Emefiele: NBA Slam DSS, NCOS, Seeks Punishment On Officers

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July 26, 2023

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned a scuffle between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over the custody of suspended CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

According to report, the altercation took place on Tuesday after Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20 million.

The judge also ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional centre pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

However, after the court ruling, the DSS operatives positioned their vehicle in a manner suggesting that they wanted to take Emefiele back to their detention centre.

When the prison officials moved to take Emefiele into custody, the DSS challenged them, and a fight ensued.

Emefiele’s lawyers eventually allowed the DSS to take custody of their client.

The NBA, in a statement, condemned the scuffle and called on the two agencies to take immediate disciplinary measures against the officers involved.

The association said the altercation was a “brazen disrespect for the sanctity of the court premises” and “a recipe for anarchy and chaos.”

The NBA also called for a complete overhaul of the two institutions and a total reorientation of their personnel to achieve professionalism and ensure synergy in the discharge of their respective constitutional responsibilities.

“This incident regrettably is further evidence of the lack of discipline and absence of professionalism that continues to plague key security institutions in Nigeria, which, without doubt, is largely responsible for the limited progress in achieving a coordinated response to security concerns across the country,” the statement partly read.

“The NBA further condemns the brazen disrespect for the sanctity of the court premises. The courts and judicial processes remain the barometer by which the conduct of persons or agencies of government are gauged in assessing the rule of law.

“The NBA calls on the two agencies to take immediate disciplinary measures against the officers involved in this disgraceful conduct. In addition, there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the institutions and a total reorientation of the personnel, to achieve professionalism and ensure synergy in the discharge of their respective constitutional responsibilities.”

CAF Draws: Enyimba, Bendel Insurance To Face North African Clubs In Preliminary Stage

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Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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CAF Champions League debutants, Remo Stars, have a date with Ghanian club Medama

Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Enyimba and Remo Stars have been drawn with clubs from Libya and Ghana respectively.

The draw which took place in Egypt’s capital, Cairo on Tuesday witnessed the attendance of 54 participating clubs who had qualified to participate in the first preliminary stage from the 42 member nations.

Tricky draws

During the draws, Enyimba who are the reigning NPFL champions, were drawn against Libyan side Ahli Benghazi.

The Aba Landlords have a glimpse of what to expect from Libyan teams.

Many vividly recollect how Enyimba were ousted during their last participation in the CAF interclub competition by Al Ittihad who sent the People’s Elephant packing in the knockout phase.

On the other hand, debutants, Remo Stars, will be wrestling it out against Ghana league leaders Medeama for a progression to the second stage in the Champions League.

As indicated in Tuesday’s draw, the winner between Enyimba and Ahli Benghazi will get a chance to play either Benin Republic-based club Cottonsports or Asec Mimosa from Ivory Coast for the second preliminary round.

Should Remo Stars defeat their Ghanaian opponent, they will face Guinea club side, Horoya, in the second stage.

The first round matches are scheduled to be played within 18-20 August in Libya and Ghana respectively for Enyimba and Remo Stars.

Confederation Cup

In the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary draws, winners of the FA Cup, Bendel Insurance are pitched against Algerian side ASO Chlef.

Should they win, the Benin Gunners will play another Northern African side, RS Berkane, in the second stage.

This is the first time in a long while that Bendel Insurance is getting a chance to compete on the continent.

For Rivers United who have been regulars in the CAF interclub competitions in the last three seasons, they were drawn in the preliminary fixtures.

Stanley Eguma’s men would have to wait till the second round before they play the winner between Etoile Filante from Burkina Faso and Ziguinchor from Senegal.

Scientists Call For Joint Research Collaboration

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 26, 2023

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Clinical Scientists at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, have called for joint collaboration in research and practice to reach the grassroots.

They made the call in Lagos on Tuesday during its 18th annual conference and gathering themed ‘A Sick Eye in a Sick Body: Multidisciplinary Team as a Research Tool’.

A Professor of Ophthalmology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Head, Glaucoma Services, Adeola Onakoya, who is the guest speaker, said the conference was about the impact of collaboration.

She said that as clinicians, members look after the body of human beings, adding, “And what we’re trying to say is that no one can work in isolation”.

According to her, there are different specialties in medicine, hence the need to collaborate and work together to have an integrative system to improve the healthcare system.

In her speech, the Dean, Faculty Of Clinical Science, Professor Folasade Akinsola, UNILAG, pointed out that the guest speaker went through what could be called anatomical foundations.

“She talked about the importance of different parts of the body, likening them to the field of clinical science and medicine in general. The brain is a very important organ in the body. Once there is no brain, there is no person.

“The eyes are the offshoots of the brain and vessels that are in the eyes are vessels, which could also affect the vessels all over the body.

“If you have issues with the vessels in the eyes, then you have issues all over your entire body,” she said.

Prof. Akinsola said the issue was about joint collaboration to reach the grassroots, noting that the government must also help the specialists.

Also, Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, said that the public starts with the medical community, but that they must also collaborate with civil society organisations and NGOs.

She said NGOs and civil society organisations were doing a better job of reaching and engaging the grassroots.

The VC, noted that within the hospital setting and among doctors, they are beginning to realise that they must do a lot more in working with communities.

“I am aware that there has also been a lot of push to go into the communities,” she added.

Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 26, 2023

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The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a “total and indefinite strike action”.

The association revealed this in a terse statement made on Tuesday evening.

The resident doctors listed their demands to include the immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF, the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and the payment of skipping arrears.

The list also noted the upward review of CONMESS in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS, the payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors, and the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by MDCN,

Other demands are the payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions, and the payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.

The strike comes after the association on July 5 issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government for the implementation of all its demands.

In an attempt to avert the strike, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday, held deliberations with the leadership of NARD behind closed doors.

Following the private talks, Abbas promised to meet with President Bola Tinubu to avert the industrial action of the resident doctors and announced the setup of an ad hoc committee to meet with all the stakeholders and address the matter.

The Speaker also appealed to NARD to give the house leadership a two-week period to find solutions to the issues raised.

NLC To Embark On Nationwide Strike August 2

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 26, 2023

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the federal government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all its economic policies.

The policies have stifled the poor, according to the NLC

It said that the Federal government risked an indefinite nationwide strike if the policies were not reviewed before August 2, 2023.

NLC has fixed August 2 for the commencement of the strike if their demands remained unsettled.

These policies include the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.

This is as NLC directed all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilization of workers and other Nigerians, including civil society allies, for a long-lasting strike and mass protests should the government fail to meet its demands.

It was gathered that the decisions were reached at NLC’s Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting held Tuesday, July 25, at Abuja Labour House.

Hollywood Actors’ Union Continues Strike

By

Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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Hollywood’s actors are on strike, joining writers in the first industry-wide shutdown in 63 years after last-ditch talks failed, with nearly all film and television production set to grind to a halt.

The screen actors guild (SAG-AFTRA), which represents 160,000 performers including a-list stars, said negotiations had ended without a deal on their demands over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence.

According to the union’s chief negotiator duncan crabtree-ireland, sag-aftra’s national board unanimously voted to issue a strike order against the studios and streamers.

Writers have already spent 11 weeks on the picket line, after their similar demands for better pay and protections against the future use of ai in television and films were not met.

Popular series set to return to television this year now face lengthy delays. And, if strikes continue, major films could be postponed too.

A strike immediately prevents actors from promoting some of the year’s biggest releases, at the peak of the movie industry’s summer blockbuster season.

3actors and writers are demanding higher pay to counteract inflation, and guarantees for their future livelihoods.

In addition to salaries when they are actively working, actors earn payments called “residuals” Every time a film or show they starred in is aired on network or cable — helpful when performers are between projects.

But streamers like netflix and disney+ do not disclose viewing figures for their shows, and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of its popularity.

Muddying the waters further is the issue of AI. Both actors and writers want guarantees to regulate its use, but studios have refused to budge.

Disney’s stock reaches 52-week low

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Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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Disney’s stock price continues to fall, nearing its 52-week low as investors question the future success of the company.

Once an untouchable giant in the media space, disney has fallen from grace in recent years as the company struggles to connect with its audience and pushes immoral themes in its movies and shows.

Disney’s struggles have started to catch up with the business as the stock price approaches its 52-week low. On monday, the stock closed at a price of $85.56, barely above its low closing of $84.17 on dec. 28th. If the stock were to drop two more dollars and dip below $83.83, it would be the company’s lowest closing since 2014.

Investors have been seriously questioning disney over the past year as the company has struggled in nearly every aspect of its business.

Disney+ has struggled for the first time since its release in 2020, with many of its releases seeing lukewarm reception at best and the platform’s subscriber numbers decreasing for the first time.

The movie-making leg of the company has fared no better, losing an estimated $900 million from its last eight studio releases. The box-office failures are largely due to the immoral themes that these movies have promoted.

To make matters worse, disney’s theme parks have seen their lowest attendance numbers in years. Despite multiple lucrative deals, the theme park prices have proven to be too high for families – even at the height of vacation season.

All-in-all, disney has lost touch with its audience and now has to face the financial consequences of that mistake. Hopefully, the falling stock price will prove to disney that they cannot survive with their current trajectory. A course correction needs to be made; one that involves a return to family-friendly entertainment that doesn’t push immorality.

Sound Of Freedom Unexpectedly Hits $100 Million At Box Office

By

Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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Sound of Freedom, the surprise box office hit based on a former government agent’s pursuit to rescue child sex trafficking victims has grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office, despite the scrutiny the film has received for its lead actor’s statements about the child trafficking ring in Hollywood.

Sound of freedom became the first indie film in the post-pandemic era to cross the $100 million mark in north america, doing so after three weeks in theaters.

The anti-child sex-trafficking film places among the top 20 biggest releases of the year, ahead of a number of films with star-studded casts like Jennifer Lawrence’s no hard feelings and magic mike’s last dance—a striking feat given the film’s $14.5 million budget.

So far this year, it is the 16th-highest grossing north american film of the year and if it keeps climbing it’s likely to surpass scream vi, currently ranked 14th with $108 million, and the flash, currently ranked 15th with $107 million.

In its opening weekend, sound of freedom placed third behind insidious: The red door and indiana jones and the dial of destiny.

The non-major studio hollywood movie, which has been a gift to exhibition, has dynamited the red state, flyover state, and faith-based audience crowd, all of whom are intrigued by the anti-child trafficking topic. Angel studios has crowdfunded the p&a and pays back its investors, while ticket sales were also reportedly crowdfunded by right wing groups, those tickets on hand for those who can’t afford to go to the movies.

The movie posted a $14.2m opening day plus previews, with a first 3-day of $19.6m and an amazing second weekend of $27.2m, +39%.

Big Love Displaces Transformers, The Flash in Nigerian Box Office

By

Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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The first half of 2023 was underwhelming for Nollywood, with Hollywood movies consistently leading the Nigerian Box Office.
However, things are finally looking up the local movie industry, with inkblots’ big love leading the charge.
Despite being released less than two weeks ago, the romantic drama has earned almost ₦20 million.
The movie grossed ₦7.5 million from two days of advance screening, hinting that the inkblots’ first 2023 title was resonating with moviegoers.

Read Also: Box Office: Transformers top with ₦35 million
When the film officially opened to the public, big love racked up an additional ₦12 million.
So far, the romantic title has earned a total of ₦19. 6 million, knocking down foreign movies like transformers: Rise of the beasts, the flash, and Spider-Man: Across the spider-verse, which is always a major feat for a Nollywood movie.
Written and directed by Biodun Stephen, the film explores the eruption of love between Adil, a young and passionate man chasing his dreams, and Adina, a focused and independent woman making ends meet at a graduate training camp.

Box Office: Barbie Hits ₦39m, òrìṣà Tops Oppenheimer with ₦27m

By

Emenike Agu

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July 26, 2023

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Over the weekend, Nigerian audiences witnessed a huge movie battle at the Box office.

Greta Gerwig’s ridiculously pink Barbie, Christopher Nolan’s bleak historical drama Oppenheimer, and Odunlade Adekola’s òrìṣà debuted all at once on Friday, July 21, 2023, making for an epic showdown.

The first two seemingly had the upper hand, backed by global campaigns and the luxury of being cultural touchstones, while the local production appeared to be overshadowed by the Barbenheimer noise.

However, the recently released figures by the cinema exhibitors association of Nigeria (CEAN) say differently.

Data from ticket sales show that the domestic audience went all out for the beloved doll and Yoruba epic over Nolan’s dark tragedy.

Barbie opened with ₦39 million, while òrìṣà surprisingly surpassed Oppenheimer with ₦27. 58 million. The latter came in at fourth place with only ₦17 million.

Òrìṣà also made and continues to make an effort with a great premiere in Lagos, followed by smaller ones in nearby Yoruba cities. These have all paid off, as the indigenous title is now the highest-grossing opening film in Nollywood and the biggest epic opening of the year.

Meanwhile, mission impossible: Dead reckoning part one, which opened with ₦78 million last week, is holding steady in the face of the #orisabarbieheimer competition.

Now in its second week, the latest installment in the popular tom cruise-led franchise has earned an additional ₦31. 6 million for a total of ₦118. 9 million.

In fifth place, we have another Nigerian movie, love, lust & other things, which has now made ₦27. 5 million in three weeks.