Entertainment
AGN Condemns Kidnapping Of Members …. As Nkem Owoh Regains Freedom
The National President of Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze has condemned the kidnapping of Nollywood stars stressing that it is not only a criminal act but an embarrassment to the Guild.
He maintained that in the past few months two of their top actors, Peter Edochie and Nkem Owoh have been kidnapped and later released after series of appeals and described the situation as very unfortunate.
The president who stated this recently following the release of Nkem Owoh by his abductors on Sunday, said the actor was kidnapped early last week along the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway while the kidnappers demanded N50 million ransom. With the release of the Nollywood King of comedy, people are anxious to know whether some money was paid before he was released, or they released him unconditionally as the AGN has earlier demanded, but so far, there is no concrete evidence about the condition of his release.
One name which readily comes to mind when Nigerian movie especially comedy is mentioned is Nkem Owoh. Ukwa as he is also known who is an engineer by profession later veered into acting with memorial Hospital, a popular soap opra that was aired on NTA in the later part of 1980.
Apart from having written and produced hit comedy flicks like ‘pam pam,’ ‘yogo pam pam,’ sawani ,’ Osuofiason 1&2 etc, the King of comedy has also featured in numerous films such as ‘Akidi’ Ukwa,’ ‘Police Officer,’ “Omugwo,’ ‘Agaba’ ‘Osuofia in London,’ ‘Return from London’ and ‘ I go chop your dollar among others.
However, the movie that earned him African movie Academy Awards’ (AMAA) best actor of the year 2008 is stronger than pain. The same movie that gave Kate Henshaw the best actress of the year award at the AMAA.
Meanwhile his kidnap and release has elicited reactions from showbiz personalities and the general public. According to Mr Ceaser Kagho, Zonal co-ordinator National film and video censors board (NFVCB) Port Harcourt, the incident is very unfortunate stressing that kidnapping of Nollywood stars has assumened an alarming proportion in the country and something must be done about it to forestall future occurrence.
Veteran actor, Columbus Irosoanga said “I don’t know why Nigerian artistes should be kidnapped because they are not well paid, so how can they pay the huge ramson demanded by the kidnappers” It is rather unfortunate, they should be the ones to donate money to the artistes and not the other way round.”
In his reaction, the National president of video Club Owners Association of Nigeria (VCOAN) Hon Rex Akah noted that Nkem Owoh is a hardworking man, struggling to feed him self and his family, he is not a politician nor has he embezzled government money, why should they leave the corrupt politicians to harass an innocent man who is struggling to make ends meet. I pray that God should forgive them for they don’t know what they have done.
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.