NIGERIA FILMS BOARD ARRESTS 6 ILLEGAL FILM PRODUCERS
The National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) have arrested six suspects, including a woman, for producing and marketing films without the approval of the agency. The suspects were arrested at various locations in the state by a joint task force of the board, comprising of officials of the Ondo-Ekiti centre and the headquarters.
Parading the suspects in Akure, Ms Franca Anara, leader of the joint NFVCB task force, said three of the suspects were arrested at Akungba Akoko, two in Ondo town and one in Akure. She added that the suspects were caught with 5,000 copies films which they had produced illegally. Anara said that nine other suspects were still at large, adding that the agency would soon apprehend them.
AT LAST INI EDO WEDS AUGUST 30
The cheering news in town is that Nollywood’s controversial actress, Iniobong Edo has begun plans to settle down forever with her heartthrob, Philip Ehigwina.
It was gathered that the official introduction was done recently in her home town Eket. The traditional wedding is billed for August 30th in Eket while the wedding is slated for September 6th in Lagos. To say that Ini Edo is a piece of well sculptured creation is an understatement, going by the way male fans swarm around her. She is likeable from her physical appearance down to her sexy garbs.
Ini Edo cuts the picture of a weired seductress and an innocent virgin at the same time whenever she graces the screen. Since her debut lead role in “Worlds Apart,” the Eket Akwa Ibom born actress has dusted so many other thriving female jobbers in the make belief industry to the background with her mesmerising act. Earning more than half of the entire budget of any movie production film makers allegedly pay her excessively not only to have her in their production set but also to have a piece of her. The controversial super actress is said to have been romantically linked with Nollywood actor mike Ezurutonye and hip hop star, D’Banj.
LOSING N12MILLION IS NOT BIG DEAL ---GENEVIEVE
You must have heard that actress Genevieve Nnaji, has finally lost out in the bidding for the lead role in a low-budget Hollywood movie, Tulips, which tentatively commences production in December. You may have also beeen told that Ini Edo, was hired for the role which will highlight the plight of African women. The producers have been trading blames with Genevieve whom they accused of arrogance. Repots have it that the move initiated by some Nollywood practitioners in collaboration with the Americans could breed bad blood between the two actresses- Ini and Genny. Well, it seems the issue at stake is the fee, put conservatively at one hundred and ten thousand dollars. While one would think that Genny would weep her eyes out over the seeming loss, she is just not.
She says 'it is no big deal', because her agents are careful about the kind of movie she appears in. The buzz is that Genny and her agents in America started dragging their feet about the deal when they felt the role would be a great disservice to her. But the producers quickly shifted attention to Ini, whom they got for ten thousand dollars less. This may not be the end of 'Hollywood dream' for Genevieve indeed.
LAGOSIANS CHIDE PASTORS FOR ADVERTISING SELVES
Some Nigerians have kicked against the use of posters by religious leaders to advertise themselves. A cross-section of Lagos residents interviewed by Newsmen has, expressed disgust at the trend, saying it was only meant to boost the personal ego of the clerics indulging in the practice.
The Archbishop of Lagos Mainland, Anglican Communion, Bishop Adebayo Akinde, described the trend as selfish. Akinde urged clerics to live exemplary lives.
``Christian leaders should remember that God requires of us holiness, righteousness, integrity and honesty.
``The Bible warns against materialism. The life of a man does not consist in the abundance of his possession," he said.
In his reaction, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, also frowned at the trend.
According to Osu, most pastors of new generation churches live in opulence and preach that God is not God of the poor.
``Most of the new generation churches now harp on miracles and prosperity without backing it up with sincere words of God,'' Osu said.
In her contribution, Madam Caroline Onwuta, a teacher, claimed that the new generation churches were confusing their flocks with their teaching.
``The Pentecostal Churches are not versatile with the words of God, as they are fond of turning the words of God upside down to suit their purposes.
``They compete among themselves rather than emulate the orthodox churches which avoid materialism and help to instill sanity in the society,'' Onwuta said.
She condemned the use of posters by Pentecostal Church leaders to project themselves.
Mr. Biola Adeboye, a trader, is not happy that pastors of new generation churches advertise
themselves and their wives as well as show off their suits.
``They look well fed in their costly attires while their flocks look hungry. Their posters deface the streets, the walls and bridges in the city,'' he said.
Adeboye called on the government to ban religious leaders from defacing the streets with their posters.
`` People should not be sentimental about this. There must be some sanity,'' he said.
However, Pastor Joseph Ojo, General Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said that there was nothing bad in the use of posters by religious leaders. He saw nothing wrong in a poster having the photographs of the pastor and his wife.
Ojo, who saw nothing wrong in a poster having the photographs of a pastor and his wife, said if either of them was called by God, they must work together.
SENATE WANTS BBA TO REFLECT AFRICAN VALUES
The Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Information, Sen. Ayogu Eze has stressed
the need for the Big Brother Africa (BBA) show to reflect the traditions and values of the
region.
BBA is a reality show aired by Multichoice through DSTV, a cable satellite service provider,
based in South Africa. It would be recalled that the Nigerian government had in 2005 banned Multichoice from
airing the show on Nigerian airwaves because of its pornographic content.
However, Eze briefing newsmen in Abuja after a private meeting with stakeholders, said
that such programme must be in conformity with the existing laws.
'' There was no such intention by the National Assembly to ban BBA but they must improve on
their parading show,'' he said. '' Multichoice is welcome into Nigeria, but it must be repackaged
to improve morality and respect for our culture, values and the political objectives of the government.
'' Its programme and content must as a matter of fact conform with the existing requirements, laws
and other regulations in the country,'' he said.
Eze said that the organisation had agreed to reform its programme to avoid negative impact on children.He said lawmakers could only investigate and make recommendations to the executive for implementation.
'' Execution of policy is left for the executive arm of government, we are not in a position to take any decision
on BBA,'' he said.
ENVOYS SCORE NIGERIA'S VISUAL ART HIGH
A cross section of foreign Ambassadors has scored Nigeria's Visual Art high, describing it as one of the best in the world. This was one of the highlights of a meeting with the minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode on the first ever African Regional Summit and Exhibition on Visual Arts (ARESUVA).
According to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Dumond, Nigeria is one of the biggest and most important countries in terms of visual art. He noted that Nigeria's art could be measured with any art work in any part of the world.
He pledged his support to ensure a successful hosting of ARESUVA adding that it would go a long way to assist young artists develop their talent.
The Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mar Suleiman Dedefo said Nigeria's artists were making great impact in the world.
`` Nigeria is one of the best countries in arts and the summit will create the opportunity for all artists in Africa to come together and share their experiences….We are happy to partner with Nigeria in this noble project of art which we believe will help build young artists and create challenges for the older ones,'' he said.
The minister said that ARESUVA was the celebration of Africa's visual art which the country was prepared to make an annual event.
``We are starting it here in Nigeria because we are proud owners of art and culture in Africa and we are ready to share this ownership with our brothers all over Africa and the world….This is because we are proud of our culture, and we will do everything to propagate our art in Nigeria, Africa and all over the world'', he said.
He called for support from all stakeholders to ensure a successful hosting of the summit. ARESUVA is schedule for Sept. 7 to 13 at the International Conference centre, Abuja.
BANKS URGED TO SUPPORT FILM INDUSTRY
Commercial banks in the country have been urged to grant liberal credit facilities to the country's film industry. The stakeholders in the film industry said at the roundtable discussion on the involvement of the financial institutions in the Nigerian film industry in Lagos that with the consolidation exercise in the banking sector, the impact of the transformation should be felt in all sectors, including the film industry.
They also urged the banks to come together to fund the industry, particularly the proposed film industry development fund by the industry. They pointed out that although the funding should not only be limited to the banking industry alone, but also to the subscribers of the industry.
In his speech at the forum, the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Luther Dan, said that the government was creating an enabling environment for the industry.
Odey said that the government could assist the industry alone and that with the support of banks for it to grow and compete favourably in the international scene. He therefore commended the banks for giving out loans to the film operators and suggested that they should grant long term loans instead of the short term loans.
He pointed out that although the funding should not only be limited to the banking industry, but also to the subscribers of the industry. The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, enjoined banks to structure their lending rates in such a way that it would accommodate the industry.
He said that the film industry was a viable industry that could generate revenue for the country as a whole and therefore urged them to support the industry. In his contribution, the business development manager of Skye Bank, Mr. Adeoye Adekambi, said that for the film operators to have access to loans from the banks, they needed to keep adequate cash flow as loan repayment requirement.
He said that the operators could recover the loan they borrowed from banks if they have effective distribution channel and good quality films.
GULDER ULTIMATE SEARCH KICKS OFF IN ENUGU
The Nigerian Brewery Plc, has kicked started the 5th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search, a TV reality show at Awgu Hills in Enugu State. 10 candidates were short listed out of 25,000 persons that applied for the show. Many were eliminated after various physical and mental exercises.
The winner of the show would take home N7 million, an SUV Car and N500, 000 as wardrobe allowance. Briefing newsmen shortly before the participants headed for the venue of event, the Marketing Manager, NB Plc, Mr. Tony Agenemonmen, said that the participants would spend four weeks in search of the ultimate chronicle on the hills.
Agenemonmen said that medical support, security and insurance cover were provided for the participants.The company earlier presented the 10 candidates for the game to Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, who promised to provide them with all the necessary support for the success of the event.
MICHEAL JACKSON LOOKS FRAIL- SAYS PHOTOGRAPHER
The U.S. pop star, Michael Jackson, appeared ``frail'' and ``gaunt'' during a visit to Las Vegas with his three children, a photographer has said in New York.
The observation was made by popular U.S. based photographer Mike Lopez. The photographer's comments were contained in Sunday's edition of the New York Daily News. ``The so-called King of Pop looked to be in poor health while shopping at a Las Vegas bookstore.
``He looks really frail,'' the photographer said of the 49-year-old singer, noting that, ``his skin was
peeling off and he looks so thin.''
Lopez said Jackson wore pyjamas during the outing and was being pushed in a wheelchair by
his children.
THE BRANGELINA TWINS ARE HERE
Angelina Jolie has given birth to a girl and a boy. The obstetrician who delivered the twins, Dr. Michel Sussmann, told Pressmen that the actress, the babies and Jolie's partner, Brad Pitt, "are doing marvelously well."
Sussmann said Jolie gave birth to a boy, Knox Leon, and a girl, Vivienne Marcheline, by Caesarean section on Saturday night.
He told Pressmen on Sunday morning that the boy weighed just over 5 pounds and the girl 5 pounds. The 33-year-old actress gave birth at around 8 p.m. on Saturday night, the doctor told newsmen by telephone.
Pitt was there during the operation, said the doctor, who delivered the twins at the seaside Lenval hospital in Nice in southern France.
"Everything is going well," said Sussmann. "The mother, the babies, the father are doing marvelously well."
He said the Caesarean was moved forward from its originally planned date "for medical reasons" so that the babies could be born "in the best conditions." Sussman did not give details.
He said Jolie is expected to stay in the hospital for a few more days. The doctor said he believed the baby girl's middle name was chosen in honor of Jolie's mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, who died in January 2007 after a 7 1/2-year battle with cancer.
Jolie and Pitt already have four children: Maddox, 6; Pax, 4; Zahara, 3, and Shiloh, 2.
Jolie had checked into the hospital late last month to rest and be monitored by her doctor before the birth.
Before that, she, Pitt and their children had moved into a large estate, Miraval, in the French hamlet of Correns, which is just a short helicopter ride from the hospital. Correns is about 60 miles from Nice, a resort on the Mediterranean.
Though the lenses of the world's paparazzi had been trained on maternity wards across the French Riviera, Jolie managed to slip unobserved into the clinic, which has magnificent views of the Mediterranean, reportedly arriving by helicopter on the hospital's rooftop helipad.
Pitt was seen coming and going after Jolie's hospitalization became public. The first photos of the new twins are expected to fetch millions of dollars. Paparazzi gathered outside the hospital in Nice on Sunday morning, hoping for a shot of Pitt.
Local newspaper Nice Matin, which first broke news of the birth, reported Sunday that the couple has sold rights for the first photo of their newly enlarged family to a U.S. publication, which it did not name, and that the proceeds would go to charity.
The newspaper gave no source for that information. But the doctor told newsmen the couple decided to announce the birth to Nice Matin first because of its links to Nice. The newspaper called the twins "the most famous babies in the world."
Earlier this week, the hospital said it had coated the windows of Jolie's room with a special material to prevent paparazzi from taking unauthorized pictures of the star couple.
The hospital said photos in magazines and on the Internet which purported to show Jolie and Pitt in their room were fake, either manipulated or showing other patients at the hospital.
Tourists and residents of Nice, a popular resort, welcomed news of the birth. The city's mayor, Christian Estrosi, had previously told newsmen that the twins will always be considered honorary citizens of the city, regardless of whether they opt to obtain French citizenship.
Estrosi said it was a "very great honor" for Nice that the Hollywood couple chose to give birth there.
FASHION AND MUSIC ICONS STORM ABUJA FOR “AFRICA RISING”
As count-down to Fridays THISDAY Music Festival gradually ticks to zero, top artistes billed to perform at the event started arriving the Nations capital.
First to hit town was the United States-based acclaimed hip-pop gladiator, Usher Raymond, who arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a Virgin Atlantic airline at 3.25 pm.
The musician, who was received on arrival by THISDAY airport protocol officers amidst tight security, waved to enthusiastic and anxious fans as he made his way into a waiting grey BMW car. Immediately he moved out of the arrival hall of the VIP lounge, shouts of “Usher!” rent the air as most of the fans struggled to catch a glimpse of the American music super star.
Supermodels, Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek, also hit town to the excitement of Abuja residents yesterday. The last to arrive was American star, Jay-Z, who came in at 11.30 pm.
Usher Clad in dark-blue jeans trousers with a black T-shirt and sporty canvas to match attracted the attention of the fans and other passengers around the airport as he strolled confidently to the car. In the company of the musician were 15 others who joined a THISDAY Staff bus in the entourage before being driven in long motorcade to Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
Many of the fans who spoke to THISDAY at the airport said they had been waiting since morning to catch a glimpse of the music and fashion icons while some said they would wait till late night to see if they could see other artistes.
Meanwhile, the Director- General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has stated that THISDAY has contributed immensely to harvesting the country’s tourism capabilities through the festival.
This year’s THISDAY festival, which is tagged “Africa Rising: To Celebrate the Best and Brightest of Emerging New Africa”, is designed to revolutionarise global perspectives on African issues. This is aimed at shifting focus from Africa’s problems to the opportunities and from treating the symptoms to curing the diseases and projecting a positive image of Africa.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS COMMITS N3.5M TO FILM PRODUCTION
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria today in Lagos said it had produced a N3.5 million movie to further spread Christianity and culture in Nigeria. The movie, entitled ``Power Over Faith'', was premiered at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos,on Wednesday. Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, told the Newsmen that the movie was part of the church's commitment to spreading the gospel.
``We want to use the film to pass the gospel to the people so that they can be strong in faith and obey God's rules as contained in the Holy Bible. ``It can also be used to project our arts and culture, side by side the gospel. ``If churches leave the gospel, most people will muddle it up and there will be serious confusion,'' Okogie said.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat, Nigeria, described the film as a new dimension to evangelism in Nigeria. ``What we had witnessed today is the recognition of the power of art to effect change as clearly enunciated
by the word of God.
``In this era of movie boom, the church needs to evangelize through films of high moral quality and content,'' Madu said. While regretting the increase in ``immoral movies'' in Nigeria, he said the church should take it upon itself to preach moral dignity to the people through faith-based
films.
Chief Willie Obiano, an Executive Director in Fidelity Bank Plc, one of the sponsors of the film, said that he was happy that his bank was part of the effort. Former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, pledged his continued support to the Catholic Artists and Entertainers' Association of Nigeria which handled the production of the film.
GOV. OBI EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER OLIVER DE COQUE’S TRANSITION
Gov Peter Obi of Anambra has express sadness over the death of Mr. Sunday Akanite, a highlife music exponent better known as Oliver De Coque. The governor said this in a press statement in Awka. Obi said the pain of Akanite's passing on was stressful as it came months after Anambra lay to rest another of the nation's musical great, Chief Osita Osadebe.
While commiserating with the family of the late musician, the governor urged them to take solace in the fact that the pulsating melodies of Oliver De Coque's music would remain with us.The Akanite, 61, died in a Lagos hospital of an undisclosed ailment last Friday. Akanite, who hailed from Umudiani village, Ezinifite in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was the eldest of seven children.
Gaius Akanite, the deceased's junior brother, said in Umudiani that the late musician had a slight attack of malaria the previous two weeks.He described Sunday Akanite as the bread winner of the family, saying his demise would be greatly felt as their father died in 1978 and their mother in 2006.Mrs. Bennedette Akanite, the first of the four wives of the late musician, who was home to prepare for the burial, was too shocked to speak.
Meanwhile, a top comedian, Chika Okpala, has described the death of highlife musician, Oliver De Coque as a "serious blow" to the growth of highlife music in the country.``The late legend used music to promote lgbo language, preach peace, project cultural heritage of the people and national unity,'' Okpala, popularly known as `Zubrudaya' said in Enugu.
According to him, the vacuum created by the exit of De Coque will take a long while to fill. Okpala noted that the demise of the highlife maestro came at a time that music lovers had yet to recover from the shocking death of Sunny Okosun of the Oziddi music fame.``The death of the music stars since last year has given serious concern to many Nigerian music lovers on the fate of the music industry," he said.
FILM INSTITUTE GETS 8-MEMBER ADVISORY COUNCIL
An eight-member advisory council for the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos, has been inaugurated to accelerate the development of the nation's premier film school.
A statement by the institute's Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Brian Etuk, made available to Newsmen in Jos announced that the members were drawn from across the film industry.
It added that membership were also from other professional bodies with vast and requisite experience and they would serve for a term of three years in the first instance.
According to the statement, the main responsibility of the Council is to advice the management of the institute on the best academic programmes and professional practices.
The Council is also to assist the management in acquiring equipment that will help boost the actualisation of the goals of the institute. The statement gave the names of members as Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Chairman, Mr. Teddy Hanmakguh, Chief Tunde Oloyede and Mrs. Sandra Obiago.
Others are Profs. E.T.Gbeleka and Irene Salami, Chief Ezekiel Gomos while Mr. James Lawal would serve as the secretary.
The Nigeria Film Institute, which was established in 1995 by the Nigeria Film Corporation, has trained more than 2,000 graduates in various disciplines of film and video production.
