FG Begs NLC to Suspend Proposed Warning Strike

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September 4, 2023

The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its proposed 2-day nationwide warning strike over economic hardship.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NLC) said it would commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6.

JUST IN: NLC Threatens A two-day Warning Strike Next Week

The NLC also threatened to embark on indefinite nationwide strike within 14 working days or 21 days from when the communique was issued unless the Federal Government addressed the excruciating suffering of Nigerians.

Lalong said that the appeal had become necessary in order to ensure robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace.

He noted that the planned industrial action would no doubt reverse some of the gains already made by the administration.

According to him, in this context, it has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend its intended two days warning strike.

“As such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.

“Furthermore, I would request that the Comrade Leadership of the NLC gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.

“It should be realised that the Cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.

“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon,” he said.

The minister however reassured Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.

He also said that this administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy.

Lalong added that this would enable government look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of its policies, saying “we cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.

He also said that as a Minister of Labour and Employment, he was yet to be served official communication of the NLC communiqué, following its NEC meeting as required by law.

He further urged the NLC to do the needful by following laid down processes for handling such matters since the cabinet was on ground.

He assured that all the issues raised by the NLC would be looked into one after the other.

“Allow me to first express my sympathy and that of the government of President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians and in particular the workers.

“That is over the challenges that have arisen from the removal of petrol subsidy and other policies of the government aimed at renewing hope for the future of our dear nation.

“In light of these matters, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend the warning strike and subsequent future actions.

“To allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria,” he said.

He, therefore, announced that government would be meeting with the NLC by 3 p.m. on Monday

Lagos Slashes Blue Line Rail Prices By 50%

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faith Jegede

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September 4, 2023

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In Line With the directive of the Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, transport fares for the newly commissioned Blue Rail Line would be slashed in half.

The governor made the announcement via his social media handle, giving details of the modalities.

The official commencement of commercial operations of the Lagos Blue Line Rail began today September 4, 2023.

One of the first passengers on the train was Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State donning the LAMATA uniform and blue tie. He was on the train with other government officials as the train departed from the Marina terminal at 9 a.m.

The train, which conveyed other excited passengers on the maiden trip, passed through Marina to Iganmu and Alaba before arriving at Mile 2.

Emotional Tony Leung Wins Lifetime Award At Venice

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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The 80th Venice Film Festival - Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement — The 80th Venice Film Festival - Award Ceremony for Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement - Venice, Italy September 2, 2023. Actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai reacts as he receives the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai received a Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, brushing away his tears as he was given a prolonged standing ovation.

“It is like a dream come true,” Leung said in an interview.

Talking to reporters ahead of the ceremony, the 61-year-old Leung said acting had helped him become less shy. “I used to suppress all the feelings inside. I didn’t show all my feelings in front of others,” he said.

He also discussed his upcoming work, including the Hong Kong crime thriller, “The Goldfinger”, which opens at the end of the year and will reunite him with Andy Lau, his co-star from the 2002 hit “Infernal Affairs”.

On that occasion, Leung played the hero, while Lau was the baddie. This time their roles are reversed. “I think it’s very challenging to me to play the bad guy,” he told reporters.

In another major challenge, Leung said he was about to make his first European film, “Silent Friend”, directed by Hungary’s Ildikó Enyedi.

“I plan to spend like eight months (preparing for it) because I’m playing a neuroscientist. I have no idea about what neuroscience is. So I have to read a lot of books and I have to do a lot of university hopping,” he said.

NFC Tasks Minister On Key Film Industry’s Policies

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), has advised the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, to review some key film industry’s policies that have the capabilities of enhancing the sector.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director Public Affairs, Brian Etuk.

Etuk said that the Managing Director of NFC, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, gave the advice while presenting a catalogue of film festival to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa in Abuja.

Maduekwe noted that the policies would help in sustaining the sector’s contributions to content creation, effective film distribution and exhibition.

He added that the minster should also revisit training and capacity building, as well as the establishment of the National Film Development Fund (NFDF).

Maduekwe said the corporation had achieved 10-year hosting partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 2021 through a Memorandum of Understanding which designated Abuja as the official host city.

According to him, it is natural for Abuja to be named the official host city for the film festival in line with best global practices. For instance, the cities of Cannes, Toronto, Durban and others.

The NFC chief said that the film industry challenges that had slowed down the development process and growth rate of the sector, particularly the laws, including the NFC Act of 1979 that needed to be reviewed.

“This has never undergone any single amendment in the last 44 years, and other legal framework for the Motion Picture Practitioners Council (MOPICON)”, he said.

“The National Film Institute (NFI), Jos has continued to provide training and capacity building for Nigeria in film and television production, including entrepreneurial skills acquisition for youths across the geopolitical zones of the country.

“This is achieved through its Mobile Audiovisual Training Platform, aside the Master Degree Programme in Film Culture and Archiving Studies.

“The progress at the National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA), recently designated the national repository for audio-visual heritage was also brought into focus,” he said.

Responding, the minister commended the NFC for its various achievements in spite of its obsolete law.

She acknowledged the critical role the film industry played and had continued to play in the growth and development of the nation’s economy.

The minister assured NFC that the government was determined to ensure an effective and efficient film industry.

AMAA 2023: Keith Shiri Gets Reappointed As Jury President

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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Keith Shiri has been reappointed as the President of the Jury for the 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The Zimbabwean-born but UK-based international film curator and programme advisor to several international film festivals presided over the 12-man board of international jurors for the awards in 2022.

He returns to lead the other respected curators, renowned filmmakers, and critics who make up the AMAA jury. They will decide the nominees and eventual winners in the 26 categories of the 2023 AMAAs, scheduled to be held in Lagos in October 2023.

Announcing on behalf of the board of the Africa Film Academy (AFA), the organisers of the AMAA, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe said, “We are very excited to welcome Keith Shiri back as President of Jury for 2023. AMAA has a tradition where Jurors have an opportunity to preside over the jury for two editions running. So we are sustaining that tradition by further extending the tenure of Keith Shiri, who is a founding juror at the AMAA and a promoter of African art and film as the president of the AMAA 2023 Jury. Keith’s experience and vast knowledge of African films which has spanned over three decades coupled with his expertise which has seen him serve in different international organisations made him a great fit for this position…”

Reacting to the news of his reappointment, Shiri, who is presently curating the Icons of the Africa Centre Series for the legendary London-based cultural institution, thanked the AFA board for his reappointment.

He also noted that it is sad that he will be presiding over a jury in the first edition without the founder and CEO, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. In his words, “I don’t know what to say, but of course, it is rather sad to preside over this first edition without our CEO, founder, and sister, Peace Ogechi Marie Anyiam-Osigwe. But we have an award to deliver, and deliver we must.”

Members of the AMAA jury include international film curator and programmer for the Berlin International Film Festival Dorothee Wenner, film curator and archivist June Giviani, Burkinabe-Swiss-born filmmaker Berni Goldblat, ambassador and former Burkina Faso Minister of Culture Phillipe Savadego, and filmmaker John Akomfrah.

The jury will sort through the 368 entries received so far for this year’s award. According to Dr Shaibu Husseini, the selection committee chairman, the nominations will be announced on September 20, 2023.

Israeli-Iranian Movie Filmed Undercover To Avoid Suspicion

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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The first production co-directed by Iranian and Israeli filmmakers had to be shot in secret to prevent possible interference by Tehran, directors Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv said in an interview on Sunday.

“Tatami”, a tense thriller centred on a world judo championship, got its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the weekend, receiving a standing ovation.

The film takes place over the course of the single day of competition as an Iranian judoka champion, played by Farsi-speaking U.S. actress Arienne Mandi, is ordered to fake an injury to avoid a possible match-up with an Israeli competitor.

Amir Ebrahimi and Nattiv shot the movie in Georgia, a country Iranians can easily visit. They stayed in separate hotels, spoke English and did not let on that they were making such a politically charged film.

“I knew there are many Iranians there, so we were trying to keep it calm and secret,” said Amir Ebrahimi, who is an award-winning actress and also stars in the film, playing the judoka’s increasingly terrified trainer.

“We were undercover. We knew it was a dangerous thing,” said Nattiv, whose previous movie “Golda” premiered at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.

Iran has banned its athletes from competing against Israelis.

In an incident that inspired “Tatami”, the International Judo Federation in 2021 gave Iran a four-year ban for pressuring one of its fighters not to face an Israeli.

Rita Dominic Denies Reports She Gave Birth To Twins

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Dominic has cleared the air regarding the rumours that she and her husband welcomed a set of twins.

She took to her verified Twitter account calling out blogs for spreading fake news, yet again. Noting that the fake narrative is recycled every year, she angrily urged people to resist lying to the public. She also encouraged her followers and fans to always rectify news that they come across in order not to fall victim to fake news.

This comes in response to the news that circulated on social media on Sunday, September 3, 2023, claiming that the actress and her husband Fidelis Anosike welcomed a set of twins. However, she has blatantly called the reports out as fake news and the post was since deleted.

Her fans who checked her Instagram page for clarification met nothing of the sort on her profile, they were only welcomed to her page by posts regarding a memorial. Her husband Fidelis also had a similar post on his Instagram page and harboured nothing regarding pregnancy or bearing any children.

This is not the first time the actress has debunked rumours of this nature. On September 21, 2022, she also came out to set the record straight on the news claiming that she had a set of twins via surrogate.

Rita Dominic and her partner became public with their relationship on Boxing Day in 2020 after the actress stressed the reason why she was taking her time to get married. They then got engaged in April of 2022 and got married shortly after in England.

Pete Edochie Bags 2 Honorary Doctorate Degrees At Age 76

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Koko Lawrence

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September 4, 2023

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Nollywood veteran actor Pete Edochie has been honoured with not one, but two doctorates and a lifetime achievement award.

The actor was bestowed the honours at his home by the representatives of ISTM University in Togo. In the viral video, the actor was seen being dressed in ceremonious attire before being awarded with his honours. The awards included a Doctorate in Literature, a Doctorate in Arts, and a lifetime achievement award.

“For all the work he has been doing, and he has been the pioneer in everything that all the younger ones are copying. Dr. of Literature and ISTM Management wishes to give you these awards. Congratulations sir,” the representative said while bestowing the awards on him.

Edochie happily received the awards and was showered with accolades for his accomplishments and contributions to the field of the arts. He then thanked the representatives for the awards given.

The legend was born in Enugu State, Nigeria, but had his primary and secondary school education in Northern Nigeria. Edochie attended St. Patrick’s College for his secondary education. After working for some years, he went back to school to complete a journalism and television course at the School of Journalism and Television in London.

Edochie made his acting debut in by starring in The Village Masquerade, a Nigerian television drama series created by the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation. Furthermore, his portrayal of Okonkwo in the 1987 film adaptation of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe propelled him to prominence in Nigeria’s entertainment sector.

He has since starred in over 70 films in Nollywood and remains one of the most prominent and influential actors in Nigeria.

FG Distributes Yam Seeds, Others to Farmers in Kaduna

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 4, 2023

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According to reports, the Nigerian government is investing in farmers to achieve food security in house holds and the nation at large.

Speaking during the distribution on Sunday in Kaduna, Raheem Adejoke, a Senior Agric Officer at the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services said the aim was to boost mass cultivation of yam.

Adejoke, who supervised the distribution of the inputs, said the gesture by the Federal Government was also to mitigate the effect of flood in 2022 which affected many farmers. She said that 33 farmers would benefit from the improved yam seedlings, fertilisers, pre and post emergence herbicides.

She also said the inputs distributed were emergency empowerment of the farmers and extension agents which is simultaneously carried out across the Northwest, Northeast and North Central region.

Adejoke said the federal government was targeting staple crops which many households consume, where in Kaduna it brought the improved yam seedlings.

She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs, noting that the Federal Government is investing in them to achieve food security in house holds and the nation in general.

Similarly, the Coordinator of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Kaduna, Dr Timkat Nanfa said that farming without inputs was a waste of time and resources. Describing agricultural inputs as the pillar of farming, he said, they boost production which would translate to better yield and harvest.

According to the coordinator, the state of yam farming in Kaduna which is predominantly in the Southern part is discouraging, noting that with the inputs, farmers would have increased yield.

Also, the General Manager of the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) Muhammad Rili said beneficiary were identified to be small holder farmers. According to him, the identified farmers were more in need of such support, noting that it was aimed at encouraging them and assisting their means of livelihood.

Rili therefore said the agency will monitor the beneficiaries to ensure they make use of the inputs, adding that they have taken their comprehensive data base.

“We have zonal offices. We will send signals to our Zonal Managers in order to follow up on the utilisation of the inputs.

“We will carefully watch those who are fond of selling farm inputs they got through gestures and goodwill, going forward, we will now put it into consideration of who to benefit and who will not.

“Our objective and target in KADA is to ensure that such gestures to small holders farmers is used, utilised and appropriately deployed for yield full seasons,” Rili said.

He thanked the federal government for choosing Kaduna State as part of the gesture, while looking forward for more collaboration and support towards agricultural development and empowerment of rural farmers for economic reliance and agricultural sustainability.

One of the beneficiary, Nasir Abdullahi, an extension agent, said the most challenging factor of yam farming in Kaduna is inputs. He said that high cost of inputs was a major set back to a lot of farmers who wished to farm yam.

He therefore said with the inputs he got from the government, it would increase his capacity and that of his farmers.

“As an extension agent, I do make use of improved varieties of crops, my farmers really believed in what ever I take to them.

“I am 100 per cent sure that when I introduce this improved yam seedlings to them, they will accept and try it wholeheartedly,” Abdullahi said.

He thanked the federal government for the gesture, while pledging to make judicious use of the inputs.

Marketers Get Investors’ Backing for 30,000 Gas Stations

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 4, 2023

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Oil marketers, on Sunday, confirmed that they have received the nod of domestic and international financiers to develop about 30,000 gas stations nationwide.

It was also gathered that many of the stations were currently being converted to start dispensing gas, following the decision of the Federal Government to deploy about 11,000 vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas, as part of plans to cushion the removal of fuel subsidy.

Vandalised Pipelines: Marketers Predict More Fuel Queues

Providing updates on the move by marketers to build about 30,000 gas stations to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, the National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Okonkwo, told our correspondent that financiers of the project were responding positively.

Oil marketers in April 2023, wrote to the Federal Government over their proposal to build about 30,000 gas stations to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.

In the letter to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the marketer had also asked the Federal Government to make the Central Bank of Nigeria release the N250bn intervention fund for the National Gas Expansion Programme as loans to vehicle owner to acquire gas conversion kit.

“Our partners, Gas Analytics & Solutions Ltd, have an agreement with the independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria to co-locate natural gas dispensers on our network of over 30,000 filling stations in Nigeria.

“This collaboration with IPMAN presents the most economic and expedient platform to deploy the necessary infrastructure to support a fast national roll-out of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) for vehicles,” IPMAN had explained in its letter.

When contacted on Sunday for updates on the initiative, Okonkwo said IPMAN was working with its financiers and were getting the desired responses for the project.

“The ultimate alternative is the use of gas or CNG, which will reduce the financial burden in fueling a car. So CNG should be encouraged. We are still working with our financiers. Getting money is not a day job, there are things you need to do.

“Our solution is something that will help. A distance that would have taken you between N50,000 to N70,000 when covered using PMS, you are now using N5,000 to cover such distance. So you would have saved over N50,000,” he stated.

Probed further on whether this significant cut in cost was possible when using CNG, Okonkwo replied, “It is very possible. That is why we are bent on deepening this initiative. It is not everybody that can buy PMS. You that with the current cost of PMS, you don’t move anyhow.”

The IPMAN president, however, refused to name the amount being sort by the association from its financiers for the development of the gas stations, stressing that “nobody throws their business plan open like that.”

Asked whether IPMAN was discussing with international or local financiers, Okonkwo replied, “both,” adding that marketers were currently handling the conversion process for the filling stations.

On whether marketers were getting endorsements from their financiers, Okonkwo said, “That’s yes, and we are doing what they have asked us to do.”

The IPMAN president said the government was showing interest in the use of autogas and expressed optimism that marketers would get the support they require from the government.

“They (government) said they will provide about 11,000 vehicles to run on CNG and they have established a presidential committee for that and this means they are thinking about it,” Okonkwo stated.