Entertainment
Check Out, Five Nollywood Films Inspired By Historical Events
Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October 1’ is one of the movies that slightly delves into some of the incidents before Nigeria’s Independence.
Over the years, history has been brought to life on screen in many ways, including with the use of feature films.
Fact-based or fictional, films in a historical setting inform, entertain and shape the way people view the past.
In honor of Nigeria’s Independence Day, here are five Nigerian films that are inspired by or attempt an accurate portrayal of a historical event since October 1, 1960.
1. “October 1”
Set in Colonial Nigeria, “October 1” follows the story of a police officer who needs to solve a case before October 1, 1960.
The films shows a police officer from Northern Nigeria who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
Directed by Kunle Afolayan, “October 1” explores tribalism, western imperialism, homosexuality and Nigeria’s independence.
The films stars Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and Demola Adedoyin.
2. “Half of a Yellow Sun”
Directed by Biyi Bandele and based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ”Half of a Yellow Sun” weaves together the lives of four people caught up in the turbulence of the Nigerian Civil War.
In “Half of a Yellow Sun,” Olanna and Kainene are glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family. Returning to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria after their expensive English education, the two women make very different choices which took them and their lovers on a journey through the war.
“Half of a Yellow Sun” is a powerful, intense and emotional historical drama capable of tugging at one’s heartstrings.
3.’76’
“76” is a meticulously detailed Nigerian historical fiction drama set six years after the civil war. It follows the story of Captain Joseph Dewa, a young soldier accused of complicity in the abortive coup of 1976, and his pregnant wife, Suzy, who helps him prove his innocence.
With “76,” the director Izu Ojukwu transports viewers back to the familiar 1976, six years after the civil war, when General Murtala Muhammed was killed on February 13, 1976, in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka.
“76” is not entirely a movie about the 1976 coup, however, the events of the year pilot the circumstances that form the setting for the movie.
The movie stars Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Daniel K Daniel.
4 “The Amazing Grace”
Youssou N’Dour played the role of Olaudah Equiano in the movie Amazing Grace.
A Jeta Amata film, “The Amazing Grace” tells the remarkable story of British slave trader John Newton, who had sailed to the now Nigeria in 1748 to buy slaves but later gave up the trade and became an Anglican priest.
After he almost lost his life in a violent storm at sea, Newton gave his life to Christ. According to him, it was the grace of God that saved his life.
Subsequently devoting his entire life to religion, Newton penned one of the world’s most famous religious hymns ever, Amazing Grace.”
The Nigerian film stars Nick Moran, Joke Silva, Scott Cleverdon, Mbong Amata, Fred Amata and Zack Amata.
5. “Invasion 1897”
A Lancelot Imasuen film, “Invasion 1897” tells the story of the removal of the powerful Oba Ovarhehem Nogbaisi of the Benin Empire by the British colonialists in 1897.
The movie parades an impressive cast which includes Mike Omoregbe, Segun Arinze, Rudolph Walker, Charles Inojie, Paul Obazele, Justus Esiri, Charles ‘Chucky’ Venn and Leo Mezie.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”