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Tag: Content creators

  • Lagos warns content creators against using children in harmful online content

    Lagos warns content creators against using children in harmful online content

    The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to content creators, influencers and digital media producers over the use of children in online content that violates child protection laws, saying offenders risk criminal prosecution.

    The warning was contained in a joint statement released by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.

    The government said the directive followed growing concerns about the portrayal and involvement of minors in digital content that could be harmful, exploitative or degrading, particularly on social media platforms.

    According to the statement, children are a legally protected and vulnerable group under Nigerian law and must not be exposed to content that undermines their dignity, safety or psychological wellbeing.

    “Involving minors in content that depicts abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also contrary to existing laws designed to protect children,” the statement read.

    The government stressed that creating, distributing or profiting from content that sexualises, exploits or endangers minors constitutes a criminal offence under several legal frameworks.

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    It cited Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), which prohibit exploitative child labour and all forms of child abuse, as well as Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), which deal with sexual offences against children.

    The statement also referenced Section 23 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), which criminalises child pornography and related online offences, and Section 24 of the same Act, which prohibits cyberstalking and online harassment. In addition, Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act provides for up to 14 years’ imprisonment for the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

    Reaffirming the state’s position, the Lagos State Government said it maintains zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse and will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with existing laws.

    “We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and take necessary action to address violations of child protection laws when they occur,” the statement said.

    Content creators were urged to familiarise themselves with applicable legal provisions and to prioritise the safety, dignity and overall wellbeing of children in all forms of creative expression.

    The government also encouraged members of the public to report cases of child abuse through designated reporting channels provided, stressing that child protection is a shared responsibility.

  • ‘How influencer empowers content creators, others’

    ‘How influencer empowers content creators, others’

    Popular influencer and content creator manager, Sam Adedoyin, popularly known as Ayrubber, has reiterated his commitment to taking content creators and musical artists to unprecedented heights.

    As a driving force in Nigeria’s entertainment scene,  the founder of TeamSam, a cutting-edge talent management company, Ayrubber has been instrumental in supporting numerous influencers and content creators across Africa and Europe through  content direction, idea generation, and tools support.

    He recently launched the “Talk to Mr. Sam” initiative, offering personalised guidance to influencers through one-on-one calls. This innovative programme addresses pressing industry challenges, including algorithm dependency and platform changes, burnout and mental health strain, privacy and security concerns, unstable income, creative block and content fatigue, brand deals and sponsorship pressure, financial and legal liabilities, and  work-life balance challenges.

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    Described as the biggest influencer and content creator manager in Africa, he  continues to support numerous influencers and content creators across Africa and Europe.

     Through TeamSam, he provides comprehensive support, mentorship, and strategic guidance to budding artists and content creators. His innovative approach to talent management has yielded results.

    Through his commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, he has elevated Nigeria’s entertainment profile globally, inspired a new generation of creative entrepreneurs, pioneered fresh trends and industry standards, while  providing a platform for emerging talents  to shine.

    Ayrubber noted that he is poised to expand TeamSam’s reach, embrace emerging markets, foster strategic partnerships, amplify African talents worldwide, and remain a pivotal catalyst for the country’s entertainment growth.

  • FG cautions content creators against negative narratives

    FG cautions content creators against negative narratives

    The Federal Government has admonished the new generation of content creators and social media influencers to moderate negative rhetorics about Nigeria.

    The government said they should prioritise the nation‘s interests by upholding the highest ethical standards in the expression and delivery of their crafts.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in Abuja on Friday at an event to celebrate the National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the 2024 National Global Media and Information Literacy Week is themed, “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information”.

    The event is organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, Open University of Nigeria.

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    “If we want Nigeria to grow, we cannot emphasise always on the negatives.

    “While It is important that we criticise and hold government and other leaders to account because that is the role of the media, but it is also critical that in reporting, we prioritise national interest.

    “We cannot expect the country to grow and having people to come and invest, when all we push out all the time is negative.

    “There are lots of positive information coming out of Nigeria and it is our duty to be patriotic when reporting so that Nigeria can reach its desired destination of prosperity that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu talks about,” he said.

    The Minister condemned the proliferation of fake news on social media, warning that, if not curbed, it posed an existential threat to the unity, peace, and development of the country.

    Idris, hailed UNESCO for championing the global initiative to stem the tide of fake news especially in Nigeria through the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in the country.

    He stated that misinformation and disinformation are not unique to Nigeria but represent a global menace that requires collective responsibility to sanitise social media and establish an information channel free from fake news.

    In his remarks, UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, reiterated the commitment of the Organisation to support Media Information Literacy (MIL) in Nigeria.

    (NAN) 

  • Content creators to get govt grant

    Content creators to get govt grant

    Content creators have been urged to apply for support funds to promote their passion

    National President of Practitioners of Content Creating, Skit-making, and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN), Michael Nwabufo, (Mike Premium), said this in Lagos.

    According to him, the association applied for grants through Bank of Industry (BoI), and it will be released this month.

    He said: “This briefing is to inform that we applied for Federal Government grant through Bank of Industry , and we will get it this October.

    “At least, one to three million naira will be sent to each person’s bank account, and upcoming creators will benefit.

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    “We will partner a bank to receive the grants. All they have to do is follow @pccsign on instagram, click the link on bio, register and they will know when disbursement starts.

    “The money will help them grow and be successful content creators and influencers.”

    Nwabufo stressed PCCSIGN is trying its best, saying: “We saw an opportunity to benefit young creators and models, so we approach government.

    “As ambassador of Corporate Affairs Commission, I will sponsor the business registration of 100 upcoming creators/influencers. PCCSIGN has partnered Police to help creators be recognised to avoid wrong profiling or harassment…’’

  • Open letter to content creators

    Open letter to content creators

    Sir: The population of Nigerians creating and earning from contents has certainly reduced the number of job seekers and dependants in the country. This is also healthy for the economy, safety and sanity of the country. However, as content creators in the country, we have a role that is more sensitive than we seem to be mindful of. The mobile phone has become the new television and those of us who are constantly seen on social media today will determine what the country will see in the future. We, as content creators, are the joy givers but we must understand that beneath the joy we give is a subtle direction for the future of the country. A lot of learning, comprehension and mind-modelling go on under the guise of humour. This is because humour is a universal language that is understood and appreciated in all human cultures.

    The advent of content creation on social media in Nigeria today can be likened to the oil boom of the 1970s. Just like many Nigerians now consider the discovery of crude oil to be more of a problem to the country than a blessing, and would say that the country probably would have got it right if we had had to live with our agro-based economy, the boom of content creation may equally become some good or doom to our tomorrow even if it fills today with laughter. The contents we create today may help us smile to the bank but are we sure they will not stab us in the back?

    We have to recognise ourselves as major change makers whose impact transcends factors such as age, class and gender. We have the gifts of penetrating people’s hearts without seeking their consent. Since the heart is like a slate, what are we inscribing on these vulnerable minds who like us helplessly because of our gifts?

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    We must remind ourselves that just like films, music, novels, plays and poems, our contents must carry messages. Second, beyond the general messages of our contents, we also have to help our society return to the values and virtues which used to be embodied in our folklores, tales and songs. Values such as honesty, perseverance, hard work, diligence, transparency, responsibility, accountability, dignity of labour, moderacy and moderation are social currencies which bring stability to any country and we can, as content creators, establish the importance of upholding them firmly through our skits and other contents.

    Third, it is no news that the venture of content creation has become a very lucrative one with many prosperous content creators. Rather than engaging in show-offs, we should start thinking of how to give back to society from God’s kindness to us. This awareness is important because most content creators are relatively young and may think more in terms of “rocking life”. We must know that we are never too young to start contributing our bits to the development of the country.

    Fourth, content creators should embrace collaboration and help the budding ones grow. We do not go down by raising others. Instead, we go higher.

    I end this piece by letting us know that beyond the quest for gain, we have the task of making our country great as content creators. By so doing, we will be writing our name in gold for posterity.

    •Ganiu Bamgbose, PhD, Lagos State University, Ojo.

  • How aspiring content creators can position themselves for success, by Belove Olocha

    How aspiring content creators can position themselves for success, by Belove Olocha

    Aspiring content creators should begin their journey by identifying their strengths and areas of interest, and then develop a unique approach to discussing these topics to build a loyal audience, according to Belove Chibuenyi Olocha, popularly known as Belove Olocha. 

    Belove Olocha, a rising star in digital content creation, acting, and social commentary, recently shared her insights at an entertainment event in Lagos.

    She has gained significant recognition for her engaging commentary on social issues, entertainment trends, and reality TV shows across various social media platforms. 

    Her journey offers valuable lessons for those looking to carve a niche and build a successful career in digital media.

    A key factor in Belove Olocha’s rise to prominence has been her ability to find and refine her unique voice. 

    She combines humour, analysis, and social insight to discuss topics that resonate with a broad audience, particularly popular reality TV shows like Big Brother Naija (BBNaija). 

    By presenting a distinct perspective and maintaining an authentic style, Belove has managed to stand out in a crowded digital space.

    She advises new content creators to focus on developing their own voice and style, which can help them differentiate themselves from others and attract a dedicated audience.

    Belove has successfully leveraged social media platforms to expand her reach and grow her following. 

    Her commentary is frequently shared across TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, where she actively engages with her fans and followers. 

    She emphasizes the importance of not just posting content, but also interacting with audiences to build a strong connection. 

    Aspiring content creators can learn from her approach by engaging actively with their followers on multiple platforms, experimenting with different types of content, and using analytics tools to understand what works best for their audience.

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    Belove’s collaboration with Team BBNaija and TikTok Nigeria for the 2023/2024 BBNaija season, where she hosted live eviction streams for evicted housemates, demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in amplifying a content creator’s reach. 

    Such collaborations with established brands, influencers, or organizations can significantly boost visibility and access to larger audiences. 

    Belove’s experience highlights the importance of networking and forming relationships with industry stakeholders to create opportunities for growth and visibility.

    In 2023, Belove was invited by TikTok Nigeria to speak at the TikTok Nollywood November event, where she shared her experiences as a digital content creator.

    She believes that speaking engagements and public appearances are vital for positioning oneself as a thought leader in the industry. 

    These opportunities help build credibility and expand professional networks. 

    She encourages aspiring creators to seek out similar opportunities—whether it’s speaking at events, participating in panels, or featuring on podcasts—to share their journey, insights, and expertise.

    Belove’s content remains timely and aligned with current trends, which keeps her relevant and helps attract new followers. 

    She advises content creators to stay updated with industry trends, understand their audience’s preferences, and be flexible enough to adapt their content accordingly. This adaptability ensures continued engagement and helps in growing a platform’s reach.

    While Belove initially focused on commentary about social issues and reality TV, she has since diversified her content to include podcasts and collaborations with major brands like MultiChoice, Pepsi, and Indomie. She also has ambitions to make a significant impact in the film industry. This diversification strategy not only keeps her audience engaged but also creates multiple revenue streams. Aspiring content creators should consider expanding into different types of content and platforms to reach a broader audience and secure long-term growth.

    Authenticity and consistency are two pillars of Belove Olocha’s content strategy. She connects deeply with her audience by staying true to her unique style and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. 

    She advises aspiring content creators to focus on being genuine in their messaging and interactions, as this builds trust and fosters a loyal community of followers.

    Belove Olocha’s journey from a red-carpet host to a recognized content creator and social commentator provides a practical blueprint for aspiring content creators. 

    By focusing on finding a unique voice, leveraging social media, building strategic partnerships, embracing opportunities, staying relevant with trends, diversifying content, and maintaining authenticity, new creators can effectively position themselves for success in the highly competitive digital landscape.

  • How to enhance collaboration between digital content creators, by Adeloye 

    How to enhance collaboration between digital content creators, by Adeloye 

    Digital content creator, Dedayo Adeloye, a.k.a the Lagos Bearded Guy, has called for collaboration between digital content creators across the world, noting that the synergy will further strengthen the content creation industry. 

    Adeloye spoke recently at the YouTubeForFilmMakers 2024 event in Lagos. At the event, Adeloye who bagged an award at the creation challenge, harped on the importance of collaboration.

    In a statement, he said: “I proposed an innovative idea aimed at enhancing collaboration between creators worldwide. 

    “This idea stemmed from my recent success in winning the Creation Challenge Awards, where I showcased the power of collaboration by crafting an entire short film in one captivating shot. 

    “My proposal involves introducing a feature on the platform that facilitates seamless collaboration between two creators from different parts of the globe. 

    “I firmly believe it has the potential to revolutionize the YouTube platform.”

  • MTN showers cash on content creators

    MTN has splashed cash rewards on its content creators. The cash reward was presented to them when the telecoms giant hosted content creators to a dinner and awards night at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

    On the occasion, ‘3SixtyWorld’ stole the show as it went home with a total of N7.150million

    3SixtyWorld had been dropping his creative works on the MTN Shortz platform and a lot of people liked them.

    He received his first award for the night, a plaque and a cheque for a whopping sum of N3.5 million.

    A few minutes later, he was called up to receive the award for Best Local Content which was valued at N2.2 million.

    A couple of minutes later, he won the award for the Most Trending Channel on Social Media, which also fetched him N1.450 million. In total, he won N7.150 million.

    3SixtyWorld was not the only content creator that was rewarded. Arial View pipped him to the award of Best Engaged and Responsive Content Provider which came with  N3.5 million cash prize

     

  • MTN to reward content creators at digital content confab

    In a bid to enhance creativity and ensure Nigerians get rewarded for the content they create, MTN Nigeria will be hosting content creators and aggregators to a digital conference November between 4 and 5.

    The telco says Nigerians are very imaginative, adding that all that is need to confirm the abundance of creativity in the country is to visit platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter stressing that one would be amazed at the number of hilarious and fantastic contents dished out daily.

    Many content creators in the country complain of not getting the proper reward for their creativity. The Digital Content Conference 2018 will focus on enabling content creators to get monetised reward for their talent.

    The two days digital content conference will have a workshop session with content creators and aggregators and an award ceremony for subscribers, content creators, owners and aggregators.

    The people to be rewarded were selected after a call for entry campaign, which ran between October 7 and 24.  MTN Nigeria will announce and celebrate the winners during the award ceremony on November 6.

    Award categories include Best Local Channel, Best Local Content, the Most Trending Channel on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter Only), Best Engaged Content Provider amongst others.

    Content creators can participate in this conference aimed at increasing content revenue growth by subscribing to MTN Shortz via *700*1# or send a DM to MTNNG on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

  • OAPs recount experiences on YouTube

    OAPs recount experiences on YouTube

    •As platform marks 10 years of video sharing

    It was a night of glamour as YouTube hosted top Nigerian YouTube content creators at a dinner to mark 10 years of its video sharing experiences.

    The event, which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel and Resort on Victoria Island, Lagos, had the likes of Olisa Adibua, Toke Makinwa and Ariyike Akinbobola among others in attendance.

    Speaking at the event, Adibua, a veteran broadcaster recounted how he got inspired while growing up in the United Kingdom and how he got a contract job with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA 5) at the age of 17 when he arrived Nigeria.

    He further noted that he contributed to the success stories of many Nigerian artistes, naming popular musicians like Eldee, StyPlus, D-Banj among those he helped to boost their careers, especially through Big Brother Nigeria.

    The co-founder of Storm Records and one of the brains behind Big Brother Nigeria however, advised younger on-air-personalities (OAP) on how to excel on the job.

    He said: “When you are on radio for instance, you have an instant power. I’ve several times paid fines to the National Broadcasting Commission. But why do I have to pay this much to them, when they are richer than me.

    “I tell young people to read a lot, because not reading wide is their problem. They don’t read. They believe presentation is just all about sitting in front of the camera. If you must succeed in this business especially in the global scale, you have to read about different things going on within your locality and around the world.

    “If you want to interview a person, it is just wise for you to do a background check about the person. So you need to read to be ahead of your interviewee.”

    For Toke Makinwa of TokeMoment, her passion for what she does has been the backbone of her continuity.

    On TokeMoment, she runs a regular monologue on everything from self-improvement to relationship issues in a loose and funny manner.

    “When I started out on YouTube, I was not aware of the financial benefits of using YouTube. I would just upload videos and be happy that they get good number of views. It was much later in 2013 that I got to know that I could monetize my contents to earn money.

    “I find joy when I run into ladies at shopping malls outside the country and they identify me and can easily relate their issues with me. It gives me a lot of joy. You know, usually, people like to talk to someone who does not know them about the issues, TokeMoment has filled that space.

    “Uploading a new video every Wednesday has not been easy for me but I also know that the key thing about YouTube is consistence and I have kept at it. I must confess that YouTube has been a huge source of blessing to my life,” she recounted.

    Meanwhile, for Akinbobola, lawyer and mother of two, YouTube is an avenue for people to gather a lot of experiences and remain loyal to who they are.

    “On YouTube, I talk about relationship dynamics. I have in the past done videos on YouTube on how to spy on your nannies; I have also done videos on parenting,” she said.”But you know what, the views I get on my channel aren’t up to 5, 000. But when I don’t box myself, and do freestyle videos, amazingly, I get over 100,000 views.”

    Akinbobola, who does videos on sex and relationship, further said that her contents had been greeted with stream of criticisms, stressing: “Well, my channel is not for babies, but for adults.

    “Most times when I talk about sex, people tend to look at me as ifý it’s a no-go-area, but as a married woman, this is something I do, even, people who are not married do this. So, why do we shy away discussing it?”

    Speaking on the event, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, West Africa Communication and Public Affairs Manager said the event was aimed at leveraging the 10th anniversary of YouTube to spotlight Nigerians who in spite of all odds are constantly sharing content, and by so doing, are building their own fan bases.

    He said, “There are now more than one million channels earning revenue through the YouTube Partnership Program, in more than 30 countries, and it’s exciting to see more Partners coming on board in Nigeria too. Globally, partner revenue across YouTube has increased by 60% over the past year and partner revenue from mobile ad sales has tripled.”

    It will be recalled that in 2014, YouTube views in Nigeria increased by 78%, while views of Nigerian content increased by 95% – a testament of the role YouTube is playing in the export of Nigerian content.

    The video-sharing website headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States has become the go-to destination for video footage on the web.  The volume of content unites people from all walks of life through video.

    The night tagged: “YouTube & the Stars event” also had YouTube content group creators like Naija’s Craziest and TechCityNG.