Entertainment
Alex Ekubo Seeks Budgetary Allocations For Entertainment Industry
Nollywood actor and model, Alex Ekubo has called on the Federal Government to make budgetary allocations for the nation’s entertainment industry to improve on quality and attract revenue for government.
The actor in a recent interview said, “the Federal Government should have specific budget for the entertainment industry every year, especially, the movie and music sectors because of the revenue they generate for government, corporate organisations and other investors who believe in entertainment.
“From my own point of view, the only sectors that are doing well in Nigeria today are the music and movie industries. When the sector is supported yearly with government budget, support from corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals, it will grow bigger and generate more revenue”, he stressed.
Ekubo who is playing the role of “Zamani in a new Northern Movie Zero Hour which is currently being shot in Abuja, observed that every movie comes with peculiar challenges even on this particular one because we are trying to achieve a world class production with limited funds and we are doing the best possible”.
A First runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria Contest, Ekubo, maintained that the challenge of limited funds was peculiar to every film maker in Nigeria. He stressed that there were so much movie makers who would want to achieve, but could only try their best with what they have on ground.
The 32 year old model said he believed that Nollywood would move from the global ranking as the third largest movie industry in the world to second or first position within the next five years. “I see tremendous support for the industry, more investors, corporate bodies sponsoring production of movies and more worthy individuals supporting the industry. With these I believe our ranking would move to the next level. However, I am also working on a couple of projects and in due time, I will let the cat out of the bag”, Ekubo said.
Alex Ekubo, a native of Arochukwu in Abia State won the Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2013 Best Nollywood Awards for his role in the movie “Weekend Get Away”.
The Graduate of Law from the University of Calabar, with a diploma in Mass Communication, Calabar Polytechnic has featured in several Nollywood films including: In the Cupboard, True Citizens, Undercover Lover, Dream Walker and A Man for the Week-End, a 2017 romantic Comedy produced by Syndy Emade among 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.’