Nollywood Soars As Nigerians Join Oscar Academy’s New Members

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June 29, 2023

In an unprecedented move that signals a significant recognition of the Nigerian film industry, four of its esteemed figures have joined the Oscar Academy’s new membership.

The new Members – Richard Mofe Damijo, C.J Obasi, Jade Osiberu, and Kunle Afolayan – have been invited as part of the 398 new members of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body responsible for the Oscars.

This landmark achievement, announced by the Academy in its 2023 member intake, further cements Nollywood’s place on the global stage and acknowledges the exceptional contributions these individuals have made to the film industry, not just in Nigeria but worldwide.

The inclusion of these four Nollywood figures in the Academy is a significant milestone for the Nigerian film industry. It not only validates the progress Nollywood has made but also puts it firmly on the international map. This achievement also opens up more opportunities for Nigerian films to be recognized in the Oscars, particularly with the expanded Best International Feature Film category.

While Nollywood has long been a powerhouse in Africa, producing thousands of films each year, its recognition on the international stage has been comparatively limited. However, with the inclusion of four of its figures in the Academy, this is set to change.

These invitations to the Academy offer a platform for increased representation and diversity in the Oscars voting body, which has been a point of contention in recent years.

Nigerian Box Office: Almajiri Flops with ₦5 million

By

Emenike Agu

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June 29, 2023

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Opening in Nigerian cinemas on June 23, 2023, the figures from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) show that the new title made only ₦5,425,050 across 54 locations over the weekend.

This is low even by Nigerian standards considering that other 2023 releases like Domitilla: The Reboot opened with ₦10 million, and The Kujus Again raked in ₦17 million in its first week.

Over the years, AY has made a name for himself as the Nollywood Box Office King by consistently putting out commercially successful films.

His last movie, Christmas in Miami (2021), earned ₦265,583,000 and is still one of the highest-grossing local films of all time.

Prior projects, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018) and Merry Men 2: Another Mission (2019), brought in ₦235,628,358 and ₦234,505,169, respectively.

Although proven by the recognition the movie received before its release at the 2022 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), where the movie won twelve awards, the movie failed to live up to the billing.

Directed by Toka McBaror and co-produced by Darlington Abudu, the movie stars Alex Ekubo, Annie Idibia, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Segun Arinze, Ali Nuhu, Rahama Sadau, Sani Danja, Broda Shaggi, and AY.

Based on true stories, Almajiri follows two young children who were separated from their parents by Alhaji Makarfi. Under his ‘care’, they deal with chronic illness, abuse, trafficking, drug addiction, poverty, violence, and forms of child slavery.

While this is no doubt an extremely important issue, the domestic box office has shown time and time again that comedy sells most of the time, so it should go without saying that choosing to tell this story should have come with an extremely fat marketing budget.

Former Olympian Boxer Jerry Okorodudu Is Dead

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Emenike Agu

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June 29, 2023

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Okorodudu represented Nigeria at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, where he competed in the middleweight category, and he won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane

Former Nigerian boxer Jeremiah Okorodudu’s death on Wednesday, 28 June, at a private hospital in Surulere, has been confirmed by his wife, Adenike.

Okorodudu died at 64 after battling a foot ulcer.

According to Adenike, the deceased’s wife, the boxer had battled a partial stroke and diabetes for the last two years before he died just before a scheduled surgery to amputate his leg.

“Jerry really suffered. For the past two years, he had partial stroke and diabetes.”

“His leg was supposed to have been amputated on Saturday, but he gave up the ghost this night at the hospital we took him to in Lawanson in Surulere.

The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and the President of the West Africa Boxing Union, Remi Aboderin, also said the association was shocked at his demise despite the positive reviews on his health status.

“It is true about his death. I just confirmed it after you called me, and I reached out to some colleagues.

“It is unfortunate that he died this way, and I am actually lost for words. May his soul rest in peace.”

However, Adenike revealed to Punch that her husband’s body had been seized at the Private hospital because of the N600,000 debt.

“He is dead now, but we still need to pay N600,000 to get his body out of the hospital.”

Okorodudu, during his prime as a boxer, represented Nigeria at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where he competed in the middleweight category. But earlier in 1982, he won a bronze medal at the Comonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia.

Okorodudu also won gold at the 1979 National Sports Festival in Ibadan.

Box Office: Transformers Remains On Top with ₦54 million

By

Emenike Agu

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June 29, 2023

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After spending a few more days in theatres, the data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria shows that the sci-fi movie is still on top with ₦54 million.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr., the seventh installment in Paramount’s action franchise follows Optimus Prime and the Autobots as they attempt to take out a threat that’s capable of destroying the entire planet. It stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse maintains second place with ₦35 million, in addition to the ₦22.7 million from the previous week.

The animated adventure from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation has now grossed a total of ₦79.9 million.

Fast X is currently in third place with ₦25 million. The tenth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise has earned a total of ₦279.8 million. The newest addition, Jason Momoa’s villain Dante Reyes has largely praised as the best antagonist of the franchise.

Newcomer The Flash came in sixth, pulling in ₦3.7 million after one day of advanced screening. Next week’s numbers should tell us more about how Nigerians are responding to the DC title, which is getting mostly negative reviews worldwide.

In general, Nigerian moviegoers spent a total of ₦153. 7 million from June 9–15, 2023, on both international and Nollywood titles, with most of it going to foreign movies.

Enyimba May Get Wild Card Entry Into Restructured African Super League

By

Emenike Agu

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June 29, 2023

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The landscape of the proposed African Super League continues to change as even a possible change of name is in the offing.

The initial proposed August kick-off is no longer feasible as October is being considered as a possible take off period.

Also altered is the initial 24-team format which has been drastically reduced to eight. The composition of the eight club has also generated controversy.

CAF billionaire president, Patrice Motsepe told South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in Johannesburg that the approached sponsors of the $100 million prize money are not happy with the word ‘Super’ attached to the competition.

The CAF president failed to give the details about the prize money, the format or the names of the teams for the first edition.

The line-up of the eight clubs will include the 2023 Champions League semi-finalists – Al Ahly of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Esperance of Tunisia and Motsepe-owned Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

The French news agency also speculated that Nigeria’s Enyimba along with TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Simba of Tanzania and Petro Atletico of Angola may also take part.

The final list may anger some countries, especially Algeria whose clubs have been excluded despite good performances in recent seasons.

Chabab Belouizdad have reached the quarter-finals of the last three Champions Leagues and USM Alger won the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup this season.

Enyimba have not reached the Champions League knockout stage since 2011, but it would be unthinkable to have an Africa Super League without the most populous country in the continent.

Nigerian Govt. Policy on vehicle proof of ownership annual levy

By

Henry Williams

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June 29, 2023

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The Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu is leaving no stone unturned in his drive for revenue generation. His recent policy lends credence to his passion for revenue generation.

While Nigeria’s democracy was nascent he created more Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos but it didn’t sit well with the then President, General Olusegun Obasanjo. Consequently, the Federal Government had to stop the federal allocation to Lagos State since the creation of LCDAs contravened the provisions of the 1999 constitution which doesn’t recognize such “inventiveness”.

Necessity they say is the mother of invention; out of necessity occasioned by the paucity of funds Tinubu had to think outside the box on how to generate funds to run the state. Lagosians bore the brunt. They were heavily taxed and levied. Now, Tinubu needs to understand that he is the President of Nigeria and not a Governor of a state who was almost emasculated by paucity of funds but had to focus on revenue drive for the running of Lagos State.

It is common knowledge that Buhari mismanaged the Nigerian economy and our account as a nation is not only in red but in minus. Unfortunately, the application of Lagos State policies of ‘yesteryear in today’s complex Nigeria will not work! Fuel subsidy has been identified as the major cankerworm that has eaten very deep into the fabric of our nation and has almost ravaged it beyond repair.

In Tinubu’s presidential inaugural address, he wasted no time emphatically stating that fuel subsidy is gone! We saw the price of petrol skyrocket from about N193 to N540. This shook the entire nation and its effect has been debilitating as inflation characterized fuel subsidy removal. This brings me to the heart of the matter: the introduction of annual levies for vehicle ‘proof of ownership’.

The Federal Government has said with effect from July 1, 2023, every car owner must pay a thousand naira annually for “proof of vehicle ownership”. This is another low for the Federal Government, the policy is illogical. Is unintelligent, not just illogical that a car owner will be levied annually for owning a car.

Why should a Nigerian be levied for owning a car and why should a Nigerian pay for proof of ownership every year for the same vehicle? So, if I have a car that’ll use for four years or more, I’ll have to pay proof of ownership to the government annually. It just doesn’t make any logical sense. Maybe, the government will also ask married couples to go to the registry and renew their union annually for a fee.

The Federal Government has given the impression that its goal is to fleece Nigerians. Any responsible and people-friendly government should be thinking about cushioning the effect of the removal of fuel subsidies on Nigerians and taking appropriate and decisive measures to see to it that inflation is checked.

Instead of blatant anti-populist policies like the purported increase in the tariff of electricity, increase in salary of political office holders (which has been denied), and other obnoxious levies the government should be thinking of giving tax breaks to SMEs, mass transit schemes, and other measures to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses. Citizens alone shouldn’t bear the brunt of reviving a comatose economy; rather various categories of political leaders should lead from the front by making the necessary verifiable sacrifices for the nation and for the people they lead.

The Presidency, the National Assembly members, Governors, and legislators of the various State Houses of Assembles should voluntarily make sacrifices by having salary and allowance cuts if they are genuinely concerned about rescuing the comatose Nigerian economy. By doing so, the people will know that the government has the best interest of the citizens at heart. The annual levy on proof of ownership is a bad policy that should be withdrawn immediately.

Nnamdi Abana 27/06/2023

NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To Contaminated Soft Drink In Circulation

By

faith Jegede

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June 29, 2023

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public about a batch of contaminated Sprite 50cl glass bottles circulating in Nigeria.

NAFDAC in a statement said the product was discovered following a consumer complaint received and investigated by the post-marketing surveillance unit of the Agency.

It said that upon investigation of the point of purchase and the supplier’s address, over five crates of the implicated batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles were discovered to be contaminated with particles.

According to the Agency, “The affected batch of the unwholesome product has been sampled for laboratory analysis in the NAFDAC laboratory and the Agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the implicated batch of the unwholesome product.

“Similarly, a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Inspection of the manufacturing site is to be carried out by the Agency, this is to find the root cause of the contamination and ensure compliance to marketing authorization.

“Furthermore, the company, (Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant) has been directed to recall the implicated batch of the unwholesome product and report to NAFDAC for effective monitoring.”

The agency implored distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the consumption, sale, or distribution of the unwholesome product, adding that “the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”

It also advised anyone in possession of the named batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. “

If you, or someone you know, have consumed this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” NAFDAC advised.

The regulatory agency gave details of the product as follows: Product name – Sprite 50cl glass bottles, Product manufacturer – Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant), BN- AZ6 22:32, MFD- 180423, BB: 180424

4 NASA Volunteers To Be Locked In Virtual Mars For 378 Days

By

faith Jegede

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June 29, 2023

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A group of four NASA volunteers have begun a 378-day mission in which they will be locked in a ground-based simulation of the planet Mars.

The mission began Sunday and is the first of three-year-long Mars surface simulations, according to NASA. During the mission, crew members will live and work in a 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat.

NASA says researchers will simulate the challenges of a human mission to Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure and communication delays.

The crew will also carry out different types of mission activities, including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations and habitat maintenance.

The four-person team comprises research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones and U.S. Navy microbiologist Anca Selariu. Haston will serve as the crew’s commander. The quartet were selected from a pool of applicants to be part of NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA

25 Drug Dependent Persons Rehabilitated In Four Months- NDLEA

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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June 29, 2023

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it rehabilitated 25 drug dependent individuals from January to April 2023 in Imo.

Commander of the NDLEA in Imo, Mr Abubakar Wali, said this at a workshop on drug abuse management, jointly organised by the Goodhope Flourish foundation, and the Imo Ministry of Women affairs, as part of activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Wali said that the Agency also trained 78 teachers and 50 security personnel on drug abuse prevention and management in the last one year.

He added that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in partnership with the NDLEA, and the MTN foundation, would train an additional 30 teachers in Imo for its unplugged programme which is an evidence-based school drug prevention project in July 2023.

He appreciated Mrs Chioma Uzodinma, wife of Gov. Hope Uzodinma, for facilitating the ongoing reconstruction of the Agency’s dilapidated rehabilitation centre and promised to make maximum use of the facility upon its completion.

Speaking, the Command’s Assistant State Commander, Operations and Training, Mr Lamuwa Shehu, decried the spate of stigmatization against drug users and called for changes in the attitude of people toward them.

This, he said, would afford drug users a greater sense of belonging and improve their chances of receiving help.

Also, Mrs Edith Thompson, the Deputy Zonal Commander, Zone “L”, called for a people-centered approach to the problem of drug abuse.

Mrs Uzodinma, represented by Mrs Obiageri Anyaehie, called for a collaboration between stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse to foster a non-judgmental atmosphere which would in turn, provide avenues for necessary interventions.

According to her, early detection, intervention and treatment are vital in the fight, hence the need for all hands to be on deck for best results.

Alcohol Is Forbidden At Paris 2024 Olympics!

By

Emenike Agu

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June 29, 2023

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Like Qatar 2022 World Cup, alcohol will not be sold in any of the venues at next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Under a law dating back more than 30 years, alcohol is banned from sports stadiums, but organisers of this year’s Rugby World Cup in France had negotiated an exemption.

Paris 2024, though, is not seeking to have the law lifted for the Olympics, newspaper Le Parisien reported.

But beer, wine and spirits will be allowed to be served in VIP and corporate hospitality areas.

The 1991 Evin law prohibits the sale, distribution and introduction of alcoholic beverages in sports and physical activity establishments.

Many fans in France have lobbied for allowing alcohol to be sold at stadia across the country, complaining about the hypocrisy of selling it in VIP areas, but nowhere else.

In 2019, France’s then Health Minister Agnès Buzyn suggested that alcohol should also be banned from VIP areas, but her idea was quickly quashed by the drinks industry.

There are, however, several loopholes in the law which mean that wine, beer and cider are regularly sold at events for certain sports, such as rugby.

The law also allows local mayors to grant a limited number per year of exceptions to the law.

Japanese beer company Asahi has signed up as sponsor of the Rugby World Cup, due to take place between September 8 and October 28 and beer will be sold at the 48 matches at venues in the nine cities, as it is for normal domestic or international rugby games in France.

It appears that Paris 2024 will not be taking advantage of any of these loopholes.

Alcohol was also banned from stadiums at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo

Beer and wine was available at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in London and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.

Last November, on the eve of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, organisers announced that beer would not be available for sale in stadiums.