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  • Marrying you best decision of my life, Afolayan hails wife

    Marrying you best decision of my life, Afolayan hails wife

    Filmmaker Okiki Afolayan has written romantically to his wife, Bimbo Afolayan on their fifth wedding anniversary . 

    The Yoruba movie maker, in a lengthy post on his Instagram page, professed love for his wife, reflecting on how he made the best decision ever by marrying her.

    He stated that every day with her has been a roller coaster ride, as she has been the most important part of his life.

    To him, marrying his wife was the best decision of his life as she isn’t only a lovely wife but also the best mother.

    “Five years don waka
    We still dey carry go
    Nobody waka, nobody go solo.
    Baba God, oh, our case e oh, na your grace
    A dupe, oh
    Baba a dupe, oh

    “Five years ago, on this day the best thing happened in my life.
    I got married to a person with a wonderful heart.
    These five years of adventure have been great AGBEKE MI
    It feels like we got married just yesterday!

    Read Also: MohBad died fulfilled, says Kunle Afolayan

    “Every day with you has been a rollercoaster ride.
    You have been the most important part of my life in the last five years.

    “Marrying you was the best decision of my life
    You are not only a lovely wife but also the best mother.

    “Despite the ups and downs of life, we have stood the test of time by maturing alongside one another and drawing closer to one another with each passing year.

    “I pray that we are able to finish this journey we call life together until our very last breath.

    “AGBEKE MI, I promise you that you will always be the most important part of my life until we die.

    “Happy 5th anniversary Baby,” he wrote.

  • August my struggling period, says actress Bimbo Afolayan

    August my struggling period, says actress Bimbo Afolayan

    Actress Bimbo Afolayan has opened up on the challenges she encountered in August.

    The actress appreciated the support of the people around as well as the resilience and faith which saw her through what she tagged the difficult month.  

    Without giving full details of her August experience, she said her unshaken faith in God’s grace played a pivotal role in helping push through the storm. 

    Bimbo revealed that her situation took a positive turn, leading to a miraculous outcome that left her deeply moved and speechless.

    Read Also: Why we’re mobilising UK-based Nigerians to invest in Nigeria – Afolayan

    Gratitude was a recurring theme in her post, as she expressed appreciation for her husband, Okiki Afolayan, whom she referred to as her “God-sent man” and her “heart’s desire.”

    Bimbo concluded her message with words of gratitude for her family and an optimistic outlook for the future. She expressed hope that the coming months, starting with September, would be kind to everyone.

  • Why we’re mobilising UK-based Nigerians to invest in Nigeria – Afolayan

    Why we’re mobilising UK-based Nigerians to invest in Nigeria – Afolayan

    Founder, international IT professional and former chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK), Otunba Bimbo Robert Folayan, speaks with Sam Anokam on the forthcoming Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS) 10th anniversary billed for October this year. Folayan, who recently received the ‘Father of African Communities in the Diaspora’ award, spoke on plans to use this year’s event to mobilise job creation opportunities into Nigeria and more.

    Let’s talk about the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDDIS); how would it provide jobs for Nigerians

    The Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDDIS) is the biggest investment summit that is held outside of Nigeria, and we have successfully helped hundreds of UK and international businesses and Diasporans to relocate and set up their offices in Nigeria in the past 10 years. But this year, we have decided that we will use this opportunity to mobilise job creation opportunities into Nigeria in order to support the new political dispensation.

    The last election was a little bit bitter. The fight for the soul of Nigeria was worrisome and Nigerians in Diaspora are very keen to develop their country to reduce the tension in the country following the withdrawal of subsidy, and also because of the unemployment situation. We have mobilised Nigerians in the Diaspora for the past 10 years, so I know what I am talking about. The huge rate of unemployment in Nigeria at the moment is high and we are doing everything possible to bring in investors from across the world to support the efforts of the government.

    Already, we have identified over 30 major projects that can be replicated across the states in Nigeria. If you are taking just 100 people out of the job market, you are doing a great thing. Apart from these 30 projects, we have also entered into agreement with a UK-based organisation to provide directors from top 100 listed UK companies to support Nigerian companies as non-executive directors, and this project is due to take off in October.

    Towards this programme, the Nigerians in Diaspora have already entered into partnership with Shell and with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria to mobilise directors-general of federal government parastatals and perma nent secretaries and directors of public institutions in Nigeria to meet investors face to face. We also have a pipeline of business initiatives (technology and business models) that can employ  hundreds of people, ranging from $5,000 to millions of dollars, which people can set up to engage their family members and friends.  

    Those who have attended our events in the past will testify to the fact that we are not an ordinary talk shop. We have deal rooms during our summits where deals take place and business delegates walk away with deals. Also the NDDIS is entering into partnership with a lot of other organisations in Nigeria to mobilise the private sector, and one of the private sectors is with the computer village management board.

    Read Also: FG secures $500m for local funding of digital innovation, entrepreneurship – Minister

    We are also in talks with the Institute of Directors in Nigeria to ensure that their members attend this event and that they are able to interface with foreign investors as well as Diaspora investors. The 10th anniversary of the investment summit of the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit is scheduled to take place in London on October 11 and 12.

     When was this organisation set up, and what is the idea behind it?

    The Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit was actually set up in 2013 when Dr. Dalhatu Tafida was the High Commissioner. I was planning NEGIP (National Economic Growth and Investment Promotion Summit) and was Chairman of the Nigerian community at the time when the High Commissioner convinced me to focus more on the Diaspora being my primary constituency. Since then, the Nigerian High Commission has partnered with us and every high commissioner has always supported the NDDIS. The current High Commissioner, Ambassador Isola Sarafa, will as usual, be the Chairman at our event this year.

    We partner with the British African Business Alliance, Department of International Trade, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria office and most importantly with NIDCOM, which is the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.  Mrs Abike Dabiri, for instance, has attended every single NDDIS since we started. We have partnered with NIPC, SMEDAN and NTA. We have also partnered with the Bank of Industries, Lagos, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Oyo, Niger, Ondo and several other states and organisations.

    Every year, we have organised investment summits to attract investors back into Nigeria. It has been a very successful journey for the past 10 years. We have always been in the forefront of mobilising investments into Nigeria. The Federal government loved the project so much that they also created an exact replica of it through NIDCOM, and this takes place in Aso villa every November. We are partnering together on the summits. They will attend and mobilise for our summit, and we will also attend and mobilise for their summit in Abuja this year. In fact, we are mobilising a strong medical mission to the NDDIS this year after our own summit. It’s all for the development of motherland. As Diasporans it is very good and democratic for us to criticise our country, to put our leaders on their feet all the time, but it is more important for us to get our hands dirty. Every Nigerian who has lived outside of Nigeria should look at how they can bring something back home. That is the only way you can make any meaningful impact. Writing stuff on social media, complaining and talking all the time does not put food on the table of Nigerians. For a country that you are proud of but which you are not happy about the state of affairs, you should be seen to be adding some value. So that is what we have done for the past 10 years, and I implore every Nigerian that has lived outside of the country to do as much as they can to add value to their country.

    Let me also add that I know the Diaspora like the back of my hand. No group can be more patriotic than the Nigerian Diaspora. I am sometimes awed by the level of love Nigerians in Diaspora have for their country and the number of projects they line up every year to support their country. The NDDIS gives them the opportunity to actualise their plans.

    What is your comment on the rampant travelling of Nigerians, especially the youth, out of the country for greener pastures?

    For as long as we have Nigeria, we will always have Nigerians in the Diaspora. We don’t need to panic. The brain drain will soon become brain gain. NIDCOM is working hard and we all should rally round them to mobilise the Diaspora for good. Every country has a lot of its youths travelling to other parts of the world too. Recently, the UK started complaining about UK doctors going to Australia for better pay. Isn’t that funny? If we get our act right, we will tap into the talents of those who have travelled outside of the country and see how they can bring value into their country, and that is what a good government should be looking at: how they should connect with those who are outside, who have gained other experiences in different things, different technologies, different business models and how they can bring these back into their country.

     What is your take on the last elections?

    I am a die-hard pro-democracy activist who relocated to the UK in 1993 because an election was annulled in Nigeria. I was part of NADECO abroad, and this is why I understand the true value, meaning of democracy. Democracy cannot thrive in an environment where people fight senselessly just because we want our candidates to win at all costs. I was shocked to see the level of intolerance displayed by some people during the last elections. I blame all sides.

    We still have a lot of work to do to educate Nigerians about democracy. Every Nigerian citizen, regardless of where they come from, regardless of their status in society, as long as they are qualified enough, should be free to choose who they prefer. We must respect the rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country, but we must also respect our host communities and be guided in what we say to ourselves as Nigerians.

    Physical or cyber bullying of People who hold different political views should not be allowed in our society. True democracy means that everybody is free to choose. We cannot allow hotheads to derail our dear country. However, let me restate my confidence in Nigerians. We always pull through and we will pull through the current difficulties. Nigerians love one another and we always work together when it matters. We only need to be more wary of the antics of our politicians.

  • MOKALIK: NEW FILM BY AFOLAYAN AND ALL IT STANDS FOR

    AFTER what seems like a brief hiatus from commercial filmmaking, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is about dusting his cameras again. This is contrary to recent declaration by the entertainer that he was giving personal film production a break, while decrying how difficult it is, recouping investment in the motion picture business.

    But coming off that boast, one can understand how difficult it is to shun a burning passion for long. “This one is not a huge budget movie,” he declared, talking about ‘Mokalik’ (Mechanic); a film which targets film festivals, and who knows – some international awards.

    As usual, he would quickly contact his writer, Tunde Babalola, whenever he considers an idea for a movie script. The situation is not different, and The Nation can confirm that the award-winning screen writer is already burning glucose on ‘Mokalik’, a Yoruba local’s pronunciation of the word ‘mechanic’ which he picked from a scene in his late father, Ade Love’s classic, ‘Taxi Driver’.

    Afolayan who is known to be involved in casting for his film says he is seriously considering bringing to the spotlight, some of the old talents who are almost being forgotten. To this end, it would not be surprising to see comic actors like Ayo Ogunshina, popularly known as ‘Papa Lolo’ and Dayo Akinpelu, aka ‘Alabi Yellow’ playing alongside a few other regular actors. If agreement is reached, ‘Mokalik’ may just be the acting debut for sonorous singer Simisola Ogunleye, simply called Simi.

    Afolayan disclosed that preparations are on to begin shooting on the 27th of this month, adding that the one location shoot will tell the story of the protagonist, an 11-year-old boy who must make his choice in life, in a complex society and a future full of uncertainty. The story, he says, will be captured, in a space of 12 hours, all the dramas in a typical mechanic garage.

    Recently, Afolayan lent thoughts to the need for kids to acquire other skills during the summer holiday. He showed his son, Darasimi, taking undergoing such vocational training at a mechanic workshop in Lagos. It is not unlikely that the idea of ‘Mokalik’ may have been developed during Darasimi’s training.

  • Herdsmen burn ex-naval chief farm in Kwara

    Herdsmen burn ex-naval chief farm in Kwara

    A former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Samuel Afolayan (retd), claimed on Wednesday that herdsmen burnt 20 hectares of orange plantation, 20 hectares of cassava farm and five hectares of palm plantation in his farm.

    He said the farm is about 500 hectares.

    The ex- naval chief put the loss at over N200 million.

    Speaking with journalists in Ibbo-Ile, Ekiti local government area of Kwara State, Afolayan said the herdsmen had been destroying his plantations for over 10 years.

    He said: “The destruction and burning of my farmland has become an annual routine. This will be the first time of letting people know what has been happening in the last 10 years. It is the cow-rearers that have been damaging my things and right now there about three cases in court. Every year, my farm is burnt and we believed that it is not deliberate when it first started. They will go and arrest them, they will go to the local chiefs and friends and beg them.

    “When I looked at the people that were engaged in this act, I found that they are people of low means. I will release them. But as times went on, I discovered that these boys are being sponsored by people of means and outside Kwara State. I have of recent somebody who is put in detention who is from Zamfara State. The one that is in court is from Niger State. So most of the damages I continued to have are from the north. They carry their cows, mindless of the size of what you have or get, they destroyed it with impunity.

    “No less than 20 hectares of oranges, five hectares of palm trees and 20 hectares of cassava had been burnt or destroyed this year. I am not an expert or a valuer but my estimation is that the current loss is over N200m.”

     

     

  • Afolayan replaces Adekunle Gold in ‘KLM Celebs Around Town’

    Afolayan replaces Adekunle Gold in ‘KLM Celebs Around Town’

    Singer Adekunle Gold who was among celebrities selected last month to be part of KLM’s Celebs Around Town tour to major tourist cities of the world is missing out on the Manchester leg of the tour.

    This was disclosed by actor and movie producer, Kunle Afolayan, in a Faceboook Live video on Sunday though he did not provide any reason for the absence of Adekunle Gold.

    “Actually, Adekunle Gold is supposed to be here but for some reason, he couldn’t make it, but I’m right here” said Afolayan in a Facebook Live post which he captioned, ‘Kunle Afolayan live in Manchester courtesy of KLM Nigeria, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.’

    Afolayan has also been posting clips of his visits to sights such as Manchester United’ Theatre of Dreams on his social media handles.

    Adekunle who is still promoting his debut album, The Gold Album, was supposed to have been on the Manchester trip, the fourth destination of the KLM tour. He, Afolayan, Adekunle Gold, Kate Henshaw, AY and Rahama Sadau were selected to visit different cities of the world by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

  • Afolayan partners Massimo for Kulturecentrik

    Afolayan partners Massimo for Kulturecentrik

    Celebrated filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, under his Kunle Afolayan Productions (KAP) imprint, will be introducing a monthly celebration of Nigerian cultures with his culturally conscious initiative, Kulturecentrik.

    To be held in conjunction with Massimo, the filmmaker describes Kulturecentrik as essentially a free-spirited coming together of friends, distinguished artisans and highly placed individuals within society for nights filled with the enchantments of the various Nigerian cultures and the colours within.

    According to the organisers, KAP and Massimo, Kulturecentrik promises to host guests to a richly themed night of Yoruba culture that will feature live music from some favourite artists such as, Adekunle Gold, G.T Da Guitarman, Kentoxygen aka Edunjobi; performance poetry from Ajobiewe and Jimi Solanke; Yoruba food, Palmwine and traditional dances. It will also include drums such as Bata, Iya-Ilu, Gangan, Dundun, Omele, Saworo, Sekere; cultural figures like the Egungun, Yoruba cloth stands where  Adire, Etu, Alaari, Sanyan, Aso oke, Aran, and other variations of beads and braclets (Iyun, Segi, Alaadun, Oya, Akun) will be displayed.

    Kulturecentrik, organisers say, will be brought to an experiential pleasure once every month, beginning on the eve of Kunle Afolayan’s birthday, September 29 at the Poolside, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    The event which also serves as a networking point for dignitaries and culture lovers on the Lagos Mainland starts at 6pm till midnight.

    Subsequent months will feature representations of the cultural wealth of other Nigerian tribes with each distinct ethnicity and night represented and spearheaded by artists from each of these respective cultures, organisers also revealed.

  • Afolayan to screen film competition entries

    Afolayan to screen film competition entries

    CELEBRATED Nollywood movie producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, will be leading other judges to screen over 150 docu-film entries for the Grooming Film Extrapreneurs competition.

    Powered by the Sahara Foundation in partnership with the award winning filmmaker, Afolayan unveiled the novel initiative designed to provide a hub for budding film makers to hone their skills in June.

    Participants were asked to create 15-minute documentaries that capture and celebrate entrepreneurs at work across the nation, using the theme My Nigeria, My Platform…Nigeria through an entrepreneur’s eyes.

    In addition to promoting and sustaining growth in the arts, the project seeks to shape a positive narrative about Nigeria that highlights our enterprise and productivity as a people.

    The screening exercise will prune the entries to a shortlist of 20 – a number that is commemorative of Sahara’s 20th anniversary – and ultimately select an overall winner that will undergo a mentorship programme with Kunle Afolayan for six months.

    The panel will be looking out for overall film-making capability, style of storytelling, subject matter interpretation, audio and visual quality, aesthetics as well as understanding of the perspective of a story.

    “As you are aware, the period for sending entries closed on August 28 and screening is underway.  We received over 150 quality entries and I am excited at the prospect of teaming up with the final 20 and the overall winner. This project is special for Sahara and I because it gives us an opportunity and privilege to add our strokes to the canvas of developing the sector whilst also changing the narrative of Nigeria globally,” Afolayan stated.

    Also speaking, Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, said the top 20 entries and overall winner will be unveiled at the last quarter of the year.

  • BEN BRUCE, AFOLAYAN for Made-In-Nigeria festival

    BEN BRUCE, AFOLAYAN for Made-In-Nigeria festival

    FOREMOST filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, will be sharing a platform with Senator Ben Murray-Bruce on some issues relating to the latter’s mantra of ‘Common Sense’.

     Tagged Made-In-Nigeria (MAIN) Festival, this could be the first time the founder of Silverbird Cinema and TV and award-winning filmmaker will be sharing a floor on issue of national concerns.

    The festival is expected to offer made-in-Nigeria solutions, highlight global novelties, identify potential partnerships and connect the world to Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria.

     Scheduled to hold at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, this initiative has been hailed by many as part of the economic diversification plans of the present administration.

     Billed for the event are several high profile speakers, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, who will be led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Others include Mr. Aliko Dangote, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Honourable Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Ronald Chagoury, Chairman Chagoury Group.

    The event whose theme is Innovate, Connect and Power the Future, according to the statement on its site, www.mainfestival.com is expected to have in attendance over 100, 000 guests within the seven-day period.

     The theme of the festival centred on showcasing unique solutions to some of Nigeria’s problems, especially in the areas of infrastructure, technology and power, while at the same time connecting the world to the numerous investment opportunities available across the 36 states of the federation.

  • I’M NOT INTO FILM FOR MONEY –KUNLE AFOLAYAN

    I’M NOT INTO FILM FOR MONEY –KUNLE AFOLAYAN

    Kunle Afolayan is currently shooting a new movie titled The CEO. This is coming barely a year after his last movie was pirated before hitting the shelves. The actor/producer speaks with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on his passion for film making, challenges and sundry issues. 

    IT’S barely a year since your movie was pirated. Aren’t you sceptical about the same thing happening with this one?

    I am wired in a way that I have a mindset and a dream. And once I am consumed by a dream, I won’t rest until I actualise it, because it will keep hunting me. The idea behind The CEO has been there since last year; it is a dream that I wanted to do outside the shores of Nigeria. But because I decided to bring in a pan African element into it, it still has the feel of Nigeria in it, because this is where I get drilled most time.

    Also, motion picture is something that I am very passionate about. I am not into film for money, but because it is something that I am destined to do. Part of the money we are using for this project is a loan from the Bank of Industry. I mean, who would go to the bank to get such a huge amount of money and is not even sure how you are going to sell the movie? That covers like just 30% of the budget of the film, but, really, film is just my life. Come rain, come sunshine, as long as I am alive, I will keep making films.

    Other movie producers say that it is difficult getting a loan from the bank. Was that the case for you?

    This wasn’t that easy. It is something open to the entire industry. It is a product called Nolly Fund, with Bank of Industry. There is a particular one that does not require collateral, but you only have to be sure that you can pay back. I think a lot of people have applied, but I am just one of the beneficiaries. For me, it is because Golden Effect and Kunle Afolayan Productions are structured in a way that we do our deals diligently. It is a well structured corporation, and you cannot go to a bank and say you want a loan without the proper documentation.

    How challenging was it bringing actors from across the continent together on set?

    It was really challenging, because a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t have South African, Kenyan and Moroccan actors. But in all of these; I was able to get the South African actor when I travelled to South Africa. The only actor we were able to lock earlier was the Ivorian actor; even Wale Ojo was last minute. For me, casting is very important, so I try to get the right people. I take my time, If I don’t see the talent in the person. The film, even if the person is as popular as Michael Jackson, I won’t use the person.

    Angelique Kidjo’s beat in this movie is key, strong and significant. Going by the first draft, the character was supposed to be a male. I met Angelique sometime in February and we talked for four hours on the plane. And every time she was talking to me, I saw that character. A few days after, I proposed it to her and we started working on it. So when something is meant to be, it will be.

    Why haven’t you featured any of your family members who are also actors in your movie?

    That is because I am yet to have any role that they fit into in my movies. Anytime I have a role they fit into, we will surely work together. For The CEO, I would have worked with any of them, but it can only accommodate three Nigerian actors because of the nature of the movie. I am sure it is something that will happen soon.

    How easy was it bringing down the equipments used on set?

    One of the buildings we used was built from the scratch. It is a lounge. We brought the people; we brought the generator and other things by sea. And we are about 80 in number; feeding, and accommodation is there, thanks to Illugbe Resorts, in partnership.  That really eased the accommodation problem we would have had, that is coupled with the beautiful sight they have. I came here for a wedding and since then, it has stuck in my head. We worked out a partnership, but for logistics; because we did a very detailed pre-production that gave us enough time to plan the logistics.

    Being a busy director, how do you make out time for your family?

    They know what I am doing is not just for me, but for them too. And every time I am not filming, I am always home with my children. So they don’t feel it when I am not even around. Times have changed, we talk every time; there is Skype where we can see each other. It is not like those days where you write letters across miles.

    Talking about you last project, October 1, what was your reaction when you first saw the pirated copy?

    My first reaction was what can I do? And we tried to do all we could to curb it and reach out to the right authority.

    But can piracy be eradicated?

    It is in the hands of the government. I hope they can review and implement the law that bans copyright, though it is weak. There is no point having a law that you cannot enforce.

    Is the production of The CEO schedule for Nigeria only?

    We shot some parts of it in Nigeria. We are currently shooting in Paris, and we will be taking it to other countries like Kenya, Morocco and others. But not all the cast will be moving with us. We will only take those that have scenes in those places mentioned.

    What other projects do you have on ground?

    There a lots of projects on ground, but let me even finish this one first.