"Next time, when the youths say their fathers didn't have the courage to fight their oppressors, remind them among other events that Nigerian teenagers hijacked a plane in Nigeria as part of the struggle to restore the democracy we all enjoy today"

Akin Akinola

Congratulations to the winner(s) of the election in Osun state, I hope it is not just the pragmatic citizens that has learnt a lesson or two about politics and how it is played.

Anyway, that's not what is on my mind this evening;

I have always been a lover of good movies, can't remember how that came to be but I guess it is partly because my parents loved movies too and fortunately,the cinema culture was still very much alive in Nigeria, Kaduna to be precise in the late 80's and early 90's. So, as a family we used to go see movies. I grew up loving good movies but not Nigerian movies though and for obvious reasons too. Anyone who understands fiction, loves and write fiction like me will understand why Nigeria movies didn't appeal to me while growing up. That changed..

The entertainment industry evolved, I know a lot of people think it sort of happened on its own,but we have government policies to thank, most Nigerians, especially the young ones don't know this but some enforcement of the broadcast of 60% local content for TV and 80% for radio aided the growth of the industry. Then content creators started churning out superb contents. Today, I stream Nigeria movies, I love our films even though we still have a long way to go compared to some others, especially Hollywood.

Despite the growth, I think we haven't done enough, we have lots of untold stories that can further improve the industry if well told. The one that always come mind for me is the story of the first plane hijack in Nigeria- April 1967, but the most sensational one for me is the October 1993 hijack by teenagers with a toy gun to protest the annulment of June 12 presidential elections. That story would make an Oscar winning movie.( Next time, when the youths say their fathers didn't have the courage to fight their oppressors, remind them among other events that Nigerian teenagers hijacked a plane in Nigeria as part of the struggle to restore the democracy we all enjoy today).

Our nollywood producers only need to look inward, we have so much untold stories that can match and even do better than Hollywood stories if well scripted and directed.

#nollywoodmovies

#nollywood

Business Mogul Mo Abudu allegedly mismanages Netflix’s funds

Business Mogul Mo Abudu allegedly mismanages Netflix’s funds

Business Mogul Mo Abudu allegedly mismanages Netflix’s funds Mosunmola Abudu, a Nigerian filmmaker and business mogul, is apparently in difficulty with Netflix. According to Cutie Julls, Mo Abudu and Kunle Afolayan were given large sums to develop Nigerian films that would appeal to a global audience rather than just a Nigerian audience. However, due to suspected abuse of funds on Mo Abudu’s…

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Netflix donated $3million to him in 2021 so I assume they asked him to intervene - And investment in Nigeria too. Mo Abudu, the Nigerian media mogul and CEO of EbonyLife Group who on the panel with Rachel has 2 upcoming projects with Netflix. She interviewed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also in the panel that day for her Netflix programme. He doesn't want bad PR as the media will make the connections with Rachel so he's cleaning her mess up, as always

Wow I did not know the Netflix connection went that deep. Thank you for sharing.

En 2023, le classement des 100 personnalités féminines les plus puissantes de la planète met en lumière des femmes exceptionnelles, dont quatre Africaines qui brillent par leur influence et leur leadership. Ces femmes, issues de divers horizons et secteurs d'activité, jouent un rôle essentiel dans la transformation et l'émancipation de leurs communautés et de leurs pays respectifs. 1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala : La voix du Nigeria à l'OMC Classée à la 87e place, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, directrice générale de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC), incarne la force et la détermination. Originaire du Nigeria, elle a évolué dans les cercles de pouvoir après des études aux États-Unis, devenant la première femme ministre des Finances de son pays en 2003. Son engagement indéfectible dans la lutte contre la corruption et la réduction de la dette publique a marqué l'histoire politique du Nigeria. 2. Mpumi Madisa : L'icône du leadership sud-africain Au 88e rang, Mpumi Madisa, PDG du groupe Bidvest en Afrique du Sud, inscrit son nom dans l'histoire économique du continent. À la tête de ce conglomérat majeur depuis 2020, elle dirige près de 130 000 employés dans des secteurs aussi divers que l'industrie, la pharmacie, l'automobile et le transport. En tant que femme noire à la tête d'une entreprise cotée en bourse, elle incarne le changement et la diversité dans le monde des affaires sud-africain. 3. Samia Suluhu Hassan : La présidente visionnaire de la Tanzanie À la 93e place, Samia Suluhu Hassan, première femme présidente de la Tanzanie, mérite toute notre attention. Surnommée "Mama Samia", elle a fait ses débuts en tant que première femme vice-présidente du pays, avant d'accéder à la présidence en mars 2021. Son parcours, marqué par des responsabilités au sein du Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations unies et à l'Assemblée nationale tanzanienne, illustre sa dévotion envers le service public et le développement de son pays. 4. Mo Abudu : La pionnière du cinéma nigérian À la 98e place, Mo Abudu, fondatrice et directrice d'EbonyLife au Nigeria, fait figure de figure emblématique dans le domaine de la production audiovisuelle. Lancée dans cette industrie en 2006, elle est rapidement devenue la "Oprah d'Afrique" avec son émission Moments with Mo. Son influence s'est étendue avec le lancement d'EbonyLife TV en 2012 et la création de EbonyLife Films en 2014, la propulsant au rang de productrice de cinéma la plus célèbre de Nollywood. Ces femmes africaines du classement Forbes 2023 incarnent la diversité, l'innovation et la persévérance. Leur impact transcende les frontières, contribuant à redéfinir le leadership mondial et inspirant les générations futures à atteindre de nouveaux sommets.

Family Ties Take Center Stage in Idris Elba's Nigerian Short Film

Move over Hollywood, Nollywood's got Idris Elba at the helm for a brand new short film called "Dust To Dreams"! This ain't your average love story, though. We're talkin' about a mother-daughter reunion with a twist, set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria. Yup, you heard that right. Idris Elba, the dude who brought us Luther and stole the show in countless other flicks, is stepping behind the camera to direct this project. This is a big deal for Nollywood, the powerhouse film industry of Nigeria, and for African cinema in general. Africa's been churning out incredible films for years, but they often don't get the shine they deserve. So, having a huge star like Elba involved is a major step towards global recognition. A Story of Family and Lagos Magic The plot of "Dust To Dreams" focuses on a complex family dynamic. A teenage daughter gets ready to meet her father for the first time, and let's just say it's bound to be an emotional rollercoaster. Throw in the electrifying energy of Lagos, and you've got a recipe for a powerful short film. Elba's not the only big name attached to "Dust To Dreams." The cast is stacked with Nollywood stars like Nse Ikpe-Etim and Eku Edewor, who are gonna bring their A-game to the screen. Plus, we've got Seal, yes, the Grammy-winning singer, stepping outside the music world and into a dramatic role. This is definitely a project to keep your eye on. A Collaboration for the Culture "Dust To Dreams" is a collaboration between Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Films and the African Export-Import Bank. This is a big win for African cinema because it shows the power of collaboration. With heavy hitters working together, we can expect some seriously high-quality content coming out of Africa. This Idris Elba-directed short film is just the tip of the iceberg. Elba and Abudu joined forces last year to develop a whole slate of African films and TV shows. That means we can expect even more amazing stories coming out of Africa, showcasing the continent's rich culture and talent. So, mark your calendars, movie lovers! "Dust To Dreams" might be a short film, but it has the potential to be a game-changer for African cinema. We can't wait to see what Idris Elba cooks up on the streets of Lagos. Source: Deadline   Read the full article

Idris Elba To Direct Nigeria-Set Film ‘Dust To Dreams’ For Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife & Afreximbank; Seal, Nse Ikpe-Etim & Constance Olatunde Among Cast http://dlvr.it/T4HXSp

Mo Abudu Set To Produce New Series ‘Baby Farm’

http://dlvr.it/T1cF40

Biography, Career, Net Worth and Cars of Mo Abudu, "Ebony Life CEO"

FG Congratulates Mo Abudu On Netflix Deal

"Next time, when the youths say their fathers didn't have the courage to fight their oppressors, remind them among other events that Nigerian teenagers hijacked a plane in Nigeria as part of the struggle to restore the democracy we all enjoy today"

Akin Akinola

Congratulations to the winner(s) of the election in Osun state, I hope it is not just the pragmatic citizens that has learnt a lesson or two about politics and how it is played.

Anyway, that's not what is on my mind this evening;

I have always been a lover of good movies, can't remember how that came to be but I guess it is partly because my parents loved movies too and fortunately,the cinema culture was still very much alive in Nigeria, Kaduna to be precise in the late 80's and early 90's. So, as a family we used to go see movies. I grew up loving good movies but not Nigerian movies though and for obvious reasons too. Anyone who understands fiction, loves and write fiction like me will understand why Nigeria movies didn't appeal to me while growing up. That changed..

The entertainment industry evolved, I know a lot of people think it sort of happened on its own,but we have government policies to thank, most Nigerians, especially the young ones don't know this but some enforcement of the broadcast of 60% local content for TV and 80% for radio aided the growth of the industry. Then content creators started churning out superb contents. Today, I stream Nigeria movies, I love our films even though we still have a long way to go compared to some others, especially Hollywood.

Despite the growth, I think we haven't done enough, we have lots of untold stories that can further improve the industry if well told. The one that always come mind for me is the story of the first plane hijack in Nigeria- April 1967, but the most sensational one for me is the October 1993 hijack by teenagers with a toy gun to protest the annulment of June 12 presidential elections. That story would make an Oscar winning movie.( Next time, when the youths say their fathers didn't have the courage to fight their oppressors, remind them among other events that Nigerian teenagers hijacked a plane in Nigeria as part of the struggle to restore the democracy we all enjoy today).

Our nollywood producers only need to look inward, we have so much untold stories that can match and even do better than Hollywood stories if well scripted and directed.

#nollywoodmovies

#nollywood

“Most beautiful bride” Mo Abudu, Nancy Isime, others lavish Ini Dima Okojie with love as she ties the knot

“Most beautiful bride” Mo Abudu, Nancy Isime, others lavish Ini Dima Okojie with love as she ties the knot

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Idris Elba & Mo Abudu Forge African TV & Film Partnership

Idris Elba and Mo Abudu have partnered on a landmark initiative to “empower and uplift talent from Africa and the Diaspora.” The Luther star’s Green Door Pictures will tie with Abudu’s EbonyLife Media on the plan – the first of its kind in the continent – which will feature a development slate of TV and film projects along with continent-wide training programs. The partnership takes a two-fold…

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is under fire from conservatives on his panel and outside Congress for voting for more of Biden's nominees than any other Republican on the Judiciary Committee, something that conservatives are questioning after Democrats celebrated the 100th this week.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Republicans should not have let Democrats confirm so many Biden nominees to federal courts when the Senate was evenly split during Biden's first two years in office.

"There was no concerted effort made whatsoever," he added. "Say what you want about [Democratic Judiciary Committee Chairman] Dick Durbin [D-Ill.], but he has not taken his eye off the ball and has had help from Democrats, who are well ahead of the pace set by Republicans when they controlled the Senate during former President Trump’s term in that Republicans didn’t confirm the 100th judge appointed by Trump until May of 2019, about three months later than when Biden hit the milestone.  

"I think it’s a good time near the beginning of this Congress to go back and look at the last Congress and compare that to what happened in the previous administration and figure out if we’re needlessly accelerating the pace at which they’re being confirmed," said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), another member of the Judiciary Committee, who told The Hill Thursday that there’s not much he can do to stop Biden’s nominees because Democrats control an 11-10 majority on the Jud.  

They were accused of having a "conveyor belt" of Trump judicial nominees when Republicans thought the idea that you get everything you want and they don't get what they want when they're in similar circumstances "doesn't work," he said. 

Graham said he would "pick and choose" his battles wisely and explained, "I have a habit of trying to honour district court judges," alluding to the deference he gives to fellow senators who try to fill district court vacancies in their home states with judges who are likely to be reported at the end of December that Graham had voted for 107 of the 126 Biden nominees that came before the committee, far more often than any other Republican on the panel.  

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) voted for 50 nominees at the committee level, while Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee in 2021 and 2022, voted for 40 and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) voted for 30, according to The Times, which noted that when Democrats were in the Senate minority under President Trump, "they slowed it down as much as they possibly could, and as a result, we didn’t get as many through as we could have."  

"We've got the president mischaracterizing Republican senators from the bully pulpit, and their position has resulted in the president nominating far-left-wing zealots to the bench, many of whom lack the professional qualifications for the job," he said.

Lee noted that even when Republicans controlled 50 Senate seats during Biden's first two years in office, Vice President Kamala Harris only had to come to the conclusion that "I don't think we've stopped a single judicial nominee thus far, and that is concerning," he said. 

"If the tables were turned, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where a Democrat would break ranks like this, and I hope that what we saw last week is not a preview of what we can expect from Graham as a ranking member for the next two years," she added.   

Graham has since voted against all four Biden nominees to circuit courts and against nine of 20 district court nominees, according to the data provided by the vote against Nancy Abudu, Biden’s nominee to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals; Rachel Bloomekatz, Biden’s pick for the 6th Circuit; Anthony Devos Johnstone, Biden’s nominee to the 9th Circuit; and Julie Rikelman, the president’s choice to serve on the 1st Circuit.

All four nominees advanced out of committee by party-line votes; however, Graham was taken to task on Wednesday for not taking a tougher approach to questioning New Hampshire attorney Michael Delaney, whom Biden has nominated to serve on the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.  

"Delaney has come under fire for representing St. Paul’s School, an elite private high school in New Hampshire, in a lawsuit brought by a female student who was sexually assaulted on campus when she was 15; Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voiced during the hearing today that the committee’s ranking member, @LindseyGrahamSC, vigorously and inexplicably defended Delaney," Severino tweeted.  

"Perplexingly, Sen. Graham emphasized that Delaney was highly recommended by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte Graham, who preemptively rehabilitated Delaney, noting his letters of support in anticipation of the pointed questions that would follow from his fellow Republicans on the committee, including Hawley and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who grilled Delaney over his work. 

Hawley slammed Delaney’s effort to strip the young plaintiff’s anonymity in the case, which he called "an attempt to put her straight into the media spotlight," and said Delaney did "a lousy job representing his client" by adopting such an aggressive legal strategy. 

Graham later told The Hill he was "proud" of the Republicans on his panel who asked tough questions of the nominees and said Hawley had done a great job of questioning the nominees.

But Graham said he has to pay attention to "reality," which is that Democrats "have 51," which means any delaying tactics employed now against Biden nominees will come back to hurt Republicans when they control the White House.  

"Anything we do, they can do when we’re in charge and we want to go faster; anything we do with this whole Middle East politics with judges needs to stop," he said.

Family Ties Take Center Stage in Idris Elba's Nigerian Short Film

Move over Hollywood, Nollywood's got Idris Elba at the helm for a brand new short film called "Dust To Dreams"! This ain't your average love story, though. We're talkin' about a mother-daughter reunion with a twist, set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria. Yup, you heard that right. Idris Elba, the dude who brought us Luther and stole the show in countless other flicks, is stepping behind the camera to direct this project. This is a big deal for Nollywood, the powerhouse film industry of Nigeria, and for African cinema in general. Africa's been churning out incredible films for years, but they often don't get the shine they deserve. So, having a huge star like Elba involved is a major step towards global recognition. A Story of Family and Lagos Magic The plot of "Dust To Dreams" focuses on a complex family dynamic. A teenage daughter gets ready to meet her father for the first time, and let's just say it's bound to be an emotional rollercoaster. Throw in the electrifying energy of Lagos, and you've got a recipe for a powerful short film. Elba's not the only big name attached to "Dust To Dreams." The cast is stacked with Nollywood stars like Nse Ikpe-Etim and Eku Edewor, who are gonna bring their A-game to the screen. Plus, we've got Seal, yes, the Grammy-winning singer, stepping outside the music world and into a dramatic role. This is definitely a project to keep your eye on. A Collaboration for the Culture "Dust To Dreams" is a collaboration between Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Films and the African Export-Import Bank. This is a big win for African cinema because it shows the power of collaboration. With heavy hitters working together, we can expect some seriously high-quality content coming out of Africa. This Idris Elba-directed short film is just the tip of the iceberg. Elba and Abudu joined forces last year to develop a whole slate of African films and TV shows. That means we can expect even more amazing stories coming out of Africa, showcasing the continent's rich culture and talent. So, mark your calendars, movie lovers! "Dust To Dreams" might be a short film, but it has the potential to be a game-changer for African cinema. We can't wait to see what Idris Elba cooks up on the streets of Lagos. Source: Deadline   Read the full article

Mo Abudu, Betty Irabor, Funmi Iyanda, others to speak at Back Mentor's Women Conference

Dozens of prominent Nigerian professionals in the media, finance, entertainment, human rights and other sectors have confirmed their readiness to attend and speak at the 2023 Self-made Woman Conference being organized by The Black Mentor. Media Mogul, Mo Abudu, CEO of Ebonylife Media would be at the event as keynote Speaker while others expected to speak are publisher and author, Betty Irabor, TV…

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