Entertainment
Film Producer Wants Piracy Law Enforced At Alaba
The President of
Gabosky Films Incorporated, Chief Gab-Onyi Okoye, on Monday urged the Federal Government to enact a law that would curtail piracy activities at the Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Okoye told newsmen in Lagos that Alaba Market was where lots of film producers’ intellectual properties were being pirated.
“That is where they pirate movies that are supposed to be distributed by me, thereby leading my company to lose millions of Naira to piracy.
“So, government should be proactive in addressing the problem of piracy in the country,’’ he said.
According to him, Nollywood producers suffer great financial losses annually to piracy in the country because pirates are only interested in reaping where they did not sow.
He said that producers would spend millions of Naira in producing a movie but would not realise half of the money spent on such movies, due to piracy.
“Movie producers suffer losses in their money invested on movies as a result of piracy.
“Producers will spend their time and strength to produce a movie but will not enjoy the benefits of their labour as a result of piracy.
“Piracy, if not eradicated or curtailed, will cripple the entertainment industry.
“Piracy is the greatest obstacle militating against the growth and development of the entertainment industry in the country, ‘’ Okoye said.
The director who described the attitude of pirates as wicked and insensitive to creativity, said that their attitude had crippled the pride in the profession.
He said that if marketers did not make money from the films they produced because of activities of pirates, they would not be able to pay actors good money.
“We have tried going against the menace but our efforts have been to no avail.
“We are helpless. Assuming there are laws backing us or things we can do to curtail the activities of pirates; we would have done it before now,’’ Okoye added.
The producer noted that Nollywood had contributed to the socio-economy life of the people, hence, government should do all within its power to protect the industry from piracy.
According to Okoye, his company, in collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), the Nigeria Police and the media, had fought against piracy but a lot still needed to be done.
He mentioned some of his movies that were pirated at Alaba Market as: ‘Tango With Me’, ‘Onye Ozi’, ‘Phone Swap’ and ‘Mr & Mrs’, among several others.
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.’