Category: Entertainment

Dabiri-Erewa hails Ireke’s Record-Breaking feat as Nigerian local language film goes global

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded Nigerian international broadcaster and producer, Gbolahan Macjob, for the global success of his film Ireke, which has set new international records for a Nigerian local language production. In a statement by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described Ireke: Rise of the Maroons as a groundbreaking film that has projected African and Nigerian history to global audiences, from the diaspora community to Caribbean and British societies. The NiDCOM boss highlighted the film’s…

MURIC backs Isese Day holiday demand, insists Traditionalists must respect Others’ rights

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed support for calls by traditionalists in Yorubaland for the Federal Government to declare August 21st and 22nd as Isese Day public holidays.   MURIC, however, said its support comes with conditions, stressed that traditional religion adherents must also respect the fundamental rights of others.   The group’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, August 21, 2025, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.   According to Akintola, freedom of religion is a fundamental human right that must be…

NiDCOM, African Cultural Festival to host African Diaspora Summit in USA

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced a partnership with the African Cultural Festival (ACF2025) to host the African Diaspora Summit in September, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.   According to a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM Media, the event is supported by the Government of Pennsylvania and the Dauphin County Commissioners and will bring together global leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers under the theme: “Africa to the World: Culture, Creativity, and Collaboration.”   NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the summit as a platform to harness diaspora…

Transcorp Hilton Abuja names Martin Zarybnicky as new General Manager

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Transcorp Hilton Abuja has appointed seasoned hospitality professional Martin Zarybnicky as its new General Manager, effective August 1, 2025.   With over 30 years of international experience, Zarybnicky has held leadership positions in top hotel brands across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, including roles in Thailand, Egypt, and Russia. He previously served as General Manager at Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort, marking this appointment as a return to the Hilton brand.   Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe, welcomed Zarybnicky’s arrival, noted that his wealth of…

AITEC-WORLD launches in Abuja, unveils bold vision to link Africa with Global Tourism and Economic Networks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Africa-International Tourism and Economic Council (AITEC-WORLD) has announced the official launch of its global initiative in Abuja, Nigeria, as it set out to redefine Africa’s role in the global tourism and economic landscape. Speaking at a media briefing, Ambassador Kazeem Akinola Balogun, Vice President, Communications and International Relations of AITEC-WORLD, described the initiative as a strategic movement that will use tourism as a powerful tool for economic advancement, innovation, and sustainable development. Amb. Balogun conveyed warm greetings from the President of AITEC-WORLD, Ambassador Dine Bouraima, who, although unavoidably absent,…

Art Meets Health: NSSF and Partners launch ‘A Mural of Hope’ to inspire Healing ,tackle Childhood Cancer burde

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a powerful blend of creativity and compassion, the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has launched the ‘A Mural of Hope’ campaign an advocacy-driven initiative aimed at promoting healing through art while addressing the alarming burden of childhood cancer in Nigeria. The campaign, launched in partnership with Bio Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), BLFA Global, and the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, seeks to engage young artists in transforming the paediatric oncology ward of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) into a beacon of hope and resilience. At the heart of…

JUST IN: Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha dies at 95 after 16-year battle with Prostate Cancer

Emporium Reporters

Veteran Nigerian highlife musician and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, fondly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” has passed away at the age of 95 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.   His death was confirmed on Saturday by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, who revealed that the music legend died at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu.   “My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” Emma said. “He died at exactly 8 p.m. on Friday, and his body has been deposited…

Nike Okundaye: a culture architect from Ogidi to the world,by Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD

Emporium Reporters

Aunty Nike Okundaye, the Yeye Oba of Ogidi Ijumu, the land of my father, is 74 today and I so revel in telling a bit of her story which is still unfolding having just received another garland, alongside Prof. Soyinka, from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate for their contributions to the Nigerian and global art. In 1995, Kim Marie Vaz, author of WALKING RADDY: THE BABY DOLLS OF NEW ORLEANS, a professor of education who’s concurrently a Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University…

The billions I found in Nollywood, by Funke Egbemode

Emporium Reporters

I interviewed Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) on the same day. I still remember the red Peugeot 505 they drove to the Onipetesi office of The Punch that evening. Yes, they honoured this reporter and interviewed them in the office at Onipetesi. I was a regular at Tunji Bamisigbin’s and Ralph Nwadike’s office. It was a productive hunting ground for me to catch both budding and made actors. It was there I was first drawn to Funsho Adeolu because of the Adegeye in his name. Oga Bello Adebayo Salami,…

Prof Emenyonu hails TY Buratai Literary Award to Cyprian Ekwensi as historic honour

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Renowned African literary scholar, Professor Ernest N. Emenyonu, has lauded the T.Y. Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) for honouring legendary Nigerian author, Cyprian O.D. Ekwensi, with a posthumous award, described it as a “historic honour” and a “timely intervention” in Nigeria’s literary development. The award, conferred under the TYBLI Young Adult Literature category, was announced by the Initiative as part of its efforts to celebrate literary pioneers whose works have shaped the nation’s cultural and educational landscape. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of TYBLI and the Tukur & Tukur…