Entertainment
NFVCB Impounds Pirated Nollywood Films
A container load of pirated Nollywood movies imported from China has been seized at Alaba Market by the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) task force after last Monday’s raid of the notorious Alaba Market where three suspected pirates were arrested.
The taskforce set up by the board against unauthorised distribution/uncensored and unclassified movies, on Wednesday increased its arrest to four while on Thursday it also confiscated a container load consisting of 103 sacs of DVDs of different titles believed to have been imported from China.
The 8-man task force made up of largely members of the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria ((FVPMAN) alongside the Nigeria Police on Monday last week arrested three men, Ndu Celestine, Okechukwu Ikeagwu and Austine Ugokwe and confiscated several film titles and machines said to be worth N50 million. The suspects were immediately taken to Abuja from the Area E Police Command, Festac Town.
The fourth suspect, popularly called Mayor, is said to be the assistant financial secretary of the fancy and furniture section of Alaba international market where CD and DVD business holds sway. Some of the film titles include Ayamma, Wedding Party, Three Wise Men, 30 Days in Atlanta, A Trip To Jamaica Lekki Wives, Wives On Strike, Jennifer’s Diary and Fifty.
The raid was spearheaded by the Executive Director of NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, notable film maker, Gabriel Okoye aka Igwe Gabosky, Chairman of FVPMAN, Emeka Aduah and film marketer and lawyer, Nobert Ajaegbu.
Speaking to newsmen at the Area E Police Command, Adedayo described the unlawful distribution of uncensored intellectual property and piracy as a serious economic crime.
“We are saying no to unwholesome, unclassified and uncensored content vis-à-vis piracy. Piracy is a serious economic crime. What they are doing to intellectual property is worse than what you can imagine”.
“We had warned them to stop the unlawful act, unfortunately they did not stop and we promised the stake holders and those concerned within the film and creative industry that we are going to start action, so this is one of the actions that we have promised them and it is going to be continuous because now, we have the full support of the police, it makes our job easier, the lawyers are ready to prosecute”.
According to Okoye, “majority of the stakeholders have been rendered prostrate by the activities of the pirates and no more operating, some of them have gone broke”.
“If you go to Alaba where our business used to thrive, the situation is not the same, as cosmetics and phone accessory sellers have taken over because the pirates have driven us away and feeding fat on our sweat. They have started investing in hospitals and other business, while the creative industry is getting broke”, he lamented.
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.’