By Olushola Ricketts

A good movie is a product of a good story. While a lot has been said about the movie, ‘The Wait’, premiered last month, there is need to give credit to the story writer, Yewande Zaccheaus.

Directed by the dynamic duo of Yemi Morafa and Fiyin Gambo, and co-produced by Eventful Limited and LordTanner Studios, the movie was released across all cinemas on April 30, 2021.  It was inspired by the acclaimed book series written by Zaccheaus with the title ‘God’s Waiting Room.’

The premiere, which took place at the Filmhouse Cinema Imax, Lekki, Lagos, also had in attendance, the wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osibanjo, and the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun.

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The movie tells the story of Doctor Nara, played by the irrepressible and super talented Nse Ikpe-Etim, two couples and a job seeker, whose lives are unintentionally woven together by the unwitting hands of time and chance as they journey towards their desire to find love, hope, help, redemption and fulfillment of their desperate desires.

This intense drama takes you through a roller coaster of emotions and parades star-studded cast of Deyemi Okanlawon, Meg Otanwa, Jimmy Odukoya, Ini Dima-Okojie, Chimezie Imo, Kate Henshaw, Joke Silva and a host of others.

‘The Wait’ was beautifully written to show the interconnectivity of the lives of different characters as they wait for things they hope for.

By Olushola Ricketts

Being awarded the ‘Iyalode’ title in Yorubaland is not just for honour, it comes with responsibilities to one’s immediate community.

The Iyalode of Ijebuland, Chief (Mrs.) Olabisi Osibogun, who recently celebrated one year in service to her community, is trying her best to live up to expectations.

In an event held to celebrate her birthday, she also set up a foundation to empower both men and women in her community. Sewing machines, grinding machines, hairdryers and money were some of the empowerment facilities given out to members of her community.

Read Alo: Olubadan: new Iyalode to be installed soon

Oba Adekoya Dagburewe of Idowa Ijebu, Chief Olorogun Kuko, the Awujale Council of Chiefs and the Alakija of Onija, Giwa Yusufu, witnessed the joyous occasion.

A reception took place immediately at the residence of the Iyalode where varieties of food and drinks were served to guests.

The Iyalode later took to the dance floor alongside her daughter, Madam Fela Osibogun, the Otun Iyalode and Iyalode Osi.

By Olushola Ricketts

The trumpet of the good deeds of billionaire Sir Olu Okeowo was blown by family members, associates and loved ones as he turned a year older recently.

He is known as a man of uncommon affluence and this was evident in his stylish thanksgiving service and party to celebrate his birthday.

During the thanksgiving service, prayers were offered for the celebrant. The family and the guests had an opportunity to receive the Holy Communion. Rt. Rev Stephen Adegbite, His Eminence, Dr. Uche Chukwuemeka and Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi led the spiritual personalities who came to bless and celebrate him.

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A classy reception was held at the pool side of his expansive residence, Palacio De Okeowo, at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking about the celebrant,  Amb. George Adeshola Oguntade described Sir Okeowo as a generous and loyal person. He also narrated how he was able to secure a landed property through him in Lagos as well as other fond moments they shared together in London.

Prince Samuel Adedoyin said the celebrant was a kind-hearted man and very loyal to a fault.

By Olushola Ricketts

ONDO State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has joined the list of governors who are determined to harness the potential of tourism in their states.

Although Ondo State is one of the oil producing states, the governor understands the need to look beyond oil and gas in generating resources needed to achieve a stable economy.

To achieve his dream for tourism in the state, the governor secured a strategic partnership with the President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye.

He held a meeting with Akinboboye during the maiden edition of Asun Carnival in Ondo Town, which was also organised by Akinboboye.

Akeredolu said: “To realise our dream for the development of Ondo’s tourism and entertainment industry, we have entered into a strategic alliance with a much lauded private sector practitioner, Otunba (Dr.) Wale Akinboboye, the founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort , who is also a son of the soil from Ondo town.

“Otunba Akinboboye has been in the tourism industry for over three decades and has shown his mettle via the creation of his flagship resort in Ikegun Village Lagos State. He was also involved in the initial creation of the Mare Festival and recently the Asun Carnival launched by Destination Ondo, an initiative created by him this month for his town and by extension, our state.

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“We believe that with this alliance, our expectation for tourism, and entertainment development, will be realised and our Sunshine State will once again set the pace on finding unique and creative solutions to our challenges as a people.”

Akinboboye, on the other hand, insisted that the employment generated by the type of tourism industry would provide opportunities for all in Ondo.

He added: “As you are aware, our glorious state is filled with many natural attractions.  These attractions include an expanse of coastline of sandy beaches, countless mountains, rivers and the famous Idanre Hills, where mountains came to host a conference and then refused to leave.

”Ondo State also has a rich cultural heritage that embraces unique music and dance. Our state must harness her natural features, culture and talents to create and operate a tourism and entertainment industry that focuses on showcasing the best of Ondo State’s culture and natural features while creating wealth and hope for our youths.”

By Olushola Ricketts

Even when you are successful, you don’t come out without bruises, and this has been the story of most filmmakers, including Kassim Braimah, creator of YawaSkits.

Braimah revealed that the original intention was not for the skit to become a money-making venture but to tell societal stories.

He said: “It was later in 2018 that someone told us that we could make money from Youtube. But by that time, people were just watching it for free and we didn’t really care.

“I raised the money to shoot the initial episodes myself. I had a small camera and a laptop then and the first YawaSkit was written without dialogues because I didn’t have a microphone so the whole story was written to match my capacity at the time.

“Most of the people I cast were my friends. My younger brother was my production manager, and we ate ‘puff puff’ on set because there was no food, so it was just basically for the fun of it. I was blessed to have friends and family that believed in me, though.”

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Braimah lauded the role of Solomon Nwaorgu, better known as Okoi, who is the lead actor in the skit. According to him, but for Okoi’s input and creativity, YawaSkits will not be where it is today.

Braimah added: “There were many times that I considered stopping. In 2016, we got an AMVCA nomination, and I thought the big producers in Nollywood would spot us and say ‘Kazeem come, we are going to give you this money to make a movie’. None of that happened and I was looking at myself thinking I was not doing the right thing. I began to doubt myself. Kalistus said he wanted to quit because he was becoming famous but had no money and it was really sad for him. I had to beg him to shoot episodes and he would say that it was a waste of time since it was not getting him any money

“When this YawaSkits started, he played the role so perfectly and he was not even an actor, just a friend on my street. We didn’t even shoot a video throughout 2018 because he said he was not shooting again because people already knew him as the actor in the YawaSkits and he could not do any of his side hustles, yet the YawaSkits was not paying. I also went into other hustles, shooting wedding videos, cheap music videos, even street arguments just to make ends meet.”

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

The compelling story of Senator Ike Ekeweremadu can be likened to that child born under the proverbial lucky star. His steady rise in politics is a clear indication that he did not just get to his current status by mere luck he also worked tirelessly to attain his current height.

Today, the story of Nigeria’s politics would be incomplete without the mention of his astronomic growth in the scheme of power. The former Deputy Senate President is one politician who has in the past, contributed immensely to the political situation of the country.

In his political base in the Enugu state, his name remains a recurring decimal in all the areas in the region. Ekweremadu is reputed to be one of the few experienced politicians that climbed every rung of the ladder to attain his enviable height today. As a lawyer, he practiced for 10 years before delving into politics.

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On Wednesday, May 12, the trained lawyer sauntered into age 59 amidst flowing of encomium and praises by his constituents and well-wishers. He had a quiet celebration but sources said he will be having a grand celebration for his 60th birthday next year as the COVID-19 restriction would, hopefully, have been lifted by then.

Another source averred that his greatest desire is to secure the number one job of his state in 2023 when the incumbent governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi would have served his two terms in office as mandated by the constitution. “Senator Ike has received blessings of many top political leaders as well as those that matter in the scheme of things across the state. His ambition is buoyed by his unprecedented contribution to the growth of the Enugu state that has wormed him into people’s hearts and built a solid political structure, unmatched clout, and leverage as well as heavy financial war chest. He will be throwing his hat in the ring in 2023.”

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Apart from being a well-known businessman, Omotileolawa Folahan also has an interest in entertainment, event activation, marketing, trade, and commerce building. During his formative years, he has always wanted a different line of work but providence put him on a path of giving entrepreneurs and vendors a platform to thrive through trade and commerce.

With his passion for rising entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed, he championed the Agege Trade Fair held at the NYSC camp in 2019. The exhibition had in attendance over 200 vendors and 10,000 customers. In a bid to maintain such pace with consistency and extend its tentacles to reach more vendors, Folahan is back with a bigger version of the trade fair which would be holding on between July 13, 2021, and July 19, 2021.

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Unlike the first edition, about 500 vendors and 50,000 participants would be expected to participate in this year’s edition, which is in line with the “THEMES” agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu led administration. The convener disclosed that the Agege International Trade fair is an innovative platform developed to help struggling entrepreneurs in Lagos State grow and thrive to meet their full potential. This year’s edition will be physical and virtual, with participants from around the world.

In contribution to the success of the trade convergence, the Lagos Ministry of Commerce Industry and Cooperative (MCIC) pledged their unflinching support as well as the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi, who also pledged to be on the ground for the opening ceremony.