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Ripples in Nollywood over Saraki’s N5m donation

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The recent N5m donation made by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki to ailing stakeholders in the movie industry is still generating some controversies. The money received by the National Chairman of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Emeka Rollas, may soon become a subject of litigation and mudslinging, no thanks to the ‘dubious’ disbursement of the funds, which has left unsavory taste in some quarters.
Rising from an emergency meeting, the Save Stanley Okoronkwo Committee, a group set up to solicit for funds to treat ailing filmmaker, critic and reporter, Stanley Okoronkwo has washed its hands off the donation, following a recent newspaper publication which included Okoronkwo’s name as one of the five ailing Nollywood personalities who benefitted from the 5m naira fund. The group’s spokesman, Kennedy Jones Okey, said the group was shocked to have seen the name of Stanley Okoronkwo on the list of the 5 beneficiaries. According to him, “We are shocked that AGN authorities will boldly come out to publish the name of Stanley Okoronkwo as a beneficiary of the Senate President’s donation after the Chairman of AGN, Emeka Rollas made what we believed to be a personal donation of N30,000 (Thirty thousand naira only) Stanley sometime in December sent an sms to Emeka Rollas Ejezie who is his friend and ask him to help him out with 10k to buy his routine drugs.Our understanding is that in Jan Emeka asked for his account and proceeded to credit him with 30k. It is thus highly deceitful grossly unfair and extremely wicked to list Stanley as one of the five beneficiaries of Saraki’s 5m. We will seek every legal means to seek redress because this is very embarrassing. With that publication, people who are willing to help us meet Stanley Okoronkwo’s financial needs are backing out, claiming he has received money from the Senate President. As I speak with you, Stanley is still looking for money to buy drugs, yet the information out there is that he has received money from the Senate President. That is wicked to say the least”.
Stanley Okoronkwo took ill in 2016 after the doctors diagnosed him of ‘an unfolded aorta, enlarged heart and major av blockage, which usually resulted in frequent tiredness and occasional blackouts aside a major heart attack, which he graciously survived.
In order to save Stanley Okoronkwo, donations towards his treatment can be received through accounts with the following details: STANLEY OKORONKWO, ZENITH BANK..2174892102 or STANLEY OKORONKWO 3020383386 in FIRST BANK.
Okoronkwo’s contributions in the industry are indeed enormous. Aside being behind great productions like ‘Omugwu’, ‘Killing Machine’, ‘Innocent Blood’, ‘York Street’, ‘Have Mercy’ and ‘Weep No More’, he has written for several news publications and is the brain behind the Nollywood Personalities Awards, NOPA, which has been honouring personalities of note in Nollywood since 1997. He was the National PRO, Association of Movie Producers as well as the Secretary of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria. Stanley has also been honoured for contributing to the growth of AGN on four different occasions. He is equally a media consultant to Actors guild board of trustees.

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Coal City Film Festival 2024: A Celebration of African Cinema in Enugu…….

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Theo Ukpaa, Shuaibu Hussein, Others Shine at the Event!

 

 

The Coal City Film Festival 2024, hosted at the scenic Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu, Nigeria, was a spectacular showcase of glamour and glitz. This premier film event, the largest in the South East, was organized in partnership with the Enugu State government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The festival celebrates the richness of film, culture, and authenticity while providing a platform for industry stakeholders to enhance their artistic and business acumen.

 

This annual event, dedicated to celebrating African cinema, offered a variety of engaging activities in this year’s edition. Attendees enjoyed free film screenings, master classes, and panel discussions. The festival also featured unique cultural experiences, such as a palm wine and bush meat roundtable, a city tour, an awards gala night, and a lively party, all of which attracted many beautiful faces from the film industry and beyond.

Theo Ukpa On Red Carpet

The 3-day event saw a gathering of filmmakers, actors, policymakers, and development agencies in the vibrant Coal City. Notable attendees included the President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, Film and TV Producer Theo Ukpaa, Dr. Shuaibu Hussein, Ijeoma Onah, Andy Amenechi and veteran actors like Segun Arinze and Obi Okoli, adding to the star-studded ambiance of the festival.

 

A major highlight of the festival was the screening of ‘IFEDICHE,’ a movie that opened the Coal City Film Festival 2024. This special film, made in Coal City, revolves around a cultural meal of Enugu, showcasing the region’s rich culinary heritage.

 

The Festival Jury includes Jude Idana, Theo Ukpaa, Chichi Nworah, Arul Marewad and Charles Okwuowulu.

 

Uche Agbo, the founder and Executive Director of the Coal City Film Festival, expressed the festival’s vision to open the doors of South-east Nigeria to the rest of the world through the medium of film. This year’s festival not only celebrated African cinema but also served as a bridge connecting the local culture and creativity to a global audience.

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2024 Young Orators National Finals

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The city of Ibadan, Nigeria, hosted a captivating spectacle as finalists from across the nation gathered for the 2024 Young Orators national final competition. Organised by the Peat Philips Foundation, this prestigious event serves as the Nigerian franchise of the International Public Speaking Competition, annually conducted by the English-Speaking Union.

 

Akinleye Olu-Philips, Team Lead at Peat Philips Foundation, highlighted Ibadan’s rich literary heritage, underscoring its significance as a nurturing ground for literary talents in Nigeria.

 

Amidst fierce competition, 20-year-old Folakemi Adebayo, a second-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, clinched the coveted title. Torkuma Mimidoo Perpetual (17), a science student from Rosladys College, Gboko, Benue State and Inioluwa Sodunke from De – Glorious Heritage School, Lagos State, secured the second and third positions respectively.

 

Folakemi Adebayo’s victory earns her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2024 International Public Speaking Competition scheduled in London from May 13 to 17. The national final was generously sponsored by Learn Africa Plc, with support from Alpha FC Abuja.

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Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu’s #Makewehalla Video goes viral, Ignites Dialogue on Domestic Abuse

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In a nation where the discussion on domestic violence often remains shrouded in silence, two power actors have ignited a powerful movement that is resonating deeply across Nigeria.

 

Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu, through their viral video titled #MakeWeHalla, have initiated a much-needed conversation on the pressing issue of domestic violence.

 

The video features the two talented actors in a humorous yet thought-provoking short video, emphasising the importance of speaking out against domestic violence.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43iD60Nh7e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

 

With their trademark wit and charm, Inojie and Nuhu delivered a compelling message; when Nigerians witness domestic violence, they must make noise, they must ‘halla’.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BEb4wMq5h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

The video is capturing the attention of viewers across various demographics, sparking discussions on online platforms.

 

Among many Nigerians who have been inspired by the video is a fast-rising actor and social media influencer, Joseph Momodu.

 

He wrote, “Yesoooo Oga Charles. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Domestic violence is not good and the more reason to really Halla!!”

 

A popular Nigerian film director and social media personality, Falalu Abubakar Dorayi, also known as Falalu A. Dorayi, added his voice against sitting on the fence while witnessing incidents of domestic violence. To him, “Women abuse is a bad behavior. Silence, when we see people doing (it), is like giving a chance to continue. It’s true, everywhere we see signs of “abuse” happening. Let’s expose the secrets. #MakeWeHalla.”

 

“This is powerful. We must halla! Like I always say, to fix this nation, you must fix yourself first. You are a part of the nation; once you fix you, you have fixed the nation. This is applicable to a community where domestic violence thrives,” Lanre Adediwura, an award-winning actor and online personality, opined.

 

A Nigerian actress and online celebrity, Kiitan Bukola, said that Nigerians can’t continue to sit on the fence in the face of domestic violence. “We must halla; we can’t continue to ignore. let’s kick against domestic violence… ,“ she wrote.

 

The success of #MakeWeHalla by encouraging individuals to speak up, is empowering communities to break the cycle of silence and stigma.

 

Inojie and Nuhu’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as their initiative has garnered widespread praise and support from both fans and advocacy groups alike.

 

Monsurah Hamza with handle @ayotibami0 wrote, “Kudos to Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu for sensitizing Nigerians on domestic violence #MakeWeHalla.”

 

Elated social media user @oladebuofficial stated, “How do I like this video 1 million times cos Bravo. Thank you for this… #MakeWeHalla.”

 

Bammy_ay wrote, “We really need more of this kind of video to educate people on domestic violence. Do not die in silence! #MakeWeHalla.”

 

@ekumastanleyifeanyi3 simply commented, “Say no to domestic violence.”

 

Through their creativity and dedication, Inojie and Nuhu have leveraged their platform to shine a spotlight on a critical issue that often remains hidden in the shadows.

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