Entertainment
Actress Seeks Platform For Young Theatre Practitioners’ Training
A playwright and actress, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, on Thursday appealed to stakeholders in the arts sector to create platforms for the training of young people in the theatre and film industry.
Graham-Douglas told newsmen in Lagos that catching artists young would enable them to learn fast and become professionals.
She said there was the need to establish theatre arts’ schools where experienced practitioners could train the youths in the sector.
She said that most of the tertiary institutions did not have people that could be classified as hands-on- the-job.
“Unfortunately, there is also a handful of professional schools and this is an impediment.
“Having more theatre schools will be the right thing to do to train our young people in the arts sector.
“If we have these professional schools, it will enhance the contribution of arts to Nigeria’s economy,’’ she said.
The actress recalled that in her secondary school days at Abonnema in Rivers, drama was a vital part of the school.
“It is from there that I discovered my special interest and love for drama; and I made up my mind that I was going to explore it later in life.
“I was exposed to drama at a very young age; it was part of our curriculum then and we had our drama and dance teachers.
“We were able to understand what performing and other arts are,’’ she said.
Graham-Douglas, however, expressed doubt if drama, dance and others still formed many primary and secondary schools’ curriculum at present.
“If young people develop the passion for dance, acting and other arts, where do they go to train and learn them?
“Our educational system needs an overhaul; many things need to change in our educational scheme.
“For the arts to be recognised, it has to be a very integral part of the educational structure.
“It has to be an important part of the educational system in Nigeria,’’ she said.
She urged the government at all levels to address the issue.
“Let government change the policy and make arts a core subject because arts is important in our curriculum. It uses to be in the past, “she said.
Our correspondent reports that Graham-Douglas is the founder and the CEO of Beeta Universal Arts Foundation.
She is a playwright, a producer, businesswoman and an awards winning Nigerian actress.
She had acted in “Flower Girl” and “Lunch Time Heroes” movies.
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.’