The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Babatope

  • Mo Abudu, Babatope partner on luxury cinema experience

    Mo Abudu, Babatope partner on luxury cinema experience

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu, has entered a joint venture with the CEO of the newly launched Nile Group, Moses Babatope.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 28.

    The statement read: “The Pods – a partnership, in collaboration with EbonyLife Cinemas, will introduce luxury cinema experience across West Africa.

    “This partnership is a major leap forward in the cinema industry, offering high-quality, and comfortable movie experiences in exclusive, private settings

    “Bukky George-Taylor, who is the Vice President of Nile X, stated that each Pod offers a private, intimate setting equipped with plush recliners, personal concierge service, and exclusive access to curated film selections.

    Read Also: FG says CNG vehicles ‘ll reduce cost of transportation

    “The Pods redefine the cinematic experience, providing an oasis of comfort and luxury where patrons can relax and indulge in unparalleled entertainment.

    “With the high demand for premium, personalised cinema experiences on the rise, The Pods cater to a discerning audience that seeks more than just a film screening. This venture taps into a niche market, blending the allure of cinema with the sophistication of gourmet dining, luxurious seating, and advanced audio-visual technology.

    “The Pods are not just about watching a movie; they are about experiencing cinema in a way that engages all the senses,” said Abudu.

    “This collaboration with The Nile Group is an exciting opportunity to innovate and bring something truly special to our audience. We are creating a space where cinema meets luxury, where every detail is designed to provide an unforgettable experience.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Bukky George-Taylor highlighted the significance of strategic partnerships, collaborations, and investments in driving The Nile Group’s mission forward.

    “The future of African entertainment hinges on robust partnerships and collaborative efforts. At The Nile Group, we are committed to forging strong alliances with local and international stakeholders to elevate the industry. This partnership with The Pods is proof that we believe in the potential of the African market.

    “The Nile Group has laid the groundwork for partnerships and collaboration, and we are open to more. This venture with Mo Abudu and EbonyLife Cinemas shows our dedication to innovation and excellence. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to deliver a cinema experience that is second to none.”

    In line with their vision, the Nile Group and EbonyLife Cinemas plan to open 10 Pods per year, reaching a total of 50 Pods within the next 5 years.

  • Babatope floats new production, distribution studio

    Babatope floats new production, distribution studio

    Moses Babatope has announced the launch of Nile Media Entertainment Group, a new production and distribution studio aimed at revolutionising African cinema.

    According to Babatope, the company will emphasise cultural representation, industry excellence, and sustainable practices.

    Babatope, a co-founder of FilmHouse Group and managing director of FilmOne Entertainment, leads this new venture after his over 20 years of experience.

    Read Also: Burna Boy achieves milestone in RIAA certification

    “Through our commitment to creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity, we aim to create films that entertain, enlighten, and empower audiences of all backgrounds. By championing diverse voices and perspectives, we seek to build bridges, spark dialogue, and cultivate a more compassionate and connected world,” says Babatope.

    Continuing, he said, “Our vision for Nile Media Entertainment Group is to be the beacon of African storytelling, illuminating hearts and minds across the globe with captivating films that celebrate diversity, inspire empathy, normalise industry excellence, and foster cultural exchange. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of storytelling, both in front of and behind the camera.”

  • PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, believes the exit of Professor Tunde Adeniran and Professor Jerry Gana from PDP will not, in any way, diminish the party’s strength.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transport told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the two politicians contributed greatly to the PDP, the party should respect their decision to leave and move on.

    Adeniran and Gana, both former ministers, dumped the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently.

    He said there was no need calling for their return to the PDP as they were competent adults.

    “Both Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana were strong members of the PDP; unfortunately, they have left; there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

    “I am not one of those calling for their return to the PDP because they have the democratic right to join any party that suits them.

    “Again, they are competent and intelligent adults who must have reasoned very well before they took the decision.

    “Even though the feeling might not be too good, being that I have known them for long, especially Adeniran, I cannot fault or stop their decisions.

    “I believe the PDP will remain strong even with their exit, as the party was built on strong foundations and not personalities,” he said.

    He said that Adeniran might have left because of what played out during the last convention of the party, when he vied for the party’s chairmanship position.

    Babatope said that he was also affected by the incident, as the candidate he supported, Chief Olabode George, had to pull out of the race to protest flaws in the electoral process.

    He said both George and himself had since put the issue behind them after the party reached out to them through Gov. Seriake Dickson.

    “What the party did to us then was painful especially the candidate I supported, Chief Olabode George.

    “Gov. Dickson, shortly after the convention, visited us on the way forward for the party. So that is past.

    “We remain in PDP and we will never leave. I believe strongly in the PDP and its ideals. Both George and I will be in PDP,” he said.

    Babatope wished Gana and Adeniran well in their new party, saying he was sure they would be loyal to it.

    The party chieftain expressed doubts that the SDP would evolve to be a dominant party before 2019.

    He said that his doubt was informed by his belief that political parties would need time to develop.

    “But if at the end of the day, the SDP develops into a dominant party like its chieftains have claimed, good; then, we will have three dominant parties.

    “We will all be competing together for the votes of Nigerians. I think, that will be good for democracy,” he said.

     

  • Wike, Makarfi conspiring against Southwest, says Babatope

    Wike, Makarfi conspiring against Southwest, says Babatope

    Southwest leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and National Caretaker Committee (NCC) Chairman Ahmed Makarfi were conspiring to frustrate national chairmanship aspirants from the zone out of the contest.

    The stakeholders warned that the opposition party may risk the prospect of a post-convention crisis, if the trend of deliberate marginalisation of the Southwest is sustained.

    According to them, the adoption of a national chairmanship aspirant, Prince Uche Secondus, by the Southsouth stakeholders was in bad faith, adding that it was meant to frustrate the push for micro-zoning by the Southwest.

    Six chairmanship aspirants from the Southwest are in the race. They are former Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George, former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran, former Lagos State PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje, former Sports and Special Duties Minister Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    The zone has said that it is its turn to produce the chairman, which has been zoned to the larger South, pointing out that since 1999, no chieftain from Southwest has been chairman.

    Southsouth leaders, including Wike and former Foreign Minister Chief      Tom Ikimi, have objected to micro-zoning to Southwest, claiming that the party was sustained by Southsouth stakeholders during its period of distress.

    The spokesman of Southwest leaders, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said the remarks by the Southsouth leaders were provocative and capable of sowing the seeds of division in the party.

    He said: “The so-called adoption of Mr Uche Secondus by some stakeholders in the Southsouth in Port Harcourt is a brazen call to arms against the Yoruba people. The crass insistence and the insulting protestation of Governor Nyesom Wike that the Southsouth is the zone providing succor to PDP is rather crude and insensitive. It is not true.

    “Right from the formation of the party, the Yoruba people have been consistent in their devotion and loyalty to the party. And they have been very supportive in financial fillip to the party. But, Wike is not really the one to blame. The fault solely lies with Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who is blinded by personal ambition and apparent greed that could not make him think clearly and selflessly about the issue at hand.

    “It is Makarfi who has deliberately mangled and distorted the micro-zoning tradition of our great party which has given the PDP well over 16 years of inclusive and all-embracing accommodating nature.”

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transport and Aviation, said the basis for party’s unity had been destroyed, adding that Southsouth leaders were fuelling suspicion and ruptured confidence.

    He stressed: “The pronouncement of the Southsouth stakeholders is not only provocative, it is divisive, skewed, untidy, and a blatant slide into tribal political arrangement. Do they think the good people of Oduduwa land will just sit down and take it? They are dead wrong.

    “The Yoruba people will never play a second fiddle to anyone. We will never be servile to anyone at all. And most importantly, we will never compromise on the position of the National Chairman of our great party. It is our turn. And this much must be respected.

    “Anything less than this is outrightly unacceptable. This is why Makarfi must recuse himself from the composition of all committees of the convention. Makarfi is not honest. He is working for Wike. That is the absolute truth.”

  • PDP Chairmanship: Bode George will not step down – Babatope

    PDP Chairmanship: Bode George will not step down – Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said former National Vice-Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, remained the best candidate for the party’s national chairman.

    Babatope, who is leading George’s campaign organisation for his aspiration in the Dec. 9 convention of the party, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that George had the ability to lead the party.

    He described as “improper” the call by a group within the party on George to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the convention.

    The group, “Renaissance’’, made up of some ex-governors and National Assembly members have reportedly backed former governor of Ogun, Mr Gbenga Daniel, as the party’s chairman.

    But, Babatope said George would never step down for anyone as experience, maturity and passion, more than anything else was required to reposition the party.

    “How can anyone say George should step down for a more youthful candidate? No, that is wrong, George will never step down for anybody.

    “What the party needs at this point in time is someone with maturity, experience and passion to reposition the party and return it to winning ways.

    “I can tell you that Chief Bode George is an embodiment of all that. He is experienced, tested and trusted. He is a stickler to the philosophies of the party and he will deliver.

    “You see, the elders can’t be governors but they give directions to the youths based on their experience.

    “The issue of youthfulness does not come in here; George is the best to lead the party,’’ he said.

    He said there should be an open field for anybody to aspire to the chairmanship position of the party rather than calling people to step down for others.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, said that Prof. Tunde Adeniran, another contender for the position, was his personal friend but that he believed George would do better owing to his track records.

    He said George’s campaign organisation would soon begin aggressive electioneering ahead of the convention.

    “We will soon begin a nationwide campaign for George’s aspiration. We are going to move round the country and mobilise party support for this great candidate,’’ he said.

    Babatope expressed optimism that the former military administrator of old Ondo state would emerge victorious at the convention.

    NAN recalls that shortly after its non-elective convention in August, the National Caretaker Committee of PDP announced that it would its main convention on Dec. 9 to election a new national executive of the party. (NAN)

  • George ‘ll transform PDP, says Babatope

    George ‘ll transform PDP, says Babatope

    Former Minister of Transport and Aviation Ebenezer Babatope has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will regain its voice when  the former Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George becomes the chairman.

    Babatope, who spoke during the Bode George Campaign Organisation meeting in Lagos, said the PDP needed an experience leader to pilot the affairs of the party, ahead of 2019.

    He added that the party was working hard to resolve its problems, stressing that only tested hands could make the party vibrant.

    He said: “We are absolutely resolved and affirmed that our party can only be enhanced and renewed towards the winning ways only when we bring out the tested, the proven, the matured and the responsible person to lead us to electoral victory in 2019.

    “This is not the time for trial and error. This not the time for some crude illogic experimentation.  We dare not fail. We dare not falter. We dare not temporize nor make the wrong move. Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George is now the man of destiny. He is the right choice for our party now in this challenging times.

    “I want to be absolutely clear about our purpose here today. What we do here and now is the voluntary collective effort of all leaders of the South West and even beyond who mean well for our party and our nation.

    “Nothing here, let me emphasize firmly, has any direct connection with my good friend Bode. This is our own initiative. We are the people drafting Chief Bode George to put his hat in the ring and come out boldly to contest the position of our National Chairman,” he said.

    Babatope maintained that, in 2003, George coordinated and brilliantly marshalled the PDP victory in the Southwest, where we won five out  of the six states.

    He said PDP lost Lagos State in view of the activities of enemies within the party, noting that the politician’s record of service in the PDP  was unassailable.

    “The Ife people and the Modakeke people are now at peace. The discord of war is long flung away. Mutual enmity is now forgotten. The ancient bond of brotherhood is now restored.

    “It is this great, historic mediatory intervention that prompted the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade to give my friend the very significant title of Atona Oodua of Yorubaland. The last time this title was given was in the 13th century. This no doubt emphasized the primacy of the Atona title.

    “Of course, the Atona is the torch bearer, the pathfinder of the Yoruba race. He is the Shepherd who leads the way, who clears the ground and sanitizes the horizon for our great progenitor, Oduduwa himself. The Atona is the purifier of the cluttered passages, the defining cleanser of the primeval beginning.

    “I have gone to this length to define, to articulate the summative distinction of Chief Olabode George as the right man and as the appropriate choice for the position of our National Chairman,” he said.

  • Babatope backs George for PDP chairman

    Babatope backs George for PDP chairman

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, yesterday backed the chairmanship ambition of the party’s former Deputy Chairman, Chief Bode George.

    Babatope, a former director of organisation in the defunct Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was in support of George’s ambition.

    He described the former Chairman of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) as the best man for the vacant chairmanship slot of the PDP based on his fatherly figure.

    “We will struggle hard to produce a strong, effective and result-oriented party chairman. In fact, the Supreme Court’s verdict has affirmed Ahmed Makarfi as the real power house of PDP.

    “We are now expecting another chairman and we are going to get that. I am giving my full support for the chairmanship position to George because he is the most experienced.

    “George being my choice does not, however, have overriding opinion over other members of the party. Everybody is welcome to support the candidates of their choice.

    “I am picking George because of his experience as a party faithful, who will ensure reconciliation of all aggrieved members of the party. Experience is the best teacher,’’ Babatope said.

    Babatope, also a former Minister of Transport and Aviation during the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, advised that whoever emerged as the PDP chairman should ensure full reconciliation of all the members.

  • Babatope warns of PDP’s imminent death

    Babatope warns of PDP’s imminent death

    Former Minister of Transport Chief Ebenezer Babatope yesterday warned of the imminent death of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), if anti-democratic forces continue to work against its unity.
    Babatope, who spoke at a news conference in Lagos, said “divisive forces are back at their old games”, noting that they were concocting new scenario by merely zoning the party’s national chairman to the South.
    He said: “We know that they are back at their old game. We understand they are even concocting a new scenario by merely zoning the National Chairman position to the South without the traditional specificity of the particular place in the South.
    “This is not acceptable to us. This is blatant treachery and a dubious attempt to rob the Southwest of our just deserve. We will not take this lying low. Out of all the six geographical zones, the Southwest is the only zone that has never occupied the position of the National Chairman.
    “We are ready to fight. We are willing to dig into the trenches to protect and defend what is our right. If they are stubborn and indifferent to our position, we are capable and willing to help them pull down the house,” he warned.
    Babatope said it was unfortunate the forces that marred the last PDP Convention in Port Harcourt were again toying with the soul of the party.
    He added: “I want to talk to you today with deliberate forthrightness, with deep sense and consciousness of a concerned elder, who cannot afford to sit down quietly and pretend everything is going on well in my party.
    “In truth and in fact, the PDP is terribly ailing, sick, prostrated by greed hobbled by selfishness, stricken by the absence of equity and maimed by the dark conspiracies of little men, who want to play God.
    “We lost the last election in 2015 because the highest hierarchy of our party was hijacked and swindled by fly–by-night mercenaries, who virtually shoved aside men and women of character and impeccable merit and moral distinction, who in more enlightened times, could have helped us secure a deserved victory.”
    The PDP chieftain explained that the forces have become so potent that the party needed extra-caution to survive the onslaught by the “untested characters that had descended on it”.
    He warned: “While some of us are ready, willing and capable of rescuing our party from plunging into a destructive abyss and permanent forfeiture, some people who are overwhelmed by inordinate ambition are blindly insisting on a narrow provincial self-elevation to the detriment of the greater good of the party.
    “The founding fathers insisted that every tribe, that every tongue, that every geo-political zone must all have a sense of belongingness and a sense of equal participation in the affairs of our party.
    “The PDP zoning principle was to cultivate our common bond and our common brotherhood. In this rotational platform, all major positions in the party hierarchy were to be distributed evenly and appropriately among the zones.”

  • Babatope condemns DSS ‘invasion’

    Babatope condemns DSS ‘invasion’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member, Ebenezer Babatope, has criticised the detention of government officials and lawmakers in Ekiti State.

    He said it was wrong for the DSS to invade the Assembly.

    Babatope cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against what he called “selective justice” in his anti-corruption crusade.

    The PDP stalwart spoke yesterday when he visited  Governor Ayo Fayose in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.

    He said alleged selective anti-corruption crusade could become counter-productive in a democracy.

    The former Minister of Transport and Aviation described the DSS and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as “a mere distraction”.

    Babatope alleged that DSS’ activities of late have become “a dent to political decency”, which should be condemned.

    He said: “We want justice but not selective justice in Nigeria. Divide and rule can never last in the country.

    “I am praying for President Buhari to succeed, but if he should go out of his way, he may miss the way.

    “I’m one with the governor and the party. They will fail. Those who are not fighting the cause of the people will never succeed.

    “I’m an Awo trained person. I don’t have any grudge against EFCC or DSS.

    “ The forceful arrest would not work. Obasanjo did it before and it failed, I’m in the PDP.”

  • Allegation of corruption against me baseless, says Babatope

    Allegation of corruption against me baseless, says Babatope

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) member and Chairman, Governing Council, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Chief Ebenezer Babatope yesterday dismissed the allegation of corruption against him and the Rector, Dr. Kudirat Ladipo.

    Describing the allegation that Mrs. Ladipo gave him N75 million as a deliberate attempt to malign him, the former Transport Minister said the allegation was malicious and mischievous.

    He added that he would reflect on the damage to his reputation in his memoir.

    Babatope said the allegation was spurious, wondering why some elements could think that he could suddenly indulge in corruption, which he had shunned in the last 72 years.

    He told reporters in Lagos that his lawyers have also taken up the case.

    Babatope said: “The allegation that the rector gave me N75 million was baseless. What do I want to do with N75 million. My law firm is taking up the matter. I am 72. I have served the country as a minister and in other capacities. No one born of woman can prove any allegation of corruption against me.

    “I was trained by our great leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He taught me to be contented and avoid corruption.”

    The Chairman of the Governing Council said the council was satisfied with the achievements of the rector in the last two years, especially in the areas of human capital and infrastructural development.

    The former minister lamented the campaign of calumny against the rector, saying that it was a deliberate attempt to divert her attention and bring her down through falsehood and character assassination in the media.

    Babatope added: “The petitions against her are not new. The inspector-general of police, head of service of the federation, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Governing Council have investigated the allegations. “The petitions are frivolous, spurious, provoked by vendetta to fan the embers of parochialism. The petitioner has continued to deepen his evil conceptions and fabrications, based on shameless and blatant lies.”

    The rector also denied the allegations, saying that she had made transparency and accountability her watchword.

    She said: “I have served Yabatech as a teacher for 22 years before my appointment. I saw my appointment as a divine call to serve to improve the infrastructural development of the college and move the great institution forward.

    “I have been running around soliciting for funds to develop the school. I met abandoned projects. We have improved the IGR and we have been able to sustain the projects through the IGR.”