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Tag: Pascal Atuma

  • Pascal Atuma’s Imported Wives premieres in style

    Pascal Atuma’s Imported Wives premieres in style

    EbonyLife Cinema came alive as film lovers gathered for the premiere of ‘Imported Wives,’ a gripping drama exploring love, migration, and cultural tension.

    Directed by Pascal Atuma and produced by Dr. Oscar Atuma, the film tells the story of a Nigerian man in Canada, who returns home to find a traditional wife. But once she joins him abroad, their dream marriage starts to fall apart under the weight of culture shock and mismatched expectations.

    The film explores the popular Japa syndrome and how it affects relationships, especially for Nigerians living in the diaspora.

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    The film features sterling performances from Omoni Oboli, Patience Ozokwor, Nancy Isime, and Joseph Benjamin.

    The emotional story had the audience reflecting on how love and tradition mix in today’s world.

    The director explained that the film was inspired by a desire to address the growing marital challenges faced by African families living abroad.

    In his words, “It’s becoming an epidemic,” he said. “If you look at African marriages in the U.S. and Canada, the divorce rate is as high as 80%. In the last five years alone, we’ve lost 10 Nigerians in the U.S. and three in Canada due to issues linked to this problem. I want to use this film to highlight and hopefully help solve it.”

  • Pascal Atuma’s ‘Imported Wives’ premieres in cinemas May 30

    Pascal Atuma’s ‘Imported Wives’ premieres in cinemas May 30

    Nigerian-born Canadian filmmaker Pascal Atuma has announced plans to premiere his latest film project, ‘Imported Wives’ on May 30.

    The filmmaker and sport enthusiast made this known on his birthday on Saturday, February 22.

    He said: “So, as I mark another birthday, I am happy to announce the official premiere date of my new project, ‘Imported Wives.’ This movie will go to the theaters on May 30th, 2025, via Niles Entertainment, and I assure you it is worth every minute you’ll spend watching it.”

    Read Also: Pascal Atuma floats Tabic sports agency months after film release

    Continuing, Atuma said:”It’s a movie that explores the culture shock that many immigrants may face in today’s world, where travel is top of many people’s bucket lists; as a traveler who has stayed extensively in America and Canada, this movie, although complete fiction, is inspired by stories from my encounters across the world that I believe are worth sharing.”

    ‘Imported Wives’ features some of Nollywood bests including Nancy Isime, Omoni Oboli, Joseph Benjamin, and Funky Mallam.

    The film has Joy Njemobi Madubuike as the executive producer.

    Atuma expressed gratitude to God for good health, new year and great tidings as he celebrates saying “I thank God for the gift of another year’s circle. He has shown me grace and favor as I mark another February 22nd in good health, productivity, and love from my family, friends, and associates. This past year has been filled with many blessings, and I count them in thanksgiving to God.”

  • Pascal Atuma floats Tabic sports agency months after film release

    Pascal Atuma floats Tabic sports agency months after film release

    Months after the release of his latest flick, ‘Imported Wives,’ filmmaker, Pascal Atuma has floated a FIFA-certified sports management company, Tabic Sports Agency.

    The sports agency officially launched operations in Lagos, Nigeria with a call for partnerships at all levels of government to boost grassroots sports development in the country.

    The agency, co-founded by Atuma, announced its mission to identify, nurture, and represent football talent from Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.

    At a recent conference, Atuma spotlighted Tabic Sports’ commitment to bridging the gap between untapped sports potential and the opportunities in international football.

    According to Atuma and his team, the initiative is aimed at fostering collaboration between government, private agencies, and local communities to transform Nigerian football.

    Speaking at the launch, Atuma described the agency as the culmination of a vision he has pursued for over four decades. He emphasized the need for structured collaboration to create pathways for young athletes.

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    “We’ve spent 41 years dreaming of this opportunity, and now that it’s here, we want to use Tabic Sports to change the narrative of sports in Nigeria,” Atuma said. “But to do this, we need the government at all levels, federal, state, and local to partner with us. The system must work for these players, and that requires policies, funding, and collaboration.”

    Prince Adebanjo, co-founder of Tabic Sports, outlined the agency’s key focus areas and stressed the importance of government involvement in grassroots programs. He further explained that collaboration with local governments is crucial to reaching rural communities where many young athletes remain undiscovered due to poverty and lack of infrastructure.

    In a bid to promote gender inclusivity, Tabic Sports has committed to representing both male and female athletes equally. Atuma encouraged parents to support their daughters in pursuing careers in sports.

    The agency’s first major project, a partnership with the Katsina State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, will kick off in January 2024, bringing international scouts to evaluate young footballers in the state. Tabic Sports hopes this initiative will serve as a model for similar collaborations with other states across the country.

  • Atuma signs partnership deal to develop sports academy in Katsina

    Atuma signs partnership deal to develop sports academy in Katsina

    Popular Nigerian filmmaker based in Canada, Pascal Atuma, has announced a partnership deal to develop the Katsina state sports academy.

    Atuma recently made this known in a statement where he announced his excitement about the new step.

    He noted that his quest to nurture young talents in Nigeria is one of the reasons he decided to enter into the partnership.

    According to him:  “It is with immense pride that I announce a groundbreaking milestone in our quest to nurture young talents in Nigeria. With years of experience in the talent industry, spanning film, television, music, and football, I recognize the importance of support in unlocking youthful potential.

    “While some societies have made significant strides in talent development, Nigeria must also prioritize empowering its abundant young talent. This conviction drives my excitement about our innovative tripartite partnership between Tabic Sporting Outfit, Katsina State Ministry of Youths & Sports Development/Katsina Football Academy, and Bondy Football Academy, Paris, France. “

    Continuing and speaking on the partnership, Atuma said, “This collaborative effort aims to discover and cultivate Nigeria’s hidden football gems in Katsina State, providing them with the resources and expertise to reach their full potential and become world-class athletes.

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    “Together, we will identify and develop raw talent, provide top-tier training and mentorship, and foster international exposure and opportunities. This partnership embodies our commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth and shaping the future of football excellence.

    “During our last meeting where the details of the agreement was hashed, the Katsina State government was represented by the Commissioner for Youth & Sports Development Hon. Lawal Aliyu Zakari, Sani Mustapha Bello (Chairman Sports Committee, Katsina State House of Assembly) and Ahmed Mohammed (Chairman- Katsina Football Academy).”

    The partnership, according to Atuma, is aimed at discovering and developing new and young football talents in Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole.

     Katsina Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Lawal Aliyu Zakari during the meeting held at the Bondy Academy headquarters in Paris, France explained its commitment to the project as a mandate by the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency Mal. Dikko Umaru Radda to seek out and  form strategic partnerships across the globe for the development of youths and sports.

    “This partnership represents a new dawn for youth and sports development in Katsina State, Nigeria, and Africa, and its potential impact is substantial. With the right support and resources, Nigeria’s young talents can shine on the global stage,” Zakari said. 

  • Pascal Atuma returns with Imported Wives

    Pascal Atuma returns with Imported Wives

    Nigerian cum Canadian filmmaker and actor, Pascal Atuma has returned to the big screen with a themed flick entitled ‘Imported Wives.’

    The new flick, Atuma said, was executive produced by Joy Njemobi Madubuike and features Nancy Isime, Patience Ozokwor, Benjamin Joseph, Omoni Oboli, Linda Osifo, Lucy Ameh, Ngozi Nwosu, Saeed Muhamed, and Saralynn Millington.

    The film tells the story of a man in Canada, who returns to Nigeria to pick a wife and returns to Canada with the wife.

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    The intrigues and drama, according to Atuma, joins the conversation of Nigerian wives, who turn against their husbands after getting exposed to the western culture and traditions.

    In a brief chat, Atuma disclosed that the film, which is being distributed by Moses Babatope led Nile Media Entertainment Group, is scheduled for release in cinemas in 2024.

    It was further gathered that the film was filmed in Nigeria and Canada for a total of one year and eight months.

  • Filmmaker praises Super Eagles, talks Nigeria’s challenges on 52nd birthday

    Filmmaker praises Super Eagles, talks Nigeria’s challenges on 52nd birthday

    Canadian-Nigerian actor, screenwriter, film producer and director Pascal Atuma has heaped praises on the Super Eagles while lamenting the current state of the nation on his 52nd birthday.

    The socially-conscious filmmaker made this known in a statement on Thursday, February 22 on his official Instagram handle with videos and pictures.

    “Today is my birthday, but as much as I am very grateful to God for life, I still face the realities of today’s Nigeria. 

    “My family and friends want to celebrate with me but I cannot justify the celebration,” Atuma began in his statement. 

    He queried economic challenges facing the country saying, “Are we celebrating Naira exchanging at N1800 to a dollar? Are we celebrating the masses gradually dying of hunger? 

    “Are we celebrating diesel at N1500 per liter? Are we celebrating the kidnapping of innocent citizens? Are we celebrating government broad day robbery under the guise of “cash transfer” to Nigerians whose identification we don’t know? 

    “Or are we celebrating one kilogram of chicken selling at N6500? What could justify a celebration in Nigeria as we know it today?

    ” Should I be celebrating the reality that my village, Iberenta Ibere, in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, will become wholly cut off come the next rainy season if nothing is done urgently to arrest the gully erosions?”

    However, Atuma paused to heap praises on the Super Eagles, saying the team’s bravery at the 2024 AFCON  remains the seemingly positive achievement to celebrate.

    “What is there to celebrate? Maybe celebrate the bravery of the Super Eagles at the just concluded African Cup of Nations? Yes, that is positive; at least it reminded us of the strength in our diversity and what we can accomplish as a nation when we come together. 

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    “It reminded us that Western religion and ethnic and tribal divides were all weapons imported from the Western world and should not destroy our nation. Yes, the Super Eagles’ accomplishment in the just concluded African Cup of Nations is the only positive thing to celebrate that has recently happened to Nigeria,” he wrote.

    Atuma noted that prayers alone will not save the country but with hard work and dedication.

    “I hope this hardship will serve as a wake-up call to the process and the persons we select for political positions in Nigeria moving forward. 

    “We must know that no country ever prayed for prosperity without work and that we need industries rather than religious stadiums. 

    “We cannot continue to have elected political officeholders who become Lords/Billionaires overnight, simply for the fact that they were elected to serve the masses. 

    “Nigeria cannot continue like this; the earlier we work together to save Nigeria, the better for all of us. Nigerians must wake up before it is too late. Nigerians know those who used elected offices to steal billions. 

    “We know those who did not add any economic value but cashed in on petroleum subsidies. We have seen governors who became more prosperous than the states where they ruled for four to eight years. They should return the money so that starvation will cease to be the order of the day in Nigeria.

    “This is the second consecutive year where I happened to be in Nigeria for my birthday and we can all say for sure that Nigeria is in total shambles and disarray!! Prayers cannot save Nigeria; we must wake up before the ship sinks completely! This is the worst Nigeria that I have witnessed since I was born! We have never degenerated to this level before, NEVER! We need visionary leaders to turn things around and reverse our path. Long live Nigeria, and may God bless the children of Africa!”