Entertainment
President Jonathan’s N3b Grant To Nollywood Generates Controversies
A recent report has it that
the N3 billion grant given to Nollywood practitioners to avail them the opportunity of being the best, is raising some controversies. The disbursement and operation of this grant are directly supervised by the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
News coming in from Nollywood is that of mistrust and discord on the manner in which N1 billion has been so far spent just among an extremely few Nollywood practitioners.
According to information gathered, the first stage of disbursement of the grant tailored for capacity building has been completed by just 35 beneficiaries some of whom include.
Andy Amenechi, Paul Apel, Kingsley Omeoef among others, who have gone abroad for training facilitated by Project Act, a consultation company vetted by Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to disburse the grant for the capacity training for all cadres of practitioners within the film making industry which have gulped N300 million for just 35 people.
Right now, amongst the explanation that film makers are begging for borders on why practitioners from other guilds and associations were sidelined from benefiting from the capacity building training and how 35 people gulped the whooping sum of N300 million hence demanding for a published list of the beneficiaries from the association and guilds.
The second stage of disbursement for which N700 million has been set aside is – meant for production. However, beyond interviews, which they claimed is being carried out by nonprofessionals has only come out with shortlist of names while nobody has been given any money, probably in a swift reaction to the criticisms being generated, a statement was issued in Abuja by Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, spokesman for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, revealing that N300 million was for two segments.
The first component is a training fund for N150 million dedicated to training and skills acquisition for Nollywood practitioners in all competencies along the value chain of the industry which include script writing, directing, production and design, special effects, lighting, sound HD techniques, acting, cinematography make up and editing among others.
The statement further disclosed that the second component was the capacity development fund which was also worth N150 million. The final stage of Project Act Nollywood is distribution which has N2 billion attached to it and questions are also raised how this stage would be handled.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’