Ycee drops new single, “ Dakun” off his debut album

Award-winning rapper, Oludemilade Martin Alejo, better known by his stage name, Ycee releases a brand new song, ‘Dakun’, off his highly anticipated debut album set to be released in November titled “YCeevsZAHEER”.

‘Dakun’, which is a Yoruba word for ‘please’ is a pulsating easy-to-learn single which embodies a message to a beautiful lady, who is presumed to possess a charming personality laced with high moral standards and values.

The enchanted male character in this story pleads that she allows him a place in her heart and the chance to prove that he is nothing like the other men she has met.

Dakun last Friday on all music platforms. The song which is accompanied by amped-up Afrobeat resonances and hip-hop beat structures was produced by Krizbeatz.

YCee announced the release of the album via his social media handles on Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, October 16,  putting out the album art and song listing for the 15-track body of work. Within 24hours of the announcement, the #YCeevsZAHEER hashtag had reached 2.2million people on Twitter and Instagram across Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom, Canada & France.

NFC hosts 1st Berlin-Lagos archival film fest

NFC boss, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has announced its preparedness to host the first Berlin – Lagos Archival Film Festival DECASIA. The festival which will run from Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27th, 2019 takes place at the NFC Lagos office/cinema complex of the Corporation, located beside Voice of Nigeria, Obalende-Ikoyi road. This was contained in a press statement issued in Jos, on Friday, October 18, 2019 and signed by Brian Etuk, Head of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs of NFC.

According to the statement, the Archival Film Festival will feature the daily screening of films that have deployed the unique power of archival footages to drive their narratives. The objective is to also sustain the global conversation on the impact of digital technologies as well as the relationship between archives and festivals.

Other major events lined up for the four day film festival include the presentation of the draft National Film Archive Policy, Update on ZUMA Film Festival, 2019, (scheduled to take place in Abuja, December 1-7, 2019), Stakeholders Interactive Forum and workshop on Distribution Strategies & Preservation Challenges in a Digital Era, Etuk further said.

The statement quotes Dr. Chidia Maduekwe NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive as saying that, Nigeria was in dire need of an archival policy due to its rich cultural heritage and developmental history. The nation, he maintained, is imbued with residue of information that must be secured and documented. He lamented that, despite the volume of films produced in Nigeria, several of those films have either been lost or destroyed, and that “the emplacement of a national film policy will address these anomalies, amongst others”.

Maduekwe, on behalf of the Federal Government commended the German Government and its institutions for partnering the Nigerian Film Corporation to mount the four day event, saying that “the conversation on national archiving, kick started, with Zuma Film Festival 2018, themed Archiving for Creativity, is positively yielding the desired result and meeting its objectives”. Partnering institutions are Goethe University, (Frankfurt) Deutseches Film Institute & Film Museum, Arsenal Institute for Film & Video (DFF) Frankfurt, Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Arts Berlin, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), Germany, and the Lagos Film Society.

The presentation of the Draft National Policy on Archiving, as well as that on ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL 2019, will take place during the opening ceremony (DAY ONE, Thursday, October 24) of the Four Day event. Attendance and participation which is free, is open to all filmmakers and enthusiasts, creative industry stakeholders, the academia, government agencies, the media and the general public.

FG pledges support for AFRIMA... as Nigeria hosts 2019 edition

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has promised its full support for the successful hosting of the 2019 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as the country prepares to host the glamorous event in Lagos 20-23 November 2019, with the theme: ''Feel Africa''.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the promise in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

''When you look at the All Africa Music Awards, it's one of the biggest awards for the music industry in Africa, and what government has done in the past is to provide the enabling environment for the awards to take place.

''We provided support services for AFRIMA, we gave them the backing they need and I think it's on record that the AFRIMA editions that have been held in Nigeria have been among the most successful.

''This year again, we are ready to partner AFRIMA professionally, give them the maximum support such as effective media coverage and also help them in reaching out to other critical stakeholders,'' the Minister said.

He said part of the reasons why Nigeria has successfully hosted the music awards is because the country has relaxed its visa regime, with the visa on arrival policy, thus making it easier for people to come in.

AFRIMA, which was first held in 2014, was established in collaboration with the African Union (AU) to reward and celebrate musical talents and creativity in Africa as well as to promote African Cultural Heritage.

Access Bank, others launch first UN Global Compact Nigeria Compendium of SDG Projects

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L-R: Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc., Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; CEO and Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, Lise Kingo; Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II; and Group Head, Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Access Bank Plc., Amaechi Okobi at the United Nations Global Compact Breakfast Dialogue held in Lagos.

Nigeria’s largest retail bank and sustainability champion, Access Bank Plc., has joined other organisations to launch the first-ever United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) sustainability compendium in Nigeria.

The compendium, which was launched recently at the UNGC Breakfast Dialogue, documents some of the stellar efforts of the Bank, its sustainability journey and its strategic collaborations to facilitate socio-economic development.

Launching the compendium, the former Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede urged corporate organisations and SMEs to invest in and practice sustainability. Highlighting this as the primary solution to achieving the SDGs in view of the critical issues around health and poverty that have plagued Africa.

“The collective will and desire for action amongst organisations has taken a giant leap from where it was few years ago. However, compared to other nations, the statistics of malaria, poverty and deaths in Nigeria paints a very gory picture. Hence, it is the responsibility of every corporate organisation, SME and individual to get involved in activities that will aid the achievement of the SDGs come 2030,” he said.

Over the years, Access Bank has facilitated a growing number of sustainability activities, including the Malaria-to-Zero initiative, issued the first ever CBI-certified Green Bond, and also funded various not-for-profit organisations and programs across all 36 states in the country’s six geo-political zones, among others.

The Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc., Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, assured Nigerians that Access Bank will not relent in its contributions to the achievement of the SDGs saying, “We have entrenched sustainability into every part of our business operations and activities, in addition to aligning the implementation of our sustainability strategy with the achievement of the SDGs.”

“To this end, we have made good progress in driving social, environmental and economic development locally and globally. Despite these, we will not relent, rather, we will continue to invest our time, resources and work with relevant stakeholders to provide innovative solutions to local and global challenges,” she added.

The Bank’s sustainability efforts have been recognized by several prestigious local and international bodies, becoming a four-time consecutive winner of the Outstanding Business Sustainability Award by Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards; 9-time winner of the Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria Award by World Finance Awards; two-time consecutive winner of Most Sustainable Company in Africa by the Sustainability, Enterprise and Reporting Awards; 2-time consecutive winner of the Central Bank of Nigeria Sustainability Awards in all categories including Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria; 2019 Gender Leader of the Year Award by Africa CEO Forum Awards, among others.

AWF hosts Eunice Atuejide,Bob Arnot

The Guest Writer Session of October 26, an initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum, will feature Eunice Atuejide and Bob Arnot at Rosebud Hotel and Suites (former Nanet Suites), from 4-7pm and is open to the public.

*Bob Arnot

Eunice Atuejide, founder of National Interest Party (NIP) and Deputy Secretary General of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), will read from her book, THE GIRL WHO SAID, I CAN. The book chronicles her early days in the slums of Iwaya, her tumultuous relationships, her sojourn through Europe and America, and the journey to Nigerian politics to contest as a presidential candidate.

Eunice studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Ibadan, in Oyo State; Business Administration in Germany, French, German and Spanish languages in different countries in Europe; Film Making, Acting and Communication skills in the USA, the GDL, LLB, LPC and LLM in the UK and completed the compulsory training at the Nigerian Law School to enrol as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is also a Solicitor of England and Wales, an International Arbitrator, and a management consultant.

Eunice is passionate about Nigeria and Nigerians and her unwavering faith inspired the formation of the National Interest Party (NIP). She believes firmly that a government of good leaders is the surest way out of the abyss Nigeria has been in since its inception.

A polyglot, Eunice is fluent in Igbo, Yoruba, German and English languages. She has a working knowledge of French and is currently learning Hausa and Spanish languages. She has visited, lived and worked in at least 76 countries and over 130 across the globe. She holds a black-belt in Taekwondo and continues to train to keep fit.

For over 25 years Bob Arnot taught economics and political economy in the university sector in the UK. He was the Head of Department of Economics at Glasgow Caledonian University and is currently a Visiting Professor at the Caledonian Business School. For two years he worked in the former Soviet Union on a UK government financed economic development project and whilst in Russia was appointed as Visiting Professor at two Russian university institutions.

Since 2004 he has been living in Nigeria and working on UK government (DFID) financed development projects in the justice sector. He was the National Programme Manager for the Security Justice and Growth (SJG) Programme and subsequently fulfilled the same role on the successor Justice for All (J4A) programme.

Since 2017 , Dr Arnot has been the Portfolio Lead for Security Justice and Conflict for the British Council in sub-Saharan Africa. He is also the Programme Director for three EU financed programmes, valued at over €60 million, being delivered by the British Council in Nigeria: the Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) programme; Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC); and Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT).

Arnot, who will talk about the five books that have impacted on his life, lives in Abuja with his wife Patience, who is an indigene of Edo State, and their two children Lara and Okalo.

The Guest Writer Session is a lively and unique fusion of readings, live music, a Q and A segment and a raffle-draw for books. The Abuja Writer’s Forum also runs a weekly Critique Session and a regular Creative Writing Workshop series.

God saved me through the knives--Shan George ..as she blasts Femi Branch

Nollywood actress, Shan George would forever remain grateful to her maker, who she said saved her from dying through the knives.

“God saved me through the knives,” she wrote on her Instagram page. The actress also attacked actor Femi Branch for insinuating that the leadership of Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, came to her aid on social media when they donated N1 million to support her.

Shan George recently had a successful spine surgery in Abuja , after after battling an ailment for months. The leadership of AGN, recently visited her in the hospital, where an envelope containing a cheque of N1 million was handed over to her. Femi Branch who is also a member of the AGN took to his Instagram page to share a picture of the executives handing over the envelope to Shan George and captioned it, “God bless the actorsguildnigeria for coming to the side of our dear colleague and friend @shangeorge as she recovers from her back surgery.”

However, not pleased with the post, Shan George blasted him. “ They didn’t come to my aid sir, I’m not crying for any aid/help, It was just a show of love from the AGN president towards a colleague @chief_femibranch. I know say you hate me but this is more than low. You either correct this wrong impression or delete this post. Thank You.”

“I no beg you for publicity. God will punish you for me Mr Femi Branch. Bloody beggar..You think say I will be like u way dey beg up and down? Ur Fada!. May your children beg Unclad on the streets Femi branch,” she wrote with anger.

BBNaija: Tacha and Frodd still battling for N60m grand prize land movie roles

It was a cheery news for fans of two Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem edition housemates, Tacha and Frodd as they have landed their first movie roles while still in the competition battling for the grand prize of N60 million.

Nollywood producer and director, Victor Okpalan made the announcement via a post shared on his official Instagram page.

Okpalan explained that he and his team have spent the past few days trying to determine which one of the contestants that are still in the game, would be getting their support in terms of vote.

According to him, after careful deliberation, they arrived at the decision that the two housemates will be Tacha and Frodd.

“After days of sieving through over eight thousand comments,We have arrived at the two housemates that we will be voting for to win this year's #bbnaija2019.”

“I will also be gifting them with their 1st movie roles once they leave the house,” he wrote.

Zee World unveils exciting line up for 2020

Nigeria’s popular entertainment channel,Zee World, has announced its new programme line up on its channel, available on DStv channel 166 and GOtv channel 25.

The event, which held in Lagos, revealed upcoming programmes include the return of popular shows like Gangaa 2 and Married Again Season 2 as well as the launch of new exciting series such as Lady Luck and Amma in November this year.

“Zee World enjoys a tremendous following in Nigeria and has undoubtedly become an African entertainment success story.We look forward to once again bringingthe best that Bollywood has to offer to our Nigerian audience,” comments Harish Goyal, CEO Zee Africa and Asia Pacific. Goyal added, “Viewers can look forward to the premiere of four new shows in early 2020. These are Deception; Jodha& Akbar;Snatched; and Ring of Fire.”

According to the showcase,Lovers of nouveau drama will revel in the 4 new series, coming in November, with Amma, as it takes viewers on the journey of Zeenat, a strong and bold woman whose mission is to fight for her community's freedom against the British rule.

Lady Luck, tells the tale of a bright girl, Bhoomi, who,at the end of her school career, and looking forward to entering the workplace,must contendwith the age-old tradition of becoming a stay-at-home wife. As for fan favourites, Gangaa2, and Married again Season 2; viewers can now look forward to watching the riveting love stories of there silient characters in each series unfold. Will Gangaa and Sagar’s relationship stand the test of time?Can Raj and Diyya rekindle an old love with odds against them?

'Living in Bondage: I could not have asked for a bigger platform on which to make my directorial debut--Ramsey Nouah

Nollywood hunk, Ramsey Nouah has described his experience directing the sequel to Nollywood’s most iconic blockbuster, 'Living In Bondage' as 'a dream come true.'

“Living in Bondage” produced in 1992, was Nigerian pioneering two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu, and produced by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor.

The sequel to the movie, “Living In Bondage: Breaking Free”, created by Play Network Africa in conjunction with Native Filmworks, is co-produced by award-winning producer, Steve Gukas, Dotun Olakurin and Charles Okpaleke. It's Ramsey Nouah's debut movie as a director.

Speaking on his experience, the handsome actor said: “I could not have asked for a bigger platform on which to make my directorial debut. From the power of this story, the intensity of the script, the cache of the cast and the quality of my technical support, there is no story as fascinating as 'Living In Bondage: Breaking Free.' It is truly the movie maker’s dream project and I should know working on both sides of the camera. I cannot wait to pack cinema seats with this truly movie magical work.”

While explaining what motivated him to acquire the rights to the story, the Executive Producer, Charles Okpaleke said: “Living In Bondage is the single most compelling; most consequential movie franchise in the history of the Nigerian film industry. It is the movie which in 1992 birthed the Nigerian movie industry that is today universally known as Nollywood; an industry that is now the world’s second largest, most prolific film industry. Need I say more.”

Steve Gukas, added that “Living in Bondage spurned an industry that today entertains hundreds of millions in far flung locations across the world. Nollywood is celebrated in Brazil, The Netherlands, South Africa, everywhere. It is an industry that has brought joy and employment to millions of Nigerians here at home and in the diaspora. It is why there is no more compelling a story than the story of Living in Bondage: Breaking Free.” Starring the likes of Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Enyinna Nwigwe, Nancy Isime, Munachi Abii among others, the movie is due for release nationwide on November 2019. Written by Nicole Asinugo and C.J. Obasi, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free has an original score produced by Larry Gaaga that features A-list Afro beat artistes.

According to the producers, filming of this high rolling, international gold standard epic, started in June 2018, with locations in Lagos, Owerri, Durban, South Africa, and beyond.

I am coming prepared, boasts Omawumi ahead of her tomorrow's show

Multiple award-winning songstress, Omawumi is leaving no stone unturned as she counts down to her grand show, billed for tomorrow, at the Freedom Park, on the Lagos Island.

The vocal power house has boasted that she's coming on stage prepared to give her fans a value for their money. Already, the show has been generating a lot of buzz on social media, and Omawumi can't wait to mount the stage to do what she knows how to do best.

Talking about the show, Omawumi said it will feature the likes of Chidinma, Timi Dakolo, Slim Case, Brymo, Lami Philips, Ego, and DJ Spinall.

The talented singer earlier hinted on social media that the Freedom Park concert will create another experience for music lovers. “If you attended any of my previous #INHERFEELINGS tour, you didn't see anything o! This one is going to be LIT Fa!! You know @freedomparklagos gives someone extra ginger but I'm coming prepared. I'm not also going to be alone on stage! I'm coming with some of your favourite artists! Yay!!!”

The show is in line with the singer's new album tour, ‘In Her Feelings.’ The album, according to Omawumi, “represents a legacy which was stirred by family, domestic violence, relationships and the society.” ‘In Her Feelings’ which is her 4^th studio album embodies tracks of multiple genres which include hits ‘For my baby’, ‘Mr. Sinnerman’, ‘Away’, ‘True Loving’, ‘Tabansi’, ‘Green Grass’ and ‘Without You’.

Rubbin' Minds welcomes veteran journalist Latasha Ngwube as its new guest host

*Latasha Ngwube

The producers of Rubbin’ minds, popular TV talk-show for young Nigerians, have announced Latasha Ngwube as guest talk-show host for September/October, 2019.

Popular media personality and lawyer, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is the show's de-facto host and has helped shape Rubbin' Minds into the thought provoking platform that it is. However, for a couple of weeks, commencing on Sunday, the 22nd of September Latasha will be joining the show as a guest host and leading discussions that provide insight on ongoing national issues, covering the unique segments of the program.

As the founder of body positivity movement 'About That Curvy Life', Latasha Ngwube is a key voice in the fight for body acceptance in Nigeria. As a lifestyle journalist, TV host and social entrepreneur, she is no stranger to influencing rends as she began her career as a fashion writer at Thisday style. She has also worked at LiTv, Vanguard and Allure magazines as well.

According to the Executive Producer of Rubbin’ Minds, Seun Oluyemi, "the last few years has seen Latasha as the helm of very important conversations on the Zeitgeist. We have no doubts that bringing her on board will will help expands the show's perspectives and attract a diverse audience to the show.”

Rubbin’ Minds, produced by YNaija Television in collaboration with Channels Television is a sixty-minute live talk-show that discusses youth-oriented issues and also includes interviews with entertainment personalities in the country.