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Babatunde Saheed Departs Fresh FM After 11 Years, Moves to Join Success FM

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Renowned On-Air Personality (OAP) and Yoruba Sportscaster, Babatunde Saheed, also known as Mr. Sport, declared his departure from Fresh FM in a weekend tweet, expressing gratitude to Dr. Yinka Ayefele for an 11-year tenure at the station.

Saheed, a Communication specialist and media entrepreneur, unveiled plans to join Success FM 105.3, under Dr. Tope Odetayo’s ownership, commencing at the start of 2024, exuding enthusiasm for the new role.

Mr. Sport, known for his engaging persona and cheerful demeanor, built strong connections with fans during his time at BCOS Oluyole FM, where he spent close to a decade reporting on sports, earning admiration for his wit.

Amidst the heartfelt announcement of his departure from Fresh FM, the social media post received an outpouring of tributes and reminiscences, leaving many saddened by the news.

Expressing his excitement for the future, Babatunde Saheed, also referred to as Role Model, conveyed eagerness to collaborate with the talented team assembled in recent weeks, acknowledging the support received while anticipating future partnerships.

A seasoned broadcaster well-versed in Yoruba media, Saheed highlighted Success FM 105.3 as a prime hub for news, analysis, and premium entertainment, with a strong emphasis on sports reporting. Celebrating this significant career shift, he took to social media to share his joy and gratitude for the managerial role offered at Success FM, marking a new phase in his illustrious 20-year broadcasting career, and expressing profound thanks to the station’s board.

 

Unveiling the Triumph: Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah” and the Path to Cinema Success – PR Strategist Adesina Kasali

The resounding success of Funke Akindele’s cinematic masterpiece, “A Tribe Called Judah,” shattering records with a staggering 1 Billion Naira gross income at the box office, is a testament to the triumph of resilient storytelling and quality content. In an industry where filmmakers often tread a challenging path to attain profitability in cinemas, this feat serves as a beacon of hope and guidance.

The Power of Resilience and Quality Content

“A Tribe Called Judah” stands tall as a beacon of resilience, proving that exceptional content can yield extraordinary profits in cinemas. Funke Akindele’s commitment to delivering a captivating narrative with top-notch production quality underscores the fundamental essence of a successful cinema venture.

 

Lessons for Aspiring Filmmakers

For filmmakers aspiring to replicate such success, there are crucial insights to consider:

 

Embrace Compelling Storytelling

Craft narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Invest in compelling characters, engaging plots, and immersive storytelling that captivates from start to finish.

Production Excellence Matters

Strive for excellence in production quality. From sound design to visual effects, every element contributes to the cinematic experience and audience satisfaction.

 

Audience Connection is Key

Understanding the audience is paramount. Tailor the movie to appeal to the preferences and sensibilities of your target demographic for maximum impact.

 

Strategic Marketing and Distribution

A well-thought-out marketing and distribution strategy is indispensable. Generating hype and ensuring accessibility to theaters play pivotal roles in drawing audiences.

 

Adaptability and Learning

Embrace feedback and adaptability. Test screenings can provide invaluable insights, enabling necessary adjustments to enhance the film’s appeal.

 

“A Tribe Called Judah” isn’t just a box office triumph; it’s a case study in perseverance, dedication, and the transformative power of exceptional storytelling. It serves as a guiding light for filmmakers navigating the intricate landscape of cinema, showcasing that with the right ingredients, a successful cinema run and substantial profitability are within reach.

 

 

President Tinubu praises the creative brilliance of Nigerians and extends congratulations to #FunkeAkindele for achieving a Box Office record

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President Bola Tinubu praises the remarkable creative prowess of Nigerians, particularly lauding the outstanding achievements within the entertainment realm. He extends heartfelt congratulations to Funke Akindele for her groundbreaking success in the film industry, recognizing her as a key figure contributing to its advancement.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of Nigeria’s creative sector, President Tinubu emphasizes its significance not only as a platform for artistic expression but also as a potent source of soft power and a valuable export asset.

Highlighting the industry’s role in generating substantial employment opportunities for the country’s talented youth, the President underscores its importance within his administration’s agenda. He expresses gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support of indigenous creative endeavors and pledges to foster an environment conducive to further industry growth.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
January 5, 2024
#ATribeCalledJudah

Peter Obi highlights that ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ by Funke Akindele, mirrors the challenges faced by Nigerians

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In the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, praised Funke Akindele, a Nollywood actress, for her remarkable achievement with the movie ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’ The film broke a box office record by grossing N1 billion within three weeks of its release, marking a historic milestone in the Nigerian movie industry.

Obi commended Akindele’s dedication, stating that her work reflects the challenges faced by less-privileged families in Nigeria.

He also emphasized the potential of Nollywood as a significant Nigerian export and urged the industry to continue inspiring hard work and productivity among Nigerians.

 

Arrival of Akeredolu’s remains in Nigeria evokes tears

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Yesterday marked a poignant moment as the body of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, was repatriated to Nigeria from Germany, where he passed away on December 26, 2023.

The arrival of his body, draped in the Nigerian flag, was met with a sorrowful atmosphere, witnessed as the plane landed and the casket was solemnly lowered at approximately 3:39 pm.

Olabode Olatunde, the former Chief Press Secretary to the late governor, confirmed this somber event to Saturday PUNCH.

At the Murtala International Airport in Lagos State, the late governor’s family, including his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, children, siblings, led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, were present.

They were joined by political allies, including representatives from various states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Osun, alongside members of the All Progressives Congress, the House of Representatives, and Ondo State Executive Council.

The remains were taken to the morgue, while the details of the funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.

Osimhen poised to finalize a pre-contract deal with Chelsea

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Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker from Napoli, has reportedly agreed to join Chelsea in the summer, as per PUNCH Sports Extra. Although he won’t move this month, talks suggest he’s open to signing a pre-agreement in January before the formal transfer.

According to TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old has a release clause of about £112m and has drawn interest from Chelsea, with legends like Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel reaching out to persuade him.

Chelsea’s pursuit for a top center-forward has put Osimhen at the forefront of their targets.

While Ivan Toney is also on Chelsea’s radar, his age and price pose obstacles. Osimhen, however, is open to an approach from Chelsea and could finalize a pre-agreement this month for a summer move, provided Napoli agrees.

Recent negotiations secured Napoli a significant fee with a release clause around £112m, indicating the club’s stance for a deal this month. Sources in Italy anticipate movement in the following weeks and anticipate this might be Osimhen’s final season with Napoli.

Chelsea faces pressure to act swiftly due to potential competition in the summer transfer market.

Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea boss, seeks to strengthen the squad with experienced players like Osimhen, who could become one of the highest-paid at the club.

January 8th has been officially declared a public holiday on Monday

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The government has officially declared Monday, January 8, 2024, as a public holiday in celebration of Constitution Day.

Minister for Interior Ambrose Dery, in a formal announcement, underscored the importance of Constitution Day, slated for Sunday, January 7, 2024, which is recognized as a Statutory Public Holiday.

Given that this significant day falls on a Sunday, His Excellency, the President of Ghana, has invoked Executive Instrument (E.I.) powers as outlined in Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).

Consequently, Monday, January 8, 2024, has been officially designated as an additional public holiday.

The statement issued a nationwide call for the public to honor this day as a public holiday.

 

Breaking Records: “A Tribe Called Judah” Smashes N1 Billion at the Box Office!

In a staggering triumph for Nigerian cinema, the film “A Tribe Called Judah,” directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, has propelled 2024’s box office to unprecedented heights, crossing the remarkable N1 billion milestone in ticket sales.

 

The movie, hitting theaters on December 15th, 2023, has swiftly surged to astounding success, raking in an impressive N1,060,711,491 in gross ticket revenues within a short span.

 

Renowned as the box office queen, Funke Akindele’s track record of blockbuster hits continues to amaze, with earlier films like “Omo Ghetto: The Saga,” grossing 636 million (2020), and “Battle on Buka Street” at 668 million (2022).

 

Notably, this billion-naira achievement eclipses the previous record held by Hollywood’s sci-fi sensation, “Black Panther 2,” which amassed 1.04 billion, solidifying this accomplishment as a monumental milestone for the Nigerian film industry.

 

Akindele’s success not only cements her status as a box office legend but also showcases her intuitive grasp of audience desires, both at home and abroad, and her consistent delivery of quality entertainment.

 

Surpassing the billion-naira mark in ticket sales sets an encouraging precedent for cinema exhibitors and creators, especially in the evolving landscape post-COVID, underscoring the resilience and potential of the cinematic industry.

 

“A Tribe Called Judah” stands tall among the select few, joining the elite tribe of billion-naira successes, serving as both inspiration and a source of immense pride.

 

Customs have enforced a duty exemption on LPG, CNG, and additional items

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The Nigeria Customs Service has initiated the execution of the Federal Government’s directive, granting a 100% duty waiver on processed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), imported liquid petroleum gas, electric vehicles, gas air conditioners, and related items.

Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, revealed this exclusively to The PUNCH.

The waiver, per the Ministry of Finance’s directive conveyed by Mr. Wale Edun, includes zero import duty on various components and services associated with CNG and LPG.

Maiwada confirmed the circular sent to all NCS formations for immediate compliance, clarifying that a letter of support from the Special Adviser to the President on Energy is required for individuals to benefit from the duty exemption.

The initiative, aiming to boost gas utilization, covers 41 exempted items.

Despite praise for President Bola Tinubu’s directive to curb rising LPG prices, the National President of Nigeria Association of LPG Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun, criticized the alleged delay by the NSC in implementing the zero import duties, highlighting the government’s timely intervention to expand gas utilization and reduce prices.

The day concludes with the Naira trading at N1035 per US dollar on the I&E window

The Nigerian naira concluded Wednesday’s trading at N1035.12/$ on the official Investor and Exporter foreign exchange window, marking a 4.72% decrease from its Tuesday closure at N988.46/$, as reported by data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange.

So far in 2024, the national currency has faced consecutive declines, with Wednesday marking only the third time it closed above N1,000/$ since the removal of the rate cap by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The day saw the naira begin trading at N932.67/$, reaching an intraday high of N1,224/$ and a low of N700/$ before settling at N1035.12/$ at close, with a total forex turnover of $85.68 million.

Despite a $2.25 billion foreign exchange support facility from the African Import-Export Bank recently received by the Federal Government, the naira’s performance remains under pressure.

The World Bank’s December Nigeria Development Update highlighted the naira’s significant depreciation against the US dollar in both official and parallel markets.

It stressed the need for increased FX volume to achieve stability and suggested measures like monetary policy tightening and facilitating FX flows to enhance market confidence and stability.