Entertainment
FG Releases N420m To Fund Nollywood
For many years, the Federal Government has been rightly accused of contributing very little to the growth of the indigenous movie industry popularly known as Nollywood. Finally the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration says it has released a film production fund of N420.2 million to the Nigerian film industry.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Patricia Deworitshe, on Friday in Abuja, the money which is the second payment to the industry will help 105 film distributors. The government has earlier introduced the “Project Act Nollywood” aimed at developing the movie industry to make value chain.
The intervention comes in form of a Film Production Fund (FPF) and Capacity Building Fund (CBF). The FPF and CBF have been fully implemented, while the IDF which is the third component of the project is ongoing. The IDF covers online, national, regional and community categories of Nollywood film distribution and exhibition.
The objectives of IDF are to improve the distribution network of Nigerian Audio Visual contents, cut down on piracy, create jobs and protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) within the Nigerian entertainment industry. N1.8 billion was approved for disbursement to 106 beneficiaries in this component and N1.335 billion was disbursed earlier in the year as first tranche to 105 beneficiaries.
Mrs Deworitshe said before the release of the second tranche, the finance ministry had carried out a successful monitoring and evaluation of the first tranche disbursement. Fifteen community cinemas and viewing centres have been established through the grant and this has improved the distribution net work of movies in Nigeria.
The programme has supported 18 films in strengthening online distribution platforms. This has helped curb illegal downloads and piracy. 256 permanent jobs and 544 temporary jobs have been created through the financial support provided to 105 beneficiaries by the programme.
Mrs Deworitshe further said, the programme had also aided the extension of the Nollywood industry to Sub saharan Africa through the funding of national distributors to expand their distribution capacity and network.
Through the programme, distributors had expanded their capacity to lip synching their content in French for onward distribution to the ECOWAS sub-region, she added.
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.’