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☆ Nollywood aims to become a global cultural phenomenon like Afrobeats
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New Orleans, Louisiana CNN —Nollywood, Nigeria’s vibrant film industry, is setting its sights on achieving global recognition akin to the meteoric rise of Afrobeats. As the third-largest film industry in the world by number of films produced annually, Nollywood has long been a significant cultural force within Africa. Global aspirationsToday, Nollywood is not just about entertainment; it’s about cultural representation and storytelling on a grand scale. Nollywood at the Essence Film FestivalAt the Essence Film Festival, a recent addition to the wider festival celebrating Black culture and achievements, Nollywood stars and stakeholders discussed their vision for international expansion. 3 on Netflix’s global film charts in 2023, garnering over 20 million views worldwide.

Persons: Louisiana CNN —, Nollywood, ”, Toyosi Etim, “ Afrobeats, Simisola, Uche, Omotola, “, , “ I’ve, ” Gbadamosi, Disney’s, it’s, Effiong, Moses Babatope, FilmOne, Babatope Organizations: Louisiana CNN, Netflix, Good Media, CNN, Essence, Academy, Hollywood, Nile Media Entertainment Group, Disney, Warner Bros Locations: Orleans, Louisiana, Africa, New Orleans, New Orleans , Louisiana, scriptwriting

☆ African cities sitting on ‘keg of gunpowder’ as growing youth anger fuels unrest
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Military and police personnel arrest protesters during the anti-corruption protest in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on July 23, 2024. Those protesting are angry about widespread government corruption in the country, which loses an estimated Sh. 10 trillion ($2.7 billion) in public funding to graft annually, according to Ugandan anti-corruption body the Inspectorate of Government (IG). In the preceding months, Ghana, Senegal’s fellow West African state, saw days of anti-government protests as demonstrators railed against economic hardships and unemployment. “All over Africa, we are… sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” he said in a recent interview with CNN affiliate Citizen TV.

Persons: Z –, William Ruto, Fabz, Anita Annet, Yoweri Museveni, Inibehe Effiong, ”, Bola Tinubu, Edward Buba, ” Mugano, Mamadou Thior, ” Thior, Thior, Macky Sall, Sall backtracked, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Olusegun Obasanjo, There’s, … unempowered, Obasanjo Organizations: CNN, Military, Xinhua, Security, of Government, World Bank, South Africa’s Durban University of Technology, ”, Citizen TV Locations: Kenya, East, Kampala, Uganda, Ugandan, United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, West, Africa, West Africa, Senegal, Ghana

☆ 'Barbie' and 'Doctor Who' star Ncuti Gatwa says he has to 'fight' to protect his mental and physical health
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewNcuti Gatwa has had a busy year between starring in "Barbie" and taking on the lead role in "Doctor Who." But with success comes pressure, and the actor told Business Insider he has to "fight" to protect his physical and mental health as his star continues to rise. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Last winter, Gatwa took the reigns as the new lead of "Doctor Who," the longest-running sci-fi series of all time. Ncuti Gatwa plays the 15th Doctor on "Doctor Who."

Persons: —, Who, David Harbour, Jonathan Bailey, Jenna Ortega, Gatwa, Eric Effiong, Ken, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, Ncuti Gatwa, David Copperfield, I've, he's, Kens, Gosling, Greta Gerwig, Greta, Margaret Organizations: Service, Netflix, Business, BBC

☆ A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business. Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, produced by local company Erisco Foods Limited, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: “Stop spoiling my brother’s product. This case is due to be heard on May 20, her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, told CNN. National police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told CNN he could not comment on the case as the matter was in court. Hard to proveNigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense.

Persons: Nigeria CNN —, Chioma, ” Okoli, Okoli, Erisco, ”, “, Inibehe Effiong, Nwokolo, who’s, Effiong, couldn’t, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ” Adejobi, David, ” Effiong, Kelechukwu Uzoka, Eric Umeofia Organizations: Nigeria CNN, CNN, Facebook, Erisco Foods, Nigeria Police Force, Okoli, National, “, Amnesty Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Lagos, West African, ”, ” The Lagos, Erisco’s Lagos

☆ Nigerian Army Hunts for Kidnapped Students, Parents Seek Answers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The source said the army's Kaduna-based One Division was leading the operation and "will soon have the bandits in their sights". "The security agencies and the state government are working tirelessly to ensure the freedom of all the abducted students and pupils. We are making progress," said Muhammad Shehu Lawal, a spokesperson for Kaduna state governor, without giving details. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe mass kidnapping last Thursday, the first since July 2021, shattered the dusty town of Kuriga, 90 km from Kaduna state capital, with parents waiting for answers from authorities. According to Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence 4,500 people have been kidnapped throughout Nigeria since Tinubu took office last May.

Persons: Garba Muhammad, Hamza Ibrahim, Muhammad Shehu Lawal, Bola Tinubu, Bala Ibrahim, Ibrahim, Tinubu, Ikemesit Effiong, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, SBM Intelligence, Security Locations: Hamza Ibrahim KADUNA, Nigeria, Kaduna, Nigerian, Kuriga, Chibok, Borno, Niger, Birnin, Lagos

It's a reminder of the power and potential of Nigeria's rapidly growing film industry. It is the world's second-largest film industry after India based on number of productions, with an average of 2,000 movies released annually. The movie also has been lauded as signifying the potential of the film industry in Nigeria as well as across Africa. In Nigeria, the movie industry is at “the point right now where the world needs to take notice,” Effiong said. He said that's because "The Black Book is a film by Black people, Black actors, Black producers, Black money 100%, and it’s gone ahead to become a global blockbuster."

Persons: —, ”, Editi Effiong, Afolayan's Aníkúlápó, Paul Edima —, Richard Mofe, Edima, ” Effiong, Effiong, “, John Wick, it’s Organizations: Netflix, Associated Press, Twitter, Digital TV Research Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Africa’s, India, West Africa, Lagos, Africa, Saharan Africa, “ Africa

☆ West African nations mull troop contributions for possible Niger intervention
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Boureima Balima | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

West African leaders gather for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Head of States and Government meeting in Abuja, Nigeria August 10, 2023. ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) said all options were on the table and they still hoped for a peaceful resolution to the Niger crisis. Security analysts said an ECOWAS force could take weeks or longer to assemble, potentially leaving room for negotiations. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Thursday promised to supply a battalion of troops to the standby force. The African Union welcomed ECOWAS' decision to activate a regional force and continue to seek a diplomatic solution.

Persons: Abraham Achirga, Mohamed Bazoum, Alassane Ouattara, Sering Modou, Ledgerhood Rennie, Ikemesit Effiong, Hama Moussa, Issa Seydou, Antony Blinken, Bazoum, They’ve, Pap, Ange Aboa, Alberto Dabo, Alphonso Toweh, Diadie, Edward McAllister, Anait Miridzhanian, Nellie Peyton, David Lewis, Ingrid Melander, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Economic Community, West African States, REUTERS, ECOWAS, Economic, West, Ivory, SBM Intelligence, African Union, Military, EU, Rights Watch, Thomson Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, NIAMEY, Niger, West, Central Africa, West African States, Ivory Coast, Ivorian, Senegal, Sahel, U.S, Niamey, Russia, France, United States, Mali, Burkina Faso, Banjul, Abidjan, Bissau, Monrivia, Diadie Ba, Dakar

☆ Explainer: What are West Africa's options to reverse Niger's coup?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Edward Mcallister | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] A member of the ECOWAS regional force is seen at Denton check point in Banjul, Gambia January 22, 2017. GROUND INVASIONECOWAS has sent troops into trouble spots before, but never in Niger and rarely with the region so divided. Coup leaders in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali have expressed support for Niger's junta, and other countries have their own security challenges. It is not clear how big an ECOWAS force would be or what form it would take. Security analysts and diplomats have also noted apparent divisions among Niger's armed forces, who may not all be united behind the coup.

Persons: Afolabi, Mohamed Bazoum, General Abdourahamane Tiani, Djiby Sow, Bazoum, Ikemesit Effiong, Effiong, Peter Pham, Edward McAllister, David Lewis, Emelia Sithole, Alexandra Zavis, Kevin Liffey Organizations: ECOWAS, REUTERS, Economic, West African States, Security, Institute for Security Studies, SPECIAL, SBM Intelligence, Nigerien, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Denton, Banjul, Gambia, DAKAR, Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Dakar, Nigeria, Niamey, U.S

☆ Essence Fest is devoting a day to Nollywood for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —For the first time, Essence Fest – which has been celebrating African American culture in the United States for more than two decades – is devoting a day to Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry – the most prolific in Africa. “Nigeria will have its own day in terms of the film and TV industry, where we are front and center. “It’s such an honor to be part of this inaugural official Nollywood delegation to the Essence Festival. Last year, Amazon Prime Video secured exclusive streaming agreements with two Nollywood film studios in its hunt for African content. (But) we have to take our stories out … by participating in international events like the Essence Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

Persons: Nigeria’s, Toyosi, ”, Shawn Faqua, “, Daniel Etim Effiong, Nollywood, Effiong, Etim Effiong Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Culture, CNN, “, Essence, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Cannes Film, American Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, United States, Africa, New Orleans, “ Nigeria, West African, Nigerian, Nollywood

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, known on social media as Hilda Baci, has been confirmed as the new world record holder for the longest cooking marathon, the Guinness World Record (GWR) committee said Tuesday. The record was confirmed nearly a month after the GWR reviewed footage from the cookathon, which lasted four days. I said I wanted to be a record holder and now I am. Although Bassey cooked for 100 hours, she was penalized for an error in her scheduled rest breaks, according to the world record committee. “There was a miscalculation when it came to Hilda’s rest breaks, meaning we are unable to award the 100 hours claimed,” the adjudicator said.

Persons: Hilda Effiong Bassey, Hilda Baci, Mark, ” Bassey, Bassey, Lata Tondon, “ Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, GWR, CNN Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Indian

☆ Hilda Bassey, Nigerian chef, cooks for 100 hours in world record attempt
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey has become a national sensation after cooking nonstop for 100 hours, in an attempt to set a world record. The Guinness world record committee still has to confirm that all their criteria have been met and whether Bassey will become the record holder. Bassey told CNN that she was motivated to attempt the record because she wants to put Nigerian food on the map. Nigerian food is such comfort food,” she added. Bassey told CNN that she nearly gave up on the first day, but after surpassing the previous record, she decided to aim for 100 hours.

☆ Nigerian rights panel, underfunded and overmatched, begins probe of powerful military
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja/File PhotoFeb 7 (Reuters) - A special panel named by Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission launched an investigation Tuesday into recent Reuters reports on rights abuses by the country’s army. Nigerian military leaders said the abortion program did not exist and that children were never targeted for killing. The U.S. defense and state departments, the United Nations Secretary-General, the German foreign minister, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch all called for Nigeria to investigate the Reuters findings. In a 2002 paper, two Nigerian scholars called the body "a red herring” to distract from human rights violations. In 2013, the military allegedly killed as many as 200 civilians in the town of Baga, in northeastern Borno state.

☆ Nigeria: TikTokers caned and ordered to wash toilets as court rules they defamed Nigerian governor
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —Two TikTok comedians have been publicly whipped in Nigeria for making a video that a court in the northern Kano State ruled had defamed the state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, according to a judicial spokesperson. The two friends, according to Ibrahim, were sentenced on Monday after being brought before a magistrate’s court on Friday. They didn’t even ask or beg for a lawyer to stand for them,” Ibrahim told CNN. “They were arraigned before the Kano State Magistrate Court for defaming the character of Governor Umar Ganduje on their TikTok social media account. They were also ordered to make a video on social media to publicly apologize to Governor Ganduje.

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