Category: Entertainment

Queen Esther Daniels Crowned Best Idoma Nollywood Actress of All Time at Idoma Nollywood Film Festival

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Queen Esther Daniels, renowned Nollywood actress and activist, has been named the Best Idoma Nollywood Actress of All Time at the prestigious Idoma Nollywood Film Festival. The ceremony, held on December 23, 2024, during the Idoma International Carnival in Otukpo, Benue State, saw the actress outshine industry veterans such as Ene Comfort Ikwumono and Jane Odoh. Queen Esther, who began her acting career at the age of 15, has consistently captivated audiences with her performances in both Nollywood and Idoma films. In 2022, she made her production debut with the…

BEN TOMOLOJU@70: Artists Collective Celebrates With Day-long Event At Freedom Park

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The life and legacy of Benson Omowafola Tomoloju, a renowned dramatist, poet, theatre director, and cultural activist, will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as he turns 70.   The Artists Collective is organizing a day-long celebration at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to honor Tomoloju’s immense contributions to the arts, journalism, and cultural advocacy in Nigeria. The program will feature a rich blend of activities designed to reflect his multifaceted career.   The event will include a conversation on his dramatic works and groundbreaking journalism, as well as a…

Royal Tussle: Ofokutu and Ajimoko-Haastrup Dynasties clash over Owa Obokun Stool

Emporium Reporters

An appeal has gone to the Agba Ijesa of Ijesaland to ensure that the principles of equity, fairness and tradition come into play in the selection process of the next Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.   This is contained in an appeal letter drafted by the Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House to the Agba Ijesa of Ijesaland.   They posited that, in fairness to the other Royal Families in the Bilaro Oludo Ruling House, and in the interest of the entire Ijesaland, the Ajimoko-Haastrup Royal Family…

NCAC,NITDA forge alliance to transform Nigeria’s Creative Industries

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a landmark move to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s cultural heritage and digital innovation, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the nation’s cultural and creative industries (CCI).   At a high-level meeting held at NITDA headquarters in Abuja, NCAC Director-General, Mr. Obi Asika, and NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, outlined a collaborative framework to drive growth, innovation, and digital transformation. Senior leadership teams from both agencies were present to finalize the…

K1 and Fuji: The Debate is Pointless! ,By Olaleye Olawale

Emporium Reporters

I’m not inclined to join the filthy debate on Fuji supremacy. The controversy has never come to a sensible close and may never do. Not even when ego has crept in, and every Fuji artist is now boasting some level of financial security. Good thing, actually!   But whichever way anyone chooses to interpret the unceasing muscle-flexing and the curious resolve to denigrate some elders in their industry, the place of K1 remains immutable and already established. We must acknowledge it because he earned it. It’s not a function of…

Gov Okpebholo pledges partnership with Traditional Rulers to tackle Insecurity in Edo State

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to collaborate closely with traditional rulers across the state in efforts to address security challenges and other pressing issues at the grassroots level. The Governor made this commitment during a meeting with traditional rulers from Edo North, where he emphasized their crucial role in ensuring peace and maintaining order within their communities.   Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed his commitment to working hand-in-hand with traditional rulers in the state to enhance internal security and tackle grassroots challenges. Speaking during…

BREAKING: Gov Okpebholo restores full statutory rights to Oba of Benin

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to further right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the Government and the people, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces. This was disclosed today in a release signed by Fred Itua Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo,the statement also said the…

Etsu Nupe turbans Saidu Mohammed as 27th Etsu-Tasha

Emporium Reporters

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, has turbaned Saidu Mohammed as the 27th Tasha of the Etsu-Tasha community of the Edati Local Government Area. The colorful turbaning ceremony was held at Wadata Palace of the Etsu Nupe on Tuesday in Bida.   DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that Malam Mohammed became the 27th ruler of the community in order of ascension following the approval of the Emirate council.   The event was well attended by eminent members of the Bida Emirates council, community leaders, and…

Owa Obokun: Heritage, reality, aspiration (2) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Ijesas are distinctive! They are known for their discerning nature and exceptional brilliance. Their rich history reveals fascinating connections. For the record, they are the masterminds behind Osomaalo, a pioneering business phenomenon in Africa. In the 1930s, Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary statesman, once resided in Ilesa as Secretary to Daniel Ajayi Afilaka. At a time in the history of Ijesaland, Olori Remilekun Anike Agunlejika, wife of Oba Adeniran Agunlejika, also held the esteemed title of Yeye Oge of Edeland. Ijesaland is credited with originating the iconic ‘Nwa Boy’ style, now…

7th NDIS: Nigeria’s N5b Creative Industry, A Goldmine for Diaspora Investment – Patric Doyle

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Dr Patric Doyle, a renowned Nigeria Actor, has said that the Nigerian creative industry has recorded unprecedented growth, with the box office crossing five billion naira as of September 2024. Doyle stated this while moderating a panel discussion on ‘Appraisal of Investment Prospects in the Nigerian Creative Industry’ during the 7th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), in Abuja. He said “Nigerian films now account for 50.4 per cent of the box office revenue, surpassing foreign films. This remarkable achievement is largely attributed to the exceptional work of Nigerian actors, producers,…