Entertainment
ION Film Festival: Dream ComesTrue – Nollywood Stars
The ION International Film festival has come and gone but it has provided a lifetime experience for the entertainment world particularly practitioners in the Nigerian Movie Industry called Nollywood. Most of them who witnessed the event expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who hosted the festival for the first time in Africa as it gave them the opportunity to interact with movie makers and actors all over the world including celebrated Hollywood actor Giancario Esposito, Malcom X and Bollywood acclaimed actress Makhija Masumeh.
It was also an opportunity for Nollywood faithfuls to have a glimpse of some of their celebrated stars such as Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Rita Edochie and Rivers State- born, former Miss World Agbani Derego. Others include Sam Dede, Francis Duru, Gentle Jack as well as seasoned movie producers like Dickson Iroegbu, Kingsley Ogoro, Lancelot Imasun and Engr. Reginald Orlu among others.
The Nigerian music industry was not left out as most of the artistes attended the event among whom are, Rivers State born singer, Duncan Mighty, Wande Coal, Seun Anikulapo Kuti, Anambra born music sensation Nneka and Bayelsa State born rare of the moment, Timi Dakolo.
Apart from showcasing some of the over 82 films nominated for award in the various categories such as Animation, Documentary, Narrative feature, short films, student short films, music videos and youths project in which Nigeria won most of the awards, there were opportunities to participate in panel discussions with accredited industry professionals on movie financing.
This provided opportunity for the discussants to brainstorm on issues bordering on film value chain and the different models to attract finances to film production and the roles of different stakeholders in ensuring that funds were channeled into film production and the development of Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Some of the discussants include representatives of World Bank and other Nigerian banks, firm Managers, consulting films, regulators, producers and distributors.
Another important event was the panel discussion on distribution to explore the best distribution for Nollywood content to ensure profitability. This was ably handled by the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Emeka Mba, who spoke extensively on the board’s new distribution frame work aimed at ensuring effective distribution of Nigerian movies to curb the menace of piracy in the industry as well as discussions by accredited producers and actors who discussed the possibilities of co-production with Nigerian producers that can provide stories for a wide market appeal.
It is therefore no gainsaying the fact that the festival held in Port Harcourt between 9th and 12th December 2009, is one of the best things to happen to Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. Apart from exposing the state to the world, it has brought countless opportunities which if properly harnessed would lead to rapid development of the nation’s movie, music and tourism sectors of the economy as well as boost the revenue base of the state.
Though, some Nigerian artistes who spoke in an interview with The Weekend Tide complained of alleged marginalisation by the organisers as they were not carried along, most of them are of the view that it is a dream come true and big plus to the entertainment industry in Nigeria, stressing that, it has provided a rare opportunity for them to interact and partner with top celebrities and professionals from Hollywood and Bollywood, the world’s first and second movie industries in the world respectively.
For Ibinabo Fiberesima, Chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Rivers State chapter, the purpose of the event is to promote our film industry. It is a wonderful experience and a dream come true, we thank Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his efforts in bringing the film festival to Port Harcourt.
She said apart from providing job opportunities to many, it is an opportunity to prove to the world that Rivers State is a peaceful and hospitable state and not a state where militants, kidnappers and other miscreants hold sway as people erroneously tag the state, so it is a big plus to our image it has given us projection as a state where peace and tranquility reign.
“I personally want to meet the big stars in Hollywood and Bollywood, I am even more honoured that this is happening, it has made the world to know that AGN exists in the state and I am even more honoured that this is happening especially when I am the chairperson.”
Engr. Reginald Orlu, Chairman, Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Rivers State Chapter, said the film festival provides a great opportunity to meet movie producers from Hollywood, Bollywood and other movie industries in the world. It will also create an enabling ground for the distribution of movies. For all the states in Nigeria, God knows why Rivers State is chosen, it is a sign that the world appreciates our peaceful environment and legendary hospitality. It will showcase our works and various locations for movie making.
According to Francis Duru Chairman AGN Abuja, the ION Film festival is the biggest thing to happen to Nollywood and Port Harcourt, the heart of creativity and it is a good thing especially this period, when people are talking about peace, co-existence and cohabitation. The challenge now is to make good use of the opportunity the event has accorded us to get it right and improve on our standards so that we can compete favourably with Hollywood and Bollywood which are the leading film industries in the world.
According to Alaso Wariboko; a Rivers State born Nollywood actor, he is very happy for the event because it is a great opportunity for Nollywood to get to the neight of movie making. He, however, observed some sloppy arrangements stressing that most of them were not informed and they feel slighted.
He said here in the state, there are good artistes that have all the potentials to rule the movie world. The ION festival is a very big event and the artistes in Port Harcourt are on ground to work with them but we are not properly informed or carried along.
For Gentle Jack, The spirit of welcoming ION should not be dampened, everybody especially the artistes should see themselves as part and parcel of the event, it is only then that they can benefit from the opportunities the event provides.
Jacob Obinna
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.
