this year we want to bless someone with a plot of land in the new Lagos.”

The spread of hate on social media can be avoided and one should afford others the respect they desire,” these were the words of Jimi Agboola, the director of recently premiered movie, ‘Comment Section.’

The film according to Agboola tackles the phenomenon of cyberbullying and its effects on cyberbullies and victims of cyberbullying.

“Comment Section is a relevant and timely film exploring how social media characters are exhibited, the people behind these accounts and the vast reasons that lead to active, constant and in most cases dangerously obsessive participation. It’s a film that addresses while creating a portrait of our society in the modern age, the unique time in which we live in and its influence by social media,” he added.

Speaking on his role as a lead actor in the movie, Chris Akoh, said: “I got the script for ‘Comment Section’ and as soon as i read it i had an immediate connection to the character Dede because he was/is the protagonist conveying the very important message that this film has for the society we live in today when it comes to social media, the pros/cons that come with certain kinds of upbringing/parenting, vices and the human perception of what is right or wrong based off of real life times and experiences. It’s an exceptional script, cinematically told in the most unconventional way. It was love at first and every sight.”

Comment section was directed by Jimi Agboola, co-directed by Iyke Osoka and written by Jimeto Onyedika.

The Chairman Mayore Beauty, Silver Oghayore is optimistic that the firm’s launch into the Nigerian market would be highly welcomed by the Nigerian movie industry.

Oghayore noted that Nollywood and the music industry are involved in the use of cosmetics in movies and music videos.

He made this affirmation at a pre-launch media parley recently in Lagos.

He also noted that though both entertainment industries have become a force to reckon with globally, the make up/makeover aspects still need better products like Mayore to compliment its standard and also save cost of buying beauty products.

“It’s a great opportunity for us. We have a product that the market needs as much as we want to be in it. I’m willing to invest in my words today, I have an impression that when both industries test our products they won’t have a lot of choice but do rely on Mayore,” said Oghayore

“The quality of our products, the sustainability of our products and the natural nature of our products will convince them. We’ve seen movies where makeups are fading, you’re not going to have that kind of problem with Mayore products. You will be investing a lot less for superior quality products. So I think they will welcome us as long as we will welcome partnership and collaboration with them.”

Renowned artist, designer, architect and a founding member of the Zaria Art Society popularly known as the ‘Zaria Rebels,’ Prince Demas Nwoko,  has won the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale, Venice, Italy. 

The award will be conferred on him on May 20 at Ca’ Giustinian, Venice.

Exhibition of Nwoko’s iconic architectural works will be on display  in Venice for six months – May 20 to November 26. 

Nwoko attended the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (now Ahmadu Bello, University), Zaria between 1957-1961.

The exhibition entitled: The Laboratory of the Future, will hold in historical venues of Giardini, Arsenale and Forte Marghera, in the Italian city of Venice. The Stirling Pavilon will exhibit the architectural works of Nwoko.

The  exhibition will be curated by Prof Lesley Lokko, an international architectural academic, educator and best-selling novelist of Ghanaian and Scottish descent.  She has taught architecture in universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Australia and Africa.

She is the founder and Director African Futures Institute, established in Ghana in 2020 as a postgraduate school of architecture, research and public events platform.

On the choice of Nwoko for this year’s award,   Lokko, who spoke ahead of the awards ceremonies, pai tributes to Nwoko. According to her, “One of the central themes of  the 18th  International Architecture Exhibition is an approach to architecture as an expanded field of endeavour, encompassing both the material and immaterial worlds; a space in which ideas are as important as artefacts, particularly in the service of what is yet to come. With all of its emphasis on the future, it seems entirely fitting that the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement should be awarded to someone whose material works span the past 70 years, but whose immaterial legacy  – approach, ideas, ethos – is still in the process of being evaluated, understood and celebrated”. 

The Golden Lion Award, formerly known as ‘The Golden Lion of St. Mark’ until 1954, is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival since 1949.  In 1970, a second Golden Lion was introduced to honour people who have made important contributions to cinema and theatre architecture. 

From a galaxy of eminent nominations, Nwoko was finally chosen as the recipient of 2023 awards. 

Baba, as Nwoko is fondly called, has been at the forefront of Nigerian Modern Arts Movement. He is everything at once: an architect, sculptor, designer, writer, set designer, critic and historian. When prodded, he refers to himself as an ‘artist-designer’ which speaks both to the polyglot nature of his talents and oeuvres and to the rather narrow interpretation of the word ‘architect’, that has arguably kept his name out of the annals.

Experts have called for proper funding and monitoring of early childhood to address social vices as well as checkmate the production of half-baked graduates.

The experts, who spoke at the first National Retreat of the Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Lagos, said studies had shown that the failure to provide quality early childhood education limits children’s futures by denying them opportunities to reach their full potential.

It also limits the futures of countries, robbing them of the human capital needed to reduce inequalities and promote peaceful and prosperous societies, it added.

The Acting Head of Department, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCD), Lagos State University of Education, Dr Aboluwarin Oyenike, said quality pre-primary education is the foundation of a child’s journey as every stage of education that follows relies on its success.

The President of ECAN, Prof. Babajide Abidogun, identified poor implementation of curriculum, lack of proper monitoring, funding and training of teachers as some of the challenges facing early childhood education in Nigeria. He said the retreat offered opportunities for stakeholders to address the challenges.

A Deputy Director, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hilda Twins, said the government is collaborating with some stakeholders to boost early childhood education in the state.

“The essence of this retreat is to collaborate. With collaboration, there are going to be more impact in the area of outcome in building capacity of teachers and the pupil as well.  With early childhood education, most of the vices we have in the society can be averted. It also has an effect on the economy of the nation. The future of education in the country will be better if we get early childhood education right,” she said

The retreat, which also witnessed  panel discussions, agreed on the need to create and ensure flexible learning environments that promote the growth and development of children as well as an inclusive setting for Children with Special Needs.

A representative of the Development Research and Projects Center (dRPC), Augusta Keneboh, canvassed the implementation of relevant policies, including the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, which acknowledges the need of safeguarding in schools.

“The concept of safeguarding, child safe guarding and physical safe guarding in play based learning in the ECCD setting is important in our society, especially considering the time that we are in. We are looking at policy documents promoting safety of children. We are looking at how all the stakeholders can ensure safety of children by implementing the appropriate policies and laws,” he said.

 It was an evening of celebration for men and women who have brought pride to the art industry, as National Gallery of Art (NGA) rewarded them for their good deeds.

  The maiden edition of Mast Festival and Awards held last week saw some stakeholders honoured, including studio artists, gallery owners, art collectors, art teachers, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), art administrators and arts writers. 

Among the awardees was renowned artist, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, who bagged a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

For Onobrakpeya, it was a double celebration as he was just honoured by Georgia State Assembly, United States for his exemplary career as artist and role model. 

Also honoured was Chief Nike Okundaye, who received the Outstanding Visual Arts Personality of the Year Award. Mrs Okundaye is very adept in textile designs in adire and batik. 

She has one of the biggest and most sought-after art gallery in the country, which houses about 7,000 art works. The art amazon has held no fewer than 116 solo exhibitions and 38 group art exhibitions in various parts of the world. 

The Distinguished Visual Arts Award went to Muhammad Sulaiman, the President of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). The multi-dimensional artist is a unifier, bridge builder and mentor to young artists. His driving force is the improvement of the lots of visual artists in Nigeria.

Deputy Editor of The Guardian, Gregory Nwakunor, got the Arts Journalist of the Year Award for his contribution to the promotion and propagation of arts and culture.

Other awardees are: Thought Pyramid as Gallery of the Year; Mrs. Patience Nkwocha, the Curator of the Year; Comrade Ojo Agbor Idabi as NGA Exemplary Staff; while Helen Ogochukwu Nzete and Izuchukwu Clifford Agba are Inspiring Young Artists of the Year.

 Director-General, NGA, Ebeten William Ivara said the gallery, which has since completed the harmonisation of its Establishment Act for Repeal and Re-enactment in collaboration with the SNA, is ready to move it to the National Assembly once the 10th Assembly is inaugurated in June. 

He added that the new law, when put into use, would propel the Nigerian visual arts sub-sector to higher heights with NGA contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For the artists, it will be a season of wealth creation.

Awards Coordinator AND Deputy Director Overseeing office of Director, Information Services Department, National Gallery of Art, Oji Onoko, said: “Mast festival and awards is specifically designed by the National Gallery of Art (NGA) as a yearly event to reward excellence in creativity in the visual arts sub-sector and arts sector.”

Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Ali Baba, Joke Silva, Dr. Noah Inu Momodu, and other artists have been billed to grace The Roundtable Lekki scheduled to hold on May 1, at Church of God Mission Int’l, Garden City, Oniru.

 The event tagged: ‘The Nigerian Entertainment Industry; Opportunities & Trends,” will attract investors, business owners, and individuals from different industries, especially actors, comedians, movie producers, promoters, investors in the entertainment industry.

 The Zonal Coordinator, Church of God Mission, Garden City, Vi, Zone, Rev Chris Ubanadu said this at a news conference  at the church, said that the programme is a business development, economic empowerment, and networking forum, created to share information that will assist businesses, business owners, investors, SMEs, and individuals, to take advantage of growth opportunities that abound in their environment.

 He said “our strategy is to use free conferences, seminars, and networking platforms to stimulate interest and aid economic emancipation. By this, we hope to make our own humble contribution to reducing poverty in the land and to aid economic empowerment.

 “Every year, The Roundtable Lekki selects a sector in the economy, which it dimensions with the help of professionals and players in that sector. The goal is to critically analyze the sector in order to reveal the business potentials inherent in it. The strategy is to stimulate interest in the audience and encourage them to use the information provided to be economically empowered.”

 He added that this year’s edition has set its eyes on the Nigerian Entertainment Industry saying, “This sector of the economy is one of the fastest growing today. It has great potential to engage millions of Nigerians, especially the youths. It is therefore our interest in helping our participants to know how to tap into its vast business opportunities this year.”