Entertainments
Genevieve Nnaji, Highest Paid Actress Based In Africa
Iseoluwa Ajoke, Lagos
Born on 3 May 1979, Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director.
She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award.
In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood.
Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars.
The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English.
After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by publisher and Editor in Chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze
Netflix reportedly acquired her 2018 movie, Lionheart for $3.5 million in 2018.
She was paid £95,000 to star in the 2011 movie, The Mirror Boy and $25,000 to star in the 2010 movie, Ije: The Journey.
She had a £80,000 endorsement deal with Lux in 2004.
$100,000 Range Rover Evoque endorsement deal in 2012
$82,000 endorsement deal with Etisalat in 2014
$41,000 deal with Polo in 2014
She also had endorsement deals with Luna Milk, MUD Cosmetics, Amstel Malt, Omo Detergent and Pronto Beverage
…As OdumoduBlack, Anti World Gang Preach Unity Among Youths
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
Ahead Abuja’s highly anticipated festival, OdumoduBlack, a trailblazing artist and founder of AWG Fest, has expressed gratitude for the unwavering support that has brought the Fest to life.
Speaking to the media, supporters, and youth advocates at Transcorp Hilton in the nation’s capital, Abuja, OdumoduBlack framed AWG Fest as more than just a music event.
He said, “it is a movement, a call to action for young Nigerians to unite, engage, and lead the charge for meaningful change.
“Your support means the world, not just to me, but to everyone involved in making AWG Fest a reality,” he said,
He acknowledged the collective effort that has brought the festival into existence.
OdumoduBlack further revealed that AWG Fest is a groundbreaking festival at the intersection of music, culture, and youth empowerment.
He said, “It serves as a platform for young Nigerians to unite, share ideas, and work towards positive change.
“The festival’s mission is to create meaningful connections and foster a community-driven approach to progress and innovation.
“Shifting focus to the larger societal context, OdumoduBlack highlighted the urgent need for youth unity. “We’re at a turning point, not just in music or culture, but as a generation,” he asserted,
He emphasised that the potential of Nigeria’s youth to shape the future.
“There’s an urgency now, more than ever, for us as young people to stand together, united. The world is moving fast, and we cannot afford to wait for others to lead the way,” he added.
The artist also addressed the government’s recent promise to host a Youth Conference, a platform to address the concerns of young people.
He said, “We’ve heard the talk, but the timeline hasn’t been set, and meanwhile, the issues we face aren’t on pause,
“If they can’t give us the platform, we’ll build our own.”
This determination, OdumoduBlack explained, is at the heart of AWG Fest, which aims to create a space for youth to connect, collaborate, and drive progress forward.
AWG Fest is designed to be a catalyst for change – a place where youth can come together not just to celebrate, but to brainstorm, share ideas, and foster relationships that will inspire action.
“When we come together, we have the chance to transform frustration into action, challenges into opportunities,” OdumoduBlack declared.
By creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration, AWG Fest aims to empower young people to take ownership of their future and work toward sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.
Beyond the glamor of the fest, the artiste reiterated the Anti World Gang’s desire to give back to society through a small-scale charity project that has been set up via the lions club Wuse branch.
“It will power and see through various eye test and surgeries for those who are not financially stable to carry it out”.
The festival promises to be more than a celebration of music; it is an opportunity to build lasting connections, spark new conversations, and lay the foundation for a more united and resilient youth community.
“Let’s show up for each other, build each other up, and make AWG Fest the start of something real,” OdumoduBlack concluded, rallying attendees to join the movement.
As AWG Fest prepares to launch, OdumoduBlack’s vision of youth empowerment and unity has already inspired many.
The festival is set to be a beacon of youth resilience, creativity, and collaboration – a celebration of what young Nigerians can achieve when they come together.
David Olayinka, Osogbo
An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to open a dance school. The group said such an institution will be the governor’s legacy in the state.
The advice was given in a statement issued on Monday, 15th January, 2024 by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said, “The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has become popular with his dancing skill. He shows off his skill at every given opportunity, at public functions and official sittings. It is one thing that he takes great joy in doing.
“We admit that even his opponents admire his skill while his supporters are thrilled by his dancing. One can never have a dull moment with Governor Adeleke around. He does it with passion and takes great pride in it. Such skill should not be allowed to waste away.
“It is for this reason we will like to suggest to the governor to bequeath his skill to the youth of Osun State by opening a dance school. In the alternative, the governor can inject powerful doses of government investment in the arts department of the Osun State University with special bias for dancing.
“Such investment may catapult the state’s tourism and entertainment to the highest pedestal among other states of the federation. It will also increase its internally generated revenue (IGR). This is one way Osun can make the best of the present situation. Adeleke has a potential legacy already.”
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 11 new Chief Executive Officers for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
This is contained in a statement on Friday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Tinubu appointed Tola Akerele, an influential Interior designer, entrepreneur, Gallery curator and Hotel owner in Lagos as Director-General, National Theatre.
Other appointees are, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Director-General, National Films and Censors Board; Mr. Obi Asika, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture; and Aisha Adamu Augie, Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture
They also included Ekpolador-Ebi Koinyan Chief Conservator, National War Museum; Ahmed Sodangi, Director-General, National Gallery of Art; and Chaliya Shagaya, Director-General, National Institute of Archeology and Museums Studies
The President also named Hajiya Khaltume Bulama Gana as the Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria; Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Director-General, National Institute for Cultural Orientation; Ali Nuhu Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation and Ramatu Abonbo Mohammed as the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
The President mandated the appointees to discharge their duties in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and patriotism with a view to making the creative sector more vibrant and robust.