Category: Victor Akande

 Victor AKANDE

WHY should any State in Nigeria want to beat Lagos State to tourism power? Has any in France beaten Paris to the game? Has any in Italy beaten Milan to it? Why should small fries take advantage of the advantages that Lagos has failed to harness to fake a leap to lead spots in tourism and entertainment?

For decades, Paris, a trendy city in the heart of France has maintained its identity as the art and fashion hub of Europe and a leading tourist destinations in the world; so is Rio, the pride of Brazil which is described as the most visited city in the southern hemisphere, known for its natural settings and carnivals, while Dubai remains the business and cultural hub of the Middle East of modern appeal.

A comedian while wooing his crowd in Calabar last December said to them: “I’m now getting popular in Lagos oo.” Such is the spirit – you have yet to start for real as an entertainer if you have not been ‘bathed in the Lagos waters’. The State remains the entertainment hub, not just for music artistes who have fought their way to stardom, coming from far away Jos, Abuja, Enugu, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo, Warri, Kaduna and other parts of the country, but also for the Nigerian motion picture industry called Nollywood. Therefore, if Lagos is where the success of music and film start and end, what there is left for rivals to latch on?

The Gambian economy is predominantly dependent on tourism. But what does the country sell other than beach resorts that thrive on serene environment, clean waters, scorching sun and security for revelers. Lagos has more, with potential even for more when you consider its entertainment centers, historical sites, cultural events, natural landscape and topography traversed by sea and lagoon waters, enormous beaches and waterfronts, sea foods and other numerous delicacies that define a true metropolitan city.

However, the missing gap has been the inability of leaders to harness these beauties for the all-important social and economic benefits, thereby letting these unique materials to continue to beg for a messiah – now we have one.

For the first time, a strategic programme of action was pronounced as part of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s entertainment and tourism agenda for Lagos State. It was called T.H.E.S.E, an acronym quite pungent in harnessing the creative sector’s variables that are capable of stimulating the economy through alternative IGRs, even empowering the youths and making Lagos a fun city desirable by all.

T.H.E.S.E – a Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts Sports for Excellence project took off with a new romance being extended to players in the entertainment industry. Shortly after takeoff, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), for example, had a different experience in Lagos, hosting filmmakers and enthusiasts from Africa and the Diaspora, who explored as many entertainment centers as possible. Also, with the support given to EbonyLife’s Fifty movie by the Lagos State Government and its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, entrepreneurs who had sought succor for their projects in States other than Lagos appear to be returning to base.

One major event for which Ambode’s government had walked the talk was the One Lagos Fiesta, a five-day concert staged across Lagos communities annually.

The event which used to hold solely at the Bar Beach water front, probably partly for security reasons was first test run in five communities, including Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, Badagry and Lagos Island, without a single case of violence. Interestingly, Lagos is fast restoring the confidence of revelers in line with Ambode’s campaign promises. No doubt, the level of commercial activities at the One Lagos Fiesta environs is what the traders would wish a monthly affair, even as the success story remains an attraction and sense of belonging to visitors and tourists alike.

It is not enough that Lagos is the former capital of Nigeria. The will to keep the aquatic state at the forefront of socio-political and economic relevance in the West African sub region has been a major factor of its success, and the prerogative of visionary leaderships that have continued to play the big brother to other states of the federation and the FCT.

Situations at a recent edition of the annual Festival de Cannes in France lent credence to this position, with Lagos playing Nigeria at the festival. The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture had, at the festival, promoted Lagos as Nigeria’s most vibrant city and gateway to the world of cinema.

Pavilion 210 at the Panteiro-Side of the International Village was home for Nigerian delegates, led by the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde who, as a film festival veteran led the new Lagos-Cannes narrative two times in a row.

Recall that like a technocrat worthy of his onions, Ayorinde took the first shot barely one year into his former appointment as Commissioner for Information and Strategy, when he led a similar delegation to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2016 where eight films representing Lagos were showcased as part of the city-to-city focus programme of the festival.

But for a tourism and arts loving governor in Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, these brilliant propositions may not have seen the light of the day. Hence, in the absence of a Federal Government’s articulated and sustainable blue print for cultural showcase at such global platforms, it is important for filmmakers to seek ways of tapping into this big brother goodwill.

It is in this regard that I want T.H.E.S.E thing to continue in Lagos… under the new leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

By Victor AKANDE

AWARD-WINNING actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has bagged a deal to become a brand ambassador for Hollandia Evap Milks.

The company made this known recently when Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, stated that Mercy Johnson-Okojie’s passion is evident in everything she does and she embodies the qualities that the brand wants to be associated with.

“We have chosen Mercy Johnson-Okojie to be the face of the Hollandia Evap Milk brand as we believe she will inspire a much larger audience to understand and adopt Hollandia Evap Milk for its quality nutritional benefits, convenience and value for money,” he said.

“We are thrilled to have her as our Hollandia Evap Milk Brand Ambassador.”

Mercy is expected to bring her lifestyle choices and influence to bear to represent Hollandia Evap Milk.

By Victor AKANDE

NIGERIA-BORN Chukwunonso Ezekwueche is presently making waves in Canada as a leading fashion and brands influencer. Fondly called Nonso, Ezekwueche who hails from Anambra State and a graduate of the University of Benin, Edo State, left for Canada after bagging a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Privileged to have worked with several brands, Nonso uses his Instagram page, @nonsky, Nonso to share pictures and videos showcasing brands’ merchandise.

His tagline, “Showing men how to dress without breaking the bank,” is borne out his desire that men do not ‘big name labels’ to look good.

“After I moved to Canada, I noticed that the men’s fashion culture is not as remarkable as in Europe or America, so I decided to start a crusade that shows men how to use tiny bits and pieces of what they already have in their closet to create a fabulous look without running into debt.”

And he deploys his three favourite tools of imagination, the camera and consummate editing apps for creating superlative contents for his faithful audience.

“First of all, I imagine what would look good on me,” he said.

“I then select a banging outfit combination to work with and come up with pictures, poses, locations etc. I like to see my posts from the eyes of my audience and this helps my judgment. I hire a photographer to shoot me and I tweak the pictures a little in Adobe Lightroom. The goal here is to as much as possible create visually appealing contents that would resonate with my audience because, as they say, content is king.”

In the light of approaching brands for collaborations, Nonso stresses: “I would search for the brand’s PR email address and pitch them using my pitch email template and media kit.” Then he adds for good measure: “On the flip side, brands also reach out to me for collaborations.”

His advice for any fashion influencer starting out is to dive in at the deep end, to take the first plunge without being scared.

“There is bound to be lots of rejections at first, for sure,” he says, adding: “But staying consistent and creating good content sets you apart from others. Content is definitely king!”

He continues apace: “I would recommend scouting for brands on Instagram; explore relevant pages as well as top influencers’ pages. This I do all the time. You could also register on Influencers’ marketing platforms like Aspire IQ, Collabor8, Brandbassador, Glambassador. They pair you up with brands when there is a match.”

By Victor AKANDE

NOLLYWOOD actress, Monalisa Chinda, former Super Eagles players Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi and Garba Lawal and other celebrities will join prominent Nigerians and captains of industries today (Saturday) for the yearly ‘Health for Wealth’ programme organised by Dr Siju Iluyomade.

The event which holds at the Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos is tagged ‘Walk For Life.’

And it is part of activities to mark the 11th anniversary of Dr Siju Iluyomade’s charity organisation, Arise Women.

The ‘Walk for Life’ event which precedes the Arise Women Conference slated for Saturday, October 26 will be spiced up with dance, music and other entertainment.

By Victor AKANDE

HISTORY was made on September 12, 2019, as the inaugural class of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa Academy graduated 20 students, after a full-year of training in television and film production.

The students who are of Nigeria and Ghana nationalities, embarked on the fully funded training in October 2018, equipped with the acumen to produce high-quality movies as well as create wealth through entrepreneurial partnerships.

This was made possible through the institutional support provided by the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos. Renowned for its top-quality curriculum and teaching in multimedia and journalism education, they were instrumental in the facilitation of core areas such as ethics, financial management, critical thinking and others of intellectual and entrepreneurial value as well certification for the programme.

Elaborating on the specifics of the curriculum of the MTF, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean, School of Media and Communication, PAU, said the training would have an enduring influence on the graduates as it strengthened their fundamentals of the film and television industry.

According to him, “The Nigerian film industry has established itself as a force to be reckoned with and has captured the imagination and attention of the world but now, it must strengthen its hold by perfecting its craft and focusing on greater acquisition of skills. That is the role of training and the role of the Multichoice Talent Factory. The MTF will have a long-lasting impact precisely because it is contributing to strengthening the foundations of the industry by facilitating skills acquisition.”

Dr. Obiaya also expressed appreciation to MultiChoice Nigeria for partnering with PAU saying: “It is a partnership that has been extremely rewarding and we look forward to more.”

Giving his charge, Mr. John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, noted that the attitude displayed by the students during the PAU-accredited programme was partly due to the ethics in business practice the facilitators taught the students. He also lauded the institution for imparting the principle of ethical entrepreneurship – particularly in money management. He insisted that today’s practitioners must be able to balance their creativity with business acumen in order to remain stable and avoid going bankrupt.

As part of his efforts to encourage entrepreneurship, Ugbe awarded the sum of $1,000 each to 24-year-olds Kemi Adeyemi and Salma Saliu as the CEO Award for Entrepreneurship, for exhibiting great entrepreneurial skills during the year.

Ugbe further declared that he is certain that the skills acquired alongside the passion and dedication exhibited by the students during the programme will aid them overcome any obstacle they encounter in the industry.

“Some of you are probably wondering and perhaps worried, about what life outside the safety net of the Academy will be like. I say to you today – ‘press delete’ on that worry right now because You are ready. Yes, Africa’s creative industry is constantly changing but I believe you have the right mindset, skill, passion and commitment to take on this challenge and get ahead of the change because You are the Future. You are the generation that has the great opportunity to impact this industry,” the MultiChoice Nigeria CEO said.

On his part, Mr. Femi Odugbemi – MTF West Africa Academy Director, described the training as a landmark programme, noting that the curriculum enabled the students to demonstrate their skills as filmmakers.

“In the course of the programme, the students expertly honed their raw talent into professional skill. This is the essence of the MTF Academy – giving upcoming talent the chance to hone their abilities thereby increasing the pool of available talent and world class professionals in the industry. This graduation is therefore a landmark moment both for the students and the programme,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, called on private sector and key industry stakeholders to establish world-class training institutions such as the MTF to expand the divergent creative sector. The Commissioner also enjoined local and foreign experts to collaborate with the state government to build capacity in the creative sector.

The movies produced by the MTF graduates – Life of Bim and Dreamchaser – both aired on Africa Magic Showcase and are available on the DStv Now app.