Entertainment
Why Nigerians Living Abroad Watch Nollywood
The Nollywood industry which came to life in the early 1990 is often seen as a natural heir to the Nigerian TV series, which had already produced roughly 14,000 video films in the previous decade. These video films of the early years have now become full feature film and an integral part of popular life in Nigeria. Local audiences appreciate these home grown productions relating to daily life in the country.
The over 1000 films produced yearly offer a mix of urban scenes and village encounters, they appeal to both young people and to families reaching out to local audience on several Nigerian languages. The films are mainly produced in the big cities on the south of the country such as Lagos, Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Ibadan, Calabar and Asaba. Though they are usually set in Lagos or Abuja, they involve crews and actors from various ethnic backgrounds, while Yoruba and Hausa film makers have opted for productions foregrounding their respective languages.
Statistics show that most of the films emanating from Igbo land are in Nigerian English, a choice which has allowed them to reach out to wider audience in other parts of the country and abroad. This has made them an instant hit and projected Nollywood on the international scene.
The number of films produced in other Nigerian languages such as Ubobo, Ijo, Hausa and Ogba has equally gained momentum. In less than three decades, Nollywood has gained an international reputation and inspired new film industries across Africa. The industry is widely considered as a showcase of the country. Interestingly, although a growing number of these films are now set in locations abroad, most remain firmly grounded in Nigerian cultures.
Over the years, the African public has come to discover and appreciate Nollywood, nevertheless, outside Nigeria, its public remains the Nigerian diaspora. Research carried out in London and Paris nine years ago sought out the opinions of Nigerians living abroad about the films. The result showed that respondents spend significant portion of their leisure time together with other Nigerians or other Africans viewing Nigerian video films. They overwhelmingly preferred them to foreign films. These observations have since been enriched by follow up interviews, confirming that these results remain relevant.
By and large, protagonists in Nollywood films adhere to ancestral beliefs and carry on with most rural traditions. The ancestral village that nurtured these beliefs never disappeared entirely. It is nearly always the scene of at least a few family encounters. The acknowledgement that follows the film gives precious details about the place used, such as community centres, hospitals or churches. The village is usually signalled by narrow paths,mud houses, grassy compounds and farmlands, people in wrappers, bare-chested men or chiefs in traditional attire and oja music among others.
The set is far less important than the content, it is just there to provide a background to the protagonists actions and reinforce message that the individuals behaviour is partly determined by their family background.
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.’
