Entertainment
Nollywood Star Directs Hollywood Hit Movie …As Ireland Woos Nigeria Movie Clan
A 31 year old Nigerian is currently doing the nation proud by directing a top rated Hollywood movie. The film titled ‘Legacy’ is featuring Hollywood actor, Idris Elba and will be shown at the Tribecca film festival in New York as well as the American black film festival.
The Director, Thomas Ikomi, who hails from the middle belt holds a literature and writing degree from Columbia University in New York. With this remarkable achievement, it is obvious that those who are saying that Nollywood is the next big thing in the world are actually not far from the truth.
Meanwhile, indication that Nigeria and Ireland are set to strengthen their bilateral relations using film came to the fore recently when Mr. Shane Stephens, deputy head of mission, Embassy of Ireland, Abuja, visited the Nigerian Film Corporation Jos.
Stephens accompanied by Dearbhia Glynn an Irish film director, said Nigeria has a rich cultural background reflected in the movies produced in the country and that the Embassy of Ireland is interested in also using film to sustain diplomatic ties between both countries.
According to the film director, Ireland as a country has developed excellent relations with Africa, especially countries of the West Africa sub region and was poised to forge new frontiers that would further improve cross cultural relations. This, he said, explains the production of the movie ‘Dambe’ which was shot in the Republic of Mali and directed by Dearbhia Glynn.
It was gathered that ‘Dambe’ portrays the rich culture of Africa, it’s people, land, food and religion and that he and Glynn were at the Nigerian film corporation to seek further ways that Ireland and Nigeria can partner in film and entertainment based on the fact that Nigerian films have a large viewing audience among the Irish people.
Glynn further stated that the giant strides recorded by the institute were enough reasons for the visit to explore partnership opportunities. Briefing the Irish team on behalf of Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, MD Nigerian Film Corporation, the director of the National film institute, Teddy Hanmakugh commended the embossing’s new interest in partnership opportunities between both countries using film.
The institute’s director assured that NFC will initiate appropriate procedures to ensure that the renewed interest by Ireland in Nigeria’s motion picture industry is given the attention it deserves.
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.’