Entertainment

Nigeria, France Sign Distribution Of Movies Agreement

Published

8 years ago

April 26, 2019

The National Film and Video Census Board (NFVCB) and the Alliance Francaise have signed an agreement to showcase and distribute the two countries’ movies through the French-Nigeria film distribution conference. The agreement was signed during a courtesy visit by Mr Jerome Pasquier, Ambassador of France to Nigeria at the headquarters of NFVCB in Abuja.
The Executive Director of NFVCB, Mr Adedayo Thomas and the Director of Alliance Francaise, Mr Arnand Durnon Signed the agreement on behalf of the two organisations. Thomas in his remarks said that the collaboration was to present a platform where investors, producers, distributors and other stakeholders in the motion picture industries of both countries could meet for mutually beneficial deals.
He noted that the collaboration will among other incentives, encourage and promote the distribution of Nollywood movies in France.
He explained that both parties have conceived ‘French-Nigerian Cinema Days’ to screen and showcase the two countries movies, as part of the distribution conference scheduled to hold later in the year.
“Our Nigerian distributors would be more than happy to collaborate with big time French distributors such as Patter, Studiocan and Bacfilms as planned in the coming collaboration conference. The Fench distributors take delight in releasing movies from many different nationalities, whether big or small as it is their belief that the French moviegoers love movies from around the world.
‘France prides itself as a country of movie goers with over 5000 screens, while in Nigeria we are proud to say that we have achieved 200 screens, from 39 in the last two years. Its film industry is acclaimed to be living Lavie enrose (life in roses) that its Nigerian counterpart would love to attain”, he said.
The Executive Director, however, decried the high-rate of piracy as a major bane facing the evolving Nigerian movie industry especially with the emergence of digital distribution platforms. He therefore solicited for sector strive with piracy effectively nipped.
‘Let me not pretend that all is well with the industry as well have serious piracy issue in Nigeria, though piracy is not directly within the regulatory purveyed of the NFVCB, secondly with the pervasive nature of ICT, online distribution/exhibition of movies has created regulatory nightmare for us at the NFVCB.
France no doubt, has experience in handling these issues and we therefore solicit technical support from you in tackling these issues”, he said.
In his remarks, pasquier, the French envoy, said he was delighted at the partnership, adding that it was a common ground for both countries to grow their film industries and also strengthen bilateral relations. The film industries in France and Nigeria are contributing a lot to their economies and this agreement will further present opportunities for both countries.
“This will bring better relationships, not just between the two countries government but between their citizens as well. Private investors of both countries will sure benefit from this collaboration in terms of investment in distributions and marketing of films”, he said.
The NFVCB is a Federal Government body that regulates the films and video industry in Nigeria. It classifies and registers all films and videos in the country.

Entertainment

Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”

Entertainment

Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.

Entertainment

I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.