As part of the activities leading to the annual Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, the First Lady of Kogi State, Rashida Yahaya Bello will join past winners to read to children on May 27.
The board and organisers of BON awards announced during the week in Lokoja, Kogi state after a visit to the first lady. The organisers also noted that the book reading will be hosted at the State House in Lokoja.
The children would listen to the Kogi First Lady of the state, read to them in the company of Nollywood actors that include Aishat Lawal, Ali Nuhu, Lateef Adedimeji, and Yomi Fash-Lanso. Others include Gbenga Adeyinka, Fathia Williams, Adebimpe Oyebade, Biola Adebayo, and Efe Irele.
The BON book reading is an event held for children in the year’s host state for the awards.
Asides from the fact that it is the first time after the pandemic that BON Awards would be hosting a reading, the event, as usual, is scheduled to coincide with the 2021 Children’s Day celebration.
For this year, the organisers of the leading pan-Nigerian film industry awards have revealed that the official book of the year is Chinua Achebe’s ‘The Trouble with Nigeria,’ and over 1000 children from all over Kogi State are expected at the event.
The organisers of the BON awards also hinted that the event will be held on December 11 in Kogi state following Governor Yahaya Bello’s decision to accept the hosting rights on Tuesday, March 2.
Speaking on the reading, BON Awards founder Seun Oloketuyi revealed that “this is an important part of the series of events that make up BON because it is for the children, and we are glad that the First Lady graciously accepted to host the reading.”
Tade Ogidan has been saddled with the task of filming the life and times of elder statesman and revered politician, late Lateef Kayode Jakande.
The biopic, ‘Baba Kekere,’ has gotten the nod of the Jakande family after co-producers, Dele Momodu, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, and Seun Oloketuyi paid a visit to the late Jakande’s widow and children.
While a release date and timeline are yet to be announced by the producers, it has been revealed that ‘Baba Kekere’ the biopic will have Bimbo Manuel working with Ogidan ahead of pre-production scheduled for May 2021.
The movie, which according to the producers is a one-of-a-kind biopic, will dramatise the life of Jakande drawing on both public and private facts.
Dele Momodu, speaking on the reason why a biopic on Jakande was necessary said, “One of the things we want to achieve with Baba Kekere the movie is that these days, many youths believe that going into politics is merely a means to an end. They believe it is all for money and not service. The life of Jakande is a perfect example that shows that many times, politics is not about money, it is about service.”
For Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, she explained that biopics are an important kind of film to make because they remind people of historical lessons. A movie about the life and times of a phenomenal man like Jakande would be a thorough lesson for those coming after who did not get the privilege of experiencing him.”
On the choice of the title, Oloketuyi shared that Baba Kekere was a fond moniker for Jakande. “Many people referred to him fondly as Baba Kekere. He was an honest, humble politician, and till his death, he was dedicated to the service of humanity and remained a friend to the people, hence the nickname.”
Oloketuyi further revealed that his dedication to the people is one of the reasons the producers came to do a movie to honour him. “The process started about two weeks after his death, and the family has given us approval for the movie to be done,” he shared.
Jakande, who passed on in February 2021 at the age of 91, was a man of many parts in his lifetime – he was a Nigerian journalist who became governor of Lagos State, and later Minister of Works.
Christa Ludwig, widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century, has died at age 93, the Vienna State Opera said on Sunday.
The mezzo-soprano, whose repertoire ranged from Beethoven, Mozart and Mahler to Strauss, Verdi and Wagner in a career spanning nearly 50 years, died on Saturday at her home in Klosterneuburg, just outside Vienna.
Born in Berlin on March 16, 1928, Ludwig grew up in Aachen, west Germany, where her father, a tenor, also conducted at the local opera house. Her mother, too, was a mezzo-soprano.
“Singing for me was as natural as learning to walk,” she said once.
Ludwig made her operatic debut as Prince Orlofsky in Johann Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus” in Frankfurt in 1946.
Equally acclaimed as a concert performer and recitalist, Ludwig made her debt in Vienna as Cherubino in Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” on April 14, 1955.
And while she performed at all of the world’s leading opera houses such as La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London and the New York Met, and was awarded France’s Legion d’Honneur in 2010, it was the Vienna State Opera with which she became most closely associated, giving 769 performances there in 42 different roles.
Among her most memorable roles were Leonora in Beethoven’s “Fidelio”, both Octavian and Marschallin in Richard Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier”, Kundry in Wagner’s “Parsifal” and Dorabella in Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”.
She also worked with all of the world’s greatest conductors, including Otto Klemperer, Herbert von Karajan, Karl Boehm and Leonard Bernstein.
During her half-century on stage, she practised a self-discipline that she described as being similar to that of an astronaut, “thinking about her vocal cords day and night”, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol to preserve her unforgettable timbre.
Married to the Austrian bass-baritone Walter Berry for 13 years, she divorced him in 1970, and remarried French actor and director Paul-Emile Deiber in 1972.
She made her debut at the Paris Opera in November 1971 in a song recital, where she gave 10 curtain calls.
Ludwig, who worked with other legendary singers such as Maria Callas and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, said she suffered stage nerves “before and during performances, and the pleasure afterwards is quickly spoiled by thoughts about the next performance”.
“It was the very special combination of a unique voice and intelligence of interpretation that made her so special,” said the Vienna State Opera.
Milan’s La Scala opera house said: “With the death of Christa Ludwig, the music world has a lost a luminous and inimitable personality.”
She retired from the stage with a performance of the role of Clytemnestra in Strauss’s “Elektra” in December 1994 in Vienna.
Beijing city has fined four online education agencies 500,000 yuan ($76,988) each for misleading customers with false advertising, the local market regulator said on Sunday.
GSX Techedu Inc (GSX.N), TAL Education Group (TAL.N), Koolearn Technology Holding Ltd (1797.HK) and Gaosi were given the maximum fine for falsely claiming that the price for its online courses before discount was much higher than it actually was, the regulator said.
Earlier this month, the education ministry forbade online education firms from offering minors live-streamed courses and games at night, to ensure children get enough sleep.
Huda al-Matrooshi, 36, an Emirati woman who owns and runs a car repair garage, fixes a car with her team at her garage in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates April 21, 2021. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
Huda al-Matroushi is one of few Emirati women to venture into the car repair business, an industry that has long been dominated by men in the Arab world.
“I enjoy it a lot,” says Matroushi, holding up her oil-stained work glove. “Because I’m on top of my job, and it’s my business, I belong to it: I feel proud of myself.”
Cars have been a hobby for Matroushi, 36, since childhood.
“I like cars and their models and their details. I like sports cars, I like luxurious cars, even normal non-luxurious cars, I love them all.”
She turned that passion into a profession and now owns and manages a car repair shop in Sharjah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.
Matroushi’s family had doubts about her pursuing a job in car mechanics, but she asked her father to take a leap of faith with her.
“I said: ‘Dad, please trust me and you will see what I will do.’ He said: ‘OK, OK!’. Most of my family are surprised … because this project, this business, it’s not easy for ladies,” she said.
Matroushi’s male employee, Mohammed Halawani, said it was initially strange to see a woman in charge of the garage.
“But after I joined and we started working and she’d tell me: disassemble this, assemble that, [it was clear] that she has experience.”
Matroushi hopes she can transform her single garage into a big repair centre, or open more garages across the UAE.
The UAE stipulates under new legislation that came into effect last month that UAE-based companies must have at least one woman on their board of directors.
Netflix has announced plans to feature Ikorodu Bois in its Oscar Weekend Film Brand Campaign.
The Ikorodu Bois are a group of brothers and one cousin from Lagos, Nigeria, who remake their favorite movie trailers in their free time.
The company, in a statement said its campaign was targeted at celebrating fans for the important role they play — for watching, loving, discussing, and even recreating Netflix movies.
The statement read in part, “Netflix’s wide reach has woken up a new generation of global film fans, allowing them to discover more diverse perspectives, see themselves reflected and inspiring new forms of movie-love.
“Once a year, the Oscars pierce the culture and put movies on our collective minds, and this year, we are putting the spotlight on the Ikorodu Bois to remind movie fans that fans are the most important part of the movies.
The Vice President, Brand, Netflix, Eric Pallotta, said for inspiring Netflix, its filmmakers and talent every day to make more, they decided to focus on the fans this year.
He said, “We chose to spotlight the Ikorodu Bois because their style is both charming and unique, using a mix of DIY craft and childlike joy to recreate mega-budget films on a shoestring.
“They first caught our eye when they remade the trailer for Extraction in June 2020. The Bois have followers all over the world because their passion for entertainment is infectious and they remind us of that feeling we had when we fell in love with movies as a kid.”
Pallotta noted that in August 2020, Netflix had sent the boys a care package of professional filmmaking gear to help support their filmmaking journey.
The Director of the Ikorodu Bois, Babatunde Sanni, said, “We love movies because they give us the inspiration we need, put us in the best mood and allow us to get a glimpse into the lives of amazing people.
“The reason why we do what we do is for the love of movies and we want to show the world that things can be achieved with the use of little stuff.”
According to Pallotta, “We want to celebrate everyone’s love of movies and the Ikorodu Bois personify a new generation of global film fans, discovering movies for the first time, all over the world.
It was a moment of great jubilation and emotions as Miss Uduak Okon Etim reunites with her family after over twenty years of abduction.
Miss Uduak Okon Etim who was kidnapped twenty years ago while In class at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Primary School Idu, Uruan LGA, and was trafficked to Benin City, in Edo State .
During her years In captivity , Uduak Was Subjected to modern day slavery, characterised by child labour , sexual abuse, physical torture and starvation .
Help came to Uduak when a good citizen petitioned the family to National Agency For Prohibition Of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP) Benin Zonal Command, that there was a young girl in his neighbourhood going through torment daily .
Speaking At The Event, Mrs Ijeoma Uduak; Zonal Commander National Agency For Prohibition Of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP) Benin Zonal Command Expressed Gratitude to God, and said it was a long journey to victory, as several arrests was made after serious investigation that took them months .
She thank Presidenf Buhari who funded the Agency and her team members ,who helped in making sure Uduak got freedom and rehabilitation .
She also stated that two culprits involved In the Case have been apprehended and are still standing prosecution ,while in custody at a correctional facility .
She says the agency will ensure they are sentenced ,to serve as detriment to others intended human traffickers.
Mrs Uduak thank Rev (Engr) J B Effiong ,the zonal Leader of Central Uruan and chairman Mosongo-Ibonda Clan advisory Council who assisted the Agency to identify the Village and family of Miss Uduak Etim .She also thanked Chief Emmanuel Nicholas who assisted them with logistics to ensure the event was very successful.
She extended her gratitude also thank the village head of Idu, who at short Notice from his Clan Advisory Council could organise a well attended re-unification event for the freed girl.
The Zonal Commander Of NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command says after discovering that her abductors did not give her any formal education or help her to acquire any skill , the Agency decided to train her before she could be released to her family.
After proper career counselling ,NAPTIP discovered the hidden talent of Miss Uduak Etim in hair dressing , And the Agency through one of their supporting NGO’s the European union implemented by ION, funded Miss Uduak Okon Etim to acquire skill in Hair Dressing .
After her training, ION purchased all Hair Dressing Equipments, Food Stuffs and supported her with the sum Of three hundred thousand Naira to rent a shop .
The very delighted Uduak Okon Etim recounted her ordeals In the hands Of her abductors but thanked God for using National Agency For Prohibition Of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP) to rescue her and she was also full of gratitude to Benin Zonal Commander, Mrs Ijeoma Uduak.
Lastly the Zonal Commander plead with the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency , Dr (Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel to also support Miss Uduak Etim with family to have a proper acomodation . “I’m aware of the good works of the Wife of your Governor in giving shelter to widows and I learnt Uduak’s Mother here does not have a good home , So I plead with our beautiful first lady to extend her shelter of hope to this poor family” God bless her
The mother of the victim, mma Esther Edet Udo Ekong couldn’t Control her emotions as she wept uncontrollably , that she lost hope of ever seeing her daughter again, believing she has been used for ritual.
Rev (Engr ) J.B. Effiong , the Zonal Leader of Central Uruan thank NAPTIP for doing a thorough professional job in rescuing and training of Miss Uduak Etim who was kidnapped twenty years ago
He also thank Governor Udom Emmanuel for ensuring human trafficking is banished from the State .
In Their Separate Remarks, The Vice Chairman Of Uruan LGA, Mrs Uduak -Udoenang, And Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, who is also the Secretary of Mosongo -Ibonda Clan Advisory Council, Chief Emmanuel Nicholas , the Ibiom 1 of Mosongo- Ibonda expressed their gratitude to NAPTIP and also share in the same belief that Miss Uduak Okon Etim Is destined to be great .
Giving a vote of thanks, the Village Head Of Idu, Etinnyin Godwin Edet Okoho thanked President Muhamadu Buhari And Gov. Udom Emmanuel For Sustaining Public Institutions such As NAPTIP. He thanked the Zonal Commander Of NAPTIP, Benin Command for rescuing the young lady , while thanking Rev (Engr ) J B Effiong and Chief Emmanuel Nicholas who assisted Agency identifying her family and Everyone who made the Rescue of Miss Uduak Okon Etim possible.
Etinnyin Okoho announced that Idu Village Council will pay one year shop rent For Miss Uduak Okon Etim to help in Establishing Her Business.
The event was witnessed by members of Idu Village Council; Led by Hon. Torobong Mbang, Family Heads, Youth Council, general public and members of Press community
Nigerian internet sensational film makers, Ikorodu Bois, have created and shared their remake of Netflix’s action movie thriller “Army Of The Dead” on their Twitter page.
Netflix and Hollywood Director Zack Snyder shared and reacted to the remake via their Twitter timelines.
NetflixFilm The level of detail and creativity in the Ikorodu Bois’ (@IkoroduB) remake of the ARMY OF THE DEAD trailer is simply out of this world.
NetflixFilm After the Ikorodu Bois (@IkoroduB) remade the ARMY OF THE DEAD trailer, we showed it to Zack Snyder for his take.
Zack Snyder tweeted; Amazing! Such talented young filmmakers! @IkoroduB
Turkey has accused the United States of trying to rewrite history, while totally rejecting US President Joe Biden’s decision to formally recognise the Armenian genocide.
Moments after Biden announced his decision, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that Words cannot change or rewrite history stating they would not take lessons from anyone on their history
A while later, the Turkish foreign ministry reportedly summoned US Ambassador David Satterfield to express its displeasure, noting that Biden’s decision caused “a wound in relations that would be difficult to repair.
Biden becomes the first US president to use the word genocide in a customary statement on the anniversary of the 1915 to 1917 massacre, which happened as the Ottoman Empire unravelled.
The foreign ministry said in a separate statement that they reject and denounce in the strongest terms the statement of the president of the US regarding the events of 1915 made under the pressure of radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups.
It said it was clear that the said statement does not have a scholarly and legal basis, nor is it supported by any evidence.
The Armenians, supported by many historians and scholars, say 1.5 million of their people died in a genocide committed under the Ottoman Empire, which was fighting tsarist Russia in areas that include present-day Armenia.
Turkey accepts that both Armenians and Turks died in huge numbers during World War I, but vehemently denies there was a deliberate policy of genocide.
Thousands of people have rallied in Paris and other French cities to denounce a ruling by France’s highest court that the killer of Jewish woman Sarah Halimi was not criminally responsible and therefore could not go on trial.
Crowds gathered Sunday in front of the Eiffel Tower, answering a call by Jewish associations, organizations fighting antisemitism and other groups who say justice has not been done.
Halimi, a 65-year-old Jewish woman, died in 2017 after being pushed out of the window of her Paris apartment by her neighbor, Kobili Traoré, who allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” or God is great in Arabic.
The ruling from the Court of Cassation, issued earlier this month, said there was enough evidence to show the act had antisemitic motives.
However, the court said that a person who committed a crime while being in a “delirious state” cannot be sent to trial, even if the state was caused by the habitual use of illegal drugs.
The court said in a statement that according to unanimous opinions of different psychiatry experts, that man was presenting at the time of the facts a severe delirious state.
However, the announcement that the killer would not be sent to trial sparked outrage among the French and international Jewish community.
Under French law, people cannot be held criminally responsible for actions committed while fully losing their judgment or self-control due to a psychiatric disorder.
Traoré has been in a specialized unit of a psychiatric hospital since Halimi’s death.
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