The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has announced Orah, a revenge thriller by Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker, Lonzo Nzekwe, as the opening gala night film of its 12th edition in November 2023.
The film is a story of a taxi driver in Canada on a path of vengeance against a Nigerian drug-trafficking ring responsible for her son’s death.
Written and directed by Nzekwe, Orah was developed over the course of 11 years and fully became a revenge thriller after his brother died from the stray bullet of an officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), now defunct, in 2016.
Nzekwe said he set out to create a tragically gripping crime thriller that gives the audience an authentic experience into the life of its main character and her campaign of vengeance.
Orah, co-produced by Floyd Kane and Amos Adetuyi, will unfold before invited guests at AFRIFF’s opening gala night on November 5, a festival whose founder and director, Chioma Ude, has promised will platform indigenous projects.
She noted during the announcement of Orah as opening film on Thursday, October 26 that its pick is strategic for the festival’s vision.
The film was shot in Canada and Nigeria in late 2022 and screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
It was produced by Circle Blue Entertainment and Freddie Films in association with IronFlix Inc., with the participation of Telefilm Canada, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), and ONCreates Film Fund; and Level Film as the Canadian distributor.
The theme of this year’s AFRIFF is Indigenous 2.0 Global and the festival will run from November 5 to November 11, exhibiting dozens of films.
FILE - Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio speaks to reporters after casting his ballot in Sierra Leone general elections in Freetown, on June 24, 2023. Sierra Leone’s main opposition party on Saturday, July 1, 2023, demanded a re-run of last weekend’s presidential election after incumbent President Julius Maada Bio was declared the winner and swiftly sworn in for a second term in the West African nation. The opposition All People’s Congress party, or APC, accused Sierra Leone's electoral commission of conspiring with Bio's party to rig the results. (AP Photo/TJ Bade)
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has committed to placating the opposition to overcome tensions exacerbated by his re-election under contested conditions. He also conceded to the need to review the electoral system.
The Sierra Leonean elections has been reminiscent of most elections in Africa where the incumbent holds all the aces and wields ultimate power using the perphenalia of office to advantage.
Julius Maada, elected for the first time in 2018, was re-elected in June in the first round, with 56.17% of the votes according to the results published by the electoral commission. Foreign observers, however, denounced inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the count, as well as acts of violence and intimidation.
The main opposition party the All People’s Congress (APC ) boycotted the parliament and local council elections after considering presidential, legislative and local council elections rigged.
The government in a bid to end post election conflict and quel political tensions from escalating has had to make efforts to reach out to the main opposition APC by reaching an agreement mediated by the commonwealth, African Union (AU) and Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).
They also agreed to set up an inter-party committee responsible for reviewing the June elections with the partners involved in the mediation. It is hoped that the stakeholders will arrive at solutions and the political will to implement them to avoid a recurrence.
Residents of Isheri North, a boundary between Lagos and Ogun State, are appealing to the government to find a lasting solution to the issue of perennial flooding affecting their community.
This comes just following the release of water from the Oyan Dam by the Ogun Osun River Authority.
The Oyan River Dam is in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State in Nigeria’s South-West, about 20 km north west of the state capital Abeokuta.
The dam crosses the Oyan River, a tributary of the Ogun River. It is used primarily to supply raw water to Lagos and Abeokuta, but has potentials for use, in irrigation and power generation.
An executive of River Bank Estate, Olabode Abiodun said that because of the flood, Many properties are now submerged by the rising waters near the Ogun River. Some of them include Gavel estate, Riverbank estate, Oshorun heritage estate, Isheri riverview estate to name a few.
Olabode Abiodun, Executive of River Bank Estate
The main passage way into these estates are now overtaken by water released from Oyan Dam in Ogun state.
Residents living here have been sacked from their homes, prompting them to seek refuge in hotels or with family, as the situation remains far from pleasant.
The only alternative for transportation is canoes, which are insufficient to serve the entire community.
Woman uses canoe for transportation
Despite ongoing appeals to both Lagos and Ogun state governments to address the residents’ needs, the solution demands are far-fetched.
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, when he visited declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation.
The governor added that a comprehensive assessment that would lead to permanent solution to the menace of flooding in the affected area would be conducted very soon.
Legal advisor of isheri community, Mike Madoghwe says they are not confrontational about the issue. All they need is for the governments of Ogun state and Lagos state to come together and solve the issue.
Legal advisor of isheri community, Mike Madoghwe
He stressed that Lagos state was involved because the G.R.A located in the area which is 6, 000 plots is for lagos states and also among those areas affected in Isheri.
ECONOTES
USES OF DAMS
Water Supply
Water stored in reservoirs of the dam is used to provide adequate amounts of quality freshwater to residential, industrial facilities and mining sites.
Dams can be used to regulate the flow of water in rivers. Water can be released from the reservoir to support wildlife and ecosystems downstream during a drought and water can be released for agricultural uses during the same drought.
Irrigation
The primary function of many dams is to provide water for farming. Some dams divert rivers into canals or pipelines to irrigate land many miles away.
Dams are used also when a river flows at a lower elevation than the land to be irrigated.
Electrical Generation
Hydropower is considered clean because it does not contribute to global warming, air pollution, acid rain, or ozone depletion.
Dams produce over 103,800 megawatts of renewable electricity and meet 8 to 12 percent of power needs.
Flood Control
For centuries, people have built dams to help control devastating floods. It helps to prevent the loss of life and property.
Flood control dams impound floodwaters and then either release them under control to the river below the dam or store or divert the water for other uses.
Water Storage
Dams create reservoirs that supply water for uses, including industrial, municipal, and agricultural.
Water captured during the wet season can be stored for use during the dry season.
Mine Tailings
A tailings dam is typically an earth-fill embankment dam used to store byproducts of mining operations after separating the ore from the gangue.
Tailings can be liquid, solid, or a slurry of fine particles, and are usually highly toxic and potentially radioactive.
Debris Control
Dams provide enhanced environmental protection, such as the retention of hazardous materials and detrimental sedimentation.
Navigation
Dams and locks provide for a stable system of inland river transportation throughout the heartland of the Nation.
Recreation
Dams provide prime recreational facilities. Boating, skiing, camping, picnic areas and boat launch facilities are all supported by dams.
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Glad to have you back. You’ve been on space.com, a show that is all about the environment. Our environment focus today is Oyan River Dam that was opened and causing great damage to the Isheri community in Lagos and Ogun states.
So, we continued our visit to Oshorun heritage estate which was awarded the best estate in Isheri community in 2020. But with this devastating flood, it is becoming a shadow of its own self.
What we saw in the estate was worse than the devastation in river bank and Gavel estates.
The once vibrant estate is almost looking like a ghost area because some people cannot come out of their houses because of the flood.
In some cases, residents have left their houses and relocated to some place till the flood recedes.
Legal Advisor of Isheri Community, Mike Madogwe who took us round explained that some of the houses built on a higher plain so the flood didn’t get to them, while others had the heartbreaking flood to contend with.
Chairman of Oshorun Heritage Estate, Dayo Ayodogun said it was a harrowing experience.
Dayo Ayodogun, Chairman, Oshorun Heritage Estate
After Oshorun heritage estate, we decided to go further to some other estates in the area.
There’s a long stretch of road we saw. Do you know that this road, when it’s fully constructed can lead to Agric, Ikorodu, from this Isheri community?
Imagine the ease of traffic if this community does not go through the normal route of Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Also imagine the stressless journey of not having to travel that far to Ikorodu and even mile 12 to get food stuff. Food for thought.
So, as we moved further, we met a more devastating flood than we could imagine. It was getting the waists of people.
We saw a woman who had to rent a canoe. Barrister Madogwe told us that was how most people transported themselves.
Businesses, schools, homes, shut because of this experience.
He expressed satisfaction His Excellency Dapo Abiodun’s visit to the area and implored the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwolu to follow suit.
Full Episode of Space.com on iSHERI FLOODING now on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkKdwtjd7HU
A video, by content creator and social media influencer known as Maraj has generated fierce conversation after a video of her sharing her opinions on social norms went viral.
The video titled “UNPOPULAR OPINIONS I STAND BY WITH MY FULL CHEST” was originally posted on social media two months ago and was only reposted yesterday.
The list of things she spoke about included things like trendy nakedness, excessive filter usage, excessive shower routine, and cyberbullying, among others.
When it comes to driving Social change, there are many definitions and descriptions which have been given depending on what specific Agenda is being pursued.
But for the purpose of today’s discussion, we will look at Social change in the context of creating a better society. A positive environment for people to thrive in. Correcting anomalies in the system and upholding the cultural and societal values in which people’s lives are improved and their dignity respected.
What is social change and why is it so important? What is the role of youth-led activism in driving Social change and how do we instill the virtues of Patriotism and a love for your Country?
The world in which we live in has changed significantly over the years and you can probably point out some certain times when life was very different from what it now is. The world has also faced many challenges which resulted in change when people tried to tackle them.
But what exactly is social change? Social Change refers to the transformation of culture, behavior, social institutions, and social structure over time. Many Sociologists also describe social change as the shift in human interactions that transform the existing cultural and social institutions. These shifts usually occur gradually and develop over time and in many instances people came together, building collective energy which propelled social changes in their day.
But for the purpose of our discussion we will define Social change…as …”The active process in which real people work to improve the lives of others. It is a shift in perceptions, relationships and attitudes brought on by pro-active engagement and activities…
And then… there is Patriotism… simply defined, Patriotism is love and devotion for ones Country which is clearly expressed in word and deed. This would involve and demonstrate Special affection for one’s own country, A sense of personal pride and identification with the country, Special concern for the well-being of the country and a Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good.
So how do Youth Activism and Patriotism work together? Can you be one and not the other? I spoke with a Youth Activist and the Country Director, Equity Initiative International, Ambassador (Dr. Chris Iyamah) who spoke at length about his experience as a Youth Activist and some Key factors impacting Social Change Movements. I also got talking with a former Lagos State Youth Ambassador for Ikorodu Division, Jackson Ayika who also shared his thoughts on the topic (watch video for details of their contributions)
WHAT CAUSES POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE?
It is important to understand that Social change is usually born out of unbearable situations which could be a number of things… One of those things is a dissatisfaction with current institutions. People clamour for change when they feel a sense of abandonment by the very institutions meant to help and protect them. When they have been shortchanged by the corruption in the system which seems to foster injustice and oppression.
Social change is also often a product of Economic downturn where people protest against the inequality in living standards, wealth distribution rapid inflation and an even more rapid decline of quality of life. This we saw during the Arab spring which was a wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in 2010 and 2011, challenging some of the region’s entrenched authoritarian regimes and witnessing the toppling of many such regimes.
Social change is also born out of an evolving society. We live in an information age, a time when technological advancements enable us to access and disseminate information with lightning speed. As people are more informed their ability to question the status quo increases. In some cases it could even be a resistance on privacy issues and surveillance or an enhancement through artificial Intelligence.
Please note that Social change may not always be positive and in some instances it is a rebellion against constituted Authority, Parental Guidance and Family values. In this regard, many so called advanced societies are on a path of self-destruction.
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS AND #ENDSARS PROTESTS
Let’s for a moment consider the case of the Black Lives Matter Protests across the United States and how this buttresses the point of today’s discourse.
The Black Lives Matter Protests may well be the largest social justice movement in U.S. history with 2020 polls showing that over 15 to 26 million people participated in the rallies.
These demonstrations against police violence and racial injustice followed the murder of George Floyd’s murder by police which was caught on camera and causing the video to go viral. It went on for several weeks and garnered a lot of support in other Countries of the World as people stood with the movement in solidarity.
A sort of parallel social movement was birthed in Nigeria with the #EndSars protests which is a decentralised social movement, and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan calls for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which is a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuse on Nigerian citizens.
The protest saw Tens of thousands of young Nigerians taking to the streets to protest against police brutality after a video went viral of a man allegedly being killed by the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), sparking what became known as the #EndSars demonstrations.
It was the same movement which spurred a massive youth participation in the 2023 General elections in getting registered and coming out to vote. Till date, 2023 marked the highest Youths Voter turnout and participation in the Electoral process.
Well, as much as these two social change movements appeared to make progress in many ways, the protests became known for Civil Disobedience which include Road blocks, Chaos, random looting and vandalism and destruction of public property. The confrontation with Security and Law-enforcement didn’t help matters and there were reports of violent clashes, arrests and in some instances even death.
It is these behaviors that have served to discredit social change movements in recent time. Is the violence and property damage associated with the civil unrest to be excused? When certain people are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate, violent and extremist agenda, can they truly say they are patriotic?
When you justify the destruction or property, looting and violence as necessary to further your cause, then you damage your own credibility and lose the moral right to condemn another person’s wrong.
In Conclusion….The power of youth activism in driving social change in Africa and beyond can’t be denied and more and more young people are causing their voices to be heard as they seek social justice, political engagement. Pushing for policy reforms and dismantling corruption and other vices in our Institutions.
But we must be vigilant. We must not allow the passion and enthusiasm of our youths to be misdirected and channeled into causes and Agenda’s which are inconsistent with our culture and values as a Nation. No one who loves their country will actively seek to destroy it, give up on it and walk out on it. Everyone does not have to be an Activist but the moment you do wear that name tag, you have taken upon yourself the responsibility to act only for the wellbeing and benefit of the country they represent.
In the end, no society ever remains the same. Change is inevitable but we must decide what kind of change we want. The Change must be for the good of all.
Well, what are your views on this matter…?? Have we gotten it right? What sort of Youth Activism do you observe in your country? Is it born out of patriotism and moving the country forward? Let me know all about it. Our media handles are on the screen right now, you can reach us on any of them.
Well that’s it for now, I’ll see you soon… Cheers!!!
The Oyo State Government has dredged eight additional flood-prone rivers and streams across all geopolitical zones in the state.
This, according to the government, is to ensure flood risk reduction and put measures in place against flood incidences.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, led a team of government officials on assessment visits to the dredged rivers.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director, Environmental Engineering, Oladipo Mukaila, noted that the visitation was crucial, to ascertain the level of works and provisional attainments on the projects.
He affirmed the preparedness of the Oyo State Government to prevent any occurrence of the fluvial flooding (urban flooding) this year.
Recall that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), in the Annual Flow Outlook (AFO), predicted that some states across the federation (Oyo State inclusive) would experience fluvial flooding this year.
This has been happening in some states as predicted by both agencies.
The Commissioner highlighted that the newly dredged rivers and streams by include: Araromi river; ‘Boroboro river; Isunwin stream in Oyo town; ‘Ora/Laka’ river in Ogbomoso; ‘Jalugbe’ Stream, Ilero; Telebu-Ayin-Opaleki River in Igboora, Ibarapa zone.
Others include Ogba stream, Iseyin; Koba Stream, Ogboro Road, Saki; and Fedomu river Igbeti in Oke-ogun area of Oyo State.
The team, which includes officers from the Ministry of Environment, office of the Auditor-General of the State and Bureau of Public Procurement, was satisfied with the volume of work done to prevent flooding, which it claimed could have claimed lives and properties.
Oyo State covers approximately an area of 28,454 square kilometers and is ranked 14th by size.
The landscape consists of old hard rocks and dome shaped hills, which rise gently from about 500 meters in the southern part and reaching a height of about 1,200 metres above sea level in the northern part.
Some principal rivers such as Ogun, Oba, Oyan, Otin, Ofiki, Sasa, Oni, Erinle and Osun river originate in this highland.
With reports of several countries which had announced they would make troops available to Ecowas in an event of a military intervention demobilising their troops in the interim. Has the option of putting boots on the ground in Niger been abandoned?
At the initial stage of the coup in Niger Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu must have seen a rare opportunity to assert himself at home and abroad facing a credibility crisis that seems to have cast a shadow on his government.
Failing in his bid to get his parliament to back the move and the African Union, it seems he has run out of steam making an about-face.
Now having to settle for other means to make the Junta in Niger bend using sanctions which hit the landlocked country hard.
However it is obvious domestic issues at home such as an ailing economy, post election court battles, rising insecurity and the need to steer Africa’s most populous country out of multidimensional poverty to prosperity are daunting enough for any leader.
Meeting in Nigeria
Of the Beninese contingent grouped in the north of the country and planned for the operation for example, only the command of the force remains, as if instructions had been given. Even if this is the case, ECOWAS has not yet said anything about any disengagement, with no summit of heads of state in sight in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, according to reports ECOWAS might be looking for the right formula to announce its backpedaling on the possible military option.
For Niger and supporters of getting rid of lapdogs of western imperialists it’s a welcome development and good riddance to bad rubbish. We only hope that Niger’s leadership will seize the opportunity to truly liberate its people and set an example for other African countries with the region who are still shackled by western imperialism.
The embattled deputy governor of Ondo state, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has tendered an apology to the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over the political crisis in the State which arose from his absence from the State.
Aiyedatiwa, at a press briefing in Akure, lamented the embarrassment and discomfort the Governor has faced due to the barrage of negative news in the State in the last few months.
He pledged his loyalty to the governor and commitment to the development of the State, the Deputy Governor said there was the need to calm all nerves in order to restore peace and tranquility to the Sunshine State.
“I am profoundly grateful to Mr. Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of the Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of an impeachment move against me.
“Our beloved state has witnessed a series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by Mr. Governor, which gave rise to misunderstandings, misconceptions, assumptions, and insinuations, and exploited by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election.
“The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.
“It is in reference to the above that I hereby tender my unreserved apologies to Mr. Governor and the good people of Ondo state, and I assure that, together, we will both complete this journey with honour, divine guidance and in good health by the grace of God.”
The Deputy Governor, who denied all the allegations being peddled against him by those desperate to get rid of him from government ahead of the next election, said he will continue to maintain decorum in the face of those false and baseless accusations.
“We have continued to read all sorts of lies against my person in the media. None of it is true.
“There has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself and I have never undermined Mr. Governor. This is a fabricated crisis just for the purpose of election.
“I remain fully committed to the principles of good governance that Mr. Governor has established, and I pledge my unwavering loyalty to him and I will continue to submit myself under his able, courageous and selfless leadership”, Aiyedatiwa said.
He also distanced himself from groups and individuals holding protests or calling on the Governor to resign, stressing that he has never commissioned any individual or group to engage in such campaigns.
The deputy Governor thanked the national leadership of the APC for its intervention in the impeachment move against him, pledging his commitment to the reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace in the State.
“I have a lot of respect for the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council and I do not hold any grudge.
Aiyedatiwa said ” I want to appeal to all the political actors in the State to allow peace so we can all concentrate on the development of our dear State”.
The Senate has commenced the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Musa Aliyu.
Aliyu was ushered into the Senate chamber along with members of his team after the Senate Leader moved for the suspension of relevant sections of the Senate rules to admit them.
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.
The apex court in its ruling held that the appeal filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, lacked merit.
“On the whole, having resolved all the issues against the appellant, it is my view that there is no merit in the appeal and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Inyang Okoro said.
“The judgment of the court below delivered on September 6th 2023 affirming the election of the second respondent as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby affirmed.”
Atiku had approached the court to overturn the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal which affirmed Tinubu’s election as president.
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