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  • Nigerian Film Corporation partners with Agencie Francaise De Development

    THE Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has opened discussions with the French Agency for Development (Agence Francaise de Developpement) AFD to secure funds to develop the Nigerian film industry. The funding intervention, among others, will be for training and capacity building for the professional and amateur filmmakers across the country. The National Film Institute (NFI) in Jos will serve as the training fulcrum, while the Nigeria Film Corporation, proprietors of the NFI, will equally support the expected funding with the provision of physical infrastructure.

    At the same event, the NFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lagos-Paris-Arts to partner, develop, promote, develop the Nigerian creative industry. The MoU provides the attraction of direct foreign investment, transfer of technology and employment opportunities for Nigerians, with the creation of institutional linkages between African and European creative industries. The NFC and Lagos-Paris-Arts will be expected to jointly undertake outreach capacity training in film production at the NFC zonal offices across the country. Lagos-Paris-Arts shall also provide state-of-the-art learning facilities suited for the development of digital contents at the training locations.

    Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, at both events said that NFC has embarked on expanding its operations through collaboration and partnership platforms, intended to strengthening Nigeria’s position as the hub of film training and production in Africa. Dr. Maduekwe, while speaking on the envisaged funding from AFD, listed the upgrade of the Screening Auditorium at the township facility of the NFI to a standard cinema to serve Jos and contiguous states to Plateau State. Other areas are the remodelling of the facility of the newly created Northern Regional Office sited in Kaduna State, a buy in into the NFC/NFI Motorised Mobile Training Platform as well as the construction of a sound stage with knock down capabilities.

    Receiving the team from France and Lagos Paris Art, Dr. Chidia said that the visit was timely as the corporation is currently expanding her operations in several areas towards achieving the goal of making Nigeria the hub of film training in Africa through the NFI, which is now fully operational from the permanent site in Lamingo.

    The Country Director of AFD, Pascal Grangereau, said the discussion with NFC was to foster accelerated and enhanced capacity of the Nigerian Film Industry in terms of capacity building and infrastructural development. Grangereau assured that AFD will kick-start the collaboration/partnership as soon as all processes are concluded.  Also Mr. Sony O’ Jaga, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos- Paris Art expressed his committed to ensure that the content of the MoU  is executed to the fullest, and thanked the NFC for its support.

  • Seyi Adura debuts with ‘Koma Gbon’

    LONDON-BASED Nigeria singer, Oluwaseyi Mercy Adurasanmi Omotayo, also known as Seyi Adura, has debuted with a Yoruba titled single Koma Gbon on Friday September 13 to register her presence in the Nigerian music scene.

    Seyi, who is a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, has also worked in the industry before opting to establish herself in the ever evolving Afro Beats industry.

    The promising artiste announced the release of Koma Gbon on her Instagram page.

    “Seeing this is when I realised that it’s all coming together; it’s finally happening. Growing up, I’d always look at single/album covers and imagine one day that would be me. On Friday, I released my first ever single.

    Produced by StGthaprodigy, Koma gbon is a blend of soothing vocals infused with the undeniably rhythmic Afro sounds.

    Adura’s love for music started at the age of 5 where she would regularly perform at school plays, choirs and festivals.

    Raised in a Nigerian household, Seyi developed her diverse taste in music through a combination of cultural and social influences. Her church based upbringing coupled with her parents’ vast musical collection allowed her to absorb an eclectic mix of musical styles and techniques.

    She,however, lists musical greats such as Sunny Ade, Fela, Ebenezer Obey and Shina Peters as her early musical influence.

    Koma Gbon is now available on all streaming and downloading platforms.

  • O’Jerry out with ‘GO PAY’

    Multi-Talented compere and vocalist O’Jerry debuts with a fresh hot single track, titled: ‘Go Pay,’ produced by Suplia Beats. Presented in an ingenious blend of vernacular and Yoruba, the warm-hearted Media Relations Ninja delivers a melodic Afro-pop rendition full of positivity, energy and goodwill.

    With Go Pay, O’Jerry fuses his astounding pop-fuji vocals with Afrobeat rhythms to convey a stimulating message of perseverance to Nigerians and the world at large.

    O’Jerry is inspired by Adekunle Gold, LKT, Barry Jhay, Reekado Banks, Ibejii, Praiz, Rayce, among other vocal authorities in the Nigerian music sphere.

    The refreshing new single is also available online on itunes, boomplay and all music download sites.

  • Judgement: I didn’t go into trauma because of FEC – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he was not traumatized during the delivering Presidential Election Petition Tribunal judgment on Wednesday.

    The judgement was delivered in favour of President Buhari as the winner of the February 2019 election and against the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Speaking while receiving governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Aso Rock, the President said that he was not traumatized as he was presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting throughout the duration of the judgement at the Court of Appeal.

    He said “On this judgement, again it was a fabulous coincidence that it came almost the same time the first Federal Executive Council meeting of this government was taking place. It lasted about the same time with the judgement.

    “I thank God for that because I think would have gone into trauma or something. So I was busy trying to concentrate on the memo. The first memo was on the budget and it took more than five hours. So, while you were doing your thing for nine hours, we were doing our for about seven hours here.

    “It is a very interesting coincidence and I thank God for it because I would have been in trauma or something of that sort.

    Read Also: Tribunal Victory: Buhari’s supporter battling to survive multiple stabs by angry neighbour

    So thank very much for sharing the glory with us. What I will say to your congratulations the chairman of the party and the governors is that we make sure that we really institutionalized the party, so that when we leave the stage the party will continue to lead.” he said

    Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu said they were in the Villa to congratulate the President over the judgement.

    He said: “We are here to celebrate your victory and that of our party at the tribunal. I say big congrats to you.
    “We don’t know how it happened, but it was televised live for Nigerians to see for transparency. It silenced all doubts. We never doubted your positions and now the law has affirmed it too.

    “It was noteworthy that you were not even distracted as you chaired the FEC on day of judgement.”

    He commended Buhari’s Social investments programmes on rail, infrastructure, social investment all taking place under his administration

    On his part, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole said,” On behalf of the National Working Committee congratulate you on the outcome of the judgement that was delivered two days ago (Wednesday) at the Court of Appeal.

    “We never had doubts that you won your votes. All the issues raised by our opponents were trashed out one after the other by the Justices that sat on the panel.

    “But of particular interest to us Mr. President as members of the Progressive family is that we are all aware that the only asset Mr. President has invested and continues to invest in your political journey and your political project is your integrity.”

    He pointed out that the PDP has no one in their midst that has the image and integrity of President Buhari.

    The Governors at the Villa were Simon Lalong of Plateau State who also is Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Mohammed Inuwa of Gombe, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, among others.

    Also at the meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

  • Tribunal Victory: Buhari’s supporter battling to survive multiple stabs by angry neighbour

    A supporter of President Muhammad Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Elvis Omoiri, is currently battling for his life after an angry neighbour allegedly stabbed him multiple times with a broken bottle, in Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta state.

    The Nation gathered that Omoiri was attacked after an ensuing argument between him and his neighbour, identified as Best Uduophori, over the President’s tribunal victory on Wednesday.

    According to reports, his attacker, believed to be a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member, runs a bar around the Okoloba area of Effurun and is currently at large.

    The victim is said to be struggling to survive at an undisclosed hospital over injuries he sustained on his neck, head and other body parts.

    An APC supporter in the state, MC Paul, confirmed the incident in a social media post on Friday.

    He described the attack as inhumane and unwarranted.

    Paul said, “I have just received report of an attempted murder of one Elvis Omoiri by a neighbour, Best Uduophori who runs a beer parlor in Okoloba, Effurun, Uvwie LGA, Delta State, over a mere political argument. What are we turning politics into in this country? You want to kill someone over Buhari and Atiku tribunal matter? This is animalistic!

    “You break a bottle and stab a fellow countryman almost to the point of death over APC and PDP matters? So, someone doesn’t have right to personal opinion again in Nigeria?

    “Just few days ago, we were all against South Africans for Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. Today, it is a Nigerian that seems not to value the life of a fellow Nigerian. This is very disgusting, cruel, callous, mean and most condemnable.”

    He however called on the Nigeria Police to thoroughly investigate the matter and see through to the prosecution of the attacker, further disclosing the Warri Area Command has been briefed.

    “I learnt the matter has been reported to the Area Commander in Warri and that the Police are on the lookout for the guy, who is said to be at large at the moment.

    “The Nigerian Police Force should do everything in its power to arrest the accused at once and properly investigate this matter. Justice needs to be served and fast. Until we get serious by taking strict measures against crimes like this, Nigeria will not be safe for anyone. The perpetrator of this heinous attack should be punished accordingly,” he added.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, who expressed shock at the development, could not confirm the report, as he had not been briefed of the incident.

    As at the time of filing this report, he was yet to call back as he promised.

  • FG gets report on community policing

    The Federal Government on Friday received the report of the committee on recommendations for the establishment of State Policing.

    It also promised speedy implementation of the recommendations which include alternative funding mechanism and deployment of technology for intelligence gathering.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, received the report from the 14-member committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary, Special Services Offices (SSO), Dr. Amina Shamaki.

    Mustapha said Nigerians and indeed the present administration prides itself as having the political will to tackle the issues of insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, militants which have remained serious threats to good governance, effective service delivery and overall economic development and wellbeing of Nigerians.

    He added: “I am delighted to note that your work covered the issues of policy, institutional and legal frameworks as well as the underlying factors that impede the capacity of our security agencies to adequately contain the various manifestations of insecurity in our dear country.

    “I equally note that your work touched on the need to deploy appropriate technology in the fight against the various dimensions of criminality, the context of coordinating internal security architecture, capacity development and professionalism of security personnel, citizens’ involvement in internal security management as well as innovative funding mechanisms of security agencies and their operations and not the least, welfare of personnel.

    “I am highly delighted that you worked assiduously hard to exhaustively examine the Report of the Executive Course 40, 2018 and proposed some far-reaching recommendations, including implementation strategies aimed at reinvigorating the Internal Security framework and Community Policing in Nigeria within a short timeframe.

    “I have no doubt, therefore, that the outcome of your recommendations would enthrone a paradigm shift that will focus on Community Policing, re-orientation of citizens and building a sustainable conflict resolution process that would assist in solving the perennial security challenges in the country.

    Read Also: Street protests can’t change our leaders, says Charly Boy

    “Let me assure you that Government will critically, and without any delay whatsoever, study your Report and speedily give effect to the recommendations therein.” he said

    Speaking earlier, Shamaki said: “The Committee has proposed innovative alternative funding mechanism to ensure the provision of infrastructure, equipping agencies with modern gadgets and weapons and for the welfare and wellbeing of personnel.

    “The Committee emphasised the deployment of technology particularly, for intelligence gathering, pre-empting incidences of crime and for resolving complex investigations.

    “We highlighted the need for the Security Committees at the State and Local Government levels, to be made functional and the involvement of all strata of the society including the integration of the informal security outfits into the Community Policing Strategy.”

    The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who witnessed the report presentation, said that the time has come for the community policing to be implemented.

    He said “We have been waiting for the report. Policing should be driven from community and not uniformed police.”

    The committee’s terms of reference were: To study and analyze the findings; Recommendations and implementation strategies of the Presidential Parley Report by NIPPS and come up with policy statement for the consideration of the President.

    Other members of the committee are: Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agb, Mrs. Odunbanjo Adebisi, Sanusi Galadim, Brig Gen JO Ochai and Cdre J. N Mamman.

    Others are; Air Cdre AH Bakari, AIG David O.Folawiyo, Jimat Bakare, CP Olayinka Balogun, Dr. E.O. Adeoye, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Prof. Sani Abubakar Lugga, Dr. Nasirudeen Usman, and Tukur Yahaya, who acted as Secretary of the committee.

  • How I received news of my victory at the tribunal – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said heavy schedule of the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday held his attention for many hours, keeping him from following the court ruling that validated his victory at the polls.

    The President, who received All Progressives Congress (APC) party leaders and Progressives Governors’ Forum, at the State House, said he was happy with the outcome of the judgement.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and, Chief Femi Adesina, urged the governors to join hands in strengthening the party for the future.

    “By some coincidence, this judgement came on the same day we had the first meeting of the Federal Executive Council that lasted for seven hours. I was very busy on that day.

    “And our focus was on the budget for 2020. So while you were there at the court for nine hours of judgement, we were here for seven hours,’’ he said.

    President Buhari said the victory at the tribunal was collective as it affects all the party members, governors and Nigerians, pointing out that a contrary judgement would also have affected all members of the party.

    Read Also: FG gets report on community policing

    The President told APC party leaders and governors that there was a need to invest more into positioning the party for the future.

    “We really need to institutionalize the party so that when we leave, the party will continue to lead,’’ he said.

    The President said he joined the military “immediately’’ after secondary school and the reality of discipline carried through his years of serving the country, including fighting in the war front.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said the judgement was “eloquently and analytically” delivered to clear all doubts on the veracity of the President’s school credentials, assuring him of the party’s loyalty and support.

    “We never had any doubt. We were convinced of our victory,’’ he said. “It is of particular interest that the only asset that the President has invested and continues to invest is his integrity. And we saw some people trying to throw mud at that integrity. On personal integrity, the opposition party does not have in their rank any man or woman who has your integrity.’’

    The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State, congratulated President Buhari on the victory at the tribunal, noting that his dedication to duty and serving the country kept him at FEC meeting at the crucial moment.

    Describing the judgement as clinical, with surgical precision in dealing with all the issues raised, Governor Bagudu assured the President of the support of all APC governors, and other governors that had benefited from his leadership.

  • APC chieftain to Amaechi: forgive Senator Abe

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southsouth zone, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has urged the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to forgive the representative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District in the 7th and 8th Senate, Magnus Abe.

    He also lauded the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, led by a former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adam’s Oshiomhole, for setting plans in motion for the conduct of fresh ward, local government and state congresses of the party in Rivers, between September 17 and 28 this year.

    Eze, Friday in Port Harcourt, hailed the members of NWC of APC for putting in place the Isaac Ogbobula-led five-man caretaker committee of the party in Rivers state, in order to move to the next level.

    He noted that conducting the ward, local government and ward congresses of APC in Rivers would ensure the setting up of the party’s structures, for the task of not only reclaiming the state, but positioning APC to play the active and positive roles expected in Nigeria’s politics.

    In spite of the rejection of the caretaker committee and vowing not to participate in the congresses by Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), when Amaechi was governor, along with his supporters, Eze insisted that there was no faction in Rivers APC, but a party under the single leadership of transportation minister.

    The APC chieftain admonished senator Abe and his supporters to come to terms with the reality on the ground and prepare for the conduct of the ward, local government and state congresses, if they are still members of the party.

    On Wednesday, the factional Chairman of APC in Rivers, Chief Peter Odike, abandoned Abe and he returned to Amaechi’s mainstream of the party, but the senator accused him of inducement.

    READ ALSO: Senator Abe advises on how to resolve Rivers APC crisis

    Eze said: “Having caretaker committee in Rivers APC and planning to conduct congresses are historic steps in the right direction. The decisions of NWC of APC will not only lay to rest the division in the party, but will make Rivers APC to become a more formidable and purposeful vehicle for the rescue of the state.

    “With the appointment of a seasoned legal practitioner, Barr. Isaac Abbot Ogbobula, the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ahoada Branch in Rivers State, with over 20 years’ experience as a practicing lawyer, to chair the caretaker committee, simply demonstrates that the battle is set to reposition the party for a greater role in the politics of Nigeria and most importantly to forestall any member or outsider that will want to play any spoiler politics or become an obstacle for the great move.

    “The continued adamant stance of Abe is to keep Rivers APC in perpetual weakness, to the advantage of his sponsors. The stance could only be taken by a fellow who is desperate to destroy APC in Rivers State.”

    The APC chieftain described as enemies of the party, some persons who requested that the offices of the party in the state be shared.

  • Man kills wife for refusing to breastfeed her baby

    A commercial motorcycle rider, Kingsley Madukwe has beaten his wife; Glory Madukwe, to death for refusing to breastfeed her crying one-month-old baby.

    The incident happened on Wednesday night at the Egando, Atan – Ota, area of Ogun State.

    The traditional ruler (Baale) of the area, Chief Rafiu Gbadamosi reported it to the Police and it was learnt that the couple had a minor misunderstanding and in the ensuing disagreement, Ndukwe beat his wife to death at about 11:30 pm.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect in a release, stated that the Divisional Police Officer, Atan Ota Division, Salau Abiodun led detectives to effect arrest on the suspect.

    Read Also: Police harassing, intimidating Fatoyinbo, says group

    Abimbola; a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP) added that the Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, has given directive for the transfer of the suspect to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and intelligence Department.

    “On interrogation, the suspect an Okada rider who is an indigene of Ihiala in Anambra State, stated that his late wife and mother of eight, was having a month old baby and that the baby was crying which made him to wake his wife up to breastfeed the baby, but she refused claiming that she was too tired to breastfeed the baby at that time.

    “He stated that the victim got up and was going to the sitting room leaving the baby behind and this got him annoyed, consequent upon which he drew her back and gave her a hot slap. The woman then fell down and gave up the ghost.

    “The corpse of the victim has been deposited at the General Hospital Ota mortuary for post mortem examination.”

  • Osinbajo to represent Nigeria at Mugabe’s state funeral Saturday

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the State Funeral for former President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, on Saturday.

    Prof. Osinbajo, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, would be joining other African leaders and Heads of State expected at the occasion scheduled for the country’s National Stadium in Harare.

    Heads of State expected to attend the funeral include President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

    Read Also: Robert Mugabe (1924 – 2019)

    Mugabe, who was Zimbabwean Prime Minister and later President for 37 years altogether, up until 2017, died last week at the age of 95 in a Singaporean Hospital.

    The Vice President, who would be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials, left for Harare Friday afternoon and is expected back in Nigeria later on Saturday.